78 



tively longer in this plant. It does not appear that more 

 than one of the seeds in each fruit germinates, at least not 

 generally, but this happens occasionally, however, and was 

 observed in one case where two germinating plantlets were 

 developed from the same fruit. Fig. 92, in Plate XIII, shows 

 an early state of the germination, and we see there the cylin- 

 drical, free part of the cotyledon, o( which the extremity is 

 somewhat swollen and contains the plumule, as in Fig. 93. 

 which represents the same specimen, divided longitudinally. 

 We see further a short-pointed, conical tip below the plumule, 

 from where the primary root will come out. One month later 

 the plumule appears, and the base of tlie cotyledon forms a 

 sheath around it similar to the one described in Sahal and 

 Nannorhops. The first leaf (1.^ in Fig, 94) is whitish, almost 

 tubular and alternates with the cotyledon. At the same 

 time the primary root has further developed and shows 

 several lateral branches, but no secondary roots have appeared. 

 It is now to be pointed out that the primary root attains a 

 very advanced development, not only in regard to length, 

 but also as to its ramification. We have then two scale-like, 

 sheathing or rather tubular leaves, preceding the green or 

 first assimilating leaf, which, as shown on Fig. 95, is broadly 

 lanceolate and folded, as is characteristic in the Palm Family. 

 This figure (Fig. 95) has been drawn from a specimen seven 

 months older than the one above described. The fruit has 

 now become separated from the young plant, and there is 

 left only the partly faded, fibrous base of the cotyledon. The 

 first and second leaves (P and 1^) are also beginning to fade, 

 and no other root has been developed beyond the primary 

 one, which continues its growth in length and with the lateral 

 branches increasing in number. 



CYCLANTHACEAE. 



Carhidovica palmata. 



Belongs to the tribe '' CarludoviceiE," of which the seed has 

 a very copious albumen. The cotyledon is fusiform (Plate 

 XIV, Fig, 96) and is entirely enclosed in the seed during the 

 germination, excepting the foremost part, the very base 



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