A Contribution to the Study of the Marattiaceae, 
BY 
CYRIL WEST, B.Sc. (Lond.), F.L.S. 
From the Department of Botany , Imperial College of Science and Technology. 
With Plates XXI and XXII and thirty-three Figures in the Text. 
Contents. 
PAGE 
Introduction 
. 361 
Material and Methods 
. . 362 
Morphology and Vascular 
Ana- 
tomy : .... 
- 363 
1. Danaea 
. 363 
2. Kaulfussia . 
. . 381 
3. Archangiopteris . 
. 384 
4. Marattia 
. 386 
5. Angiopteris . 
. 39° 
6. Macroglossum 
. 39 2 
Apical Meristems : 
1. Stem .... 
• 392 
2. Roots .... 
- 396 
PAGE 
Histological Notes: 
1. Endodermis . 401 
2. Mucilage Canals, Tannin 
Cells, and Tannin Ducts . 403 
3. Secondary Thickening . . 403 
4. Mycorrhiza .... 403 
5. Cavity Parenchyma ( = Ty- 
loses) 
- 4°3 
6. Leaf Structure 
. 404 
7. Root Structure 
. 404 
Discussion 
. 405 
Summary 
. 410 
Bibliography 
. 411 
Explanation of Plate Figures 
- 4i3 
Introduction. 
J UDGING from the geographical distribution of the modern representa- 
tives of the Marattiaceae, it would seem that this group of Ferns 
occupied a far more prominent position in the flora of the past. The 
palaeontological record lends support to this hypothesis. Moreover, it has 
long been recognized that in these Ferns the stelar system has attained to 
a stage in complexity far in advance of that of any other modern group 
of Vascular Cryptogams. It is therefore not surprising that these plants 
have formed the subject of repeated investigations. But many difficulties 
are encountered whenever an attempt is made to reconcile the statements 
of previous writers respecting even the more important details of the 
structure and development of the vascular tissues in this interesting group 
of Ferns. And it can safely be said that, with the possible exception of 
Angiopteris , there is still not a genus of Marattiaceae of which we possess 
a complete account. 
Annals of Botany, Vol. XXXI. Nos. CXXXII and CXXIV. July and October, 1917.J 
