1912] CURRENT LITERATURE 255 



members, and gametophytes. The most interesting feature of every such 

 review of all the available knowledge in reference to a group is the conclusion 

 as to its phylogenetic connections. In this case it is said that "the Podocarpeae 

 are probably related to the Araucarieae, and, though to a much less extent, 

 to the Abietineae." These connections have certainly long been obvious, as 

 well as the absence of any evidence of a close connection with the Taxeae. 

 The following statement, however, is not so obvious: "A consideration of the 

 available evidence shows that there is much to be said for the view that regards 

 the Coniferales as descendants of paleozoic lycopodialean ancestors." Much 

 may be said for this view, but none of it seems convincing. 



Gibbs^ has studied the development of the "female strobilus" of Podo- 

 carpus, a structure that certainly needs elucidation. It seems that the diffi- 

 culties of interpretation disappear when the early stages of the strobilus are 

 studied, thus eliminating the confusion of secondary modifications. Such a 

 study "strikingly reveals the relationship of the axis to the strobilus or cone of 

 Abietineae and its component parts." This includes the conclusion that 

 the "ovuliferous envelope" of the podocarps is the equivalent of the ovulifer- 

 ous scale of the Abietineae, which fuses "more and more till finally it merges in 

 the ovular integument in Torreya and Cephalotaxus." The reduction in the 

 strobilus organization is traced from Abietineae, through Mkrocachrys and 

 Dacrydium, until it reaches its extreme expression in Podocarpus, in which 

 genus, therefore, we are dealing with a much modified cone. Many details of 



structure are given which add materially to our knowledge of this interesting 

 genus. 



Stiles* published a brief note on the gametophytes of Dacrydiutn before 

 the appearance of his comprehensive paper on the podocarps noted above. 

 The details given emphasize the resemblance of the male gametophyte to those 

 of Podocarpus and Phyllocladus, and the closer resemblance of the female 

 gametophyte to that of Phyllocladus than to that of Podocarpus. It is becoming 

 increasingly evident that Phyllocladus is a podocarp rather than a taxad. 



Miss Duthie 6 has investigated the anatomy of Gnetum africanum, 

 a climbing species. Details are given of the structure of xylem, phloem, pith, 

 medullary rays, cortex, latex tubes, epidermis of stem, cork, and leaves. 



Pearson? has investigated three species of Gnetum (G. scandens, G. 

 africanum, and G. Buchholzianum) , the study of the microsporangium and 



4 Gibbs, L. S., On the development of the female strobilus in Podocarpus. Ann. 

 Botany 26: 5 i 5 - 57I . pis. 49-5 3- 1912. 



s Stiles, Walter, A note on the gametophytes of Dacrydium. New Phytol. 10: 



342~347. figs, 4. jq II# 



602. ph. 57 - 5Qm IQI2 



Anatomy of Gnetum africanum. Ann. Botany 26:593 



7 Pearsox, H. H. W., On the microsporangium and microspore 

 with some notes on the structure of the inflorescence. Ann. Botany 

 fi&- 6. ph. 60, 61. 1912. 



