291 
The female strobilus is + 7 c.m. long and consists of 
four regular orthostichies of bracts, owing to which a 
more or less square shape is formed. At the base and 
also at the top these bracts are sterile, but in the middle 
they bear in their axils, ,in the accurate median line, what 
are regarded as the ovuliferous or carpellary flowers, as 
definite stalked axillary formations, the whole cone being 
a bi-axial structure” (48 p. 120). 
It is generally accepted that the strobilus is compound 
except by Sykes (152), who regards it as being a 
monaxial structure. The figures of Church (48 pl. 9—13) 
explain his point of view sufficiently to my opinion and 
he rightly observes besides: ,, The bi-axial hypothesis holds 
because there is no real evidence against it, that is to say 
it is the simplest statement of the facts of observation” 
(p. 120). Later on we shall see that this opinion is 
strengthened by other arguments. 
The structure of the flower or better of the strobilus 
of the second order, is quite simple. It is composed of 
an outer envelopment, being flattened in the tangential 
plane, parallel to that of the bracts. Lateron it elongates 
still more also in the tangential direction, and then forms 
a broad, membranous wing around the seed, serving for 
the dispersion. Inside we find a terminal ovule enclosed 
by a distinct integument. 
When maturing, the seed becomes oblong and is filled 
for the greater part with endosperm. The perisperm (the 
nucellar-wall and the integument) remains only as a thin 
membrane, whereas the nucellar apex, which reaches here 
a considerable length, is still attached to the top as a 
shrivelled mass of tissue. Miss van der Meulen (94) 
who publishes her opinion about this subject says ,, Het 
door het bloemdek ingesloten zaad is langwerpig en bestaat 
voor het grootste gedeelte uit endosperm, waaromheen het 
perisperm zit in den vorm van een vliesje, dat aan de top 
