Abstract
1. Development of foliar sclereids of Sciadopitys verticillata Sieb. et Zucc. has been studied in checking for various stages of needle-leaf development (text-Fig. 1).
2. The needle reaches its maximum length after very gradual elongation by the activity of the intercalary meristem during a little over eighty days. After this process, the needle markedly increases its breadth, owing chiefly to the spreading of stomatal groove which is closely folded until that time (text-Fig. 2. B, and C).
3. In matured needle, sclereids are especially numerous and markedly ramified from apex to middle part (Fig. 2. A) while they decrease in their number and become simple in their ramification toward base (Plate XVII. D, E, and F).
4. Differing from many cases hitherto reported, there is no notable differenciation in size between nucleus of sclereid initial and that of mesophyll cell. Accordingly, initial cells are difficult to found until the ramification begins.
5. Translocation of the nucleus of initial cell occurs in certain earlier stages of its development, giving rise the protuberances which soon elongate to form ramifications. There are found, however, no instances in which the nucleus translocates into the elongating branches.
6. Two each examples of binucleate initial were found in at random observation of 326 initials obtained on Apr. 16th, and 523 initials on Apr. 21st (Plate X VIII. B). In both cases, size of the nuclei was unequal.
