229 



the seed, is drawn out in consequence of the growth of its anterioi' 

 part, but siiico this concealed portion is very sliort, very little of 

 this can ite seen in tlie lie^iiniinji'. The liases of tlie cotyledons also 

 just become visible and the lerniinal bud, which is concealed between 

 the two cotyledons grows out. First a small leaf appears, then 

 another. I!id this growlh is much slower than at the commencement 

 of germination. After a few weeks they arc usually one centimetre 

 in length. It is only when the stem begins to lengthen, sometimes 

 not until after a few months, that development proceeds again at a 

 greater rate. Long before this the while haustorium has already 

 penetrated into the host. 



Ji. Lurniithns jirtH'/dni/iis Bi,. 



This is the largest species of LoraDtluis which we found in Java. 

 It can grow on a variety of trees, but Uw the most part we found 

 them on Ficus species, imduding /•'/r/is I'lustica. Specimens with 

 pendulous branches 4 — 5 meters in length, are not uncommon. The 

 inflorescence is a thick crowded raceme. The flowers are very long 

 and orange-yellow in colour. The fruits are sessile, as broad as 

 those of the former species, but somewhat shorter. Moreover the 

 seeds are somewhat more crowded. The structure is identical with 

 that of Loirtuthiis jn'iitaiidnis and germination takes place in the 

 same way. 



12. Conclusion. 



The first impression gained with regard to the germination of 

 species of Ijorantlms is that it proceeds very differently in various 

 species. Hut investigation has shown that this difference is only 

 apparent. 



The germination, as described above for species of Visciiin and 

 agreeing completely with that of Viscum '</6?<//;, might be considered 

 the simplest stage. This germination-process may be compared with 

 that of epiphyte seeds, as Goebel ') has already noticed. In species 

 of Aescliynnntltus'^) and Disc/üdin') the hypocotyl also appeal's first 

 from the seed. It bends towards the bark of the host and attaches 



1) K. GOEBKL. loc. cit. p. 156. 



-) Idem p. 155. Figure 63. 



^) W. and J. DocïERs van Leeuwen— Rkijnvaan. Beiti-iige zur Kenninis der 

 Lebensweise uiniger Dischidia-Ai'ten. Ann. d. .turd. hot. de Bniteuzürg. XXVI I. 

 1913. p. 68. 



16 

 Proceedings Royal Acad. Amsterdam. Vol. XVlll. 



