vide. The eta^'^e of f'^ee endosperm nu-^lei ia very short, 

 as ceil wails have appeared in the twelve nucleate 

 sta^^e. These walls first arise in the 1 ottom of the 

 embryo sac. Both endoderrn and nucellus p;row rapidly 

 frciii this tii'ie forward. The endosperm early disinte- 

 f;;rates the neif-ihborinf^ nucellar tissue except in two 

 points, the tapetal strand of tissue leading down from 

 the iiiicropyle and bearinp; the fertilized er,p; at its 

 lower end, and the pit at the chalazal end o^ the em- 

 bryo-sac wiiich earlier held the antipodals. This and 

 the deeply staininr; tissue surrounding it resist the 

 action of the endosperm for some time, and by the 

 growth of the base of the nucellus are pushed into a 

 position on the side of the growing endosperm, ("'"ig. 

 29). It is finally absorbed, however. 



The nucellus keeps pace with the "-rowing endo- 

 sperm. Its epidermal layer being clianged to make part 



