652 THE LIFE-HISTORY OF LORANTHUS EXOCARPI BEHR, 



The seed, which is somewhat oval and about five-sixteenths of 

 an inch long by three-sixteenths wide, is divided by five longi- 

 tudinal furrows having at the upper end a short neck and apical 

 pore (Plate xv., figs. 26-27). The embryo, which is clove-shaped, 

 runs through the longer axis of the seed, and is completely sur- 

 rounded by a store of plant-food, the whole of which, both 

 embryo and food, is stained green by chlorophyll. In this 

 respect it resembles the European Yiscum described by Kerner 

 and Oliver. 



Germination usually takes place within one or two days after 

 the seed has fallen, and even while the fruit is attached, but it 

 may be delayed in some cases for a period of over fifty days. 

 Germination having begun, the radicle emerges from the pore, 

 which up to this moment it had filled, somewhat after the manner 

 of a stopper in the neck of a flask. (PI. xv., fig. 26.) 



In many instances the radicle tends downwards towards the 

 branch, but in others it tends upwards and over the seed, reach- 

 ing the branch behind (Pl.xv., figs.9-25). 



As the axis of the embryo lengthens, it becomes covered by 

 clavate processes. At the free extremity the radicle becomes 

 enlarged, club-shaped, papillose, and of a pale yellowish colour 

 (Pl.xv., figs. 4-6). 



This and the clavate processes exude a clear, glairy fluid, which 

 plays a most important part in the life of the young plant. This 

 sticky, oil-like fluid, coming in contact with the cortex of various 

 plants, at once penetrates their structure, softening and partly 

 dissolving the cellulose matter, and at the same time cementing 

 the disc to the host. If a very thin piece of paper be inserted 

 between the radicle and the branch, the fluid dissolves a passage 

 for the radicle through which it reaches the underlying branch. 

 If instead of paper a piece of mica or metal be placed in the same 

 position, the radicle, after being in contact for a short period, 

 moves forward and from side to side in search of a suitable place 

 for attachment. If, however, this cannot be found, the plant 

 continues to push forward until the tips of the cotyledons only 

 remain within the seed (Pl.xv., figs. 7-8). 



