Mesoxylon and an Allied Genus, 5 
strand. The hypodermal sclerenchyma of the shoot is strongly developed. 
At the opposite end (b) the shoot bears a large hastate branch, not much 
smaller than itself, measuring, in the oblique section, about 2*4 X 2 mm. 
in diameter (PL I, Fig. 4, b). The three projections appear to be the 
bases of bracts ; no other appendage is distinguishable. The middle is 
occupied by a large medullate stele, with bundles well separated, just as in 
the former specimen. The pith has 
almost perished. The distal arc of A 
the vascular ring projects outwards, 
but this may be due to accidental 
causes. 
In the next section (2565) the 
little round stele (at the A end) has 
enlarged and acquired a small pith ; 
at the opposite end the branch is de- 
tached, but the preservation is bad. 
The third section (2566) (Text- 
fig. 2) is favourable for the axillary 
shoot, in which the very narrow stele 
is fairly preserved ; at one end (b) 
the usual round branch-stele, with 
its distal bundle, is passing out. 
Branches at either end are repre- 
sented by bracts (shown at b). 
The next section (2567) shows 
little change; the same round branch- 
stele and distal bundle are present, as 
before. 
In the fifth section (2568) the 
shoot has diminished somewhat in 
size (to about 2-5 x 1*75 mm.) ; it is 
badly preserved, but bears a large 
hastate branch, much like that in 
the first section, but so cut as to 
appear attached by a narrower base 
(PL I, Fig. 5). At a distance of 
only o-8 mm. from the shoot, at the opposite end to the branch, is a seed 
of Mitrospermum compression , in transverse section. There is, however, 
no indication of any connexion with the fertile shoot. 
In the following section (2569) little remains of the shoot. A second 
seed is present, close to the former ; it is a rather young Mitrospermum t 
judging from the comparatively thin- walled sclerotesta ; again there is 
no evidence of connexion with the shoot or its branches. 
Text-fig. 2. Transverse section of fertile 
shoot, A, and bracts, B. si., main stele of shoot; 
b.st., stele of a branch; v.b., distal bundle. At B, 
two bracts, belonging to a branch of the shoot, 
x 40. S. 2566. From a drawing by Mr. G. T. 
G william. 
