504 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
(including samara and caryopsis), achene, and capsule. Capsules are 
again divided into two groups, according as they dehisce by longitudinal 
fissures or not. In each group subdivisions are established according to 
the number of carpels, the placentation, and the mode of dehiscence. 
Integument of the Seed of Papaveraceae.* — M. A. Meunier has 
investigated the structure and history of development of the integument 
of the seed in the Papaveracete, in which order he includes the Fuma- 
riaceae. In the Papavereae the ovules are almost always anatropous, 
while in the greater number of the Fumarieas they are campy lotropous. 
The structure of the integument is, however, the same in both suborders, 
both as regards the ovule and the mature seed. The spermoderm is 
differentiated into several layers of cells, the most important variations 
in structure being due to the different forms of the ovule. The double 
endosperm is identical in its structure, its origin, and in the nature of 
its contents, throughout the order. 
Integument of the Seed of Euphorbiaceae.f — Herr G. Kayser has 
examined the structure of the seed and the development of its integument 
in Bicinus communis and in other Euphorbiaceae. The seed of Bicinus is 
characterized by the remarkable development of the chalazal tissue, 
which does not occur in other genera of the order. The ovule of Croton 
Jlaveus has only a single integument, corresponding to the outer integu- 
ment of Bicinus. 
Seeds of TJmbelliferae.J — From the examination of the seeds of a 
considerable number of species belonging to this natural order, Herr G. 
Kayser concludes that in the course of their development all the layers 
of the original integument disappear except the outermost. This, which 
becomes the testa of the mature seed, is in immediate contact with the 
inner epiderm of the pericarp ; and the two together have the appearance 
of constituting a testa composed of two layers. The original nutrient 
stratum of the integument of the ovule, which becomes subsequently 
resorbed, consists, in all cases examined by the author, of several layers 
of cells. 
Seed-coats of Malvaceae. § — Mr. P. H. Rolfs has examined the 
changes which take place in the course of development of the seed-coats 
in 22 genera and 34 species of Malvaceae. These are described in de- 
tail in the case of several species. The general structure of the coats 
in the order is very characteristic ; there are minor differences only in 
the different species of the same genus, and non-essential variations 
in the different genera. 
Seeds of Hemerocallis.J] — Dr. E. Baroni states that in the ripe seeds 
of Hemerocallis fiava there is an inner integument resulting from the 
secundine of the ovule. The spermoderm (testa) consists of eight or ten 
layers of large cells. These are arranged in three strata, of which the 
outermost is of a light violet colour, the middle one nearly black, while 
the innermost shows a gradation of colour from black to reddish yellow. 
* La Cellule, vii. (1891) pp. 375-413 (2 pis.). Cf. this Journal, 1891, p. 367. 
f Ber. Pharm. Gesell., ii. (1892) pp. 5-19. See Bot. Centralbl., 1. (1892) p. 14. 
X Ber. Pharm. Gesell., i. (1891) pp. 157-62. See Bot. Centralbl., xlix. (1892) 
p. 315. § Bot. Gazette, xvii. (1892) pp. 33-9 (1 pi.). 
|| Bull. Soc. Bot. Ital., i. (1892) pp. 61-5. 
