n 



PAL^ONTOLOGICAL BOTANY. 



genera established from the reproductive organs (see Figs. 

 62-65). 



The natural order Cycadaceas is not so largely represented 

 at the present day as it was during the Mesozoic epoch. 



Fig. 72. 



Fig. 70. 



Fig. 71. 



Among the genera of the present day are Cycas (Fig. 74), 

 Zamia, Macrozamia, Encephalartos (Fig. 75), Dion, Stangeria, 

 etc. They are small palm-like trees or shrubs, with un- 

 branched stems, occasionally dichotomous, marked with leaf- 

 scars, and having large medullary rays along with pitted 

 woody tissue. The leaves are pinnate, except in Bowenia, 

 which has a bipinnate leaf. Males in cones. Females con- 

 sisting of naked ovules on the edges of altered leaves, or on 

 the inferior surface of the peltate apex of scales.* 



Fig. 70. Fruiting branch of Juniperus communis, common Juniper, 

 with linear acerose leaves and succulent cones. 



Fig. 71. Branch of Taxiis haccata, common Yew. 



Fig. 72. Male flower of Yew, with bracts at the base. 



Fig. 73. Fruit of Yew, consisting of a single naked seed partially 

 covered by a succulent receptacle. 



* See fuller description of Coniferse and Cycadacese in Balfour's 

 Class Book of Botany, pp. 906-912. 



