THE PAST HISTORY OF MONOCOTNLEDONS 



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In dealing with the hypothetical phylogeny of Angiosperms, 

 Bessey refers to the monocotyledons as follows : — 



"The modifications which gave us the main lines of monocoty- 

 ledons were first the fusion of the carpels with one another and the 

 production of a syncarpium, and, second, the progressive fusion of 



"n NUDlFLORf 



The Phylogeny of Angiosperms. (After Bessey.) 



the syncarpium with the other strohilar leaves. These resulted in 

 the phylum, which begins with Apocarpte and passes to CoronariecC, 

 Epigyn^, and Microsi)ermae. In some Apocarpae and many plants 

 of the type of the Coronarieai the perianth has been more or less 

 reduced (by aphanisis), in some cases amounting to complete 

 suppression, as in palms (Calycinre), aroids (Nudifior^e), and sedges 

 and grasses (Glumacese)." 



