thers are perfected. Then the outer coat is rarely evascular, 
and as rarely if ever membranous, both which contingencies 
exist in Ephedra, if Blume’s theory be adopted. 
Lastly the perianth of Ephedra is not closed up, and is not 
eventually ruptured. 
The remark of the more perfect evolution of Gnetum isa. — 
good one, and worthy of much attention. E 
It is a remarkable fact, and one that shews well the op- 
posite directions of the growths of the male and female or- 
gans, that although the terminal spike is developed in both 
sexes, the terminal flower of the males is invariably absent, 
this however is most obvious in the organs of vegetation, 
particularly the leaves. 
]. Portion of female inflorescence. 
. 2. Female spike laid open. 
3. Ditto at a younger period. 
.4, 5. Apparently abortive, the two inner scales, one of 
which i is removed in fig. 4, were submembranous aud 
. not green, surrounding their common stalk was an ob- 
lique cup-shaped process. 
6. Ovule detached, oblique scale on one side, probably the. 
base of one of the decussate leaves or bractes. 
7. Outer coat } taken away. 
8. Apex of the styliform elongation of inner membrane. 
9. Both membranes partly removed shewing the nucleus 
10. Nucleus detached. 
11. Oblique view of its apex, as an opaque object. : 
I2. Nucleus, surrounded partly about its base by the mem- 
branes, at a more advanced stage. ; : 
13. Nucleus, long section, shewing the embryonary sac. 
]4. Embryonary sac, with its free apex imbedded in th 
base of the nucleus. 
15. Portion of cuticle, stomata choked by siliceous matter: 
16. Section of a branch of one year’s growth. 
17. Section of ditto of Ephedra asparagina, which has 
stomata of the ordinary sort. 
34 GNETACEA. E 
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