94 Oliver . — On Physostoma elegans , Williamson , 
We now come to the question of spermatozoids in connexion with the 
pollen-grains. Already, in 1904, Miss Benson expressed the conviction that 
the pollen -grains in a specimen of L. oroides in her possession were ‘ in the 
act of yielding antherozoids, like those of Cycads and Ginkgo * , 1 In a recent 
note, the same writer has described this preparation in some detail. 2 Four 
pollen-grains are figured, of which one contains a supposed spermatozoid, 
whilst another is described as having germinated to form a protruding 
endospore — something of the nature of a rudimentary pollen-tube. Free in 
the pollen-chamber there are at least two bodies which the author regards 
as isolated spermatozoids. 
To this example of Lagenostoma oroides , the present investigation of 
Physostoma contributes a further instance which merits description. 
The specimen is in the collection belonging to the Botanical Depart- 
ment. King’s College, London, and I am indebted to the courtesy of Prof. 
Bottomley for the opportunity of examining it. Here the group of pollen- 
grains is contained, not in the pollen-chamber, but, as occasionally happens, 
at the bottom of the sinus between the tentacles and the pollen-chamber. 
Though analogy would indicate that the products of such misplaced grains 
must fail of their mission to accomplish fertilization, there is no evident 
reason why the pollen-grains should not continue to develop normally 
enough, provided the necessary protection and nutriment are forthcoming. 
In the present case three complete pollen-grains are present (PI. VI, Fig. 30, 
b, and c ), and what appears to be the remains of the internal cell-reticulum 
of a fourth (d). The pollen-grain h contains two flattened oval bodies, 
c contains one ; two others are present, one in contact with the reticulum 
d, and another between d and b. These five bodies are all clearly defined, 
show the same type of preservation, are of approximately identical 
dimensions (20 x 15 yw), and have the same sub-reniform outline. In addition, 
four other bodies are present which are probably of the same nature, but are 
less well placed for observation. Two are in contact with, and are partly 
obscured by, the pollen-grain a , whilst two lie on the open edge of c. 
No appendages or cilia have been detected in connexion with these 
bodies, nor is there any indication of their being limited by cell-membranes. 
Assuming that the bodies figured are spermatozoids, it would appear from 
this preparation that they arise within the pollen-grains themselves (Fig. 30, 
b and c). The reticulum d would then probably be the remains of a pollen- 
grain from which the exospore had disappeared. 
Turning to Miss Benson’s specimen of L. oroides , one of the pollen- 
grains is found to contain a spermatozoid (loc. cit., p. 410, Fig. 2 ,p l ). So 
far the two seeds are in substantial agreement. But if the sperms arise in 
1 Telangium Scottii , Annals of Botany, vol. xviii, p. 168. 
2 M. Benson, On the Contents of the Pollen-chamber of a specimen Lagenostoma ovoides. Bot 
Gaz., vol. xlv, p. 409 (June, 1908). 
