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THE AMERICAN NATURALIST [Vol. XLII 



ing paragraphs of the structure, germination, life habits 

 and method of parasitism of Cuscuta apply in every im- 

 portant detail to Cassytha. Even the general aspect of 

 the latter plants is such that an American or European 

 seeing them for the first time instinctively regards them 

 as dodders. Nevertheless the structure of their flores- 

 cence and fruitage leaves no room for doubt of their close 



relationship to the Laurel family, while all the species of 

 Cuscuta are nearly related to the Convolvulacea\ 



Group V 



Seeds germinate upon the ground. Embryo filiform 

 and not differentiated into either cotyledons, radicle or 

 plumule. Its protruding end, or offshoot, penetrates the 

 soil after the manner of a radicle, sometimes to the depth 

 of several inches, but as it sends off no rootlets it derives 

 no true food-sap from the soil. The upper end, or that 



