VASCULAR SYSTEM OF THE FLORET OF LEERSIA VIRGINICA (GRAMINEAE-ORYZOIDEAE)

The vascular system of the floret of Leersia is unified yet is segmented according to the appendages it serves. The rachilla at the floret base contains a collateral bundle related to the median trace of the lemma. The palea median trace joins the posterior of this bundle in the rachilla as the lemma laterals merge with the anterior. Although the stamen traces enter at the flanks of this rachilla bundle, they do not become fully incorporated into the system until near the floret base where the rachilla bundle, lemma laterals, and palea laterals converge. Traces from the lodicules attach to the anterior of the stamen traces. The base of the vascular system of the pistil, the pistil plexus, attaches tenuously by a bundle to the lower system between the entrance of the stamen traces. A bundle from each style attaches near the anterior of the pistil plexus below the level where the posterior of the pistil plexus rises, as the placental bundle, to merge with the ovule. Characteristics of the vascular system of Leersia, such as the relative discreteness of the staminal and stylar traces and the lack of both the anterior pistil bundle and the xylem discontinuity, are useful for delimiting the Oryzoideae from the Festucoideae.     

INITIATION OF THE VASCULAR SYSTEM IN THE FERTILE FLORET OF ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM (GRAMINEAE)

Procambium was initially isolated near the insertions of lemma and stamen primordia in the grass Anthoxanthum. The palea was initiated before its procambium. The acropetal, continuous differentiation of procambium involved in the siting of leaves on shoots of many other megaphyllous plants, does not occur in the rachilla of this grass. A portion of the vascular system of the fertile floret of Anthoxanthum became connected with the vascular system of the rest of the spikelet by basipetal differentiation of the procambial trace of the fertile lemma. A core of residual meristem persisted in the fertile floret above the procambial trace to the fertile lemma. Vascular continuity between the procambial trace to the fertile lemma and the procambial traces of the stamens was achieved by the differentiation of procambium from this core of residual meristem.     

THE ANATOMY OF THE PISTILLATE INFLORESCENCE AND FLOWER OF CASUARINA VERTICILLATA LAMARCK (CASUARINACEAE)

The pistillate inflorescence of Casuarina verticillata is described as consisting of a primary axis bearing whorls of bracts with a cymule in the axil of each bract of the more central whorls. Each cymule consists of an atepallate, two-carpellate, syncarpous floret and two, lateral, once-lobed bracteoles. A “peripheral intercalary” meristem, in which divisions are primarily periclinal, forms a meshwork beneath the bracts from early development and moves the connate bracts centrifugally around the cymules and extends and binds the bracts, and to some extent the bracteoles, of the fertile part of the inflorescence together. Each bract receives a single trace; each cymule receives two traces. Each bundle extension of a cymule trace supplies: 1) a branch which joins its counterpart to become the anterior common carpellary bundle; 2) a second branch which joins its counterpart to become the posterior common carpellary bundle; and 3) a central branch which supplies a lateral bracteole. Within each floret, each common carpellary bundle provides a dorsal carpellary bundle, two ventral carpellary bundles (fertile anterior carpel) or one common ventral bundle (sterile posterior carpel). The ventral bundle-supplies join and form a single placental bundle which lies in the gynoecial septum, and which, in turn, supplies the two ovules in the anterior carpel. Whether the inflorescence is a simple racemose or a condensed cymose type cannot be determined from this species alone. The function of the sclerenchymatous, enclosing bracteoles and connate bracts is discussed.     

