ACOTYLEDONOUS GEEMINATION. 357 



dons. The root (fig. 627 r) is a direct prolongation of the axis, t, in 

 a downward direction, separating from it at the collar, m, and the 

 embryo is here exorhizal (sgw, outwards). See page 41. 



AcoTYLEDONOus Geemination. — In Acotyledons the spore (fig. 

 629) has no separate embryo in its interior." It may be considered 

 rather as a cellular embryo than a seed. It germinates by sending 

 off cellular root-like prolongations from all parts of its surface, hence 

 it is called hderorlmal {ersgos, diverse) (see p. 43). These ceUular 

 processes may be formed either from the entire wall of the spore or 

 from its inner covering. In fungi the spore gives origin to a cellular 

 axis called spawn (mycelium), on which ultimately the fructification is 

 developed. The spores of Fungi often germinate in anomalous posi- 

 tions, such as the organs of other plants, and the bodies of animals and 

 man. Much injury is often occasioned in crops by the attacks of these 

 spores. In the higher acotyledons the spores form in the first instance 

 a cellular prothallus, in which the organs of reproduction ultimately 

 are developed (see p. 279). In speaking of the germination of Hypho- 

 mycetous Fungi, Lister states that these spores (conidia) germinate 

 in three ways. 1. They may form their sprouts, which become 

 plants Kke the parent. 2. They may multiply by puUulation, like 

 the yeast plant, and, under some circumstances, this toruloid growth 

 may continue for an indefinite period, though the resulting progeny 

 will, under favouring conditions, reproduce a fungus like the original. 

 3. The conidia may shoot out sprouts of exquisite delicacy, which 

 break up into Bacteria. These Bacteria, like the fungi whence theyare 

 derived, are of various totally distinct kinds, both morphologically 

 and physiologically. They give rise to difierent fermentative changes, 

 and some refuse to grow in media in which others thrive. Bacteria 

 cannot be classified merely by forms, we must take into account their 

 physiological peculiarities. 



Some seeds commence the process of germination before being de- 

 tached from the plant. This occurs in a remarkable degree in the 

 Mangrove tree, Khizophora Mangle, which grows at the muddy mouths 

 of rivers in warm climates. Coco-nuts often begin to germinate during 

 a voyage from the tropics to Britain, and germinating seeds have been 

 found in the interior of Gourds, as well as in the fruit of Carica Papaya, 

 the Papaw. The seeds of the Banyan, or Bo-tree (Ficus iridica), seldom 

 germinate on the ground. The fig-like fruit of the tree is eaten by 

 birds, and the seeds are deposited in the crown of Palms, where they 

 grow, sending down roots which embrace and generally kill the Palm. 



Pkolifeeous Plants.^ — In place of seeds, some plants produce 

 buds, which can be detached, and produce separate individuals. 

 Flowers which are thus changed into separable buds are called 'prolifer- 

 ous (proles, offspring, and fero, I bear), or viviparous (vivus, alive, and 

 pa/rio, I produce). They are met with in many alpine grasses, as 



