690 
Hill and de Fraine . — On the 
require much time, but they also give, for this particular work, a very poor 
differentiation. The method finally pursued was as follows : — 
The sections were stained on the slip for about half an hour in a satur- 
ated solution of gentian violet in 50 % alcohol and were then, without washing, 
transferred to a saturated alcoholic solution of vesuvian brown for a few 
seconds ; the excess of stain was then washed out in a mixture of absolute 
alcohol and xylol, and the sections rinsed, when necessary, very rapidly in 
absolute alcohol. They were finally cleared in xylol and mounted in balsam. 
If the process is properly performed, the lignified tissues are coloured 
a very bright violet, while the phloem stains brown, and the ordinary 
parenchyma a light brown. 
The number of seedlings of one species prepared varied according to the 
supply. The usual course was to cut up at least three individuals whenever 
possible, and more when necessary. 
This work would have been impossible except for the kindness of many 
in supplying material. As we still have hopes of obtaining further con- 
tributions, we propose to postpone the expression of our indebtedness until 
our results are in a more forward state of publication. 
Finally, it may be remarked that our general conclusions will not be 
stated until the whole of the facts and the immediate conclusions derived 
therefrom have been published. 
TAXACEAE. 
Cephalotaxus pednnculata , Sieb. & Zucc. On germination the seed is 
carried up above the level of the soil by the two cotyledons, which remain 
embedded within the endosperm and function as organs of absorption until 
the tissues of reserve are depleted, by which time the plumule is well 
advanced. Ultimately the seed is dropped, and the seed-leaves perform 
an assimilatory role (Figs. 1 and 2, Plate XXXV). 
The structure of the cotyledon requires but a brief description. The 
epidermis is covered by cuticle which is poorly developed, excepting over 
the guard-cells, where it is very thick. The mesophyll consists of an 
undifferentiated mass of parenchyma with fairly abundant intercellular 
spaces. Cells, which appear to be of a secretory nature, with dense 
and deeply-staining contents, occur within the mesophyll, being situated 
especially in the hypodermal region of the dorsal surface of the leaf and on 
the dorsal side of the vascular bundle. 
Each cotyledon has a single vascular strand which is somewhat tan? 
gentically elongated. Directly abutting on to the soft bast is a mass of 
rather wide and long cells, fibrous in nature, which, when mature, are 
devoid of contents, closely packed together, and unlignified. 
The xylem exhibits a pronounced mesarch structure ; the centripetal 
