254 Tranaaciions. -Geoloyi/. 



distinguished from T. distlchum miocenicum, Heer, by some- 

 what shorter leaves, which are less narrow at the base, and 

 which adhere firmly. As the leaves, from which the small 

 thorn at end is wanting (see enlarged fig. Ua), do not run 

 down the shaft, it is easy to distinguish this small branch from 

 the similar slim branches of Podocarjnis hochsteiteri. 



Abietink^. 

 Sequoia novse-zeelandise, sp. nov. 



Plate XXIV., figs. 5-7, la. 



S. ramulis gracilihus, foliis squamaformihus , coriaceis, im- 

 bricatis, ramulormn juniorum ovatis acutis vol lanccolatis, 

 basi decurreittibns, scnioriun ovaLo-rliombeis obtusiusculis, arete, 

 adpressis ; strobilis parvis globosis, squamis peltatis, dorsi 

 rugosi medio mucronulatis . 



Locality: Shag Point; Landslip Hall (Otago Museum). 

 {Ex Coll. Geol. Surv. Otago, 1862 ; Hector.] 



The branch and cone (fig. 5), both derived from Shag Point, 

 belong doubtless to Sequoia. The cone is very similar to 

 S. couttsicd, Heer, only a little smaller. It is a pity that the 

 defective state of preservation of the charred cone made it im- 

 possible to ascertain exactly the number of scales ; but, in 

 consequence of the form and size of a few scales which may 

 still be recognised, it may be assun^ed that they were not 

 larger than in S. couttsics. 



The scales agree well with those of the species named, 

 because of their somewhat polygonal shape, the back of the 

 shield being covered by small wrinkles. There is a short 

 thorny point in the middle from which some wrinkles radiate 

 towards the edge. 



In both fruit-fossils appear only the slender younger twigs, 

 the leaves of which run down the base, being scale-shaped, 

 either oviform or lanceolate, pointed, imbricate, and are 

 provided with a distinct stem (see fig. 7a). Fig. 6 shows one 

 of several fragments of twigs which occur together on one 

 specimen, and which, to all appearance, belong to the same 

 species, notwithstanding that the remains belong to a different 

 locality (Landslip Hill). Fig. 7 agrees perfectly with a younger 

 smaller twig from Shag Point ; the fragment previously men- 

 tioned shows a piece of a stouter older twig, the leaves of 

 which lie closer, are broader, and less pointed. 



In consequence of the foregoing the species described may 

 be regarded as either a species nearly related and vicarious to 

 ,S. C02ittsice, Ileer, or to S. affinis, Lesq., from both of which it 

 may be distinguished by insignificant differences in the leaves 

 and cones. Further researches might solve the question if in 

 this instance an identity of the species is admissible. 



