ON SOME CONIFERS AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION. 255
when he found a long membranous pointed bract reaching
to the tip of the more woody lobed scale and united to it in the
lower half. Thus we have for the first time direct evidence
that the double cone-scale distinguishing so many of our living
conifers is an amazingly ancient character ; it may prove to be
a primitive character too.
As to the true relationship between the bract and the
ovuliferous scale, many opinions have been held, and it would
be impossible for me here, even if I were qualified to do so, which
is far from being the case, to discuss the reasons given in support
of these views. Perhaps that most generally favoured has
been that the ovuliferous scale is a placental outgrowth from
the bract. Another view, and that supported by Mr. Walton,
is that "the seminiferous scale is an organ belonging to an
"axillary shoot," further "the scale in Voltzia appears to
"consist of a group of leaf-like structures, three of which are
"fertile, two sterile ; the whole structure representing an
"axillary branch in the axil of the bract-scale, with which it is
"partially joined at the base."
I may mention that other recent, and as yet unpublished,
evidence strongly supports this view.
Where skilled geologists express their views with the utmost
caution all that the outsider can do is to accept what is given
and to rejoice greatly over the wonderful vistas that are con-
tinually being revealed from the broken record of the past by the
researches of specialists who are working now in almost every
part of the world. We await events and meanwhile look with
deeper reverence on our living conifers as we try to appreciate
something of their inconceivably remote ancestry.
Discovery of the Grave-Slab of John Strype.—On p. 266 of the
present issue it is stated that the site of the tomb of John Strype, the
well-known anitiquary and vicar of Leyton, "cannot now be determined."
Quite recently, in August, 1932, a fine heraldic slab has been uncovered
from beneath the modern floor of the chancel of Leyton parish church,
which records the death of Strype, his wife Susanna, and his daughter
Hester. It remains at present doubtful, however, whether this slab marks
the actual site of the vault or tomb, as from its N. to S. position, it would
seem to have been moved at some time since it was first laid down.—
Editor.