Dec, I92I] TAYLOR — CYRTANTHUS PARVIFLORUS BAKER 
In Cyrtanthus parvifiorus it seems fairly clear to the writer that the 
cotyledon originates now as a terminal structure, no matter what, evolu- 
tionarily, its status may have been. The growing point forms well down 
on one side of the embryo, its location presaged by the smaller size of the 
cells and their denser protoplasmic contents before indentation becomes 
evident. As a semilunar ridge on the lower side of the meristematic region 
there aiises a sheath which, joined with the base of the cotyledon, functions 
as do the sheathing bases of many other monocotyledonous leaves. The 
mature stage of Cyrtanthus sanguineus agrees closely with that of Cyrtanthus 
parvifiorus. The writer would consider that the species he has studied 
corresponds through its early stages in all essentials with the familiar cases 
of Alisma (5) and Sagittaria (8), and that it does not lend support to the 
view of Coulter and Land quoted above. 
With regard to the general question of the origin of the monocotyle- 
donous type, this form, as an isolated case, can add little. Its vascular 
anatomy is easily connected with that of other Amaryllidaceous types 
previously described (7), but gives no decisive evidence for or against the 
theory of the origin of the single cotyledon by the edge-to-edge union of 
the two dicotyledonous seed leaves. Worsdell seems to consider that the 
condition in Cyrtanthus sanguineus is an abnormal one, an example of a 
minor instance of progressive evolution (10). Whether it is an isolated 
case, or connected with the more ordinary Cyrtanthus parvifiorus by inter- 
mediate stages, it remains for a wider study of the genus to demonstrate. 
University of Pennsylvania 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
1. Baker, J. G. Cyrtanthus (Nemella) parvifiorus n. sp. Gardener's Chronicle III, Q: 
104. 1891. 
2. Coulter, J. M., and Land, W. J. G. The origin of monocotyledony. Bot. Gaz. 57: 
509-519. 1914. 
3. . The origin of monocotyledony II. Monocotyledony in grasses. Ann. Mo. Bot. 
Gard. 2: 175-183. 1915. 
4. Farrell, M. E. The ovary and embryo of Cyrtanthus sanguineus. Bot. Gaz. 57: 
428-436. 19 14. 
5. Hanstein, J. Die Entwickelung des Keimes der Monocotylen und Dikotylen. Bot. 
Abhandl. Bonn i^: 1-112. 1870. 
6. Lindley, J. New plants, etc., from the Society's garden, no. 32. Gastronema san- 
guineum. Jour. Hort. Soc. London 3: 315-316. 1848. 
7. Sargant, E. A theory of the origin of monocotyledons, founded on the structure of 
their seedlings. Annals of Bot. 17: 1-92, 1903. 
8. Schaffner, J. H. Contribution to the life history of Sagittaria variabilis. Bot. Gaz. 
23:252-273. 1897. 
9. Thiselton-Dyer, W. T. Flora Capensis (Amaryllidaceae by J. G. Baker) 6: 218-228. 
I 896-1 897. 
10. Worsdell, W. C. The morphology of the monocotyledonous embryo and that of the 
grass in particular. Annals of Bot. 30: 509-524. 1916. 
