3 I2 



Keegan: The Hazel [Corylus avelland). 



of a highly advanced stage of deassimilation. In its growing 

 period the pericarp encloses a very large quantity of tannin, 

 which aids or is used up in the process of lignification (the 

 lignin constitutes 14 or 15*7 per cent, of the sclerous tissue). 

 The kernel (seed) possesses an oily endosperm only slightly 

 developed, but has thick tuberous cotyledons containing aleurone 

 and oil, but no starch whatever at any period of their growth or 

 existence. At the time of pollination there is not the faintest 

 sign of a placenta or of ovules, hence the pollen must possess 

 an enormous stimulus-energy and demand abundant pabulum 

 for the performance of its function. The pollen contains 9 per 

 cent, of water, and dried has 4*8 nitrogen, 31*6 albumenoids, 

 64*3 non-nitrogenous matter (4 fat acids, 7 to 8 cane-sugar, 

 o*i vernine, 5 starch, 3 cuticle, etc.), and 4 ash. The male 

 catkin in January yields 2*17 per cent, of ash in fresh which has 

 4*58 per cent, phosphorus (in March, 4 phosphorus and 2*4 

 sulphur). The kernel contains about 48 per cent, of water and 

 62*6 oil, and the dry substance has 16 per cent, albumenoids, 

 67 oil (55 by pressure), 21 carbohydrates, 4*8 fibre, and 2*8 ash. 

 The oil is slow-drying, inodorous, of a mild taste, specific 

 gravity 0*916, of 1*468 refractive index, congeals at - 19° C, con- 

 sists chiefly of olein with a very small quantity of palmitin, and 

 gives with nitric acid a greenish, with sulphuric acid a bluish- 

 green and gray colour. The principal albumenoid of the seed 

 is a heavy snow-white powder insoluble in water, but is easily 

 dissolved by salt solution, and yields with HC1 a splendid 

 violet-blue colour. Aleurone grains, globoids, and crystals are 

 observed in the cells along with the droplets of fat-oil, which 

 first appear visible only at the time when the reserve albumenoids 

 are deposited in notable quantity by the action of the protoplasm 

 which for this purpose utilises the sugars of the seed as a 

 powerful respiratory stimulus and material. The distinctive 

 feature is that the aleurone and oil are organised without any 

 production of starch. Once upon a time about Holy Rood Day 

 (14th September) I undertook the troublesome task of incinerat- 

 ing the fresh nuts divested of their leafy wrappers. The ash 

 amounted to 0 53 per cent., and contained 36*5 per cent, soluble 

 salts, 257 potass and soda, 1 "6 silica, 15*2 lime, 8"6 magnesia, 

 6*2 phosphorus, and 2*2 sulphur. 



Summary. — It may be gathered from the foregoing recount 

 that the Hazel presents many features of interest. It is helio- 

 philous, i.e., it depends on light for the full development of its 

 foliage, which at best is never redundant — the light within its 



Naturalist, 



