26 Campbell . — The Development of the Flower and 
different from that in the typical Monocotyledons. Just what 
the significance of this is, is hard to determine. This lateral 
position is rather suggestive of the root in Isoetes , and possibly 
the basal segments of the embryo with the suspensor might 
be interpreted as equivalent to the foot in the embryo of the 
Pteridophytes. A study of the embryo in other simple Mono- 
cotyledons may yield some further information upon this 
point. 
While it must be admitted that these investigations do not 
throw much light upon the question of the origin of the 
simpler Monocotyledons from pteridophytic ancestors, such 
as Isoetes , it may also be said that there is no further evidence 
for the view commonly held that they are degenerate forms, 
descended from more specialized ancestors. There is certainly 
no evidence that the flowers are derived from any type found 
among the higher Monocotyledons, and the writer is strongly 
inclined to believe that the simplicity of the flowers is really 
primitive. It is hoped that further investigations, which it 
is proposed to make, may possibly help to elucidate this very 
interesting subject. 
