15 
examined in the same way as was done in the case of 
Asparagus 
The fruit and seed in these genera are like those of Asparagus, 
except that the seed-coat is commonly of a paler colour. Both 
micropyle and hilum are visible ; they occupy the same positions 
and have the same appearance as in that genus. The embryo 
is shorter and broader (A, Fig. 5) but its orientation is quite 
similar (C, D, Fig. 5). Its various parts, including the plumule 
(Plate LIV, Figs. 19 and 24), closely resemble those of Asparagus, 
only that the number of vascular bundles in the cotyledon is 
greater (Plate LIV, Fig. 17), while the tissues of the primary root 
are perhaps slightly less clearly differentiated (Plate LIV, Fig. 18). 
In all three genera the features of germination are remarkably 
alike, so much so that it will be unnecessary to fully describe 
and illustrate more than one ; for this purpose Ruscus aculeatus 
has been chosen. Observed from the exterior, the only differ- 
Fic. 6.—Polygonatum 6 ae Desf. Seedlings at various sina ne. develop- 
ment, showing the — h of the tuberous hypocot yl, &c. (All x3.) Cot., 
cotyledon ; + Cot. sh Bik thing base of cotyledon ; f. (1, 2, &c.), Tataphyi 
(1st, 2nd, &c.); Hyp., hypocotyl; Pr., primary root ; r, 2, secondary roo 
ence is that the primary axis does not make its appearance first 
as in Asparagus, but is preceded by several kataphylls which 
cover it over, and have much of the appearance shown in the 
case of the genus Polygonatum (D, Fig. 6) ; later on it rapidly 
elongates, leaving these leaves below-ground at its base. I have 
not followed the growth of seedlings to maturity and so cannot 
say exactly how many of these basal kataphylls—separated only 
by short internodes—are normally produced, but I have before 
me a section of Semele androgyna in which no less than eight are 
shown, each with a very large axillary bud. In Ruscus a smaller 
number seems to be typical, and the first apparently subtends 
no bud ; while here, as in the other two genera, both the epicotyl 
and the internodes between the kataphylls elongate a little, 
especially in deep-sown seedlings (Plate LIV, Fig. 23). In longi- 
tudinal sections of the young seedling it is seen that the greater 
part of the plumular meristem is devoted to the formation of 
leaves, and that these sheath the axis more completely than in 
