476 



ON SEEDLINGS 



all similar in shape to the cotyledons and first pair of leaves till 

 near the inflorescence. 



Bracts large, ovate and lanceolate, acuminate, subcordate at the 



Euphorbia exigna, L. 



Fruit capsular, falling away from the persistent axis into three 

 two-valved cocci, each containing one seed. 



Seed shortly oblong, small, obtuse- 

 ly tetragonous in transverse section, 

 glaucous or whitish, and deeply pitted 

 all over the two faces nearest the axis ; 

 hilum depressed at the apex of the 

 ventral aspect ; raphe ventral on the 

 ventral angle ; chalaza basal. 



Endosperm copious, fleshy or al- 

 most farinaceous, white, surrounding 

 the embryo. 



Embryo straight, central, nearly as 

 long as the endosperm, but much 

 narrower, colourless ; cotyledons ob- 

 long, obtuse, entire, plano-convex, 

 much shorter than the radicle ; radicle 

 cylindrical, obtuse, but narrowed to 

 the point, much longer than the coty- 

 ledons and as broad or. slightly broader 

 in the middle, close to the apex of the 

 endosperm, and the hilum of the seed. 



Seedling (fig. 637). 

 Hypocotyl glabrous, bright green, 

 1-8-2-4 cm. above the soil. 



Cotyledons spathulate -linear or 

 strictly linear, obtuse, entire, narrowed 

 to the base and connate, glabrous, 

 glaucous above, bright green beneath and shining. 



Stem erect, terete, glabrous, bright green, annual ; 1st internode 

 7'5 mm. long ; 2nd 4'5 mm. ; 3rd 1'5 mm. ; 4th 2 mm. 



Leaves alternate (1st and 2nd opposite), entire, sessile, narrowed 

 to the base, with a distinct midrib seen only by transmitted light, 

 glabrous, glaucous above, bright green beneath. 



Nos. 1-10. Linear, subacute, narrowed towards the base. 



FIG. 637. 



-Euphorbia exigua, 

 x2. 



