188 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [MARCH 
somewhat intermediate type, in which the trunk is a little elongated, 
but still tuberous, the greater part of it being subterranean. The 
strobili of cycads apparently terminate the axis, and this position is 
so distinct from the laterally borne strobili of other gymnosperms 
that it assumes an importance demanding more than the brief state- 
ments given to it in the literature, all of which seem to be based upon 
observations of mature strobili. 
Elongation of the stem by continued growth of the apical meristem 
is shown by all cycads until they begin to bear strobili, and continues 
to be the method of elongation of the ovulate plants of Cycas. In the 
staminate plants of Cycas, and in both staminate and ovulate plants 
of the other genera, however, a very different method of elongation 
sets in. This is evident from the fact that cycads live for many years 
after fruiting and produce a succession of crowns, so that the growth 
of the axis has not been stopped; and also from the fact that fre- 
quently more than one strobilus is produced at the summit of the stem, 
as in both ovulate and staminate plants of Zamia. The following 
brief historical sketch will serve to outline the views that have been 
held in reference to the relation of the strobili to the stem axis. 
MIQUEL (1) does not commit himself to any theory as to the mode 
of branching. He finds the cones are elongated axes of the stem in 
Cycas, Macrozamia, and Encephalartos, but “perchance lateral 
axes, as in Zamia.”’ 
KARSTEN (2) states that “the flowers appear in Zamia muricata 
on the same stem, one after another,” implying sympodial branching. 
DeEBary (3) gives an instance of monopodial branching in con- 
nection with a staminate strobilus of Cycas Rumphii. At first the 
strobilus occupied a terminal position, but a vegetative point was 
found at its base. Later, when the strobilus had matured and had 
been cut off, the vegetative point assumed the terminal position; 
but because the strobilus showed a depression upon the side toward 
the vegetative"point and the leaves of this point were stunted, DEBARY 
inferred that the staminate strobilus was really axillary, and that the 
vegetative point had been stunted and forced out of position. He 
gives the other possibility, namely, that the strobilus is really a ter- 
minal structure and is pushed to one side by the vegetative point; 
but he thinks that the facts stated above do not carry out this assump- 
