62 WRIGHT : THE GENUS DIOSPYROS 



By this coincidence the first series of pronounced epicoty- 

 ledonary leaves are brought to approximately the same 

 height above ground in all species. 



The lengths of these axes are fairly constant in each species, 

 the median length of hypocotyls being from 5 to 7 cm. 

 as in D..Ebenumand D. Thwaitesii ; short hypocotyls, about 

 1 to 2 cm. as in D. insignis ; and long hypocotyls, being 

 from 10 to 11 cm., as in D. crumenata and D. quasi ta. 



The cotyledons are in all cases of the broad ovate type with 

 blunt or tapering apices and attached by very short petioles 

 at the cotyledonary node. 



The first epicotyledonary leaves are, in the majority of our 

 species, opposite ; in one species they may be opposite or 

 sub-opposite, and in the remaining species they are alternately 

 disposed on an elongated axis. In all cases the leaves are 

 simple, ovate-lanceolate in shape, but show differences in size 

 and venation in the respective species. Generally speaking, 

 they possess the diagnostic feature of the leaves of the mature 

 plant in all points except size. 



Internal Characters off the Seedlings. 



In every species the number of traces per cotyledon is 

 constant, and we have to separate those possessing two traces 

 per cotyledon (e.g., D. Ebenum and D. Gardneri), from those 

 with three (e.g., D. crnmenata and D. Embryo nteris). 



In those possessing two traces per cotyledon the coty- 

 ledons are usually persistent ; the cotyledonary traces are 

 prolonged into the primary root and the epicotyledonary 

 traces die away immediately below the cotyledonary node. 



In those species with three traces per cotyledon the majority 

 are characterized by detachment of cotyledons and enhanced 

 epicotyledonary development, and though there are three 

 traces per cotyledon the xylem and phloem of the median 

 trace are abortive in all species except D. pruriens. 



Furthermore, in those species with deciduous cotyledons 

 the epicotyledonary traces are continued through the 

 hypocotyl into the primary root. 



