62 
WRIGHT : THE GENUS DIOSPYROS 
By this coincidence the first series of pronounced epicoty- 
ledonary leaves are brought to approximately the same 
height above ground in ail species. 
The lengths of these axes are fairly constant in each species, 
the median length of hypocotyls being from 5 to 7 cm. 
as in D. Ebenumand D. Thwaitesii ; short hypocotyls, about 
1 to 2 cm. as in D. insignis ; and long hypocotyls, being 
from 10 to 11 cm., as in D. crumenata and D. quæsita. 
The cotyledons are in all cases of the broad ovate type with 
blunt or tapering apices and attached by very short petioles 
at the cotyledonary node. 
The first epicotyledonary leaves are, in the majority of our 
species, opposite ; in one species they may be opposite or 
sub-opposite, and in the remaining species they are alternately 
disposed on an elongated axis. In all cases the leaves are 
simple, ovate-lanceolate in shape, but show differences in size 
and venation in the respective species. Generally speaking, 
they possess the diagnostic feature of the leaves of the mature 
plant in all points except size. 
BnternaB Characters of file Seedlings. 
In every species the number of traces per cotyledon is 
constant, and we have to separate those possessing two traces 
per cotyledon (e.g,, D. EbenumandD. Gardneri), from those 
with three (< e.g ., D. crumenata and D. Embryopteris). 
In those possessing two traces per cotyledon the coty¬ 
ledons are usually persistent ; the cotyledonary traces are 
prolonged into the primary root and the epicotyledonary 
traces die away immediately below the cotyledonary node. 
In those species with three traces per cotyledon the majority 
are characterized by detachment of cotyledons and enhanced 
epicotyledonary development, and though there are three 
traces per cotyledon the xylem and phloem of the median 
trace are abortive in all species except D. pruriens. 
Furthermore, in those species with deciduous cotyledons 
the epicotyledonary traces are continued through the 
hypocotyl into the primary root. 
