355 
the Ovule of Myrica Gale . 
the development and fertilization of the ovule is quite of the normal 
Angiosperm type. There is only a single embryo-sac mother-cell which 
divides to form several superposed cells, the lowest of which absorbs the 
rest and forms the embryo-sac. The nucleus of the embryo-sac divides, 
eight nuclei eventually being formed as in the typical Angiosperm. The 
pollen-tube bearing two male cells enters the micropyle (PI. XXIV, Fig. i), 
penetrates the apex of the nucellus and pushes its way into the embryo-sac, 
at the top of which is the sexual apparatus, consisting of the egg-cell and 
two synergids. Fusion takes place resulting in the formation of a normal 
dicotyledonous embryo and a development of endosperm. 
In the development of the ovule then, Myrica Gale does not show 
any of those characteristics, e. g. great development of sporogenous tissue, 
numerous macrospores, chalazogamy, & c., which are found in nearly related 
families, and which are generally regarded as primitive characters. Cer- 
tain anatomical features of the ovule, however, seem to be of sufficient 
interest to be recorded in some detail. 
As is well known, the flowers which are borne in axillary catkins 
are either monoecious or dioecious. The female flower is devoid of 
perianth. The ovary, sessile in the axil of a bract, is furnished with 
two sterile scales, which become fused with the ovary wall. The ovary 
contains a single ovule which is orthotropous and quite sessile (Fig. 2). 
The nucellus, which is long and oval in shape (n), tapering to form 
a distinct stalk at the base, is surrounded by a single integument (z). 
A peculiar feature is that the nucellus stands up quite freely within this 
integument, from the stalk-like portion at the base to the apex. 
Another very interesting feature is found in the vascular supply to 
the ovule (Text-fig. I). 
A transverse section below the base of the ovule shows a ring of 
vascular bundles, usually eight or nine in number, with phloem on the 
outer side (Text-fig. I, 1). As the ring of bundles traverses the stalk of 
the ovule, four small branches are given off and run outwards — two to 
supply the two bracts which are fused to the ovary (Text-fig. I, 2 a and 
Fig. 2$), and the remaining two to supply the ovary wall (Text-fig. I, 2 b). 
These four vascular bundles traverse their courses without branching, the 
ones to the bracts running up the centre of the bract to the tip, those 
to the ovary wall running up into the stigmas (Fig. 2, st.). Just after 
these four bundles have branched off the ring of bundles in the stalk 
of the ovule begin to curve inwards (Text-fig. I, 3 and Fig. 2 m.bf and 
gradually unite by fusing together, so that a transverse section imme- 
diately at the base of the ovule shows a solid strand of wood surrounded 
by a ring of phloem (Text-fig. I, 4). When this solid strand reaches the 
base of the nucellus it expands to form a shallow cup-like mass of 
tracheids. Text-fig. I, 5 shows the centre of the cup, and Text-fig. I, 6, 
