124 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [august 



In cones of the ages shown in the figures the sporophylls are 



+ 



closely pressed together, and are covered over the exposed portion by 



of closely appressed grayish hairs. At the time of seed 



mass 



distribution the sporophylls separate, the entire cone bends on its 

 stem, and is pendent from the apex of the plant. The individual 

 sporophylls bear some resemblance to those of Zamia^ but are specific 

 cally distinct. The outer portion is drawn out into an obtuse point, 

 upon which are two ridges. 



Most of the cones are quite symmetrical and are remarkably well 

 rounded both at base and tip, thus suggesting complete pollination 

 and development of sporangia (figs. 8, ii, 12). In some cases this 

 is not true, and irregularities suggesting imperfect pollination are 

 conspicuous. To the left in fig. 11 such a cone is shown. 



Each sporophyll bears two sporangia of a peculiar salmon-pink 

 color. These sporangia in the mature cones are closely crowded 

 together {fig. 12), thus producing the corklike form of the seed from 

 which is derived the Cuban name "palma corcho/^ The Integument 

 of the ovule is differentiated into an outer fleshy layer; a thin, hard, 

 brown layer; and an inner fleshy layer which becomes thin and 

 papery. Vascular bundles pass up the stalk of the 



me 



anastomose in the upper portion, and give off five to eight branches 

 which pass into each ovule. Just after entering the base of the ovule 

 each vascular bundle forms two branches, one of which traverses 

 unbranched the outer fleshy layer; the other enters the hard coat and 

 divides into a large number of anastomosing branches (jig. 16). 



STAMINATE CONE AND MICROSPORANGIA 



Although the staminate cones had formed and shed their pollen 

 some months before they were obtained, one entire cone and frag- 

 ments of several others were found. It is likely that the entire cone 

 shown in fig. ij was delaved in development and did not mature its 



poll 



stamens 



the material collected it w 

 lon'g and 5-8^"^ thick. ] 

 that it is lateral in origin. 



From 



.30 cm 



stem 



microsporophyll has its outer portion expanded, and spo 



