512 THE MONOCOTYLEDON THE UNIVERSAL TYPE OF SEEDS. 
the interest for us is to note that originally the cotyledonous mass 
was a unit—then the sutures or fissures were formed; and 
ultimately the two divisions of the lobes followed in their direc- 
tion. The division was the last condition, not the first. I know how 
much we should guard against generalizing on a limited supply of 
facts, but it requires an effort to believe that oaks, pines, and 
peaches, as we have seen primordially monocotyledons, are in 
this respect different from other so called dicotyledonous plants ; 
and if we grant that all seeds are primarily monocotyledonous, 
may we not ask why in any case are they divided? We have seen 
that there is no increase of mass in the division, the same amount 
is furnished in one asin many. Would it in any way injure the 
Indian corn to have its mass divided into two lobes? or would not 
the plantlet be as well provided for if the acorn were in one 
solid mass? Division would seem to be a necessity, occurring 
subsequent to organization, and existing from the position of the 
plumule alone. In monocotyledons, as we know, the plumule 
is directed parallel to, or away from the cotyledonous mass, when 
of course, on this theory it remains an undivided mass. But in 
the dicotyledonous selection, the plumule is directed towards the 
apex of the mass and as we know in the case of roots against 
stone walls, or mushrooms under paying stones, the disposition in 
the growing force of plants is to go right forward, turning neither 
to the right nor the left ; so in this mass of matter the development 
of the germ would make easy work of the division ; and no dou 
often at so early a stage as to give the impression we have been 
under hitherto, that the division is a primary and essential proc 
ess. 
Prof. Gray remarked that he was not disposed now, in the absence of 
Mr. Meehan, and upon the consideration of a paper upon a wholly indè- 
1 ; 
doubtedly be regarded as correct. This view was satisfactorily P 
by Duchartre, ten or fifteen years ago, and is adopted by Parlatore in the 
elaboration of Conifers for De Candolle’s Prodromus, published three OF 
four years ago. But Prof. Gray thought that the appearances in the em- 
bryo of oaks, which Mr. Meehan had brought up as evidence that the 
dicotyledonous embryo was a mere deviation of the monocotyledonous, 
