290 
were supported by roots. Unfortunately these experiments were 
begun late in the season, and the appearance of the frost prevented 
their continuance. 
It is hoped that in a future and more. prolonged study of this 
plant, numerous and varied experiments of this nature will fur- 
nish additional proof of the conclusion reached above, namely, 
that the principal function of the gynophore hair is to furnish a 
supply of food material for the use of the developing fruit. It is 
hardly necessary to add here that if the secondary function of the 
root hair is to hold that part of the root on which it grows firmly, 
and so to facilitate the penetration of its tip into the soil, the same 
function must also be ascribed to the hairs of the gynophore, as 
the conditions are the same in both cases. 
Observations on the Root. 
On the germination of the first seeds planted for study it was 
noticed that there was a rupture of the epidermal cells, extending 
around the circumference of the root at the line where it joined the 
hypocotyl. The layer of cells so broken curved backward from 
the place laid bare, showing that it had been subject to a positive 
tension exerted by the underlying layers, which was strong enough 
finally to produce the rupture. The portion of the root 50 
exposed grew rapidly and turned a slightly yellow. It was 
thought at first that this peculiar conduct might de due to the ab- 
normal circumstances under which the seeds germinated, as they 
were planted in a box of moist sawdust in the laboratory. To 
test this, seeds were planted under all available differences of condi- 
tion; some in greenhouses under glass, in sawdust ; others in the 
same place, but in moist earth. Seeds were planted in the open 
air in various localities referred to at the beginning of this article, 
but always with the same result. As soon as the seed began to 
germinate, the break in the epidermis appeared. A study of the 
development of the young embryo was then undertaken with the 
following results: The embryo in the seed was found to have a 
normally developed primary root. The disposition of its meri- 
stems corresponds to that ascribed to the roots of the Legumi- 
nosae. After germination the dermatogen ceases to develop new 
cells, while the other meristems continue to divide, the outer lay- 
