68o 
Slopes.—Further Observations on the 
except what, from comparison with recent ovules similarly imperfect, must 
be taken as the outer integument. This is also seen in Fig. 2, which is an 
enlargement of ovule No. 6, and shows the cells of the integument com¬ 
paratively well preserved, but the inner tissue broken down to form a 
granular, contracted mass. Ovule No. i is seen somewhat enlarged in 
Photograph 2, PI. LVI. 
All the ovules are cut obliquely and tangentially, and none are attached 
to their placentae. Ovule No. 2, however, suggests that they were 
anatropous. 
As there were five ovules in the one transverse section, it is probable 
that there would have been about twenty or so in each loculus, since 
the ovary is not more than 3 mm. in vertical height. 
The features shown, or suggested, by these ovules appear entirely 
similar to those of normal modern anatropous ovules, and are in agreement 
with the original allocation of the plant, presumably to the Liliaceae. 
I take this opportunity further to illustrate the details of the ovary 
wall, which was shown very imperfectly in the three photographs illustrating 
the original description ; partly owing to their comparatively small scale, 
and partly to the fact that the preservation of the outer coat of the ovary in 
those specimens was far from perfect. Round the inner zone of thick- 
walled fibres there was indeed only a much-decomposed remnant of tissue, 
and it was then suggested that it was the remains of a soft-celled outer 
envelope surrounding the fibrous wall, although it was not possible to 
establish this at the time. In the present specimen this supposition is 
substantiated, for the soft outer tissues are well preserved, as is seen in the 
Photographs 1 and 2, and Drawing 3, PL LVII, at ow. 
The cells of this soft zone vary somewhat in size, but are roundish and 
undifferentiated ; a number of them have clear yellowish content, which 
suggests that they contained mucilage or tannin while alive. 
It seems not unlikely that this ovule-bearing ovary was slightly 
younger at the time of its petrifaction than those previously described ; 
and that in the others it was not merely bad petrifaction which left the 
outer wall so disintegrated, but the natural decomposition of this layer 
in the ripe carpel. 
