16 
A NOTE ON THE MALE INFLORESCENCE OF 
2 . Structure of Cupule and Apex of Axis 
The cupules are bowl-shaped, rather flat, and with strongly upcnrved rims. 
In the basal portion of each, just beneath the upper epidermis and overlying 
the leaf traces, there is a large, circular mucilage cavity of lysigenous origin 
(Fig. 2). 
The presence of these mucilage cavities in an Indo-Malayan species is of 
special interest because Professor Pearson 1 , after an investigation of forms 
from both regions, threw out the suggestion that a basis of distinction 
between African and Indo-Malayan Gneta might be found in the possession 
of mucilage canals by the former and the lack of them in the latter. 
The individual mucilage cavities, non-septate in the region abutting on 
the stem, are prolonged into radiating diverticula in the upturned edges of 
the cupules. Along the thin cellular walls which separate these pockets 
ramifications of the leaf traces travel (Fig. 1). 
The apical segment differs from all others, save occasionally the one 
directly beneath it, in that it bears no flowers. Moreover, it terminates the 
growth of the inflorescence (Fig. 2). Like the lower cupules, however, it 
contains a circular mucilage cavity ; but the diameter of the circle is much 
smaller, so much so, indeed, that the central axis appears as little more than 
a narrow column of cells when seen in a median longitudinal section. The 
older the cone is, the more extensive the mucilaginous degeneration, and 
hence the narrower the column. 
The behaviour of the vascular system in this portion of the inflorescence 
throws some light on its nature; for the main stele finally splits up into 
a ring of bundles which turn outwards beneath the annular mucilage cavity. 
It is concluded, therefore, that the last segment of the inflorescence is 
composed not only of the stem apex proper, but also of a cupule which has 
remained more or less completely concrescent with it 2 . A similar concrescence 
sometimes also affects the penultimate cupule (Fig. 2). As further evidence 
of this we have the small hemispherical protuberance in the sunken tip of 
the inflorescence, — doubtless the vestigial remnant of the arrested apical bud. 
3 . Vascular Anatomy 
The central stele, containing nine main vascular bundles, gives off whorls 
of leaf traces which pass into the cupules. Each trace originates on a level 
with the lower edge of the flower-bearing ring. It is, owing to the confined 
space, compelled to descend to its cupule on a very steep course. Conse- 
quently the phloem is fused with that of the parent bundle for a very short 
distance (Fig. 3). A study of successive transverse sections shows that the 
leaf trace, just before entering the base of the cupule, divides into 2 3 
Pearson, 1912. 2 cf. p earsorlj 1915^ p 159 