A THREE-DIMENSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION OF THE VASCULAR SYSTEM TO THE LODICULES,ANDROECIUM, AND GYNOECIUM OF A FERTILE FLORET OF PANICUM DICHOTOMIFLORUM (GRAMINEAE)

A three-dimensional reconstruction of a fertile floret stele of Panicum dichotomiflorum approaching anthesis was made by a new technique using superimposition of tracings of 80, 1-μm thick serial sections, cleared tracing film, and mounting adhesive. From a collateral bundle, which also served as the median trace to the fertile lemma, most of the vascular tissue branched adaxially and horizontally to become the sole vascular supply to the two lodicules, three stamens, and pistil. The xylem branched at a low level to form a broad and long vessel plexus. The phloem branched at a higher level to overlay the vessel plexus on the right and left with an arc of horizontal sieve tubes in a phloem plexus. Those sieve tubes and vessels which rose after branching from the horizontal plexi assumed a more vertical course in the floret stele. Traces to the right and left lodicules arose from the lower abaxial portions of the flanks of the floret stele. Vessels ascended vertically from the xylem plexus and passed through the phloem plexi and joined with the sieve tubes there to exit at the same level and become the right and left lodicule traces. The vascular tissues to the three filament traces arose from different higher levels of the stele. The sieve tubes for the median filament trace arose vertically from the abaxial side between but above the lodicule traces. At higher levels the sieve tubes for the lateral filaments rose from the horizontal arcs of the flanks of the stele and departed it tangentially. The vessels destined to the filament traces arose in the center of the floret stele from adaxial portions of the horizontal plexus, ascended between the arcs of phloem, exited the stele simultaneously above the phloem of the traces, and followed the courses of their respective sieve tubes. The adaxially displaced apex of the floret stele then contained the vascular tissue related to the pistil. All the sieve tubes and vessels of the floret stele were embedded in a matrix of intermediary cells. The peripheral intermediary cells associated with the vessel plexus were xylem transfer cells with pronounced wall ingrowths. At higher levels in the floret stele, intermediary cells in scattered locations near sieve tubes or vessels had less conspicuous wall ingrowths. No preferred orientation of transfer cells with any particular trace was noted.     

VASCULARIZATION OF DEVELOPING LEAVES OF GLEDITSIA TRIACANTHOS L. I. THE NODE,RACHIS, AND RACHILLAE

Leaves of Gleditsia triacanthos L. are served by three leaf traces that subdivide in the node to produce subsidiary bundles. The subsidiary bundles differentiate basipetally in the stem and acropetally in the petiole using the original leaf trace bundles (those that developed acropetally) as templates for their development. Within the pulvinus, the acropetal bundle components merge to form the rachis vasculature consisting of a semicircular arc and a ventral chord; several small bundles diverge to form ventral ridge bundles. Mixing of bundles occurs during vascularization of the lateral rachillae axes. Each diverging rachilla axis receives bundles from the semicircular arc, the ventral chord, and a ridge bundle in a relatively reproducible and predictable pattern. During this process the main rachis vasculature is gradually depleted, but the ridge bundles are reconstituted following divergence of each rachilla pair. The distal rachilla pair is vascularized by a bilateral partitioning of the entire rachis vasculature; a remnant of the central leaf trace terminates in a subulate terminal appendage. Vascularization of the bipinnate G. triacanthos leaf is compared to that of the simple Populus deltoides leaf.     

糖蜜草（Melinis minutiflora Beauv．）幼穗分化发育．及花和果实形态的研究

本文对糖密草（ＭｅｌｉｎｉｓｍｉｎｕｔｉｆｌｏｒａＢｅａｕｖ．）的幼穗分化发育及花和果实的形态作了研究,将幼穗分化发育过程划分为以下九个时期：第一苞原基形成期;第一次枝梗原基形成期;第二、三次枝梗原基形成期;小穗及颖花原基形成期;雌、雄蕊原基形成期;花粉母细胞形成期;花粉母细胞减数分裂期;花粉充实期;花粉成熟期。全过程历时约需４２ｄ．从抽穗到颖果成熟约需５０ｄ。糖蜜草的花序为圆锥花序。每花序有可育花２０００—３０００朵．小穗是由小穗轴、内外颖片、不育花外稃和小花构成。小花包括有内外稃各一片、一鳞被、雄蕊三枚和一枚雌蕊,颖果千粒重为９１ｍｇ。     

MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE NYMPHAEACEAE SENSU LATO. XVII. FLORAL ANATOMY OF ONDINEA PURPUREA SUBSPECIES PURPUREA (NYMPHAEACEAE)

