370 MISS HILDA M. CUNNINGTON ON THE 
placente are like the projecting marginal flaps at the base of the leaves. They each 
have a small bundle midway between the ovary-wall corner and the inner margin, 
There is a ring of peripheral bundles (not shown in the figure) round the ovary edge, 
which anastomose frequently and whose course is difficult to trace. As the top of the 
ovary is reached it becomes nine-sided in transverse section and the peripheral bundles 
run in the ridges and pass into the sepals and petals, where they soon die out. They 
seem to consist only of a few phloem-constituents. The ovarial cavity is filled with 
mucilage secreted by the innermost cell-layer, which is very rich in starch-grains. 
Contrary to Svedelius’s statement that the mucilage does not extend into the clefts 
between the projecting placent: and is not secreted by the cell-layers there, it can be 
seen extending halfway down these clefts, and the outermost cell-layer is rich in starch 
and resembles the secreting-cells of the rest of the ovary. 
The mucilage is not entirely pectic in nature, as stated by Svedelius, as it stains with 
Congo red slightly, but ean be seen to be largely pectie on staining with Ruthenium red 
or methylene-blue. i 
Fruit.—The bracts remain the same size, but the ovary within increases enormously 
as the fruit develops. Engler states that it is the size of a walnut, but some specimens 
measured were much larger, being 7 ems. by 4 cms. 
Broad longitudinal bands of papillee are situated on the midribs of the carpels, the 
number of rows in each band varying according to the space available. 
The placentze increase enormously in size and consequently become lacunar, presenting 
a very leaf-like appearance. Often they are much distorted, owing to the growth of the 
seeds, about four of which show in section. 
The Seed.—The funicle which leaves a dark circular scar is attached to the middle 
of the base of the conical seed. There are two easily detachable integuments which 
form a thick spongy cap over the apex, and there is no endosperm or perisperm. 
The embryo is conical in shape, the cotyledon forming the apical part of the cone and 
the massive hypocotyl the base. The primary root is quite undeveloped. In a groove 
which extends from the apex to the base of the cotyledon and penetrates nearly to its 
axis lies the plumule (Pl. 36. fig. 20, a). It consists of a well-developed shoot with 
4-5 leaves showing median and marginal bundles; these bend in towards one another, 
and fusing, start the cylinder of the stem. ‘There are also two young adventitious 
roots arising in the cortex of the stem (Pl. 36. fig. 22, r). 
There is one cotyledonary bundle (Pl. 36, fig. 21, x) which passes down the centre of 
the cotyledon, receiving at right angles on one side the bundle (k') from the primary 
shoot (s) and then continuing as the axial cylinder of the hypocotyl to the base of the 
embryo (bb). 
The cotyledon contains a store of starch, and there is a very dense cone of starch- 
containing tissue over the point of attachment of the funicle. 
In conclusion, my best thanks are due to Professor Groom, under whose direction this 
work was carried out, for all his suggestions, advice, and help. 
Imperial College of Science and Technology. 
December, 1910, 
