566 TKANSACTIOXS AND PKOCEEDIXGS OF THE [Skss. lvii. 



The embryo is curved ; the cotyledons, closely applied 

 to one another by their upper surfaces, enclose between 

 them the minute rudiments of the plumule ; while the 

 radicle, curving backwards, runs for a greater or less 

 distance along their edges, either parallel to these or pro- 

 jecting slightly outwards so as to form an angle with the 

 median plane of the cotyledons. 



The seed is borne at the free end of a short funicle, and 

 when ripe, is set free in such a way that the fnnicle is left 

 behind attached to the placenta. The separation between 

 the seed and the - funicle takes place by two distinct 

 methods ; either all the funicular tissue is detached from 

 the seed, and this is by far the commoner mode, or a 

 definite part of the funicle is left attached to it in the form 

 of a false aril. In the former case a scar, generally of a 

 different colour from the rest of the seed-coat, is left on 

 that part of the seed to which the funicle was attached. 



This scar, which is called by Nobbe (v.) the hilum, is 

 often a mere point, usually somewhat sunk in the seed-coat, 

 and lying in the hollow between the cotyledons and the 

 apex of the radicle. It is, however, often elongated, taking 

 a somewhat elliptical form and extending more or less 

 round the end of the cotyledonary part of the seed — i.e., 

 over the apex of the cotyledons. Moreover, it not un- 

 frecjuently becomes a mere linear mark extending along the 

 edge of the cotyledons towards tliat part of the seed whicli 

 corresponds to their base. In the unrijDe seed it is covered 

 by a similarly shaped mass of pai'enchymatous tissue, 

 formed as an outgrowth from the apex of the funicle and 

 more or less triangular in transverse section. 



The free part of the funicle does not, however, arise 

 from the middle of this outgrowth, but is in most cases 

 united to it at no great distance from the end next the 

 micropyle. A vascular bundle runs up the funicle and 

 along the outer edge of this parenchymatous tissue, till 

 it reaches the end of the scar remote from the radicle, 

 and there enters the seed. 



In the case of these seeds which possess a false aril, 

 the tissue at the apex of tlie funicle forms a short, thick- 

 mass, covering a small, elliptical, rather deeply sunk scar. 

 The outer layers of this funicular tissue are composed of 



