287 
$ 30. Gnetum. 
Literature: Beccari (12), Berridge (19, 20), Karsten 
(76, 77, 78), Lignier et Tison (90), Lotsy (92) 
Pearson (14115) Thodavy:(153,.154). 
Material: Gnetum funiculare Blume. Bot. Gard. Buitenzorg. 
moluccenseKarst. ,, % » 
iGremon (LE. a - 
The female strobilus of Gnetum consists of a long spike- 
like axis bearing at intervals on the nodes connate decus- 
sate bracts, having in their axils a ringshaped swelling of 
the axis. On this cushion the ovules are developed by 
localized growth of the tissue (Thoday, 153). In each axil 
five to eight ovules or ,flowers” are present, which 
consist of a nucellus invested by three envelopes. 
Às in EÉphedra there are two kinds of female flowers, 
those borne on an ovuliferous strobilus and those occur- 
ring in the upper portion of the staminate cones. The 
latter ones are different from the former in lacking the 
middle of the three coverings. Usually these incomplete 
flowers have no function, but when in rare cases they 
are fertile, the three envelopes are developed (Lotsy, 92). 
It is said (Karsten, 77) that the middle one in a young 
condition is always to be found, but gradualy disappears 
during the development. 
The outer envelopment or ,perianth'” becomes very 
succulent when ripe and is orange, red or green coloured. 
It encloses the whole of the seed, but from the base it 
is free from the central part for its greater portion, except 
in Gnetum scandens where it becomes fused with it. The 
composing tissue is formed of great parenchymatous cells, 
and resembles that of the cushion bearing the ovuliferous 
structures. 
