INCREASE OF CYCADEiS BY BUDS. 375 



Mode of increase by Buds the same in recent and fossil 

 CycadecB. 



The Cycas revoluta figured in PI. 58* possesses a peculiar 

 interest in relation to both our fossil species, in consequence 

 of its protruding a series of buds from the axillse of many of 

 the scales around its trunk. These buds explain analogous 

 appearances at the axillae of many fossil scales on Cycadites 



trunk towards the leaf. On the lower integument, (b') is a dense coaling of 

 minute curling filaments of down or cotton, (a) which being repeated on 

 each scale, renders the congeries of scales surrounding the trunk, impervi- 

 ous to air and moisture. 



A similar disposition is seen in the longitudinal section of the fossil Petiole 

 of Cycadites microphyllus represented at PI. 62, Fig. 2, and magnified four 

 times. At f, we have- cellular tissue interspersed with gum vessels, h. Be- 

 neath c, are longitudinal bundles of vessels ; at be, is the integument; at «, 

 a most beautiful petrifaction of the curling filaments of down or cotton, pro- 

 ceeding from the surface of this integument. 



In the vascular bundles within the fossil Petioles, (c) Mr. Brown has re- 

 cognised the presence of spiral, or scalariform vessels (Vasa scalariforma) 

 such as are found in the Petioles of recent CycadcEe ; he has also detected 

 similar vessels, in the laminated circle within the trunk of the fos.sil Buds 

 next to be described. The existence of vessels with discs peculiar to recent 

 CyeadesB and Coniferae, such as have been described in speaking of fossil 

 ConifercB, has not yet been ascertained. 



* This plant has been living many years, in Lord Grenville's conserva- 

 tory at Dropmore. In the autumn of 1827, the external part of the scales 

 was cut away to get rid of insects : in the following spring the buds began 

 to protrude. Similar buds appeared also in the same conservatory on a plant 

 of the Zamia spiralis from New Holland. In vol. vi. p. 501, Horticult. Trans, 

 leaves are stated to have protruded from the scales of a decayed trunk of Za- 

 mia horrida in a conservatory at Petersburgh. 



I learn from Professor Henslow, that the trunk of a Cycas revoluta, wliich 

 in 1830 produced a cone loaded with ripe drupac, in Earl Fitzwilliam's hot- 

 house at Wentworth, threw out a number of buds, from the axillce of the 

 leaf-scales soon after the Cone was cut ofi'from its summit. |In Linn. Trans, 

 vol. vi. tab. 29, is a figure of a similar cone which bore fruit at Farnham 

 Castle, 1799. 



It is stated in Miller's Gardener's Dictionary, that the Cycas-revoluta was 

 introduced into England about 1758, by Captain Hutchinson; his ship was 

 attacked, and the head of the plant shot off, but the stem being preserved, 

 threw out several new heads, which were taken off, and produced as many 

 plants. 



