242 
PROFESSOR W. C. WILLIAMSON ON THE ORGANIZATION 
As already observed, the outermost tissues of this seed are missing, and those of its 
micropylar extremity are also somewhat deranged. Its present entire length is about 
one sixth of an inch. Its nucleus ( n ) has a total length of ‘09 and a maximum diameter 
of -04, but a mamilliform projection exists at its micropylar extremity (V), which is 
rather more than ‘02 in length and rather less than - 02 in diameter. The nucleus is 
invested by a thick layer of prosenchymatous tissue ( b ), of which the cells are of great 
length ; whether this tissue is an endotesta, or an extremely thick nucular membrane 
closely united to a perispermic one at its inner surface, I am unable to say ; but I am 
inclined to adopt the latter explanation. Above the nucleus is a curious lagenostome, 
figs. 77, c, & 78, c. In fig. 77, which intersects the lagenostome through its centre, we 
see that this organ overlaps the mamillated extremity of the nucleus on every side, as 
if it were a soft bladder half full of water, allowed to rest upon and overhang the neck 
of one of the old-fashioned soda-water bottles. The upper extremity is imperfect in 
fig. 77, but it has apparently been prolonged upwards towards the micropyle d. The 
structure of this lagenostomal part of the seed is further illustrated by fig. 79, which 
represents another section of the lagenostome made so very close to fig. 77 as virtually 
to represent the same elements. The dark line e ', d is evidently the innermost portion 
of the tissue b, b. We see that this line passes downwards on each side of the nucleus 
to e", e", where it becomes deflected upwards, for a short distance close to the nucleus, n, 
after which it first bends rapidly outwards and then gradually inwards, forming the outer 
wall (d) of the lagenostome c. At the upper part, especially where this membrane 
contracts to form the narrow neck of the lagenostome, we discover a cellular structure 
in its interior. In fig. 77 we see that the two lines d, e 1 are prolonged upwards in con- 
nexion with two masses of prosenchymatous tissue e, e, which latter I doubt not form 
several of the folds of a crenated canopy. Their aspect in fig. 78, c, c, c tends to confirm 
this conclusion, because we here have clearly shown their crenated outline. The cir- 
cumstance that the prosenchymatous tissue, b , extends upwards in all the figures, to con- 
stitute the tissues of this canopy, seems to indicate that the whole of this structure is 
merely a thick nucular membrane, even the endotesta of the seeds being entirely absent. 
In fig. 77, c', we have the outer wall of the lagenostome; but this section being virtually 
a tangential one, it has intersected that organ externally to the canal of the micropyle ; 
hence it appears here as a closed cavity. 
At fig. 79, which is an enlarged representation of the upper part of fig. 77, we 
have a mass of delicate parenchyma, seen on both sides of the seed, adhering to the 
inner wall of the lagenostome. This tissue has apparently extended as an interrupted 
ring round the interior of that organ. It is not seen in fig. 78 ; but it may have 
been deficient in the part of the lagenostome intersected in that section. I think 
there can be little doubt but that this parenchymatous tissue is identical with what 
I found in the lagenostome of L. ovoides, figs. 60 & 61, A. The nucleus n appears 
to be surrounded by an unusually thick perispermic membrane ( g ), which is continued 
round its mamillated extremity ; but since this membrane merely appears as a dark 
