6io 
STRUCTURE AND LIFE HISTORIES 
The leaves of Cordaites resembled those of the Kauri 
pines (Agathis) of the southern hemisphere (Fig. 431), 
or the leaflets of Zamia. They varied from a decimeter to 
over a meter in length. The male cones resembled those 
of the still living Ginkgo, each stamen having from four 
to six microsporangia (pollen-sacs) on a stalk. The female 
FIG. 431. Branch, with cones, of the Kauri pine (Agathis australis). 
(From Gardener's Chronicle.) 
cones resembled the male in general appearance, and 
the seeds resembled those of the Cycadofilicales (Fig. 423). 
The plant itself was a slender tree, some forms of which 
attained a height of over 100 feet. The Cordaitales 
formed the world's first great forests. They represent a 
wide departure from the Cryptogams, and must be con- 
sidered as true seed-bearing plants. They were closely 
