146 



GERMINATION OF THE CABBAGE PALM. 



Fig. 1. Fig. 2. 



i £ Jim 



Fig. 1. The ripe seed with its outer coat taken off. Fig. 2. The same cut across to show the^ 1 



albumen. 



The mature seed of the Euterpe oleracea, after removing the fibrous 

 envelope with which it is originally wrapt, consists of a concrete shell, 

 a, having an outer skin which cannot be separated, smooth, shining, 

 and of a brown colour. Upon this a roundish eye (Jiylum) b, is appa- 

 rent, the opening with the germinating hole (micropyle), elliptical and 

 chink-like, the vascular cord (raphe umbilicale) c, depressed, rather 

 broad, and running from the eye half way down the seed to the 

 hole. 



The mature seed, after removing the fibrous envelope, on being cut 

 across, is found to consist of a solid nut, with the teat-like albumen, 

 «, verging inwards from the shell in form of membranous rays. The 

 embryo b, itself is at the side tapering, blunt, looking from the tip 

 towards the central part of the albumen, which is distinguished by a 

 softer structure, and deliquescing upon germination, gives place to the 

 expanded embryo. 



Fig. 3. The seed with the outer coat not broken off, and just beginning to germinate. 

 Fig. 4. The same seed with the germination farther advanced. Fig. 5. Another seed not so 

 far advanced as fig. 4. 



The seed, after germination has begun, is still clothed with its fibrous 

 envelope, at the part where the micropyle and raphe are observed, the 

 outer portion of the embryo appears, which, looking toward the ground 

 ought to be termed the radical part of the cotyledonous body. We 

 have there observed two bodies, namely, the sheath of the first radicle 

 a, (coleorhiza, Mirbel) and the radicle itself b, thence proceeding. 



The same seed at a stage a little more advanced, shows the first 

 radicle b, and the sheath including the gemlet (coleoptilis, Mirbel). 

 The first radicle sends out several lateral shoots c, and the conical 

 sheath permits the escape of the gemlet through its open tip. 



Another seed, whose greater first radicle is produced conspicuously 



