Gnetum , with some Notes on the Structure of Inflorescence . 609 
bundles. These relations correspond fairly closely with those described 
by Strasburger 1 for G. Brunonianum. 
In the axis of the inflorescence the bundles of the ring may be some- 
what more numerous. A branch from each passes out at each floriferous 
node to the leaf-cupule. On its way through the cortex it bifurcates 
once at least in a horizontal plane ; on entering the cupule it undergoes 
further forking so that numerous small bundles pass up towards the free edge 
of the cupule. From each leaf-trace just before it enters the cupule in 
G. scandens^ there arises an inverted strand which ascends until it becomes 
# 6 . 
Text-fig. 2. Diagram of longitudinal section through node and internode of male spike of 
G. scandens, to show course of vascular bundles, v.b. = bundles of the ring ; l.c. — leaf-cupule ; 
fc. = flower bundle-complex ; f.t. — flower-trace. X 15. 
lost in a complex network from the nodes of which the bundles supplying 
the flowers are derived (Text-fig. s ). 2 These branches from the leaf- 
traces furnish the whole of the vascular supply to the flowers in G . scandens , 
as is also the case in G. Brunonianum . 3 
In both the African species the origin of the vascular network from 
which the flower-strands are derived is less simple. In these there is an 
outer series of normally orientated bundles arising from the leaf-traces at 
some distance from their origin from the ring-bundles, and proceeding 
upwards to the level of the lowest flowers, where they enter the network 
1 Strasburger (’72). 
2 Cf. Strasburger (’72), Taf. xxi, Fig. 5 . 
3 Strasburger, 1. c. 
