164 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [SEPTEMBER 
DESCRIPTION E 
The youngest ovulate cones seen were about 3. or 4™™ across, 4 
when the two decussate pairs of scales were widely spreading. The | 
ovules are generally 20-30 in number and appear to be evenly dis- 
tributed over the broadened end of the axis. The subsequent develop- - 
ment proves this position to be only apparent, and that they are actu- 4 
ally situated on the fused bases of the scales. By considerable growth ‘ 
of the basal part of the scales the ovules are carried farther apart, 
and after the former have grown together the latter are found on the 4 
sides of the ridges where the lower and upper scales meet. = 
The youngest ovule found is shown in fig. 1. The comparatively — 
long tubular micropyle is very noticeable even at this early stage; 
the upper cells are already dead and empty and growth of the integu- a 
ment proceeds only at its base. The layer of small cells with dense 
contents lining the basal part of the micropyle grow actively some 
time after pollination and narrow considerably the micropylar 
opening at this part. Apparently, however, the micropyle is never 
completely closed by this means, but only by the accumulation of 
dust, etc., at its apex. The integument so soon becomes too hard 
to section satisfactorily that it is impossible to speak with confidence 
on this point. an 
The staminate cones are mature at about the same time that the 
ovules are found in this condition. They are very small and so incon- 
spicuous until they Change color at or near maturity that I have s 
never succeeded in collecting immature cones with a view to following 4 
the development of the microspores. The sporophylls are peltate 
and somewhat pointed toward the apex of the cone and bear five 
pollen sacs abaxially placed on the stalk, the wall of the microsporangia a 
being only one cell thick (fig. 2). The pollen grains have an excep- 
tionally thick cell wall, and only a single nucleus can be distinguished a 
in the mature grain, and in early stages of germination (figs. 3; 4° 
It seems usual in the Cupressineae for no prothallial cell to be formed . 
tions of microspores of various ages, but it may be assumed that 
