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INTRODUCTION 3 
many species of which the suspensor attains a morphological 
character quite as striking as that in the Orchidaceae. In the 
Viciae especially the suspensor produces a great number of nuclei 
sometimes not separated by membranes (Orobus). Here, how- 
ever, the endosperm is scanty and the complex. suspensor appears 
to take its place. Guignard suggests that the principal function 
of the suspensor may be to contribute to the nutrition of the em- 
bryo, but admits at the same time that in certain cases the char- 
acter of that organ indicates that it serves only as a means of at- 
tachment for the embryo. 
It is of interest in passing to note that Schleiden and Vogel* 
(38) saw the complex suspensor in Lupinus rivularis, but inter- 
preted it as a development of the pollen tube in accordance with 
their then maintained view of the origin of the embryo, 
The next work with a distinct physiological bearing dealing 
especially with the function of the suspensor was by S. H. Koor- 
derst who, in 1892, investigated the embryology of the teak with 
especial reference to the behavior of the embryo in the matter of 
nutrition. In this plant a most remarkable condition occurs, 
which, while entirely analogous to that already found by Treub in 
certain orchids, was shown by Koorders to be morphologically dif- 
ferent. The latter investigator found that the suspensor in its 
proximal, multicellular part is provided at the close of the “ Ko- 
gelstadium ” with “ zuigblasen ” or haustoria, which, however, are 
here special endosperm cells which attach themselves to the sus- 
pensor and elongate into tubular structures. Basing his inferences 
on the distribution of food materials in the ovule and embryo, 
which he found to be cuticularized till the cotyledonary phase was 
reached, Koorders concluded, also, that the embryo received 
nourishment through the agency of the suspensor until the ap- 
pearance of the cotyledons, after which these organs, especially, 
are concerned in the absorption of foods through their peripheral 
membranes. 
Touching more especially the rôle of the suspensor there ap- 
pears to be no further work. The adoption of a similar point of 
* وس موز‎ zur e Re = aa bei Leguminosen. Ver- 
handl. der K. . D. Akad. d. Nat 39. 
De Nie van Tine e t5 ati). Natuurk. Tijdschr. voor 
Ned. Ind. III. 12: 139. ۸7. 7-8. 1892. 
