THE ABORTION OF OVULES 



36s 



Table showing the Aver.age Proportion of Failures of Seeds. 

 (See below for explanation.) 



Iris Pseudacorus, C. 

 ,, foetidissima, C. 

 Primula veris, C. , 

 Scilla^utans, C. . 

 Stellaria Holostea, C. 

 Arenaiia peploides, C. 

 Entada polystachya, L. 

 Allium ursinum, C. 

 Ulex europaeus, L. . 

 Vicia sepium, L. . 



,, sativa, L. 

 Albizzia Lebbek, L. 

 Lychnis diurna, C. . 

 Silene maritima, C. 

 Ravenala mads^ascari 



ensis, C. 

 Quercus Robur, N. 

 JEscuIus Hippocastanum, 



C. 

 Convallaria, B. 

 Opuntia Tuna, B. . 

 Prunus communis, D. 

 Aquilegia (a single carpel) 



Seeds 

 matured. 



I 



3 



go 



34 

 60 



3 

 6 



5 

 II 



5 

 250 



I 



2 



I 



go 



I 



25 



Failures 



of ovules 



and 



young 



seeds. 



The percentage results given represent the proportion of the average number of 

 ovules, as stated in the second column. 



The data given in the last two columns, A and B, distinguish between the failures of 

 ovules and the failures of young seeds. 



The fruit-type is indicated by the capital letter after the plant-name : B, berry ; C, 

 capsule ; D, drupe ; L, legume ; N, nut. 



SUMMARY 



(i) The subject of the failure of ovules and its influence on the 

 form of the fruit was first taken up in connection with moniliform 

 legumes, and the inquiry was extended to other fruits. Each fruit 

 examined told its own story, and although many points remain unde- 

 termined, the data obtained go to support the following conclusions. 



