346 



GYMNOSPERMS 



Four free nuclei seem to be quite general in the Abietaceae, Taxo- 

 diaceae, and Cupressaceae, although mistakes could be made in stat- 

 ing the number. One might think that there would be eight free 

 nuclei in Thuja; but Land's^" complete series showed that, while 



\ 



W 



A B C 



Fig. 335. — Thuja occidenialis: A, third mitosis in fertilized c)^k- Walls will come in 

 at the close of this mitosis, forming eight cells; B, organization of tiers; C, elongation of 

 suspensor; v, ventral nucleus; X425.^.\fter Land.->" 



there are four mitotic figures lying in a common mass of protoplasm, 

 definite walls are formed at the close of this mitosis (fig. 335). 



The largest number of free nuclei in the conifers is found in the 

 Araucariaceae. Burlingame^s found 32 in Araucaria brazilicnsis; 

 and Eames'^' found usually 32 with occasionally 64 in Agathis ans- 

 tralis. 



