368 



ON SEEDLINGS 



contains a small quantity of endosperm adhering to the testa. 

 The embryo is large, with rather fleshy, wavy, conduplicate, or 

 variously twisted cotyledons, and a fleshy, descending, incurved 

 or flexuous radicle, pointing upwards to the hilum. The latter 

 is broad and conspicuous. 



Ophiocaryon paradoxum is known as the Snake Nut, from 

 the manner in which the embryo is coiled up in the seed 

 resembling a snake. The cotyledons are membranous and 

 foliaceous. 



Seedlings. The species of this Order are natives of tropical 

 and subtropical countries north of the equator, and seedlings 

 do not often come under observation. The cotyledons of 

 Meliosma pungens (fig. 254) are foliaceous, aerial, and penni- 

 nerved with incurved veins. They are oblong in outline and 

 glabrous, whereas those of M. Arnottiana are oval or elliptic 



and ciliated at the margin. 

 The first leaf of M. pungens 

 is cuneate-elliptic, that of 

 M. Arnottiana lanceolate 

 and simple. 



Meliosma pungens, Wall. 

 (fig. 254). 



Hypocotyl somewhat 

 woody, terete, 3-4 cm. long, 

 1-5 mm. thick, pubescent, 

 brownish-grey. 



Cotyledons unequal, sub- 

 sessile, 2-5-3'5 cm. long, 

 1-5-2 cm. broad, oblong, 

 obtuse, rounded at tbe base, 

 penninerved, with incurving 

 veins, reticulate, glabrous, 

 coriaceous, dark green with 

 brownish spots above, paler and shining beneath, rather persistent. 

 Stem sbort, like the bypocotyl, but with longer bairs. 1st inter- 

 node 1 mm. long. 



First leaves simple, cauline, alternate, exstipulate, petiolate, 

 alternately perminerved, hispid or hairy above, and deep sbining 

 green, tomentose beneath ; petioles sbort, at least in early stages of 

 the plant. 



FIG. 254. Meliosma pungens. 

 Two-thirds nat. size. 



