9<D Morphology Book I 



much theorizing as to the structure and homologies of the 

 so-called female cone of the Coniferae. A good deal of 

 the speculation was based upon abnormal cones or mon- 

 strosities which were investigated during our period by 

 various workers, and the views put forward show in many 

 cases an almost perverse ingenuity in attempting to force 

 the recognition of homologies, and to explain in terms 

 of metamorphosis every abnormality that was found 

 Frequently one monstrosity was interpreted only by the 

 light of another, and it is not to be wondered at that the 

 literature of the period presents us with explanations 

 whose ingenuity constitutes their chief value. Among 

 them, however, certain theories stand out as having 

 attracted the support of leading botanists. 



At the opening of our period the theory of Alexander 

 Braun, put forward in 1853, was generally accepted. This 

 hypothesis stated that the seminiferous scale of Pinus is 

 formed by the fusion of the contiguous margins of the first 

 two leaves of a bud which is in the axil of the bract or car- 

 pellary scale, but which undergoes no further development. 

 This view was opposed by many, but as often as it appeared 

 controverted it came up again into notice, brought for- 

 ward by new advocates. With various small modifications 

 we find it advanced by Caspary in i860, Parlatore in 1864, 

 Oersted in the same year, von Mohl in 1871, Stenzel in 

 1876, and Willkomm in 1879. It was finally defended 

 with much elaboration by Celakowsky, whose writings on 

 the subject extend from 1879 to 1897. 



Another theory was advanced by Baillon in i860, which 

 he based on the study of the mode of development of the 

 parts. He said the flower, i.e. the seminiferous scale, is 

 either terminal or axillary, but always arises on an axis 

 and not on an appendage, and is itself an axial structure. 

 It consists of an ovary of two carpels surrounded by a 

 cupular structure, which in several genera is known as an 



