41 



can judge from numerous specimens, which I have examined in 

 various states of destruction and decay, was of a form, which 

 may be compared to the capsule of a poppy, or the berry of a 

 nymphaea. See the accompanying drawing (fig. 2.) 



I should be glad of 

 any further informa- 

 tion or evidence re- 

 garding this part of 

 the subject ; but the 

 great question is, whe- 

 ther this flower or fruit 

 belonged to the stem 

 and leaves of Zamia 

 Gigas. They are found 

 together at Runswick 

 in great quantities, and 

 no other fruit or flower 

 presents itself, which 

 can be supposed to 

 have belonged to the 

 stem and leaves. In 

 one specimen also, but 



only in one, I saw, as it appeared to me, a leaf-stalk in con- 

 nection with a fruit-stalk, both proceeding from the same stem. 

 Moreover, the stems, from which the leaves grow, and those 

 which bear the fruit, have a strong resemblance to one another, 

 being striated in the same manner outwardly, and filled within 

 with the same brown amorphous friable substance, which seems 

 to have been derived from the decomposition of pith. It is 

 probable, therefore, that the universal belief of the workmen 

 and fossilists of Whitby may be correct, viz., that all the variety 

 of specimens, which they call Zamias, belonged to one and the 

 same plant. But on so essential a point it is desirable to have 

 the best possible evidence. 



I conclude these remarks with observing, that the whole 

 collection of specimens, which I have been able to make, 

 amounting to about 130, will be submitted to the judgment of 



