the Young Epicotyl in some Ranalean Forms. 167 
that the special characteristics are possibly correlated with its climbing 
habit. 
Ranunculus . Marie considers this genus to be the type from which all 
the others have been derived, and Professor Jeffrey found in this genus 
a siphonostelic condition with internal and external endodermal sheaths. 
The anatomy varies in the different species. The aerial axis contains 
a cylinder of separate strands, either with a single endodermis, which may 
be sinuous, or with a separate endodermal sheath to each bundle. Of the 
species here described, R. acris , R. sceleratus , R . arvensis , R. parviflorus , 
and probably R. repens and R. bulbosus show the former condition, while 
Text-fig. i i. Ranunculus arvensis. First plumular node, showing part of ring of bundles. 
Inset shows gelation to other parts of section. 
R. heeler aceus, R. aquatilis y R. auricomus , and R. Ficaria present the latter, 
which is also found in the rhizome of R. acris and R. repens. An endo- 
dermis is found round the petiolar strands as in most plants of the genera 
of this family. 
R . Ficaria stands out owing to its single cotyledon and tuberous habit. 
The seedling of R. arvensis is relatively large. 
The seedlings fall naturally into four groups when considered 
anatomically. 
1. R. arvensis has been fully investigated by M. Nihoul . 1 This 
species shows a good series of leaf form, from the well-developed compound 
leaf to the simple ovate cotyledon. It is chiefly remarkable in showing 
1 Nihoul : loc. cit. 
