374 



MORPHOLOGY OF GYMNOSPERMS 



too far removed from Welwitschia in other characters to suggest any 

 immediate connection. It would be easier to imagine a bispo- 



rangiate offshoot from the Coniferales. 



417 



Figs. 417, 418. — Welwitschia mirabilis: ovulate and staminate strobili; fig. 417, 

 branch with numerous ovulate strobili; one-half natural size; fig. 418, branch with 

 staminate strobili; natural size. — After Hooker (i). 



In Gnetum the flowers are monosporangiate and mostly dioecious, 

 and are numerous in the axils of connate bracts, which form a series 

 of contiguous but not overlapping cups (closer together in the stami- 



