136 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [FEBRUARY 
FERTILIZATION 
The process of fertilization takes place during April or early in 
May. It may follow quickly upon the completion of the division 
of the nuclei in the embryo sac, or the latter may remain for several 
weeks before being fertilized. All depends upon the accident of 
pollination. Spathyema is fertilized by the agency of insects, 
especially certain spiders which make a practice of spinning their 
webs inside the spathe and flies which are attracted by the rank odor 
of the plant. 
The exact length of time required for the penetration of the 
pollen tube into the embryo sac was not determined. The stigmatic 
surface consists of a mass of loosely compacted cylindrical cells, 
thin-walled and not distinctly nucleated. Four vascular bundles run 
through the thick pyramidal style, corresponding to its four angles. 
The central portion of the style consists of a loose mass of thin- 
walled cells, through which the pollen tube readily forces its way to 
the upper end of the ovary. It then follows either the inner surface 
of the ovary or the outer surface of the integuments of the ovule 
until opposite the micropyle, through which it passes. 
THE EMBRYO 
After fertilization, the oospore by transverse divisions forms a 
proembryo of four cells. The terminal cell then divides longitudi- 
nally, followed by a second longitudinal division at right angles to 
the first. Each of the four terminal cells then divides transversely. 
The most advanced material examined during the second week in 
May showed the embryo in this stage of division. Beyond that point 
it has not as yet been possible to carry the investigation. 
BrairsTowy, N. J. 
