DIPSACE/E 85 



sylvestris with a characteristic embryo. Scabiosa australis 

 (fig. 449) has a small funnel-shaped four-toothed calyx-limb, 

 and its embryo is similar to that of Dipsacus sylvestris, but 

 the seed contains a larger quantity of endosperm. The embryo 

 of Scabiosa palaestina has broadly ovate cotyledons nearly 

 dividing the endosperm into two equal portions. The fruit (fig. 

 451) is also notable both for the long slender beak into which 

 it is prolonged at the apex, and the ten to twelve long, slender, 

 feathery rays of the calyx. The involucel is also one of the 

 most highly developed in the Order ; its tube has eight strong 

 ribs alternating with as many membranous portions actually 

 perforated in the upper part ; and the lamina is broadly 

 expanded, flat or nearly so, membranous, and traversed by 

 numerous nerves, excurrent as small teeth along the margin. 

 The lower coriaceous portion would protect the seeds against 

 drought, while the membranous lamina would serve to disperse 

 the fruit. 



Seedlings. The structure and shape of the fruit and 

 seed in this Order are very constant, varying chiefly in size, 

 and so are the cotyledons as far as they have come under my 

 observation. The prevailing form is broadly oblong, entire or 

 emarginate, sessile, or tapering into a short broad petiole, and 

 trinerved, but the lateral nerves are often indistinct. Most 

 of them are narrow and linear or oblong when they emerge from 

 the seed, but they generally increase considerably in size and 

 sometimes undergo a little modification after germination by 

 becoming emarginate, oblong-oval, somewhat obovate, or 

 almost spathulate owing to their tapering into a broad 

 petiole. 



The involucel surrounding the fruit on the contrary varies 

 considerably, and, together with the different modes of germi- 

 nation, offers a ready means of classifying most of the seed- 

 lings observed. The involucel of Dipsacus sylvestris is trun- 

 cate at the apex, and the fruit crowned by a deciduous calyx. 

 The seedling (fig. 447) has oval-oblong cotyledons, and the 

 first six leaves are spathulate and crenate. D. ferox is 

 another type of this group, but its mode of germination 

 (fig. 448) is not common to all the species. The seedlings 

 nearly always carry up the seed, fruit, and involucel on the 



