THE MORPHOLOGICAL COMPOSITION OF PLANTS. 71 



the fronds. In Fig. 116 (a vertical section of the form repre 

 sented in Fig. 115) are exhibited the relations of the succes 

 sive fronds to each other. The modified relations that would 

 result, if the nutrition of the embryo admitted of anticipatory 

 development of the successive fronds, are shown in Fig. 117. 

 And how readily the structure may pass into that of the 

 monocotyledonous germ, will be seen on inspecting Fig. 118; 



which is a vertical section of an actual monocotyledon at an 

 early stage the incomplete lines at the left of its root, indi 

 cating its connexion with the seed.* Contrariwise, 



* Since these figures were put on the block, it has occurred to me that the 

 relations would be still clearer, were the primary frond represented as not 

 taking part in these processes of modification, which have been described as 

 giving rise to the erect form ; as, indeed, the rooting of its under surface 

 will prevent it from doing in any considerable degree. In such case, each of 

 the Figs. Ill to 117, should have a horizontal rooted frond at its base, 

 homologous with the pro-embryo among Acrogens. This primary frond 

 would then more manifestly stand in the same relation to the rest, as the 



