144 
Gnetalean and Bennettitean Seeds. 
definite epidermis. But both these objections become points of 
resemblance between the Bennettitean and Gnetalean seeds if the 
above suggestion is correct. Moreover, the fact that Professor 
Lignier found no pollen-grains in the canal, nor in the “ vast 
cavity’’above the nucellus into which it opened, but found two 
black globules, which he suspected to be pollen-grains, in a small 
depression among the torn tissues just above the embryo, 
certainly points to the possession by the fossil seed of a small 
lysigenous pollen-chamber comparable with that of the Gnetales. 
Other resemblances too may be traced between the two seeds. 
Professor Lignier’s “ assise rayonnante,” the continuity of which 
with the tissues of the upper part of the micropyle is admittedly 
doubtful, corresponds exactly in position with the radially expanded 
portion of the outer integument of Gnetum (Fig. 1, o. t.), whose 
upper edge is normally buried among the hairs of the flange above ; 
also the apical part of the micropyle with its columnar epidermis 
and angular cavity is very similar in both. 1 The sudden change in 
Gnetum in the character of the micropylar wall below the flange to 
a delicate membrane, the lower part of which fuses so completely 
with the nucellus that the limit between the two cannot be traced 
in the ovule, also corresponds with the description of the layer 
lining the canal and so-called pollen-chamber of Beunettites, which 
is regarded as nucellar both by Professor Lignier and Dr. 
Wieland. 
If this interpretation of the seed of Beunettites, originally 
suggested by Professor Lignier himself, is the correct one, we have 
to add to the important resemblances already generally recognized, 
such as the possession of a dicotyledonous embryo, and the 
occurrence of pro-anthrostrobili in both groups—-the fact that they 
possess seeds which are practically identical in type. 
1 Mrs. Thoday drew attention to these points of resemblance in 
her paper on Gnetum afvicanmn read at the British Association 
meeting at Sheffield last year. 
Occasional Note. 
We are asked to call attention to the advertisement of the 
Vincent Stuckey Lean Scholarship in Botany at the University of 
Bristol, appearing on the inside of the front cover. 
H. Madlev, Steam Printer, 151, Whitfield Street, London, W, 
