14 FAMILIAR TREES 



" aril," or fleshy covering to each of the seeds, which, 

 alike in the red-fruited and the white varieties, is of 

 a brilliant deep orange. This outgrowth from the 

 " testa " or integument of the seed resembles in struc- 

 ture, colour, and function the more partial and divided 

 covering to the seed of the Nutmeg, which is known 

 as mace ; but in the case of the Spindle-tree the de- 

 velopment of this outgrowth after the fertilisation of 

 the seed begins, not at the structural base of the seed, 

 its " funicle " or stalk, but at the other end, at the 

 " micropyle," or orifice at which the pollen-tube enters 

 and the primary root leaves the seed ; and therefore it 

 is known technically as an " arillode," whilst the mace 

 is an " arillus." The function of either structure is 

 apparently to render the seeds more attractive to birds, 

 and thus to ensure their dissemination. Sir Joseph 

 Hooker alludes to this in the case of the Nutmegs and 

 pigeons of the Molucca islands. Much interest attaches 

 to the obscure question as to the identity or similarity 

 of the aesthetic perceptions, taste, colour, smell, or hear- 

 ing, in the lower animals, such as the insects that seek 

 honey in the flowers of our gardens, or the birds that 

 eat the gaily coloured fruits of our orchards, with 

 those of man. In this case, however, undoubtedly, as 

 in the parallel instance of the pale blue blossoms of 

 Love-in-a-mist (Nigel'la sati'va L.) amid its vivid 

 green foliage, the deft brush of the Master- Artist has 

 secured by a bold contrast an effect most pleasing to 

 the human eye. 



A variety with broader and more glossy leaves and 

 larger fruit, sometimes ranked as a distinct species 

 under the name of E. latifo'lius Scop., is well worthy 



