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III. Notes on the Development of the Ovula of Loranthus and Viscum, and on 

 the Mode of Parasitism of these two Genera. By William Griffith, Esq., 

 Assistant Surgeon in the Madras Medical Service. Communicated by R. H. 

 Solly, Esq., F.R.S. 8s L.S. 



Read June 21st, 1836. 



X SHALL take as the type of the evolution of the ovula those of Loranthus 

 Scurrula. 



At the earliest stage, that I have submitted to examination, I find that the 

 ovarium is intimately adherent with the parietes of the calyx ; its shape being 

 merely indicated by lines of a denser tissue than the rest. The broadest part 

 is situated towards the apex of the tube of the calyx. It is hence prolonged 

 upwards, and terminates by being continuous with the tissue of the base of 

 the style. It is prolonged likewise downwards into a long subulate process, 

 which is continuous with the tissue of the pedicle. In the centre of the 

 broader part a transverse opake line of tissue is visible. The tissue composing 

 the calycine parietes is nearly homogeneous ; nor is there any rudiment 

 whatever of a viscous formation*. If we examine a flower shortly, or even 

 immediately, before expansion, we find that in addition to the above, there is 

 a brown, as it were, sphacelated line which runs along the centre of the style 

 and the upper prolongation of the ovary to the centre of the transverse opake 

 line ; here it is thickened, and either ceases or spreads ti'ansversely on either 

 side in the direction of the opake line. At this part there is evidently a small 

 swelling, and the tissue has become more transparent!. These two changes 

 are owing to the commencement of an excavation formed by the dislocation 

 of the originally continuous tissue, and which communicates freely with the 

 canal apparently existing in the style, along the sphacelated line. Almost 

 simultaneously with the appearance of this excavation the formation of the 



* See Tab. IV. fig. 1. f Ibid. fig. 2. 



