62 Mr. Griffith on the Ovidum o/Santalum album. 



wliich cell is an extension of the inner wall of the corresponding part of the 

 tube, and cuts off the base of this from communication with the ascending 

 portion. Although the fruit of Santalum is monospermous, yet the above 

 changes are not, as this would lead one to imagine, confined to one ovulum. 

 The application of the filaments, as might indeed be expected from the situa- 

 tion of the points of the tubes, takes place frequently on all the ovula. 



The abortion of these ovula is certainly, therefore, not ascribable to the non- 

 agency of the male influence; neither is it to be attributed to pressure, or 

 indeed to any appreciable cause". 



The remaining changes, which in fact constitute the history of the ovulum, 

 are limited, in accordance with tlie sti'ucture of the ripe fruit, to one ovulum. 

 They take place within the dilated part of the tube, in which the single cell, 

 as stated above, is first developed ; and they consist in a further development 

 of cells, and in a corresponding increase of size of this portion of the tube 

 itself. It appears at this period opake, owing to its being crowded with mole- 

 cules, which are aggregated into distinct groups, perhaps corresponding with 

 some cellular division of the interior of this part of the tube. At a still later 

 period this portion is distinctly cellular, and most of the molecules have dis- 

 appeared ; at the same time, the constricted or narrow portion of the tube 

 presents indications of a cellular subdivision. As the development proceeds 

 the cells become more distinct, and end by occupying the whole of tlie tube. 

 They are developed from below upwards. When these cells are completely 

 developed, the membrane of the tube is not apparently visible ; but we have a 

 lax cellular body, corresponding to it in shape, which still remains attached to 

 the ovulum. I should here mention that the tube, from the site of the develop- 

 ment of the small cell to its origin at the attachment of the ovulum, never un- 

 dergoes any change, except, perhaps, a diminution in the number of its mole- 

 cules. This cellular body continues enlarging, especially at its base, and 

 subsequently becomes a globose body with an apiculus, the point of which 

 continues applied to the apex of the placenta: the original attachment con- 

 tinues perfect. When the young fruit is further advanced, the placenta will 

 be found pushed to one side, and nearly inclosed in a depression of the cellular 

 body. The original attachment of the base of the ovulum and of the tube still 

 continues perfect, and this latter may be found towards the centre of the 



