532 Observations on the Genus Spathium. 



genus is referred to Saururese, I am therefore not a little 

 surprised on examining the S. undulatum, to find it dis- 

 tinctly monocotyledonous, with a large fleshy cotyledon em- 

 bracing a plumule of unusual size and development. On 

 examining the seed of S. monostachyon, however, I found 

 a very different structure, a homogeneous mass, in which 

 I could find no trace of an embryo ; but on causing the seeds 

 to germinate, which they do freely in water kept in a cup, 

 I discovered that this homogeneous mass is in reality the 

 cotyledon and the plumule, which after an interval of some 

 days developes itself through a slit at the base of the horn- 

 shaped cotyledon. 



Spathium undulatum likewise germinated readily. The 

 only other point to be noticed now, is, whether these 

 two plants are referable to one and the same genus, while 

 so marked a difference exists in the embryo. The one with 

 the plumule of usual size, (equalled only by the develope- 

 ment of that part in Nelumbium,) and the foliaceous coty- 

 ledon — the other with its plumule invisible even at the 

 commencement of germination, and its solid cotyledon — 

 while there are the minor differences of the ulvaceous 

 foliage and caducous bracts of the former, as contrasted 

 with the herbaceous foliage and persistent bracts of the 

 latter. There is, moreover, a slight difference in the pollen 

 of the two plants, that of the former being exactly and 

 acutely elliptic, and assuming a globular form under the 

 influence of acid or iodine; that of the latter gibbously 



attempt is now made to do justice to the botanical labours of Mr. 

 Edgeworth. 



It is only necessary to add, that Mr. Griffith became aware of 

 the structure of the embryo of one species, and the consequent great 

 misplacement of the genus in question at the same time with Mr. 

 Edgeworth, to whom he had written on the subject before Mr. Edgeworth 

 had confided his MSS. to the care of the Secretary of the Asiatic 

 Society. — Ed. 



