67 
(FIG. 23, upper row). Each of the two firm fleshy cotyledons 
has somewhat the form of a half of a flattened heart bisected 
in the plane of the flattening; each is 2.5-4 inches in horizontal 
diameter, 2-3.5 inches in vertical diameter, and is about three 
quarters of an inch thick in the middle. The crimson or coral- 
line-red plumule is strongly developed at the time of the dropping 
of the fruit; its apex is gracefully curved or hooked somewhat 
oe trees of Pelliciera Rhizophorae; two or three feet high and be- 
Fic. 20. 
ginning to flow 
after the fashion of an interrogation mark; if straightened out ° 
the plumule would measure about three inches in length. If 
this mangrove were not so far removed from most of the schools 
of the world, its embryo, with its great cotyledons and large 
gaily colored plumule would doubtless come into great demand as 
attractive and instructive object for demonstrations and dis- 
sections in botanical classes. The peculiar long-beaked fruit 
of this mangrove is apparently a biological adaptation to the 
