1911] BRIEFER ARTICLES 153 
Marginal spikes situated above this would then represent single lobes 
of the leaf, comparable to the abnormal spikes of B. obliguum figured 
in my paper. In fact, the new figures representing sections through the 
base of fertile spikes more than ever convince me that there is an under- 
lying unity in the family, in spite of the complications shown by O. 
palmatum. ‘This unity appears in my interpretation of the fertile spike, 
and forms the only basis so far offered for comparison of all the members 
of the group. 
Just what becomes of the order Ophioglossales remains slightly in 
doubt, for BowrR sometimes uses this term and sometimes the term 
Ophioglossaceae in his recent paper. Without entering into taxonomic 
considerations, it would appear that Ophioglossaceae might well remain 
a family of Filicales. 
In conclusion it may be remarked that BowEr’s admirable summing 
up of the differences in the vascular supply of spore-producing organs 
among the Psilotaceae, Sphenophyllaceae, and Ophioglossaceae lends 
support to the view that the two great phyla Lycopsida and Pteropsida 
have been separated for a vast period of time.—M. A. CHRYSLER, Uni- 
versity of Maine, Orono, Me. 
CRYPTOMERIA JAPONICA 
(WITH FOUR FIGURES) 
At the Harvard Botanic Garden, there is a Cryptomeria japonica 
8-10 feet high. When examined early this spring, many of the branches 
that bore female cones were seen to have produced abnormal growths. 
The central axis of the cone had in some cases elongated into a vegetative 
branch. This condition has often been noted before in Pinus, Abies, 
Larix, Sciadopitys, and some other conifers, as well as in Cryptomeria. 
The Gardeners Chronicle’ in discussing proliferous cones says, ‘this 
condition is so common in our experience as to be nearly as frequently 
site with as the normal state.’ Then again in reference to Cryptomeria,® 
‘“‘a very common peculiarity is the proliferation of the axis beyond the 
cone in the form of a slender branchlet.’”’ This vegetative proliferation 
has also been described by PENzIG,7 MASTERS,® EICHLER,’ and others. 
Another and apparently undescribed condition was observed in the 
5 Gard. Chron., January 28, 1882, p. 112. 6 Ibid., November 30, rg0r, p. 380. 
7 Pflanzen Teratologie, Vol. II, p. 509. 
§ Vegetable teratology, p. 24 
® Excursions morphological, a Hist. Rev., April 1864. 
