832 
Rece7it A(jncvltnral Pahlicatiom^. 
kinds of seeds of equal sizes, the exalbuminous seeds will have 
the largest embryos, as the latter occupy in such cases the whole 
cavity of the seed. These, therefore, should be seeds quick to 
germinate, for the embryo plant has already attained a fair size 
whilst still in the seed. Examples are afforded by leguminous seeds, 
such as Peas and Clover, and by cruciferous seeds, such as Cabbage 
and Turnip, which germinate more 
quickly than the albuminous seeds 
(containing small embryos) of, for 
instance, umbelliferous plants, such 
as Carrot and Parsnip and Celery. 
Tlie conditions under which 
seedlings are grown have an effect 
upon the form of the leaves. In the 
yellow Mimulus, which grows on 
the banks of streams, it has been 
noticed that if the seedlings have 
sufficient room the first lea^ves pos- 
sess short stalks and are almost tri- 
angular ; but, when crowded, the 
leaf- stalks are longer and the leaves 
oval. It has been seen that usually 
the cotyledons of Cress are (fig. 2) 
three-lobed, yet out of 135 seedlings 
of this plant, no fewer than 25, or 
18.( per cent., differed from the type, 
and had this character more or less 
imperfectly developed. 
In most plants it seems to be 
the rule that the transition from 
the comparatively simple cotyledon- 
leaves to the normal leaves of the plant, whatever form may be 
characteristic of these, is not abrupt but somewhat gradual. The 
first leaves to ajjpear after the cotyledons are generally simple, or 
at any rate simpler than those which follow. In the Clovers 
(Trifolium), for example, despite their characteristic leaf of three 
separate pieces or leaflets (trifoliate), the first leaf to succeed the 
cotyledons is usually quite simple. 
After about eighty introductory pages, in which are discussed 
points such as are referred to above, upwards of 1,100 pages are de- 
voted to a detailed description of the seedlings which Sir John Lub- 
bock has examined. A botanical arrangement is followed, seeds and 
seedliTigs illustrative of about 150 natural orders being described 
seriatim. How many seeds were germinated in the course of this 
patient and protr’acted investigation it is impossible to say, but some- 
thing like 600 seedlings of different species are illustrated by draw- 
ings. By the courtesy of the publishers we are able to reproduce 
some of the illustrations. 
Of the seedlings here shown, figs. 1 , 2, and 5 are those of cruci- 
ferous plants. Shepherd’s Purse (fig. 5) being one of the commonest 
Fig. 4. — Lupin, Lupinus sulphureus^ 
nntund size. 
