of some of which, according to Renault, were borne very 
short stalks with several bracteoles and terminal ovules. 
This species is known only by longitudinal sections. C. KE. 
Bertrand (3) reinvestigated the female strobili of Cor- 
daianthus and concluded that Renault’s interpretation of 
these structures must be discredited. More recently, as 
indicated above, Schoute and Florin have proposed a sim- 
ple interpretation of the ovulate strobilus. 
C.E. Bertrand described the ovulate strobilus as con- 
sisting of an axis clothed completely by the bases of the 
bracts. The axis contains a vascular cylinder of ten strands 
which are separate. Each bract is supplied with a single 
vascular bundle which is essentially similar to a single 
strand of a typical vegetative leaf. The bract contains 
hypodermal bands of fibrous tissue. 
The regrettable misinterpretation of the female strob- 
ilus has resulted in false reasoning. The ovulate strobilus 
accordingly has been termed compound because sup- 
posedly a fertile ‘‘branch’’ arises in the axil of a bract. 
Since a similar strobilar construction was believed to exist 
in the conifers, the so-called ovuliferous scale has been 
compared to an axillary shoot. 
Scott (19) aptly said ‘‘that the data are insufficient 
for the interpretation of the female catkin in terms of 
any recent gymnospermous fructifications.’’ It has been 
shown recently that if any comparison can be made, it 
must be with the very similar strobili of Walchia and its 
kin (Voltziales). 
Florin (8) has also recognized the simple nature of the 
strobilus of Cordaianthus and thus affirms the opinion of 
Schoute. The species upon which his interpretation is 
based was described originally by Kidston as Cordaian- 
thus profluitans, but material newly collected afforded 
considerable additional information. In this form, the 
stalks of the ovules are flattened and are similar to the 
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