114 



When the fruit has arrived at maturity, the embryo (e, Fig. 

 2, c) then occupies a cylindrical cavity in the endosperm (end, 

 Fig. 2, c) which, rich in food materials, occupies the whole space 

 in the interior of the inner integument. The end of the radicle 

 of the embryo then lies close to the micropyle, and it is at this 

 stage in its development that, were it not for the viviparous 

 habit, the seed would enter the resting condition. As it is, 

 however, the embryo keeps up its growth, and very soon the 



Fie. i. A shoot of Podocarpus Makoyi, bearing a germinating seed. 



root end of the embryo breaks through the micropyle. The 

 relative position of the two regions of the ovule above distin- 

 guished, together with the positive geotropy of the root pole 

 of the embryo, causes the radicle, and later the hypocotyl, to 

 bend downwards. How far the geotropic stimulus affects the 

 matter is however not clear, for, either on account of the weak 

 response, or as a result of unequal growth on the two sides of 



