438 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [decembi -:r 



endosperm, and a group of cells is figured at the end of one of the 



suspensors 



1 



Description 



The early post-fertilization stages have not been satisfactorily 

 determined by the writer, who has not observed the number of 

 divisions of the fusion nucleus. The earliest stage which was 

 recognized is that represented in the reconstruction of G.fimicuhire 

 (fig. i). This shows a large single-celled proembryo, from several 

 points of which there have grown suspensors. Fig. 3 shows a 

 later stage. While some of these tubes 

 endosperm, others turn over the upper part of the embryo sac and 

 make their way down the opposite side. These suspensors often 

 form a tangle in the narrow part of the embryo sac. Thompson 

 has stated that in G. moluccense suspensors are found between the 

 endosperm and the nucellus. Several times the writer has observed 



funicular e. In this species sometime 



s a 



tangle of tubes is observed in that position. At certain distances, 

 cross- walls are formed in these suspensors, and branches grow into 

 the endosperm (fig. 17). The ends of the suspensors in the endo- 

 sperm have the usual dense protoplasm and nucleus. 



In the earlier stages of the development of the embryos of 

 G. sp. 15, G. sp. 29, and G. sp. 59 the endosperm becomes rather 

 disorganized by the growth of tubes, so that in the ripe seed a 

 central corrosion cavity is found. Packed in this is a coiled bundle 

 of tubular structures (fig. 4). When these tubes are extended they 

 measure about 23 mm. They have thick w r alls of a gelatinous 

 nature. In G. Gnemon and G. funiculare no such coiled bundle 



rm 



rate from each other and 

 Toward the tip of the sus- 



m 



denser. It surrounds a peculiar, elongated, pear-shaped cell with 



The apex of 



asm 



the cell is closely applied to the wall of the suspensor (fig. 9). A 



from this 



more 



globules (fig. 9a). Sometimes two similar but smaller nuclei, 

 closely associated, may be observed before the end cell is differ- 



