222 



tree ants, Oecophila sinnra(/(lina Em., which are evidently avoided 

 by birds. 



At first it appeared to us that the germination varies greatly among 

 (litTerent sj)e('ies of Lorantiiaceae, but on closer investigalion we found 

 that a number of types of germination can be distinguished which 

 are readily deducible from one another. 



2. Viscum avticulatum L. 



So far as is known, these plants are ahfiost exclusively found 

 parasitic on Lorantlais pentand nis. Cases have, however, been recorded 

 in which this plant occurred on other hosts. We only succeeded in 

 finding one such case. The Fwc?///?-plants were growing onaj'oung 

 tree of a Symplocos species in the Tolomaja mountains in such 

 numbers on the branches and s(em and had such a peculiar habit, 

 that we did not at first recognise thein. 



Sometimes it seems as if a plant of V. articuhitum is growing 

 on a host other than Loranthus but on closer examination this is 

 found not to be the case. The leaves of the Loranthus are sometimes 

 entirely eaten awa^' by caterpillars [Deluts species). Microscopic exa- 

 mination of the branch on which the Viscum grows alone can 

 give certainty in this case. 



At various times we sowed seeds of (his species of Viscum on 

 many kinds of plants, but none germinated. If the seeds are sown 

 on Loranthus pentandrus, tiien de\'elopment takes place with great 

 certainty. We do not know the reason for this. 



Tiie fruits are almost spherical and in colour white. The seeds 

 are juicy and flat, 3 by 2| m.m. and about ^ m.m. thick. They 

 easily adhere and germination takes place fairly quickly. The first 

 day after the seeds have been set, no great change is observable. 

 On the second day a small green point appears from the edge of 

 the seed. This gradually develops into a thin green filament of about 

 i m.m. in length. The apex of this bends towards the branch of 

 the host in consequence of negative heliotropism, as can easily be 

 demonstrated and as has long been known in the case of European 

 Viscum. The green filament is none other than the hypocotyl of the 

 seedling grown out. Its apex attaches itself to the bark of the host 

 and then begins to swell up a little to a small discoid sucker. 



The seed sometimes renuiins for several weeks in this stage of 

 development. It swells up so as to become rounder. After about 

 four weeks (in the rainy season somewhat earlier, in the dry some- 

 what later) the seed becomes loosened tVom the substratum, where- 



