56 
WRIGHT : THE GENUS DIOSPYROS 
structure of the cotyledon, hypocotyl, and primary root. At 
a later date* a further contribution was made on the same 
subject, and in it a very great significance was alleged for 
seedling characters. Though the examination was mainly 
with seedlings of the Liliaceæ and Ranunculaceæ, the evidence 
seemed sufficient to justify the publication of a theory of the 
origin of monocotyledons founded primarily on the structure 
of their seedlings. This theory was again discussed at the 
British Association meeting, September, 1903. Fritsch, f in 
a general discussion on the value of anatomical characters, 
states that though seedlings may present a very uniform type 
of structure throughout large groups, the anatomy of the 
seedling may be expected to indicate affinities more clearly 
than that of any other part of the plant. 
The length of the hypocotyl and primary epicotyledonary 
axis, the phyllotaxy, and general morphology of the first 
formed leaves, together with the persistence or dropping of 
the cotyledons, provide ample material for the recognition of 
most Ceylon species of Diospyros. In addition to these 
characters we have to consider the number of traces per 
cotyledon, and the behaviour of the epicotyledonary and 
cotyledonary traces in the hypocotyl and primary root ; these 
in themselves afford facts sufficient to allow one to construct 
a useful artificial key for the identification of Ceylon 
species. 
Germination .—The time taken for germination varies 
according to the condition of the seeds when gathered and 
sown. If sown after partial drying in air, germination 
usually occurs within two to four weeks. If, however, the 
fresh seeds are sown direct, without drying, it may take 
several months before the primary root projects from the 
micropyle. The seeds of D. ovalifolia have a particularly 
* Ethel Sargant, A Theory of the Origin of Monocotyledons founded 
on the Structure of their Seedlings; Ann. Bot., Vol. XVIL, No. LXV.. 
January, 1903. 
f F. E. Fritsch, The use of Anatomical Characters for Systematic 
Purposes : New Phytologist, Vol. II., No. 8, October, 1903. 
