Apr. 1895.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. 415 



erect, and diverges but slightly from the line of the future 

 plumular stem. 



The lamina is equilateral, somewhat fleshy, and of an 

 elongated elliptical outline. Both surfaces are quite 

 glabrous, and pale green in colour, though the lower is of 

 a distinctly paler tint than the upper, 



A midrib is distinctly visible on the lower surface, being 

 represented by a median longitudinal line, but no ridge, 

 while on the upper its position is indicated by a slight 

 groove at the base. 



The petiole is generally about one-third or one-half the 

 length of the lamina, and is rather slender, with a slight 

 longitudinal groove on the upper face, which, however, dis- 

 appears just below the joint by which the lamina is 

 attached. The lower face is cylindrical, but not keeled. 



At its base the petiole expands laterally to form a small 

 distinct vagina, which half surrounds the stem, but scarcely, 

 if at all, unites with that of the opposite cotyledon, con- 

 sequently no tube is formed round the plumule, the 

 protection of which • is, however, assured by the upright 

 petioles themselves. 



The cotyledons are not persistent, but after the first 

 three or four plumular leaves are fully formed the lamina 

 falls off at the joint, leaving the yellow withered petiole 

 still attached to the stem. 



The hypocotyl is considerably elongated, and the two 

 cotyledons are borne at a height of about an inch from the 

 ground. 



Plumule. — The first leaf arises in a plane at right 

 angles to that in which the cotyledons lie, and in most 

 cases, before it has fully expanded, the internode bearing 

 it has elongated to such an extent as to raise the first node 

 clear of the cotyledonary petioles. 



This internode is in colour pale green, splashed with 

 minute red spots ; it is always glabrous, quite smooth, and 

 in many seedlings reaches a considerable height. 



The first leaf itself is composed of a simple unbranched 

 lamina, borne at the apex of a long slender petiole, to 

 which it is attached by means of a short joint, and may be 

 expanded either horizontally or obliquely upwards. 



The petiole is generally long enough to raise the lamina 



