264 BOTANICAL GAZETTE {aprit 
8. The epidermis of the nucellus is the only part not used up by 
the endosperm. Its walls are thickened and it helps to form the 
inner seed coat. 
g. Fertilization takes place in May, five to. seven months after 
pollination. 
1o. The embryo is slow to begin growth and has a short sus- 
pensor. 
11. The seeds sprout normally after lying on the ground for two 
winters. 
12. The hairs serve a twofold function while young, to keep the 
growing tissues moist, and when mature to keep off moisture. 
13. One case of the regeneration of the fibrous layer of the anther 
wall by the epidermal layer was observed. 
14. The other investigated genera of the family all have a resting 
stage of the pollen, although it is much shorter. 
15. The other genera of the family all have anthers with four 
microsporangia. 
In comparing Hamamelis virginiana with its relatives, it seems 
certain that ii was once a spring-flowering plant, whose blossom- 
ing has worked backward through the winter. It differs from H. 
arborea essentially in the way its pollen passes the winter, for the 
development of each is much the same in October. 
Most of the plants showing long resting periods in pollen growth 
belong low in the system, in the Amentiferae; but with the exception 
of some oaks Hamamelis has the longest resting period known. It 
seems probable, therefore, that this resting period can not be regarded 
as a primitive character in any case. 
U. S. Bureau or PLant INDUSTRY, 
Xas. 
- LITERATURE CITED. 
1. Barey, L. H., “Hamamelis” in Cyclopedia of American Horticulture. ae 
2. BarLton, H., Observations sur les Saxifragées. Adansonia 5:297- 1864-1 ‘ 5: 
3: , Nouvelles notes sur les Hamamélidées. Adansonia 10:120- 1871 
1873. 
4. BENSON, Marcaret, Contributions to the embryology of the Amentiferae- 
. Part I Trans. Linn. Soc. Bot. II. 3: 409-427. 1894- 
5. Conwentz, H. W., Die Flora des Bernsteins. 2:93. 1886. 
