ON THE PLACENTAS IN THE TRIBE ALSINEJ. 423 
Fig. 4. Example showing blunt ends of seeds exposed. 
Fig. 5. Small specimens with scales much decayed. 
Fig. 6. Exceptionally small cone. 
Fig. 7. Specimen showing scales completely decayed, but seeds remaining 
enveloped in pyrites. 
Fig. 8. Cone showing divided scales with crenulated (?) apex and seeds exposed. 
Fig. 9. Distorted cone; and Fig. 10, monstrous cone with stem growing quite 
through. 
Fig. 11. Base of cone; and Fig. 12, apex of cone. 
Fig. 13. Cone of recent Alnus glutinosa, imbedded in wax; the apices of the 
scales removed. 
Fig. 14. Cone with axis exposed and showing scars. 
Fig. 15. Longitudinal section through cone, showing position of scales and seeds. 
Fig. 16. Longitudinal section through recent cone of Alnus glutinosa. 
Fig. 17. Transverse section, showing seeds; and Fig. 18, transverse section, 
showing structure of scales. 
Fig. 19. The same through a recent cone. 
Fig. 20. Distorted cone showing apophyses of scales; 20a, scales, enlarged. 
Fig. 21. Denuded axis of cone, showing scars of attachment of seeds and scales. 
Fig. 22. Enlargement of stem, showing pith-cavity. From Bowerbank's ‘ Fossil 
Fruits and Seeds of the London Clay,’ pl. ix. fig. 15c. 
Figs. 23. Seed of A. Richardsoni; Fig. 24, seed of recent A. glutinosa. 
All the fossil specimens from the London Clay of Swale Cliff, Herne Bay. 
Figs. 1-4, 11, 12, 17, 18, 21, 22, from the Bowerbank Collection in the British 
Museum ; the remainder from the author's collection. 
On the Origin of the Placentas in the Tribe Alsinee of the Order 
Caryophyllee. By Miss Q. Lister. (Communicated by 
ARTHUR Lister, F.L.S.) 
[Read November 1, 1883.] 
(Prates XXXII.-XXXV.) 
Tue mode of development of the capsule differs in the tribes 
Silenee and Alsines of the order Caryophyllee. 
The capsules of the Silene develop in a way that leaves little 
doubt as to the carpellary origin of the ovules and placentas. 
In the Alsinez the carpellary origin of the ovules is much less 
apparent. The early stages of the growth of the capsule are here, 
at first sight, so differentas to suggest the idea that the placentas 
are axial and not carpellary; but this view does not seem to be 
the true one. 
The capsule of Lychnis diurna, a species which may be taken 
as a representative of the group Silenes, develops in the follow- 
ing manner (Plate XX XII.):— 
