Gnetum Gnemon , with Notes on Gnetum funiculars 45 
(see, Text-figs. 1 and 2 B). A smaller lateral irregular gap (g) is seen in the 
flange, probably similar to that seen in Text-figs. 2 D and 3. It seems 
likely that these gaps represent the places into which the middle covering 
originally projected. 
Owing to the very considerable growth and stretching of the apex 
of the seed between the stage 8 mm. long and these mature seeds, not only 
is the tip of the middle covering no longer buried in the hairs of the flange, 
but the flange has been carried so far upwards that there is a considerable 
interval during which sections pass through, first the outer covering only, 
and then the outer covering enclosing the torn-out, beak-like portion of the 
micropylar tube. 
Cross-sections through the top of this projecting portion of the micro- 
pylar tube show its irregular torn surface and a wall of three or four layers 
of cells ; the lumen is closed by the ingrowth of the epidermal cells. 
Lower down, its outer surface is smooth, bounded by a regular epidermis. 
All the cell-walls are heavily lignified, the projecting part of the tube being 
thus a solid little ‘ beak ’. 
When the series of cross-sections reach the parenchymatous tip of the 
middle covering it is found to be clasping firmly the base of the micropylar 
tube, which is still strongly lignified throughout, and is still closed. 
Photo 14, PI. I, shows the micropylar tube a few sections lower down, 
with a slit-like opening, surrounded by the middle covering, which now 
has its inner layers heavily lignified and its outer parenchymatous tissue 
widely expanded. 
Below this level the thick-walled inner layer of the middle covering 
persists to the base of the ovule, but the innermost covering becomes 
thin-walled and is seen in section as a thin strip of tissue free from the 
middle covering, fusing, about a third of the way down the seed, with 
the nucellus (see Text-fig. 2 C). 
The structure of the outermost covering is similar to that in G. afri- 
cannm , which is described in more detail in a former paper. 1 The middle 
covering is much as in the ovules 8 mm. long, except that the inner 
stony layer is more heavily lignified. 
Two abnormal ovules. There were two curious features about the 
two ovules 8 mm. long. They were both flattened on one side, through- 
out the main body of the seed, being roughly triangular in form, like 
the seeds of Ephedra. 
Also just inside the base of the inner covering there arose from the 
nucellus a ring of tissue, which was more developed in one ovule than 
in the other, but in both extended freely for some distance upwards like 
a rudiment of a fourth covering. A somewhat similar development, 
arising, however, between the outer and inner integument, has been 
1 Thoday, 1911. ' 
