AND AFFINITIES OF STEPHANOSPERMUM. 373 
of the nucellar epidermis has occurred, as the latter is often recognisable still clothing 
the nucellus within the former. i 
The origin of the appearance in question seems due to the fact that when the nucellar 
cap was detached its broken rim became involved in the more or less macerated remains 
of a soft layer (the endotesta) lying between the nucellus and sclerotesta. The apparent 
continuity of the two structures is a secondary effect. 
In the adjacent text-fig. 1 the various regions of Stephanospermum are represented in 
the relation it may be supposed they occupied in the living seed. The endotesta is 
represented as a lightly shaded lining to the black sclerotesta. The apical beak and 
collar are restored to their original position upon the top of the pollen-chamber, the 
probable induration of their walls being emphasized by heavier shading. Finally, the 
supra-archegonial gap is not represented, as its origin seems due to post-mortem fission 
in the tracheal sheath above the embryo-sac; this sheath is therefore shown intact. 
STEPHANOSPERMUM CARYOIDES, 
General Remarks. 
This seed is represented by a solitary specimen which was wholly embedded in a large 
pebble from Grand’ Croix. The block, which had already yielded a specimen of 
S. akenioides at the surface, on being broken in two in the search for other seeds was 
found to contain a large almost globular seed, It has been possible to obtain four 
complete longitudinal sections, all including the nucellus, together with some fifteen other 
sections through various parts. The seed is a very interesting one and apparently new ; 
fortunately the preservation is above the average and it is possible to give a fairly 
full description. 
Generally speaking, the relations here are as in S. akenioides, the chief differences 
being the greater size, the near approach to a globular form, and the abbreviation of the 
micropylar beak and peri-micropylar crown. A further point consists in the apparent 
strong retraction of the nucellus from the testa, so that a considerable space is left 
between the top of the pollen-chamber and the internal limit of the sclerotesta. 
These relations are evident on glancing at the diagrammatic representation of a nearly 
median longitudinal section of this seed (text-fig. 2, p. 380). 
'The dimensions are 151 mm. long x 121 mm. across. 
'The transverse section is circular, judging from the form of the seed when exposed. 
The sclerotesta has essentially the same structure as in S. akenioides, i. e. a peripheral 
palisade-layer and internal longitudinal layer of thick-walled cells. Internally it is 
defined by the usual cubical layer with carbonised contents. At the micropylar end the 
beak and trough of S. akenioides are represented by a depressed, circular, convex area, 
which, like the corresponding region in that seed, bears a feltwork of closely packed hairs 
or fibres, This region is represented in almost median longitudinal section in PI. 44. fig. 36. 
'The fibrous covering of the micropylar convexity seems to have a tufted insertion, bunches 
of hairs arising from distinet spots on the surface of the sclerotesta. Individual hairs 
are occasionally articulated and branched, as shown under considerable magnification in 
PL 44. fig. 37. The length of hair preserved in this seed is short, as compared with 
