CH. XLIII] 



MORPHOLOGY 



107 



problem that has long exercised the ingenuity of investigators. 

 The view expressed by Jeffrey^ that recent work on fossil Conifers 

 corroborates the interpretation of the seed-bearing scales as 

 metamorphosed shoots is based on facts furnished by a study of 

 vegetative organs, which in themselves do not afford any decisive 



Fig. 675. A, B, Phyllocladus trichomanoides. C, P. hypophylla. D, K, Megastro- 

 bilus and seed of Phyllocladus alpina; a, arillus. [A— C from specimens in 

 the British Museum; D, E, after Miss Robertson (Mrs Arber.)] 



evidence as to the morphology of reproductive shoots. In view 

 of these considerations it is important that an attempt should be 

 made, even at the risk of disproportionate treatment, to give a 

 general account of recent genera which, though necessarily far 

 1 Jeffrey (10) p. 331. 



