THE EVIDENCE 83 



half of the flower consists of a stout axis bearing 

 numerous bracts, which are spirally arranged and 

 enclose the essential organs of reproduction. 



Fig. 9. Bennettites. Restoration of unexpanded flower, 

 showing the hairy bracts, the infolded, compound stamens, 

 and the conical receptacle, bearing the ovules. After 

 Wieland. 



Within the uppermost bracts are the stamens, 

 which are not in spiral order, but form a ring or 

 whorl, like those of most Angiosperms. In this 