Classification and phylogeny of the Nymphaeaceae are unresolved. This study provides floral anatomical data that will assist in elucidating generic interrelationships and systematic relationships to other taxa of angiosperms. The floral anatomy of Ondinea purpurea den Hartog subsp. purpurea has been examined utilizing light microscopy. The peduncle possesses stelar vascular bundle complexes and cortical vascular bundles. Cortical bundles terminate within the peduncle. Each bundle complex consists of 2 collateral bundles on the same radius, the inner bundle inverted; 2 protoxylary lacunae occur yet differ in structure and function. Progressing acropetally, the inner xylary lacunae become discrete mesarch strands surrounded centrifugally by a vascular cylinder formed by divisions and anastomosing of the bundle complexes. Together these become the massive receptacular vascular plexus. The plexus provides collateral traces to the floral organs. Each sepal receives 3 traces that separate from the plexus as 1–3 lateral traces. Petals are absent and no vestigial petal traces have been observed. Distally, the plexus forms several large strands of connate gynoecial and androecial traces termed the principal vascular bundles (PVBs). Ventral veins separate from the PVBs and the latter extend acropetally through the outer ovary wall. Branches of the ventrals and PVBs contribute to septal vascular reticula from which each ovule is supplied by one vascular bundle. Each stamen receives 1 trace from branches of the PVBs. The ventrals and PVBs terminate within the carpellary lobes. A comparative anatomical study is offered that supports the inclusion of Ondinea in the Nymphaeaceae sensu stricto.     

水稻小穗轴维管系统网络结构探讨

对籼型、粳型或其不育系与保持系代表品种小穗解剖观察表明：水稻小穗轴维管系统网络由中央维管束和各分枝维管束复合而成。来自小穗柄的１条大的中央主束和几条边围维管束经数次分枝、联结,不断产生新的分枝维管束进入相应的结构。一般颖片中维管束１－２条,第一稃片中１－３条,第二稃片中１－４条,第二朵退化小花残余结构中０－３条,顶生可孕小花的外稃中５条,内稃中３条,浆片中各２条,雄蕊中各１条,雌蕊中３条,主束与支     

ANATOMY AND ASPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE STAMINATE INFLORESCENCES AND FLORETS OF SEVEN SPECIES OF ALLOCASUARINA (CASUARINACEAE)

The morphology, ontogeny, and vascular anatomy of the staminate inflorescences and florets of seven species of Allocasuarina are described. The generally terminal but open-ended inflorescences occur on monoecious or staminate dioecious trees and consist of whorls of bracts, each subtending a sessile axillary floret. Each floret consists of one terminal stamen with a bilobed, tetrasporangiate anther enclosed typically by cuculliform appendages, commonly considered bracteoles, an inner median pair and an outer lateral pair. The mature stamen is exerted, the anther is basifixed and is extrorsely dehiscent. In early development of a male inflorescence very little internodal elongation occurs and enclosing cataphylls appear. The inflorescence apex is a low dome with a uniseriate tunica and a small group of central corpus cells. Bract primordia are initiated by periclinal divisions of C₁ followed by further divisions of the corpus and anticlinal divisions in the tunica. The bracts are epinastic and become gamophyllous except apically by cell divisions in both sides of each primordium. Stomata are restricted to the axis furrows and the abaxial tips of the bracts. The axillary florets arise in acropetal succession initiated by periclinal divisions in C₁ accompanied by anticlinal divisions in the tunica. The lateral floral appendages are also initiated by C₁ followed by anticlinal divisions in the tunica. They become adnate basally later with the subtending bract. The median sterile appendages are initiated in a manner similar to the initiation of the outer appendages. The stamen is initiated by divisions in the outer layers of the corpus and in the tunica, and then develops first by apical growth followed by intercalary growth. The vascular system of the inflorescence is identical to that of the vegetative stem. Each floret is supplied by a single bundle that has its source in a branch from each of the two traces supplying a bract. Six bundles arise from the floral bundle; four of these terminate in the base of the stamen and two form an amphicribal bundle that supplies the anther. Pollen is binucleate, 3- to 7-porate. The exine is tegillate.     

