754 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
macrorhizum. They are found in the xylem of the vascular bundles, and 
are surrounded by a tissue which presents all the features of true 
cork. 
C4) Structure of Organs. 
Multiplicity of Homologous Parts.* * * § — M. A. Chatin disputes the 
theorem of De Candolle that the most perfect plants are those in which 
the floral organs are most numerous and most distinct. He maintains, 
on the contrary, that the multiplicity of homologous organs is a sign of 
degradation. The doubling of the corolla occurs but rarely, and that 
of the calyx never, among the Gamopetalae, while both are common 
phenomena among the Apopetalse. Hence the Gamopetalae, and not the 
Ranunculacem among the Apopetalae, must be regarded as the highest 
type of flowering plants. This view is confirmed by the frequent sup- 
pression of the corolla in the Ranunculaceae. A uniformity of law in the 
vegetable and in the animal kingdoms is thus also established. 
Epicalyx of Tofieldia.f — From a study of its development, Dr. G. 
Paoletti assigns to the epicalyx or involucre of Tofieldia palustris a 
foliar origin similar to that of the spathe of Allium , Galanthus, and 
Leucojum. It results from the union of three leaves. 
Development of the Caryopsis.J — Mr. R. H. True thus sums up the 
results of his observations on the development of the fruit of grasses, 
made chiefly on the Indian corn, wheat, and oat. At the time of fer- 
tilization the ovule is furnished with two integuments, which are more 
or less complete. As development proceeds, the outer integument soon 
disappears, the inner cells of the ovary wall are absorbed in varying 
proportions, and the tissue of the nucellus is also absorbed, with local 
exceptions. At maturity there remain as seed-coverings : — the external 
portion of the ovary wall, in varying proportion, forming the pericarp ; 
and the inner integument persisting in a state of compression. The 
epiderm of the nucellus also persists, though much compressed. Late 
in the development of the fruit, the remaining (inner) integument 
becomes soldered to the adjacent inner cells of the pericarp. 
Floating-apparatus of the Fruit of Proteaceae.§ — Dr. A. Nestler 
describes the apparatus by means of which the fruits or seeds of many 
Proteaceae are carried by the wind ; while in other cases the same end is 
obtained by trichomic structures on either the fruit or seed. In Leuca- 
dendron argenteum the perianth-tube splits, when the fruit is ripe, into 
four divisions, which are however held together by a small piece of 
undivided tube. The perianth remains attached to the ripe fruit by 
means of the capitate stigma, and thus serves as a floating-aj>paratus. 
The perianth may also possibly serve as a protection against evapora- 
tion. 
Leaves of RanimculaceseJ] — Dr. A. Nestler calls attention to certain 
anatomical peculiarities of structure in the leaves of some Ranunculacem. 
* Comptes Rendus, cxvi. (1893) pp. 1276-80. 
t Bull. Soc. Ven.-Trent. Sci. Nat., v. (1893) pp. 128-32. 
X Bot. Gazette, xviii. (1893) pp. 212-26 (3 pis.). 
§ Engler’s Bot. Jabrb., xvi. (1893) p. 325 (1 pi.). See Bot. Centralbl., liii, 
(1893) p. 378. 
|| Oesterr. Bot. Zeitschr., xliii. pp. 166-71, 215-20 (2 pis.). 
