L. i^entnndrus are generalij pealed by the birds one by one. Then 

 the birds, usually species of thrushes rub off the very sticky seeds 

 from their beaks on to the branches. It is obvious tiiat by such 

 a method, the chance of a seed arriving at a place suitable for its 

 development is much greater than was the case in the previously 

 mentioned species. 



Naturally they are often found on branches of Lovantlius pen- 

 tandrus itself and young seedlings can always be found on it in 

 great numbers. This fact was also observed by Koernicke '). But 

 this does not imply, that we can now speak of Loranthus as a 

 parasite on Loranthus itself. All the cases figured by Koernickk 

 refer only to seedlings. We have never yet met with adult plants 

 of Loranthus growing on another species of Loranthus. Seedlings 

 are often also found on dead branches, which, because they are 

 leafless, offer a favourite support to birds. But this does not permit 

 us to say that species of Loranthus can be parasitic on dead wood. 



In comparison with the size of the fruit (he seeds are relatively 

 small, about 4 — 5 mm. The testa is, as in the other species, very 

 thin and encloses a great quantity of endosperm. At the extremity 

 which is in the fruit turned towards the apex, there are 5 muci- 

 laginous, filamentous protuberances, about 3 mm. long, which cover 

 the apex of the seed and make it appear to be therefore about 

 7 mm. long. 



Their removal from the seed is not prejudicial to germination and 

 is indeed often brought about by the agency of birds. The green 

 apex of the hypocotyl is then seen which hence protrudes slightly 

 from the seed. The apex is already markedly swollen, when the 

 fruit is still not quite ripe. In proportion to the quantity of endosperm 

 the embryo is rather small. It consists of a short hypocotyl, which, 

 as has already been said, is swollen at its free extremity into a 

 knob and of a pair of very short, flat cotyledons, which reach to 

 about the centre of the endosperm. 



If the seeds are stuck on a branch, then, at least if it does not 

 rain, a few hours afterwards the mucilaginous protuberances of the 

 seed are seen to begin to dry up and the green knob of the hypo- 

 cotyl becomes visible. 



At the same time this knob swells up and grows with one lateral 

 edge towards the branch, so that a large swelling arises at the 

 extremity of the seed. Its lower side lies against the branch and 

 adheres to it. This occurs in the course of one to three days. 

 Gradually also that part of the hypocotyl which was concealed in 



1) M. KoKENicKE. loc. cit. p. 690. 



