Download Palaeontologie. 329 sub-opposite, and deeply divided, and were

Palaeontologie.
329
sub-opposite, and deeply divided, and were probably reduced in com­
parison with the (as yet unknown) sterile fronds. The great majority
oi the pinnules appear to have been fertile, and the seeds were
borne at the extremities of the segments. The seeds themselves are
very small, their average length being 1 mm. and their greatest width
0.75 mm. They were oval, and have rather sharp longitudinal ridges.
There is reason to suspect that the seeds were enclosed in cupules,
though it is not possible to demonstrate the same. „The interest of
the specimen lies in the fact that we have here the very rare
instance of a female frond, undoubtedly of the Sphenopterid type,
bearing small seeds, probably enclosed in cupules." The name given,
is Carpolithus Nathorsti, and the inferences are all in favour of the
conclusion of the fossil within the Lyginodendreae.
M. C. Stopes.
Arber, E. A . N.. On the A f f i n i t i e s o f the T r i a s s i c P l a n t Yuccites vogesiacusj S c h i m p e r and M o u g e o t . (The Geol. Mag. Decade
5. Vol. VI. 1. p. 11 — 14. 1908.)
This paper is based on a specimen discovered by Mr. W i l l s ,
and to be described by him in his forthcoming paper on the Keuper
rocks. Mr. A r b e r discusses the affinities of the plant, which he him­
self previously described as a member of the Cycadophyta.Mv. W i l l s '
new specimen proves that the plant had its big, Cordaiteslike leaves
attached directly to the main axis, in a spiral manner, and was in
this like Cordaites, but at the same time, also not unlike large
leaved Monocotyledons. In the absense of fructification it is impossible
to determine the true nature of the plant, but Mr. Arber does not
favour the view that it has any affinity with the Monocotyledons,
while at the same time temporarily retaining the old name Yuccites
vogesiacus, instead of the new one he had recently instituted, viz.
Zamites granáis.
M. A. Stopes.
Arber, E. A . N., On the F o s s i l P l a n t s o f the W a l d e r s h a r e
and F r e d v i l l e S e r i e s o f the K e n t C o a l f i e l d . (Quart. Jour.
Geol. Soc. Lond. Vol. L X V . part 1. 257. p. 21—39. pi. 1. 1909.)
This paper gives an account of the fossil plants found in the
cores which were obtained in the course of the borings in the Kent
coalfield. The plants are shortly described, with a few of the more
important references to the literature for each. The plants include:
CalamiteSj pith casts which suggest comparison with C. cisti; Anula­
ría sphenophylloides, which has larger leaves than other specimens,
and is very abundant; Sphenophyllum cuneifolium, leaves and stems
of which are common; Neuropteris scheuchseri, which is by far the
commonest plant in all the beds in the Waldershare boring; several
other species of Neuropteris; Odontopteris (one species); Alethopteris
(two species); Trigonocarpns; Pecopteris (two species); Mariopteris;
Sphenopteris; Eremopteris and Cardiocarpus. There are also two
species of Lepidodendronj Stigmaria, fragments of Cordaites leaves,
and small seeds of Cordaicarpus. A discussion follows on the horizon
of the beds. The author concludes that they belong to the 'Upper
Transition Series', the 'Staffordian' of Dr. K i d s ton's new classi­
fication.
M. C. Stopes.
Renier, A . , U n s o l d e v e g e t a t i o n du D é v o n i e n s u p é r i e u r .
(Ann. Soc. géol. Belgique. X X X V . [Bulletin], p. 327—330. 1908.)
Etude de la coupe des talus d'un chemin creux au h a m e a u d e