FLORAL ANATOMY IN THE SAXIFRAGACEAE SENSU LATO. II. SAXIFRAGOIDEAE AND ITEOIDEAE

The floral anatomy and morphology of 26 species from the Saxifragoideae and three from the Iteoideae are described and compared. The flowers of the Saxifragoideae are predominantly actinomorphic, partially epigynous and/or perigynous, and pentamerous, with two carpels which bear numerous ovules. There is usually some degree of independence between carpels, and the normally separate styles possess both a canal and transmitting tissue. Generally, staminodia are absent and nectariferous tissue, which is not vascularized, is present. The subfamily is characterized by large multicellular trichomes with globular, often glandular, heads. Placentation may be parietal, axile, or transitional between the two; parietal appears to be a derived condition in the subfamily. The vascular cylinder in the pedicel generally consists of several to many discrete bundles from which diverge ten compound traces at the base of the receptacle, leaving an inner cylinder of vascular strands that coalesce at a higher level into either as many ventral bundles as carpels or twice that number. In the former case, each ventral bundle consists of one-half of the vascular supply to each adjacent carpel and separates into individual ventral strands in the distal half of the ovary. The ventral bundles provide vascular traces to the ovules and, along with the dorsals, extend up the style to the stigma. Each trace diverging in a sepal plane typically supplies one or more carpel-wall bundles, a median sepal bundle, and a stamen bundle. Each petal-plane trace usually provides one or more carpel-wall bundles, a lateral trace to each adjacent sepal, a petal bundle and, in flowers with ten stamens, a stamen bundle. Dorsal carpel bundles are usually recognizable and may originate from traces in either perianth plane. While the position of Ribes remains problematical, its floral structure does not easily exclude it from the Saxifragoideae. Floral structure in the Iteoideae is remarkably similar to that in the Saxifragoideae, the main differences being a lesser degree of independence between carpels, generally narrower placentae with somewhat fewer ovules, and the presence of only unicellular, acutely pointed epidermal hairs as opposed to the relatively complex, multicellular trichomes prevalent in the Saxifragoideae.     

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE FLORAL VASCULATURE IN SAURURACEAE

The floral vascular systems are compared among all six taxa of Saururaceae, including the two species of Gymnotheca which have not been studied previously. All are zygomorphic (dorsiventrally symmetrical), not radial as sometimes reported, in conformity with dorsiventral symmetry during organogenesis. Apocarpy in the two species of Saururus (with four carpels and six free stamens) is accompanied by a vascular system of four sympodia, each of which supplies a dorsal carpellary bundle, two ventral carpellary bundles, and one or two stamen traces. The level at which the ventral bundles diverge is the major difference in vasculature between the two species. The other four taxa are all syncarpous, and share some degree of stamen adnation and/or connation. The vascular systems also show varying degrees of fusion. The two species of Gymnotheca (with four carpels and six stamens) are very similar to each other; in both, the ventral traces of adjacent carpels fuse to form a placental bundle, which supplies the ovules and then splits into a pair of ventral strands. The flowers of Houttuynia cordata (with only three carpels and three adnate stamens) are sessile. Each flower is vascularized by three sympodia; the median adaxial sympodium is longer than the other two sympodia before it diverges to supply the adaxial organs. Three placental bundles also are formed in Houttuynia, but the three bundles differ in their origin. The median abaxial placental bundle diverges at the same level as the three sympodial bundles of the flower, while the other two lateral placental bundles diverge at a higher level from the median adaxial sympodium. Anemopsis californica, with an inferior ovary of three carpels, sunken in the inflorescence axis, and six stamens adnate to the carpels, has a vascular system very similar to that of Houttuynia cordata. The modular theory of floral evolution is criticized, on the bases of the known behavior of apical meristems and properties of vascular systems. The hypothesis is supported that saururaceous plants may represent a line of angiosperms which diverged very early.     

