1902] CURRENT LITERATURE 171 
cross section of the young root. The dark cell at the right in his fig. 23 is 
‘in a position with reference to the embryo that corresponds to the arche- 
_ gonium out of which it has grown. The section of the fossil shows no sus- 
pensor, but in Se/agine//a rupestris these cells are often difficult to distinguish 
from those of the surrounding gametophyte. It is interesting to note that 
the transitional stages between completely tegumented and non-tegumented 
“seeds” have not been found. Scott suggests that the non-tegumented spo- 
i dpa may be arrested organisms rather than younger normal stages. 
This view accords with Bower's recent studies of the sporangia of Selaginella. 
However, as detached sporangia are not uncommon in the region explored by 
Messrs. Wild and Lomax, more light may be shed upon them by later study. 
The points of likeness between a seed of a spermatophyte and that 
ee a higher cryptogam are (t) the possession of an integument with a 
mere; (2) a single functional megaspore ; (3) the retention of the . 
Segue oo tvaing (4) the detachment of the seedlike organ as a whole ae 
ay ‘scent character. The essential distinction between the higher 
he opinion of the author that this discovery in no way affec 
hej = Previously that the gymnosperms are of filicineous origin, 
: og ies differ too much in detail from those of the lycopo | 
_ unity. Nor does he think any | hereby 
anita. 
— 
phy 
