SEED-COLORATION 369 



ensiformis with white seeds and Canavalia gladiata with red 

 seeds, two plants by some considered as varieties of one species, 

 (This association of white with coloured seeds is found also 

 with our Scarlet-runner {Phaseolus multiflorus^ where, besides 

 the usual form with dark mottled seeds, there is a form with 

 white seeds.) Looking around us in this bush-garden, we 

 notice a great variety in the colours of the seeds, particularly 

 with leguminous plants, some of which have been planted for 

 ornamental or useful purposes, whilst others owe their 

 presence there to birds. Growing over a neighbouring bush 

 we notice Ahrus precatorius, displaying in its opening pods the 

 familiar bright red seeds with a black spot. Forming a shade 

 for the young Cacao plants, we observe small trees of Erythrina 

 corallodendron^ exhibiting in their moniliform pods seeds strik- 

 ingly similar in coloration to those of Abrus precatorius, though 

 larger in size. Amongst the shrubby growths at the borders 

 of the patch we see Casalpinia sepiaria, the " Wait-a-bit " of 

 the Jamaicans, showing dark mottled seeds in its dehiscing 

 pods. Single trees, such as Adenanthera pavonina and Blighia 

 sapida^ are scattered about, the first-named displaying in its pods 

 the beautiful large scarlet seeds used for necklaces, the second 

 being the well-known Akee, from the branches of which hang 

 bright red fruits, showing, as they open on the tree, shining 

 black seeds partly exposed in their yellow arils. Hanging from 

 a vine in the branches of one of these trees are the long dry 

 fruits of the Loofah {Luffa acutanguld)^ with their black seeds 

 falling out ; whilst on a neighbouring fence we see suspended 

 the yellow fruits of Momordica Charantia (another cucurbitaceous 

 plant), which, as they open, display their seeds in bright red 

 soft coverings. However, when we turn to the fruit trees, the 

 species of Citrus and Anona, the Sapodilla {Achras Sapotd), and 

 the Star Apple {Chrysophyllum Cainito), we miss the brightly 

 coloured seeds, and find in their place whitish or brown seeds. 

 If the above illustration exhibits the variety in hue of 

 tropical seeds, it also makes evident the difficulties attending 

 such inquiries, and it at the same time shows the necessity of 



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