AVICENNIA. 193 
the centre of the ovulum, whether this has a lining mem- 
brane or not I cannot say, but its surface is irregular. 
At a later period, but before the young fruit projects be- 
yond the calyx, the protruded mass will be found larger (as 
wellas the nucleus): from it near the nucleus and on 
its outer surface, projects a bilamilar body, which is the em- 
bryo, the protruded part about the fissure is membrano-cel- 
lular. 
The two lamina are the cotyledons when detached, they 
are found to be even now unequal, the outer one being 
shorter, and arising as it were lower down the base of 
the placenta; opposite each end of each ovulum is con- 
ductile, but much more so opposite the fertilised ovule, the 
protruded mass of which seems to adhere to it, (i. e. to the 
conducting tissue.) 
The protruded mass is more intimately connected with the 
nucleus by a gut or tube, which lines its central cavity. It 
is Į imagine from the protruded end of this sac, that the 
protruded albuminous mass is formed, i£ is highly divided, 
80 that it is a Santaloid tube inverted, 
The shorter cotyledon is now bilobed, or biauriculate 
at the base, 
The tubular portion internal to the nucleus appears to 
reach at least to its base; but it is difficult to ascertain its 
doing 80, owing to the denseness of the tissue surrounding 
it, which forms as it were a column reaching throughout the 
ovulum, The apex of the protruded mass is cellulo-pa- 
pillose, The tube certainly exists, and appears to be con- 
tinued to the centre of the protruded mass. 
The mass subsequently protruded, appears to be at one 
enclosed within the apex of the nucleus, and the inner 
tube which is then tortuous, appears to be outside of the co- 
imnar tissue; even at this time the centre of the mass is 
“Scolored, and presents traces of the embryo, and its lax 
tells are obscurely traceable to the apex of the mass. 
Judging from appearances, I should say, that the mass has 
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