BENNETTITEAE 



537 



in the case of unreduced sporophylls, is often departed 

 from. The shortly-stalked synangia are much broader 

 than long, contain two rows of loculi (Figs. 210 and 

 211), and closely resemble 

 those of certain Marattiaceae, 

 simulating in a remarkable 

 degree the stalked synangia 

 of Marattia Kaulfussii} The 

 analog)^ of this species, though 

 not of any special taxonomic 

 significance, shows that there 

 is no absolute necessity to 

 regard the pedicellate syn- 

 angia of the Bennettiteae as 

 representing distinct leaflets. 



The form of the synangia 

 in Cycadeoidea is somewhat 

 affected by their crowded 

 arrangement in the limited 

 space afforded by the infolded 

 sporophyll (Fig. 210). 



The synangia shown in 

 Fig. 210 are for the most 

 part cut transversely, showing 

 the full number (20-30) of 

 the loculi, while Fig. 2 1 1 repre- 

 sents a single synangium cut 

 longitudinally through the 

 short stalk, in a plane at right angles to the rows of 

 loculi, so that two loculi only are shown. The exterior 

 of the synangium is formed by a well - developed 



1 Sec Chrisi, Farnkriiuler der ErJe, p. 359, Kit;. 1129, 1S97. 



. 211. — Longitudinal section of a 

 synangium, showing short stalk 

 attaching it to rachis. The " but- 

 tressing " of the basal part of the 

 wall is shown ; also two loculi, in 

 longitudinal section, containing 

 some pollen-grains. Dehiscence 

 appears to have begun. x 40. 

 From Wieland. 



