RHAMNE^E 



345 



more or less flattened, sometimes arillate at the base. The 

 testa is loose and membranous, or crustaceous or leathery. 

 Endosperm is nearly always present, and fleshy. The embryo 

 is large and straight, with flat, rarely curved or bent cotyledons> 

 as in Ehamnus davuricus ; and the inferior radicle is short. 

 Striking exceptions in the Order occur in Yentilago and 

 Smythea, which have a one-celled, one-seeded fruit, and ex- 

 albuminous seeds. Those of Ventilago are globose, and the 



PIG. 245. Ehamnus davuricus. Half nat. size. 



cotyledons are thick and fleshy ; but the seeds of Smythea are 

 more flattened. The fruit of Ventilago is produced into a long 

 wing. 



Seedlings. There are several types of seedlings in this 

 Order judging from the variation amongst the seeds and their 

 contained embryos, but they do not often come under ob> 

 serration in this country. Ehamnus davuricus (fig. 245) 

 may be given as one type having aerial foliaceous cotyle- 

 dons. The broad, shallow sinus at their apices seems to be 



