30 Annals of the South African Museum. 



often occurs folded on itself along the median line as if functioning 

 as a protective or stipular organ. 



The specimen figured by Tate as Cyclopteris jenkinsiana is 

 undoubtedly identical with that represented in pi. iv., figs. 3-6. 

 An examination of his type-specimen in the Museum of the 

 Geological Society reveals certain imperfections in the published 

 drawing, although on the whole the figure is by no means inac- 

 curate ; the outline of the fossil is more ill-defined and irregular 

 than the drawing suggests, and under a low magnifying power the 

 surface resolves itself into an irregular network of fine lines, as 

 shown in fig. 5, pi. iv. (specimen 319c). Veins, like those seen 

 in fig. 6, may be detected here and there in Tate's specimen, but 

 for the most part they are too obscure to recognise ; the texture 

 of the leaf and the irregular fine lines over the surface present an 

 appearance as of some woolly covering over the whole lamina, 

 as shown also in fig. 4, pi. iv. 



The specimen shown in text-figure 2 presents the appearance of 

 a flattened stem, but the surface features, as seen on the side 

 figured, are clearly those of Cycadolejns ; along one edge there 

 are distinct traces of veins following a vertical course, and from 

 them numerous veins spread in an obliquely ascending direction 

 towards the right-hand upper edge of the cast. A short distance 

 below the upper end of the specimen a transversely elongated 

 scar, s, marks the position of an appendage, which was possibly 

 another Cycadolcins sheathing scale. Part of the surface is covered 

 by a thin mineral layer, h, which exhibits no definite texture. The 

 whole specimen is 8 cm. long by 4-5 cm. broad, and has a com- 

 pressed elliptical form in section : it represents, I believe, the cast 

 of a branch bearing several sheathing scale-leaves, and may well 

 belong to Benstedtia. While admitting the absence of decisive proof, 

 I am inclined to regai'd Cycadolcpis as a bract-like organ boi-ne on 

 the branches of Benstedtia and functioning as a protection to the 

 young and unexpanded leaves. 



The specimens represented in pi. iv., figs. 3-6, present a fairly 

 close resemblance to some Wealden fossils described in 1895 as 

 examples of Saporta's genus Cycadole/pis, and included in a sub- 

 section Eiiry-Cycadolejns, which was defined as follows : " Broadly 

 oval or orbicular scales, with the broadest portion frequently nearer 

 the distal than the proximal end; thick and fibrous structures." -'' 



Two examples of these scales are shown in text-figures 3 and 4. 



* Seward (95), p. 96. 



