89 
cone, and in the other group of seed-bearing plants (the Angio- 
sperms) there is always a “ flower,” but Cycas is unique, being 
the only known seed-bearing plant having neither a cone nor a 
flower (as that term is popularly understood), but bearing its 
seeds exposed on the edges of specialized leaves, or carpels. 
y the removal of the sporophylls the terminal bud of the plant 
was exposed (fig. 133A). A photograph of a similar plant at a 
more advanced stage shows the crown of young foliage leaves 
which have developed from the terminal bud (fig. 13B). 
In figure 14 is shown a photograph of the seed-bearing, or 
Fic. 13. Cycas media, from Australia. A (at left) showing terminal 
bud after removal of spore-bearing and foliage leaves; B (at right) show- 
ing crown of young leaves. Accession No. 4238 
female, cone of the plant labeled Macrozamia “ spiralis.”* In the 
older (though smaller) cone at the left the scales near the apex 
have spread apart, disclosing the seeds, two of which are borne 
on the under surface of each scale. Young and old pollen- 
* When the plants come into foliage and fruit the determination of the 
species will be verified, as is the practice with all plants added to the scien- 
tific collections of the Garden. This plant is quite probably M. Miquelii, 
which closely resembles M. spiralis. 
