468 J. H. MAIDEN. 



that they have no vital function, and that the plant would 

 probably get along just as well without them. They may 

 of course have some diagnostic value nevertheless. 



I am putting my opinions to the touch by suggesting 

 (see my remarks under A. Kettlewellice, below), that the 

 "gland" be a character, in combination with others. When 

 a field botanist makes up his mind that a certain plant differs 

 from every other plant known to him, this difference may be 

 made up of one or more outstanding characters, or it may 

 consist of an aggregation of smaller characters. A minor 

 character may be represented by the gland, and there is a 

 degree of specialisation of form in this organ which should 

 not be lightly brushed aside. 



Funicle and Arillus. 

 Bentham (B. Fl. i, xxii) defines the funicle as the stalk 

 by which the seed is attached to the placenta. It is 

 occasionally enlarged into a membranous, pulpy, or fleshy 

 appendage, sometimes spreading over a considerable part 

 of the seed, or nearly enclosing it, called an aril. At B. PL 

 ii, 302, he further defines it, and speaks of " the small fleshy 

 aril, usually described as a strophiole." He describes some 

 of the foldings of the funicle and adds that " All these and 

 other modifications appear to be constant in each species, 

 but only rarely available for specific diagnosis, for in many 

 species the funicle is as yet unknown." 



Speaking from some experience, I endorse Bentham's 

 remarks as to the importance of the funicle, and would 

 point out that Australian botanists have opportunities for 

 the examination of the fresh seed that were denied to him, 

 and I would like to interest my colleagues in this part of 

 the subject. It is best to collect the pods when the seeds 

 are dead ripe, then the shape, colour and lustre of the seed 

 can be best noted, the funicle best examined, and the 

 colour and shape of the fresh aril observed. 



