Vol. 46 No, 3 
BULLETIN 
OF THE 
TORREY BOTANICAL CLUB 
MARCH, I919 
Gametogenesis and fecundation in Zea Mays as the basis of xenia 
and heredity in the endosperm 
PauL WEATHERWAX 
(WITH PLATES 6 AND 7 AND TWO TEXT FIGURES) 
In the almost endless number of varieties of maize there is 
afforded excellent material for experimental work on heredity, 
as is indicated by the part that the plant has played in the genetic 
studies of the past twenty years; but, unfortunately, maize offers 
at the same time limited opportunity for satisfactory cytological 
work. In addition to its other advantages, maize has a variable 
endosperm, in the transmission of whose characteristics we get 
not only a deeper insight into the true nature of the angiosperm 
endosperm but also some interesting checks on general theories 
of heredity. But many of the conclusions drawn from these 
endosperm studies have been based upon the assumption of 
certain facts concerning gametophyte development and a single 
description of the fecundation process, of which no figures were 
given. It was for the purpose of putting the cytological side of 
the question upon a substantial basis that this study was under- 
taken. The structure and development of the spikelets have 
been described in other papers (23, 24), and only the essential 
details will be repeated. 
THE MEGASPORE 
Before the integuments have made any considerable progress 
in enclosing the nucellus, the archesporium becomes visible as a 

[The BULLETIN for February (46: 37-72. pl. 3-5) was issued February 25, 1919] 
73 
