4 CYCADES, 
tion of numerous individuals of different ages and different 
species. In all probability had he examined sections nearer 
the base of the axis, he would have found one or more ad- 
ditional layers, 
In the fruit (Pl. CCCLXI. Fig. I.) which is of the shape 
and about the size of a hen’s egg, the base of the papilla is 
still distinct, its mouth or canal being filled with whitish 
tissue, the rest being obliterated but still traceable by its 
brown colour. The nucleus has become osseous woody, and 
has lost its conoid shape, its apiculus is very small and bony. 
The next envelope is membranous witha flocculent rough 
surface, it is open at the summit, towards its base it is very 
thick and fungous. It adheres to the immediate envelope 
Ceu encept at its apex. The immediate envelope is very thin, of 
a brownish colour, its apex is coniform and sphacelated, 
it corresponds to the centre of the perforation of the last 
envelope. "The albumen is about the size of a pullet's egg, 
flattened at its base, there is a transverse irregular depres- 
sion at its apex, it is heavy and fleshy. 
In the more advanced fruit the quartine is separable from 
the tercine which has now become entirely fungous. The 
depression of the albumen is marked by 5 or 6 spots, which 
indicate the apices of so many czca, which are either filled 
with mucilaginous fluid, or contain peculiar cellular bodies? 
With the exception of the cavities in which these sacs are 
lodged, the mass is entire and homogeneous. 
The tardy development of the embryo is very remarkable. 
In the fruits I have examined some of which have been 
larger than duck's eggs, no trace of it has been visible. Mr. 
Brown first noticed the spots on the depressed surface of the 
albumen, and their correspondence with so many cavities 
containing sacs, which again containa clear mucilaginous 
fluid, according to him they disappear, with the exception of 
one in which the embryo is developed, In the ovules there 
is some similarity with those of Gnetaces, the ‘coats are 
however only four, no additional one being formed. The 
