1914] PFEIFFER—THISMIA AMERICANA I31 
in 1883, found a weakly developed embryo of 3 or 4 cells in a mass 
of endosperm in Burmannia maburnia and B. javanica. Jouow, 
in 1885, reported a similar situation in B. capitata with a 1o-celled 
embryo, and in Afteria one with 4 cells. In Thismia javanica, 
Ernst and BERNARD (11) have found a more strongly developed 
embryo with 4-6 tiers of cells. Thismia clandestina (14) has a 
still better differentiated embryo, with a 3-celled suspensor above 
a spherical body, the outer cells of which are differentiated from the 
inner. T. Versteegii (14), a closely related form, has on the other 
hand a simple embryo. Thismia americana then would seem, in 
its embryo situation, to resemble this last species and forms like Bur- 
mannia javanica and B. maburnia. 
No case of polyembryony has been found, such as was reported 
by Ernst (8,20) in Burmannia coelestis Don, a form developing 
embryos apogamously. Here the number of embryos was one, 
two, or three, dependent on whether the egg alone functioned, or 
the synergids were also active. In the earlier history ERNST 
found no reduction division to occur in the formation of ““mega- 
Spores.” Stages have not yet been obtained in Thismia americana 
to work out the sequence here, but assuredly, at maturity, only one 
embryo in each seed has so far been found. 
The arrangement of parts in the flower seems such that insect 
pollination would be necessary, unless a situation similar to that 
in Burmannia candida Engl. and B. Championii existed. Here the 
pollen grains germinate in the sporangia, and the pollen tubes 
Stow toward the style branches. No indication of this condition 
was found in Thismia americana. 
Up to date, the few attempts at germinating the tiny seeds have 
been fruitless. It is to be hoped that a larger harvest may give a 
better opportunity for positive results. The relation of the fungus 
inhabitants to the developing plant might be better worked in this 
connection than with the mature plant. Since the fungi occur 
in the root, the absorptive region, and not in the stem, they would 
seem to have some connection with water and food supply. 
Microchemical tests show that in the root there is a very large 
Supply of reserve food in the form of oils or fats. Contrary to 
the results of Ernst and Jouow, no sugars or starch are present in 
