Bhd tends Le 
oe eee 
a Ss era Se a = it dia eee eee al 
COV oye eer ae Ee Ne wee 
eae rene 
rv eS peepee a ee ee wae 
1914] MANEVAL—MAGNOLIACEAE 19 
It is evident then, from the above considerations, that we 
regard the Magnoliaceae, since they belong to the more primitive 
group of angiosperms, as more primitive than the monocotyledons. 
Let us next consider certain theories relative to the primitiveness 
of various features among the dicotyledons themselves. 
Present theories on this subject are fairly well represented by 
the views of WETTSTEIN (31) on the one hand and those of ARBER 
and PARKIN (2) on the other. Both believe that monocotyledons 
have been derived from dicotyledons. WertTTSTEIN holds, because 
of similarity in cotyledons, stem, floral structure, and reduction of 
the primary root, that monocotyledons have been derived from the 
Polycarpicae. He also points out that while we may think of 
derivation of one cotyledon from two, the reduction of a primary 
root, and so on, the opposite would not seem possible under any 
circumstances. So he concludes that we must turn to the dicoty- 
ledons in considering the phylogeny of angiosperms, but disagrees 
entirely with many as to which dicotyledons are most primitive. 
Both theories derive angiosperms from gymnosperms. Accord- 
ing to WETTSTEIN, primitive angiosperms should present among 
others the following characteristics: prevalence of woody plants 
-and absence of vessels in the vascular bundles; prevalence of 
monosporangiate flowers, with either’no perianth or one of simple 
structure; prevalence of anemophily. These are gymnospermous 
characters, and WETTSTEIN holds that we should regard that group 
of angiosperms as most primitive which exhibits these characters 
developed in high degree. ARBER and PARKIN (2), HALLIER (11), 
and others give a much longer list of characters which they believe 
are primitive. According to their views, amphisporangiate, actino- 
morphic flowers, with elongated axes bearing numerous free, spirally 
arranged floral parts, are primitive. Such flowers also possess a 
well developed, undifferentiated perianth and are entomophilous. 
Besides, primitive angiosperms are dicotyledonous, have small em- 
bryos and abundant endosperm, are treelike, and lack true vessels 
among autophytic species. 
If it is granted that all the essential characters that may be 
regarded as primitive have been included in these lists, then it is 
: evident that the great differences between the two theories relate 
