Conifer*.] flora of Tasmania. 
bryo-sacs by some, and corpuscles by others), towards the micropylar end of the cellul 
embryo-sac, enlarge, and free cells form within them. After this the pollen-tube again 
the tissue of the nucleus, and reaches the embryo-sac, opposite to a corpuscle; it then j 
sac itself, and, passing down between the cell interposed between the corpuscle and wall 
reaches the latter: this is the period of actual fecundation, for then a 
puscle begins to develope an embryo within itself, or sometimes four embryos within it: 
one usually comes to perfection. This is only a sketch of a very complicated process, 
most important that the Tasmania!) mieroscopists should investigate in the Conifers of ill 
are several accessory points to which attention should be directed, such ..- 
tube itself, a complicated process in sonic Conifers; the peculiar development of the cell: 
puscles and walls of the embryo-sac, which form a tori of ring or tabs OTet th latfc 
pollen-tube proceeds; and finally, the development of four suspensors, each terminated 1> 
a cell within the embryonal vesicle. The ibofi 
and Hoffmeister, to whose labours I must refer the structural botanist who would purstu 
Supposing the evolution of the embryo to be preceded by these complicated pro< 
and accepted as an established fact, of which there seems to be no doubt, 
cess with that of other Phamogains, in which the embryo-sac of the Qudeufl contains e 
from which single embryos are at once developed; nor to determine WD it are t! In! 
puscles, which latter indeed seem to take the [.'ace of cm! 
One of the most striking phenomena accompanying this development, is the gre 
consumed : in many Conifers the growth of the pollen-tube : 
men. but with only rudimentary traces of the embryo, which i> howev r 
only undeveloped. 
The following is a clavis of the Tasmanian genera : — 
1. Frenela.— Fruit large, lateral, of six woody valves, with : - 
minute scales, whorled in threes. 
1. 1. FBENELA 
ninalia, cylindrica. 
