36 HOFMEISTER, ON 



of theni, divide by septa parallel to a tangent to the nearest 

 portion of the outer arcuate surface, which latter septa alter- 

 nate with others at right angles to them, ana with radial 

 septa. The cellular mass, which thus increases in size, is 

 the future capsule. In the middle of the rudimentary fruit 

 the cells which eventually form its stalk divide, frequently 

 several times over, by means of horizontal septa exclusively. 

 There is thus formed a cylindrical column of about sixty 

 (12 measured diametrically) vertical rows of small tabu- 

 lar cells. The lower third part of the rudimentary fruit 

 ultimately exhibits a rapid increase in the number of its 

 cells, both in length and thickness — an increase which 

 diminishes gradually downwards. This end of the rudi- 

 mentary fruit assumes in consequence the form of a turnip; 

 its thickness very soon considerably surpasses that of the 

 cylindrical middle portion (PL V, fig. 11). At this period 

 an active multiplication commences in the cells of the cir- 

 cumference of the short upper protuberance of the swollen 

 base of the young fruit. These cells, which form a girdle 

 of about four cells in height, divide first by horizontal septa 

 (PL V, fig. 11), and afterwards by septa parallel to' a tan- 

 gent to the circumference. By this means there arises out 

 of the upper portion of the turnip-shaped enlargement of 

 the fruit-stalk a hoUow cylinder, enclosing its columnar 

 portion. This sheath increases in length by continually re- 

 peated division of the cells of the free upper edge by means 

 of alternately inclined septa. Its cells of the second order 

 are soon divided anew by membranes at right angles to the 

 latter septa, the older lower cells being divided more fre- 

 quently than the upper younger ones. The free upper edge 

 of the hollow cylinder consists, in all its stages of develop- 

 ment, of a single layer of cells ; towards the base the number 

 of the cells continually increases. In the course of further 

 development, four (in exceptional cases three) triangular flaps, 

 enclosing the fruit-stalk upwards for a considerable distance, 

 are formed from the edge of the sheath, by means of a 

 locally increased intensity in the cell-multiplication in a 

 longitudinal direction. During the formation of the sheath, 

 the end of the fruit-stalk beneath it continues to increase in 

 thickness ; this increase terminates, as does also the multi- 



