MENISPERMACE^E 107 



in some instances as in Anomospermum. The seeds of the 

 Pachygoneae are exalbuminous, while the embryo differs chiefly 

 from that of Menispermum in being thick, fleshy, and occupy- 

 ing the whole cavity of the seed. 



Cotyledons. There is a great amount of variety in the 

 cotyledons of the different genera belonging to this Order, but 

 few of them come under observation in a living state from the 

 fact that most of the species are members of tropical regions 

 and are of little or no horticultural value. 



A large number of species conform however to Menisper- 

 mum. It is probable that the cotyledons of some members 

 of the Order would prove subterranean on germination, as 

 for instance in the case of Tiliacora, the embryo of which 

 nearly equals the seed in length, and has fleshy adpressed 

 cotyledons. They are also fleshy and thick in Hyperbaena, 

 cortical and fleshy in Fibraurea, as well as in some others 

 belonging to the tribe Pachygoneae. 



FIG. 140. Menispermum canadense : A, germinating seedling, x 2 ; 

 B, vertical section of seed, x 2 ; C, transverse section of seed, x 4. 



Menispermum canadense, L. (fig. 140). 



Fruit drupaceous, one-seeded, black or bluish black when 

 mature, laterally compressed ; endocarp bony, laterally compressed, 

 reniform or horseshoe-shaped, crested along the dorsal edge. 



Seed attached to the ventral indented process of the endocarp 

 and conforming to it in shape ; testa thin ; hilum on the middle of 

 the ventral edge. 



Endosperm fleshy, copious, surrounding the embryo, creamy 

 white or yellow. 



Embryo linear, much curved in conformity with the seed, fleshy, 

 colourless or yellow ; cotyledons linear or semiterete, obtuse, applied 



