BENNETTITALES 



8i 



structure. A most interesting feature is the occurrence of a basal 

 cupule, for it suggests a remnant of the completely investing cujjules 

 of certain seeds {Lagenostomi) of Cycadofilicales. The usual nucel- 

 lar beak and large pollen chamber, characteristic of this type of ovule, 



Fig. 65. — Cycadeoidea Wielandii: transverse section of a portion of the seed- 

 bearing strobilus, showing seed-stalks with their central bundles, and interseminal 

 scales packed between. — From photograph by Beecher of section made by W'iei.and. 



are evident, and also a heavy megaspore membrane. It must be 

 recognized that the structure of the seeds of Bennettitales is not known 

 with such completeness as is that of Lagenostoma, so that a defmite 

 comparative statement is impossible at present. The conjectural 

 situation is possibly the true one, which the abundance of material 

 should soon establish. 



