Notes. 
193 
NOTE ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE OVULE OF LARIX LEPTO- 
LEPIS. — The writer began the study of the structure and life-history of the various 
Larches in March 1915. Such a study seemed profitable, as, except for occasional 
observations, the group has been practically neglected. Even such references as do 
exist are mostly detailed cytology, like Allen’s admirable account of the formation of 
the spindle in the reduction division of the pollen mother-cells of L. enropaea (Ann. 
Bot., vol. xvii, 1902). But the broad outlines of the life-history are still far from 
ascertained. Unfortunately, the work has not made sufficient progress this season to 
warrant a complete account, and this for many reasons. The absence of information 
on the group meant that the dates of the appearance of the various stages were 
unknown, and it was thought advisable to determine these dates as a preliminary to 
further work. The abnormal sterility of the specimens at the writer’s disposal was 
also a hindrance. It was no uncommon thing in July, when removing the hardened 
Longitudinal section of the upper part of the ovule of Larix leptolcpis. A, nucellus; k, 
embryo-sac; c, integument; 1, 2, 3, its layers in process of differentiation; D, micropylar con- 
striction ; e, fold with stigmatic hairs; F, a pollen-grain entangled ; G, thickened plate from which 
hair-like processes arise. 
integument, to cut into 200 ovules before meeting a good one. Finally, difficulties in 
procuring fixing chemicals, &c., owing to the war, also retarded progress. But there 
were one or two points which appeared which it is considered well to put at once into 
this preliminary note. 
I. The structure of the ovule was interesting and peculiar. Most worthy of 
record, however, is the fact that its structure was almost identical with that described 
by Lawson for the ovule of Pseudotsuga Douglasii (Ann. Bot., vol. xxiii, 1909). 
To describe its appearance and to emphasize the fact of its similarity to that of 
Pseudotsuga nothing can be better than to follow Lawson’s description of his ovule on 
the accompanying figure, which is a longitudinal section of the upper part of the 
[Annals of Botany, Vol. XXX. No. CXVII. January, 1916.3 
O* 
