iculus , tlio strand of conducting cells getting gradu- 

 ally deeper and deeper in the tissue of the style. The 

 cell-walls of this strand are thickened, partly gela- 

 tinized and the contents of the cells are dense. Fig. 

 23 shows its appearance and position about midway in 

 the height of the style. When the flower first opens 

 the epidermis of the funiculus is not yet differentia- 

 ted (Fig. 24), but as winter approaches, the base of 

 the funiculus becomes glandular. The epidermal cells 

 enlarge, the walls thicken and the contents become vac- 

 uolated. (Fig. 25). In the spring this process is car- 

 ried still farther, and as the ovule occupies more and 

 more of the cavity of the ovary, these cells secrete a 

 mucous w.hich fills the sr-iall x-emaining cavity around 

 the base of the funiculus (Fig. 17). 



- The Descent of the Pollen Tube. 

 The pollen grains begin growth very shortly after be- 



