On the Seedling Structure of Gymnosperms. I. 
BY 
T. G. HILL, A.R.C.S., F.L.S., 
University of London ; University and Goldsmiths ’ Colleges; 
AND 
E. de FRAINE, B.Sc., F.L.S., 
University of London ; Goldsmiths' College. 
With Plate XXXV and eight Figures in the Text. 
T HE study of seedlings was commenced by one of us seven years ago, 
but the work, occupying a secondary place as an investigation, made but 
slow progress. The appearance of the results obtained by Miss Sargant 1 
rendered it desirable to modify the original scheme, and it was decided to 
ascertain, as far as possible, the precise value of the transition-phenomena 
in questions relating to the phylogeny of the higher plants. With this end 
in view, it was considered advisable to examine as large a number of 
species as possible in well-marked cycles of affinity, and the Gymnosperms, 
Piperales, Centrospermae, and those Natural Orders of the Tubiflorae more 
directly related to the Scrophulariaceae were selected as being likely to 
afford the evidence required. 
Whether this somewhat extensive programme will be completed remains 
to be seen ; it is probable that the work on the Scrophulariaceae will not 
be continued, for, in the light of the knowledge gained of the groups 
mentioned, together with others, it appears possible that the expenditure of 
so much time and labour may not be necessary. 
The work on the Gymnosperms is fairly well advanced, and it has been 
decided to publish the results obtained from the study of the Taxaceae, 
the Cupressineae, and the Taxodiinae of the Abietineae. 
As regards methods, little need be said. In nearly all cases the seedlings 
were microtomed. The staining of the sections presented some initial 
difficulty ; those excellent stains haematoxylin and safranin not only 
1 Sargant, E. : A Theory of the Origin of Monocotyledons, founded on the Structure of their 
Seedlings (Annals of Botany, xi). 
[Annals of Botany, Vol. XXII. No. LXXXVIII. October, 1908.] 
3 A 
