97 



therefore this type is rarely seen on the cotyledons. Sometimes the hard, brittle testa 

 becomes tough when subjected to moisture, and it is not uncommon to see it adhering 

 to the growing cotvledons. In such species as E. terminalis and E. miniata (doubtless 

 there are others), it is usually carried upwards on the cotyledons. Its presence on 

 the cotyledons is, however, also very largely controlled by the period of germination 

 and the nature of the soil. Given rapid germination and a moist, friable soil, the most 

 delicate type of testa is usually found on the cotyledons as they break through the 

 soil. 



The surface of the testa is invariably glossy and smooth. At the same time, 

 it mav be very finely striate, either longitudinally or transversely rugose, or finely 

 pitted striate or somewhat obscurely reticulate, and also more or less muricate. 



In E. microcorys it is honeycombed all over, and in the Series Lepidotae it is more 

 or less covered with minute deciduous shiny scales. 



The testa of the sterile seeds does not appear to be inseparable from them, at 

 least in the majority of species. The members of the Corymbosae may be an exception 

 to the rule, but I have not applied the test. 



11. -COLOUR. 



I have not always been able to obtain perfectly ripe seeds. Seeds vary in size, 

 shape, colour, and lustre, within limits, according to ripeness. I do not doubt that a 

 botanist will specialise in seeds and will thus bring forth much information. I have 

 not dealt with all seeds ; it will be an object of a worker to obtain fully ripe seeds of 

 as many species and from as many localities as possible ; and let me again suggest 

 that all Eucalyptus seeds be backed with herbarium material, with the fullest 

 information as to appearance of plant, locality, date of collection, &c. It should be 

 borne in mind that research on seedlings cannot be satisfactory if the seeds be unsatis- 

 factory. 



The fertile seeds may be reddish -brown, light-brown, light-brown shading to 

 dark-brown, or dark-brown to jet black; the majority, however, are dark brown. 



Reddish-brown. 



E. Bloxsomei. E. setosa. 



E. eximia. E. terminalis. 



E. Foelscheana. E. tessellaris. 



E. grandifolia. E. Watsoniana. 



E. Nowraensis. (sometimes jet black). 



E. perfoliate. E. WoodwardL 



E. ptychocarpa. 



