545 
Dutt . — Pityostrobus macroceplialus , L. and If. 
we find in this case, there is no doubt that this feature is of no more 
generic value than the fact that the resin-canals surrounding the axis are 
more uniform in size and more regularly distributed than appears to be the 
case among the present-day representatives. 
The same thing really applies to the peculiar ovular characters, how- 
ever difficult their interpretation. 
The large size of the ovules, the detached seed-wing, the lignified 
integument, with closed or almost closed micropyle, and the shrunken 
nucellar layer, all seem to favour the view that the cone is well on its way 
to maturity. This is borne out by the appearance of well-developed embryos 
in two of the ovules. On the other hand, there is generally no indication of 
either archegonium or embryo, in spite of the large prothallus, and prima 
facie it would be natural to conclude that the cone is really much more 
unripe than its size and general structure would appear to indicate. The 
presence of ungerminated pollen-grains would appear to support this con- 
clusion and suggests the inference that the cone may have become detached 
from the tree very shortly after pollination, and its development checked 
before fertilization was possible. On the other hand, in view of the com- 
paratively advanced stage of development of the two fertile seeds, the 
prevalent absence of both pollination and fertilization can hardly be ascribed 
to immaturity. 
The ovules are rendered still more striking by the presence of the 
peculiar nucellar beak. This is a cylindrical structure and does not appear 
to have been open at the top, so we have no grounds for supposing that it 
could possibly have functioned as a pollen-chamber. This is confirmed by 
the peculiar position of the pollen-grains. From examination of the old 
slides I was inclined to regard the columnar appearance as having resulted 
from the shrinkage of what was originally a massive apical region to the 
nucellus. A parallel might then be drawn with the massive free upper part 
of the nucellus that Dr. Stopes records as occurring in an immature ovule of 
• Pinostrobus Benstedi from the Lower Greensand. There, however, the 
nucellar apex is conical in shape, and the attenuated tip engages with the 
base of the micropyle. The ovule, also, is so young that the comparison is 
of doubtful value. Moreover, the appearance as seen in the new slides of 
P. macrocephalns is so definite and constant that it is difficult not to 
conclude that the structure is a normal and characteristic feature of these 
ovules. 
The presence of the beak, coupled with the general absence of any 
embryonal structures, suggests a comparison with Pteridosperms, which, 
however, is perhaps more interesting than profitable. Oliver and Scott 
(10«), speaking of Lagenostoma Lomaxi , say, ‘The seed of Lyginodendron 
differed from recent seeds in the early maturing of its tissues. Already 
before fertilization has taken place they appear to have reached the limits of 
