W. Stiles. 
”4 
and in which branching of the strobilus had occurred, was thought 
worth recording. 
Before removal of the scale-leaves the strobilus in question 
appeared to be of normal size. On removal of the scales four 
smaller cones were found to arise slightly above the middle of the 
chief cone (Fig. 19, A and B). 
^ B 
Fig. 19. Branched cone of Equisetum maximum. A.—Before removal of 
scales. B.—After removal of scales, x £ 
The internal structure of the single specimen was investigated 
by means of transverse sections only. As stated by Professor 
Bower, 1 the method of branching of the strobilus is fundamentally 
dichotomous and quite different from that exhibited in the 
formation of lateral branches. In this cone the stele of one of the 
side branches is nearly of the same size as that of the main axis, 
the other three branches being much smaller. 
At the base of the cone the stucture is of the normal type. 
The first sign of bifurcation of the axis is a broadening of the stele 
in one direction. The broadened stele then becomes constricted at 
a point on the longer diameter. The two parts of the stele on 
either side of this point then become more and more cylindrical by 
the closing together of opposite sides of the stele at the con¬ 
striction. Finally, the two cylinders close up so that each branch 
of the bifurcation has its own stele. 
The most interesting feature of the cone is the presence of 
vascular bundles in the pith of the main axis. These bundles end 
blindly in the downward as well as in the upward direction, but shew 
a tendency to branch among themselves. They are quite uncon¬ 
nected with the ring of normal vascular tissue. The number of 
bundles in any one transverse section never exceeds three, and 
1 Bower. Origin of a Land Flora, p. 682, London, 1908. 
