Telangium (Calymmato theca) showing Structure . 1 73 
the constitution of the integument at a lower level. Here we find the 
peripheral epidermis of the integument lined as in Telangium and other 
synangia, with a layer of reticulately thickened cells within which lie 
the large thin-walled cells which seem to correspond with the sporogenous 
tissue, and this is limited internally by thick-walled fibres. Plate IV, 
Fig. 45, shows also on a smaller scale the compartmental structure of the 
integument. 
It is interesting to note that Bemiettites Morierei is in some respects 
evidently less reduced than Bennettites Gibsonianus , in which, as Dr. Scott 
says in his { Studies,’ the structure of the pericarp is a matter of inference. 
Nor is there any possibility of avoiding the conclusion that the inner tube 
of the micropyle is nucellar in origin if we accept the diagrams Prof. Lignier 
gives. 
I cannot but regard this example as very strongly confirmatory of the 
homology of the seed with the synangium. If we compare the peripheral 
epidermis of the integument with that of the microsporangial sorus of 
Cycadeoidea we obtain a possible explanation of the radially elongated 
epidermal cells 1 of the sunken seed. Is it possible to call in here the 
aid of a wholly hypothetical indusium and invest it in turn with so many 
points of similarity to the sister sporangia of the nucellus, sporangia which 
it cannot but be granted originally surrounded the ancestor of the mega- 
sporange ? Or, on the other hand, can we, with others, call in a * new 
formation ’ to account for an integument so obviously compartmental ? 
Thirdly, I wish to refer to the seeds which somewhat unfortunately 
go by the name of Gnetopsis elliptica 2 , Ren. 
Although they are not yet worked out with the same detail as 
Lagenostoma and Bennettites Morierei there is considerable internal 
evidence in support of their synangial origin. 
They are figured (after Saporta and Marion) in the English edition 
of Solms-Laubach’s Fossil Botany on page 128, and come from the Upper 
Coal Measures of Grand’ Croix. The ovules occur in one or more pairs 
in the hollow of a cup-like envelope which bears long hairs. 
For convenience I will quote from Solms-Laubach’s description of this 
most interesting type : ‘ That portion of the integument which encloses the 
apex of the nucellus behaves in a very peculiar manner, and may be com- 
pared perhaps with Lagenostoma , Will. It attains a considerable thickness 
and separates (sic) into a compact outer lamina and a similar inner lamina, 
while the cell-layer between the two is formed of extended filaments which 
represent so many cells and traverse a broad intercellular space at some 
distance from each other. This looser tissue ceases of course at the micro- 
pylar canal, where the outer and inner layer are in connexion with one 
1 Cf. Figs. 99, ioi, and 102 in Coulter and Chamberlain’s * Gymnosperms.’ 
3 Renault, ‘Cours de Bot Fossile,’ T. 4, p. 179, Plates 20-22. 
