286 Bower. — Notes on the Morphology of 
strands traversing the stalk in all the three spikes is equivalent, the number 
being three, of which the median strand is the largest. 
As the knowledge of the vascular supply to the spikes in 0 . palmatum 
is still very limited, being hitherto restricted to the above observations 
together with a very imperfect representation of similar facts by Bertrand, 1 
the portion of the large dried specimen described above, bearing the two 
highest spikes, was cut out (Fig. 18). After swelling with caustic potash 
it was halved, embedded, and cut into sections. These provided the essen- 
tial points in the origin of their vascular supply. Fig. 19 shows successive 
sections from below the spike to the left in Fig. 18. It will be seen that 
the marginal strand from the leaf passes directly into the stalk of the spike 
without any complications. The next intramarginal strand does the same, 
but just before the separation of the stalk from the leaf a vascular com- 
missure runs across, almost transversely connecting it with the third strand 
from the margin of the leaf (IV). On complete separation of the stalk, 
a third strand, but weak and imperfectly developed, is seen in the section 
of the stalk (V), occupying the place of the lateral strand as seen in Fig. 1 7 
(VIII-IX). Evidently the vascular system of this spike, which is small, is 
incompletely developed as compared with the larger examples. The still 
smaller spike on the right-hand side, which was the highest borne on this 
leaf, showed the vascular connexions seen in Fig. 20 (I-VII). Here the 
small marginal strand of the leaf first fuses with the rather stronger strand 
next adjoining it (I— III). This then passes out into the base of the spike 
(IV), and subsequently separates again into two (V) ; then a vascular com- 
missure, as in the previous example, passes from the next inner strand 
almost horizontally outwards to join it (VI). The stalk then separates from 
the leaf (VII), its vascular supply being represented in its further course up 
the spike by a single band-shaped strand, which shows signs of being com- 
posed of three strands as in other cases. It may be held to be a reduced 
example of the same type of structure. 
A careful comparison of the five examples thus described shows that in 
no two of them are the vascular connexions at the base of the stalk exactly 
the same, though the structure of the stalk is essentially alike in them all, 
allowance being made for their varying size. These facts indicate two 
things. First, that the spikes are probably all morphologically equivalent 
parts. Secondly, that their attachment is not according to strict rule, 
a condition that readily accords with the interpretation put upon them in 
my ‘ Studies ’. 2 They were there held to be referable in origin to interpolation 
or chorisis of a single spike, in which case their position would not neces- 
sarily be regular. It would then be natural to expect less regular vascular 
connexions than in the case of parts produced in the normal sequence. 
A comparison of the specimens here described with those figured in 
1 Travan x et Memoires de l’Universit^ de Lille, t. x, Mem. 29, Fig. 97. 2 ii, pp. 43, 44. 
