IN CEYLON. 
55 
The stratification exhibited by the deposit is due to the 
variation in the colour of the different parts, and may be 
detected in the globules formed within the parenchymatous 
elements. 
The maximum quantity of gum-resin is seen in our blackest 
woods, such as D. Melanoxylon and D. Ebenum, and the mini¬ 
mum in our whitest woods, such as D. insignis and D. hirsuta. 
The mottled colour of some timber specimens is due to the 
gum-resin being almost limited to the medullary ray cells ; 
these are packed with the brown-coloured substances, while 
the neighbouring elements, including vessels, are nearly 
empty. This feature is noticeable in our lighter coloured 
woods, such as D. Gardneri, D. svlvatica, and D. insignis. 
The appearance of the material in the vessels may occur 
unaccompanied by any change in the physical properties of 
the wall, and the fuchsin and safranin reagents can still be 
used with advantage, even when the elements are entirely 
filled with the coloured substances. In many cases the 
coloured substances impregnate the walls of the elements, but 
only in few cases do the walls show signs of decay. 
V.—SEED LINGS. 
In the development and anatomy of the seedlings several 
interesting points have been determined, and a synopsis is 
here given. The characters of seedlings have not yet found 
a prominent place, if one at all, in systematic monographs. 
The occurrence of specific and generic characters in the 
developmental phases, in the morphology of the cotyledons 
and epicotyledonary leaves, and in the behaviour of the leaf 
traces must serve as the reasons for their inclusion in the 
present work. 
The importance of seedling characters for systematic 
purposes has of late been discussed by various botanists. 
Miss Sargant* has stated that no doubt remains as to the 
systematic value of the indications given by the vascular 
* Ethel Sargant, The Origin of the Seed-leaf in Monocotyledons : New 
Phytologist, Yol. I., No. 5, 1902. 
