Seed in the Scitamineae . 
33 
usual way. The massive endosperm finally fills the space 
between the perisperm and the cylindrical, slightly curved 
embryo (esp., Fig. 69), and contains starch, like the perisperm. 
In this species, as in the other Scitamineae studied, the entire 
egg-cell contributes to the formation of the embryo, no sus- 
pensor being developed ( ' emb ., Fig. 66). 
General Results. 
We may now compare the various Scitamineae above dis- 
cussed for the purpose of determining in what respects they 
agree and what features of their seed-development can be 
considered characteristic of the group. We may also ask in 
how far closer affinities within the group are indicated by the 
facts brought out. 
In the obliteration of the inner integument of the ovule 
during the development of the seed, all of the species studied, 
except Carina , agree with most other plants with bitegu- 
mentary ovules whose history in this respect is known. 
Except in Carina and Heliconia , whose development is 
modified by aberrant features, the outer integument of the 
ovule gives rise to the chief part of the testa of the seed. 
As a rule, the outer and inner cell-layers are correlatively 
developed, the high development of one leading to the slight 
development of the other. Thus in Carina and Musa the 
outer layer forms a deep palisade-layer and the inner one 
is not specially developed. In the Zingiberaceae the inner 
layer is highly specialized, while the outer is a thin epi- 
dermis ; and in the Marantaceae and Strelitzia each layer is 
moderately developed. In the presence of a nutrient layer 
in the testa the Scitamineae agree with great numbers of 
other plants of most various affinities. In both forms with 
a palisade-layer this is backed by a sclerotic layer, not else- 
where observed. 
The micropylar collar and germinal lid appear to be 
closely related in their development, and to be very charac- 
teristic of the Scitamineous seed. The only observed instance 
of their absence not easily understood is that of Strelitzia . 
D 