THE STRUCTURE OF THE ACERVULUS,THE FLOWER CLUSTER OF CHAMAEDOREOID PALMS

Developmental evidence shows that the acervulus, a distinctive flower cluster found only in the chamaedoreoid group of palms, is a form of cincinnus. In Hyophorbe indica Gaertner, the unit consists of a row of sessile flowers, the upper 3–4, staminate and the basal flower, pistillate. During initiation, each new flower originates from divisions in the T₂ and underlying layers of the lower right or left flank of the apex of the preceding flower. A bract subtending the first flower is evident in early stages, is displaced basipetally as the flowers are formed, but is obscured when flowers are mature. No other bracts are associated with the unit. One to two outer bundles of the vascular cylinder of the rachilla develop first to the uppermost flower. Subsequently, bundles to other flowers arise as lower branches of the first bundle and from other, often small outer bundles of the rachilla that become floral traces or produce one or more branches to a flower. Many of the bundles supplying the flowers bend sharply downward in the cortex of the rachilla, apparently reflecting the basipetal sequence of floral inception.     

STUDIES ON THE LEAF OF AMARANTHUS RETROFLEXUS (AMARANTHACEAE***): MORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY

The leaf of Amaranthus retroflexus L. was examined with the light microscope to determine its vasculature and the spatial relationship of the vascular bundles to the mesophyll. Seven leaf traces enter the petiole at the node and form an arc that continues acropetally in the petiole as an anastomosing system of vascular bundles. Upon entering the lamina, the arc of bundles gradually closes and forms a ring of anastomosing bundles that constitutes the primary vein, or midvein, of the leaf. As the midvein progresses acropetally, branches of the bundles nearest the lamina diverge outward and continue as secondary veins toward the margin on either side of the lamina. Along its course the midvein undergoes a gradual reduction in number of bundles until only one remains as it approaches the leaf tip. Tertiary veins arise from the secondaries, and minor veins commonly arise from all orders of major veins, as well as from other minor veins. All of the major veins are associated with rib tissue, although the ends of the tertiaries may resemble minor veins, which are completely encircled by chlorenchymatic bundle sheaths and mesophyll cells that radiate out from the sheaths. A specialized minor vein, the fimbrial vein, occurs just inside the margin of the leaf. Most of the mesophyll cells—the so-called “Kranz mesophyll cells”—are in direct contact with the bundle sheaths, but some—the so-called “nonKranz mesophyll cells”—lack such contact. Non-Kranz mesophyll cells are especially prominent where they form a network of mostly horizontally oriented cells just above the lower epidermis. Guard cells of both the upper and lower epidermis are spatially associated with nonKranz mesophyll cells.     

VASCULAR ORGANIZATION IN SHOOTS OF CACTACEAE. I. DEVELOPMENT AND MORPHOLOGY OF PRIMARY VASCULATURE IN PERESKIOIDEAE AND OPUNTIOIDEAE

Primary shoot vasculature has been studied for 31 species of Pereskioideae and Opuntioideae from serial transections and stained, decorticated shoot tips. The eustele of all species is interpreted as consisting of sympodia, one for each orthostichy. A sympodium is composed of a vertically continuous axial bundle from which arise leaf- and areole-trace bundles and, in many species, accessory bundles and bridges between axial bundles. Provascular strands for leaf traces and axial bundles are initiated acropetally and continuously within the residual meristem, but differentiation of procambium for areole traces and bridges is delayed until primordia form on axillary buds. The differentiation patterns of primary phloem and xylem are those typically found in other dicotyledons. In all species vascular supply for a leaf is principally derived from only one procambial bundle that arises from axial bundles, whereas traces from two axial bundles supply the axillary bud. Two structural patterns of primary vasculature are found in the species examined. In four species of Pereskia that possess the least specialized wood in the stem, primary vascular systems are open, and leaf traces are mostly multipartite, arising from one axial bundle. In other Pereskioideae and Opuntioideae the vascular systems are closed through a bridge at each node that arises near the base of each leaf, and leaf traces are generally bipartite or single. Vascular systems in Pereskiopsis are relatively simple as compared to the complex vasculature of Opuntia, in which a vascular network is formed at each node by fusion of two sympodia and a leaf trace with areole traces and numerous accessory bundles. Variations in nodal structure correlate well with differences in external shoot morphology. Previous reports that cacti have typical 2-trace, unilacunar nodal structure are probably incorrect. Pereskioideae and Opuntioideae have no additional medullary or cortical systems.     

