Linnceaa Society* 369 



For a long time the cone was as compact as possible ; but at the 

 end of the year a fissure might be discerned round the base of some 

 of the pyramids, especially of those near the top of the cone. The 

 cone had then become twice as large as it was in September. But 

 the rhomboids which terminated the scales, rising in the form of 

 truncated and tuberculated pyramids, had increased much less in the 

 upper part of the cone than in the lower. Accordingly the scales 

 in the upper part, extending a fourth of the way down the axis, were 

 afterwards found to be barren. Moreover, as the rhomboids in the 

 middle and lower part increased, they extended themselves laterally 

 much more than vertically, and there arose thus a remarkable swell- 

 ing' or protuberance in the part of the cone below that, which con- 

 sisted of the barren scales. In this respect the cone assumed the 

 appearance of that of an Encephalartus, which is figured in Jacquin's 

 ' Fragmenta,' plate 27. 



Although the barren scales at the upper part of the cone became 

 gradually less close and compact, they continued firmly attached to 

 the axis until the following midsummer. Had a male plant been pre- 

 sent, it appears probable that under these circumstances fertilization, 

 would have taken place. Although the Cycadece are classed as gym- 

 nospermous, their ovules, with the exception of the genus Cycas, are 

 so covered and guarded in the earlier stages of their development, 

 that it is difficult to imagine how the pollen can possibly obtain 

 access to them. But, after the barren scales at the top of the cone 

 have begun to separate, a shower of pollen, falling on it, would easily 

 make its way through the fissures between these barren scales, and, 

 going in the direction of the axis, would come into immediate con- 

 tact with the summits of the ovules, which are all directed towards 

 the axis and placed at a very short distance from it. In considering 

 the mode of impregnation, it is also important to observe, that, 

 whereas the male cone quickly comes to maturity, sheds its abun- 

 dant pollen, and decays, the female cone, being of much slower 

 growth, remains for many weeks in that state, in which the provi- 

 sion here described is made for the admission of the pollen. 



About July 1848, all the scales separated from the axis, begin- 

 ning at the top of the cone. A coloured wax model having been 

 made of a scale with the fruit upon it in the mature state, copies of 

 it accompany the before-mentioned models, of the cone. 



The scales were arranged in eight spirals, each spiral consisting of 

 forty scales, and making two revolutions round the axis. The num- 

 ber of drupes, containing nuts, was probably about 400, two upon 

 each perfect scale. The scales were weighed as they fell from the 

 cone, and their entire amount was 46 lbs. 



After all the scales had fallen, the axis was found to be supported 

 by a very short thick peduncle, not exceeding fifteen millemetres in 

 length, and covered with down. A section having been made across 

 the axis in its thickest part, the centre was observed to be pith, with- 

 out cells, vessels, or woody fibre. This central portion was sur- 

 rounded by pith, abounding in cells and bundles of woody fibre. 

 The cells were filled with gum, and very different from the bundles 



Ann. ^ Mag. N. Hist. Ser.2. Vol.'w. 25 



