306 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [APRIL 
dineae, Cupressineae, and Abietineae in approximately ascending order. The 
Araucarineae, contrary to the usual opinion, have a separate and direct origin 
from the Cordaitales. The conclusions reached by the author from the study of 
wood harmonize on the whole very well with those adopted in general taxonomic 
works such as Engler and Prantl’s Die natiirliche Pflanzenfamilien, and are based 
on the assumption that greater complexity of structure is necessarily charac- 
teristic of more modern forms. There is of course room for difference of opinion 
on this subject, in view of the evidence of general paleobotany, comparative 
anatomy, and development, which seems to show that the Coniferales form a 
‘series of recession rather than of progression. There can be no doubt, however, 
as to the very important character of the facts brought out by the investigations 
of Professor PENHALLOw, and the second part of the memoir, which is to contain 
the specific determinations of the conifers from the structure of their wood, will 
be awaited with interest —E. C. JEFFREY. 
JEFFREY" has published the second of his contributions to our knowledge 
of the anatomy of the Coniferales, in so far as it bears upon relationships and phy- 
logeny. The immense service that anatomy of this kind is rendering to morphol- 
ogy that concerns itself with phylogeny cannot be overestimated. The student 
of gymnosperms is particularly indebted to JEFFREY for the studies he is just 
now prosecuting, for this new method of attack could not have been directed 
more usefully than upon Coniferales. In the preceding number of the series 
the author has reached the conclusion that Sequoia shows an abietineous origin, 
and it was natural that a presentation of the Abietineae should follow. No 
better summary of his results could be given than that prepared by the author 
himself; and since the subject is one of much general interest and importance 
no apology is needed for reproducing it here. 
1. The Abietineae are divisible, on the evidence supplied by a study of their 
vegetative and reproductive organs, into two distinct subfamilies, viz., the Pineae 
and the Abieteae. 
Resin canals are present in the outer margin of the primary wood of the root. 
scales of the female cone are not deciduous. Pinus, Picea, Larix, Pseudotsuga- : 
3- The Abieteae ordinarily do not possess resin canals in the secondary W 
root and shoot. Resin canals, however, are sometimes found in the wood of the 
female reproductive axis, and in the first annual ring of vigorous sh 
trees. Resin canals occur in the secondary wood in tangential rows, 
of injury. Resin canals are invariably found in the center of the pri rimary wood ane 
root. The scales of the female cone are generally deciduous. Abies, " Pseudolarix, 
Cedrus, Tsuga. 
The evidence derived from anatomy and experimental morphol 
that the presence of resin ducts in the woody tissues and in the cortex 0 
ogy goes to show 
f the Abietineae 
* Y Oe 
14 JEFFREY, Epwarp C., The comparative anatomy of the Coniferales. Part 
The Abietineae. Memoirs Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 6:1-37. p/s. I-7- 194+ 
