Female Sirobtlus in Podocarpus . 559 
Correlated with the gradual independence in function of the ovuliferous 
scale, we get a gradual change in the relation of the ovule to the scale. 
In the Abietineae two ovules are placed at the base of the scale, one on 
each side, which is the most economic arrangement where the cone itself is 
organized for protective purposes. In Araucarineae one ovule is inserted 
medianly on the scale. In the Podocarpoideae, as Pilger has noted (40, p. 16 ), 
we get a gradual pushing up of the ovular rudiment on the ‘ epimatium ’ or 
ovuliferous scale. 
In Saxegothaea the apex of the ovuliferous scale is a homogeneous 
membrane, without vascular structure, merely protective in the pollination 
stages, the ovule being inserted towards the base of the bract and remaining 
free from the same, except at the base. The two inverted strands which 
supply the ovule are spoken of by Tison as the ovular supply ; they are 
described as being without resin canals, and insert themselves on the vascular 
bundle of the bract at the base of the same, with a semi-rotation similar to 
that obtaining for the bundles of the ovuliferous scale in Podocarpus when 
they insert themselves between the bundles of the strobilus. It is impossible 
to draw any close comparison between Saxegothaea and Podocarpus in these 
respects, as the exact delimitation of the tissues of the ovuliferous scale and 
bract respectively are not insisted on. 
From a cursory examination of Dacrydium (on which it is hoped 
to publish results later) it is possible that in that genus good intermediate 
series between Saxegothaea and Podocarpus will be found, showing the 
retrogression in the development of the fertile bract above the scale, and the 
increase in the protective function of the latter, which, however, does not fold 
round the highly inserted ovule, while on the other hand the coalescence of 
the different parts of the cone is still marked. 
In Podocarpus we find a similar series, showing the course of reduction 
in the cone, the actual strobilus organization appearing only in the youngest 
stages, as subsequently the laminae of the bracts composing the cone do not 
develop further. The ovuliferous scale takes on an entirely independent 
organization, analogous to that of the foliage leaves, and completely surrounds 
and protects the ovule, which, as it grows up, it carries well above the bracts 
of the strobilus, the insertion of the ovule being towards the apex of the scale. 
This independent function is correlated with a great reduction in strobilus 
organization, the fertile bracts decreasing in number until they are limited to 
one or two in an apical position as the cone decreases in size and protective 
organization. 
In Pilger’s excellent monograph of the Taxaceae the Podocarpoideae 
are classified according to the progressive development of the ‘ epimatium ’, 
which he regards as an accessory organ, a ligula-like excrescence of the 
‘ carpel ’, through Microcachrys , Saxegothaea , and Dacrydium to Podocarpus > 
in which family this organ reaches its maximum development. 
