370 Alfred J, Ewart : 



Cakdamine TKNUiFOLiA, Hook. (Ci'uciferae). 



Journal of Botany, L, 1834, 247. 



This is given as a variety of C. hirsuta, L., by F. v. Mueller, 

 Census I., 1882. It appears to be a valid species. 



Cassytha melantha, R.Br. (Lauraceae). "Large Dodder Laurel" 



Prolonged search during more than one season failed to dis- 

 cover any plants of this parasite or of C. glabella showing any 

 rooted attachment to the ground. Mr. Semniens, Forester at 

 Bendigo, also informs me that he has never been able to find a 

 seedling of Cassytha attached to the ground. The possibility, 

 therefore, existed that these species were like Cuscuta, the ordinary 

 Dodder, rootless, and developed directly (ui the host plant. The 

 fruits of C. melantha are large, and with a very viscid pulp 

 Avhich sticks readily to the stems of the host plants. The thin 

 "walled pulp cells contain numerous granules of a viscid material 

 Avhich later, as the pulp cells break down, give them their sticky 

 nature. 



A quantity of ripe fruits of C. melantha were collected in 

 autumn in order to germinate them. They were planted with 

 ^and without the pulp on the surface and at varying depths. None 

 germinated. The outer coat is very hard, and it was found that 

 to produce germination it was necessary to file the seed coats. 

 Such seeds germinated in spring (September to October), and 

 their development was traced up to the point of attachment of the 

 host plant. 



The radicle escapes first, at once bends downwards and forms a 

 few simple roots. (PI. XVIII., Figs, a, b, c.) The other end of the 

 rod-like embryo remains in the seed, absorbing food materials 

 from the endosperm,, and growth in length takes place from the 

 tip embedded in the seed to form a sti'ongly arched stem, thick 

 at the base and tapering towards the apex. If the seed is deeply 

 buried it does not appear above the surface; but if near the sur- 

 face it is raised upwards by the straightening of the bent portion, 

 and not by the elongation of the straight basal portion. When 

 the endosperm has been absorbed, the absorbent apex of the stem 

 shakes off the seeds and escapes, the last scale leaves being deve- 

 loped while still in the seed. (PI. XVIIL, Fig. j.). No cotyledons 

 ,are developed. The first scale leaf is from 2 to 3J inches from 

 the base of the stem. If the stem is cut above it, a lateral shoot 