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE VASCULAR SYSTEM IN THE STEMS OF THE NYMPHAEACEAE. II. NYMPHAEA SUBGENERA ANECPHYA,LOTOS, AND BRACHYCERAS

The anatomy and organization of the stem vascular system was analyzed in representative taxa of Nymphaea (subgenera Anecphya, Lotos, and Brachyceras). The stem vascular system consists of a series of concentric axial stem bundles from which traces to lateral organs depart. At the node each leaf is supplied with a median and two lateral leaf traces. At the same level a root trace supplies vascular tissue to adventitious roots borne on the leaf base. Flowers and vegetative buds occupy leaf sites in the genetic spiral and in the parastichies seen on the stem exterior. Certain leaves have flowers related to them spatially and by vascular association. Flowers (and similarly vegetative buds) are vascularized by a peduncle trace that arises from a peduncle fusion bundle located in the pith. The peduncle fusion bundle is formed by the fusion of vascular tissue derived from axial stem bundles that supply traces to certain leaves. The organization of the vascular system in the investigated taxa of Nymphaea is unique to angiosperms but similar to other subgenera of Nymphaea.     

SHOOT VASCULAR SYSTEM AND PHYLLOTAXIS OF CASUARINA (CASUARINACEAE)

In species of Casuarina with multileaved whorls, each stem vascular bundle divides radially into two at the site of a leaf trace separation, and the same two bundles rejoin acropetally to where the trace supplies a leaf. Such divisions are divisions of a single vascular bundle, and the rejoining of bundles forms a single bundle. Proposals that the extant primary vascular systems of dicotyledons may have been derived as in conifers are incorrect in so far as Casuarina is concerned, or the system has evolved beyond that so far proposed for dicotyledons. Reasons are offered, however, for considering that fernlike leaf gaps are not present. Leaf traces supply leaves at the first nodes distal to their origins. The ways by which an increase or decrease of stem bundles occur are described. Phyllotactic patterns range from helical (rare) to whorled. In the embryo, where leaves occur decussately, of certain species with multileaved whorls, and in the shoot apices of species with tetramerous whorls, slight differences in the levels of leaf attachments and the bending of leaf traces indicate the probable evolution of extant whorled phyllotaxies from one or more helical arrangements. Stages in the evolution are suggested. The leaves in most species with multileaved whorls are in true whorls. The original periderm of branchlets lies internally to the internodal traces and chlorenchyma, but is otherwise external to the vascular system. It is concluded that each leaf originates at its level of separation from the axis despite several structural features suggesting that the leaf bases have become congenitally adnate to the stem.     

大麦浆片结构及其在开花过程中的变化

浆片由表皮、基本组织和维管束三部分组成。表皮上不具气孔,细胞外壁角质化。维管束为有限外韧型,呈散生状分布。浆片中管束数与其所含导管数因品种（系）而异,可育系多于不育系。大维管束由数个导管、筛管及伴胞和维管束薄壁细胞组成,且其维管束薄壁细胞壁厚、核大、质浓,线粒体丰富,中、小维管束一般不含导管。     

Floral vasculature and ontogeny in Canna indica

The identity of the labellum is a hot point in Zingiberales, which has long been discussed by many authors. In this study, floral vasculature and ontogeny of Canna indica (Cannaceae) was observed by LM and SEM in order to ascertain the identity of the labellum and the functional stamen of this species and provide evidence for the homologies of the floral organs in Zingiberales. The results indicate that the labellum of C. indica have incorporated two androecial members from both outer and inner whorls, rather than three, one or half member, as previously suggested by morphologists of Cannaceae flowers. The two labellum traces are here interpreted as: one from the outer androecial whorl (diverging from the carpellary dorsal bundle), while the other from the inner androecial whorl (diverging from the parietal bundle). The functional stamen also incorporates two androecial bundles, the same as the labellum: one trace from the carpellary dorsal bundle, and the other (the petaloid appendage) from the parietal bundle. In addition, the origin of the vascular system in the androecium of Zingiberales and its systematic significance are discussed.     

MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE NYMPHAEACEAE (SENSU LATO). XIII. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE VEGETATIVE AND FLORAL STRUCTURE OF CABOMBA

Six species of Cabomba have been examined although the anatomy of the vegetative axes is based on the study of only C. caroliniana and C. palaeformis. A plant consists of an erect short shoot with decussate leaves which bears axillary flowering shoots and rhizomes. A rhizome bears decussate leaves and may also form axillary flowering shoots or turn upward and become a new short shoot. The phyllotaxies of the flowering shoots are proximately decussate or ternate (C. piauhyensis). The flowering shoots with decussate phyllotaxy change to 1/3 phyllotaxy distally; they bear axillary flowers proximally, and extra-axillary flowers distally. Flowering shoots with ternate phyllotaxy do not change distally but each produces first axillary and then extra-axillary flowers. Decussate vegetative axes and flowering shoots have four vascular bundles; ternate vegetative axes and flowering shoots have six vascular bundles, distantly paired into two or three vascular bundle-pairs, respectively. An elliptical vascular plexus occurs at each node. Each leaf receives one bundle-pair from one trace and each flower three bundle-pairs. A two-level receptacular vascular plexus occurs in flowers; the proximal, larger portion provides traces to perianth and stamens and the distal, smaller portion becomes carpellary traces. Each of the three sepals typically receives five branch traces from a basal principal trace, and each of the three petals receives, typically, three branch traces from a basal principal trace. Sepals and petals generally occur in a single, basally connate whorl. Each stamen receives one trace. Each stamen of three-stamen flowers is opposite a petal; each stamen of six-stamen flowers is aligned with an interval between a petal and adjacent sepal. Each staminal trace, which is just above the principal petal trace, in a three-petal flower, is frequently adnate to the latter trace. Each carpel receives one principal trace from the distal, small extension of the receptacular plexus, and each principal trace becomes three conventional veins of a carpel. Ovules may be borne directly over one of the veins or in any position between veins and are supplied by branches of the nearest vein or nearest two veins. All traces, ovular supply veins and the proximal portions of all veins are amphicribral. The several anatomical and morphological differences in vegetative axes and flowers between Cabomba and Brasenia suggest a greater taxonomic distance between the two genera than commonly supposed. It is suggested that extra-axillary flowers in 1/3 helical and ternate flowering shoots of Cabomba might be advantageous in preventing anthesis of flowers beneath peltate leaves. The aberrant position might be the initial evolutionary step toward what, in other nymphaeaceous genera, has shifted each flower to an adjacent helix. It is proposed that the zigzag stem accompanying the trigonal and sympodial flowering shoots may offer greater stability and floatability in water than the monopodial form. Several suggestions are offered for the variability of ovular positions: 1) the variability is a vestige of former laminar placentation in conduplicate carpels; 2) it is a vestige of a primitive condition antedating the current close association of ovules with ventral carpellary veins; 3) it is an early stage of evolution which might have terminated in laminar placentation and cantharophily, but which was replaced by a trend toward myophily.     

THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE MYRISTICACEAE. I. FLOWERS OF MYRISTICA FRAGRANS AND M. MALABARICA

Floral histology and vascular anatomy of Myristica fragrans Van Houtt. and M. malabarica Lam. have been investigated from serial sections and specimens cleared in chloro-lacto-phenol. The flowers are unisexual. The androecium is considered to consist of a whorl of laterally concrescent anthers. The bisporangiate anthers are attached by a ridge of tissue to the terminal part of the androphore. In many cases the number of vascular bundles in the androphore is half the number of anthers. The gynoecium consists of a monocarpellate pistil with basal placentation and a single anatropous ovule. Of the many vascular bundles that enter the base of the carpel, two, because of their position and because they provide vascular traces to the ovule, are designated as ventral bundles. Additional ovular traces are provided by the carpel wall vascular system. These additional traces originate at the top of the locule and descend to the ovule. The similarity between the androecia of these two species and the androecium of the ćnellaceae is noted.