558 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY. 



ray structure alone then we find that the woods which as the result of 

 the consideration of their most reUable diagnostic features are Arauca- 

 rian, form a logical sequence on the hypothesis of derivation from 

 the Abietineae, from the earlier to the later Mesozoic (Jurassic and 

 Cretaceous). The opposite hypothesis, even taking into considera- 

 tion the ray structure only, apparently involves us in hopeless con- 

 fusion. 



Having considered the known types of fossil Araucarian woods in 

 regard to the feature of the presence or absence of resin canals, it is 

 now desirable to inquire whether there is an}' evidence for the normal 

 or traumatic occurrence of resin canals in the wood of existing rep- 

 resentatives of the Araucariineae. In this connection the writer 

 has had somewhat exceptional opportunities of securing material. 

 Through the kindness of the late Director of the Botanic Gardens of 

 the Dutch Go\'ernment at Buitenzorg, Java, an abundant supply of 

 the INIalayan representatives of the genus Agathis were secured, in- 

 cluding all vegetative parts of the plant, together with the very im- 

 portant cones. Later Dr. Maiden of the Botanic Gardens in Sydney, 

 N. S. W. Australia, and Dr. Baker of the Technological Museum, 

 Sydney, have forwarded abundant material of Australasian and exotic 

 species of Agathis and Araucaria. The writer is likewise indebted to 

 his students. Dr. A. J. Eames and Mr. E. W. Sinnott for collections 

 made in Australia and New Zealand, secured in connection with their 

 tenure of Sheldon Traveling Fellowships of Harvard University. 

 The latest contribution to the writer's stores of valuable material was 

 supplied through the kindness of the Director of the Royal Garden, 

 Kew, England, and through the goodness of Mr. L. A. Boodle of the 

 Jodrell Laboratory, Kew. It should be emphasized here that the 

 abundant material, which has been secured through the kindness of 

 many botanists, covers all the anatomically interesting parts of the 

 two living genera of the Araucariineae and to a remarkable extent 

 their whole geographical range. Not only has normal material been 

 available but also that which has through injury or other causes 

 undergone abnormal de\elopment. 



It is the writer's purpose to give an account of the organization of 

 the cone of the Araucarian conifers, in its systematic and anatomical 

 aspects in an article distinct from the present series. Only features 

 of special interest in the present connection will be considered here. 

 As a preliminary to a description of these features, a general statement 

 may be made in regard to features of organization of the ovulate stro- 

 bilus, of importance in the case of this investigation. The writer has 



