274 Transactions. — Cfcology. 



Localities : Shag Point ; Redcliffe Gully (Canterbury 

 Museum), [i^x- Coll. Geol. Surv. Otago, 1862; Hector: and 

 Cant. ; v. Haast.] 



Inserted between Cinnamomum polijnwrphum, A. Brauu. 

 sp., and G. j'^olymorjjhoidcs, McCoy, with both of which it 

 has in common the shape, the texture of the leaf, and also 

 the characteristics of the nervation. The species under de- 

 scription is distinguished from the first-named by the more 

 numerous secondary nerves, which start principally at more 

 acute angles, and which come closer to those running to the 

 points ; it is distinguished from the last-named species by the 

 Buprabasilar nerves, which are more distant from the edge, 

 and W'hich run to the points, and also by the more acute 

 angles at which the other secondary nerves start. It must be 

 reserved for future finds to lead to a decision as to whether 

 these species are connected by transitions, and consequently 

 united, or whether they must be considered as separate. 



Laurophyllum tenuinerve, sp. nov. 



Plate XXVII., fig. 11. 



L.foliis coriaceis, petiolatis, lanceolato-ohlongis , basi acutis, 

 nervatione camptodroma ; nervo primario proviinentc, apicetn 

 versus valde attenuato ; nervis secundariis tenuihus,paucis, inter 

 se rcmotis, sitb angulis oO-°-GO° orieniihus ; nervis tertiariis 

 obsoletis. 



Locality: Shag Point (Canterbury Museum). [Ex Coll. 

 N.Z. Geol. Surv., JRep. 1872 ; v. Haast, I.e.] 



An oblong fossil leaf, with a petiole ; the apex of the 

 leaf is destroyed, but if perfected it presents an almost lanceo- 

 late form. The petiole is 13mm. long ; the edge is not 

 serrate ; the texture is leathery to a remarkable degi'ee. The 

 primary nerve is prominent as far as the middle of the 

 lamina, and from it proceed the secondary nerves, which are 

 undivided, and in the middle 10cm. distant from each other : 

 they disappear towards the edge in a faint curve. In con- 

 sequence of the unfavourable nature of the rock, the teiliary 

 nerves and reticulation are not perceptible ; to judge from 

 a few indications of the latter, it was composed of very deli- 

 cate and narrow meshes of equal shape. This fossil has alto- 

 gether the same appearance as those from the brown-coal flora 

 of Loeben, which I decided as belonging to La2(rus j^lioaboides ; 

 the secondary nerves of this species are equally delicate, and 

 run in curves ; the reticulation is very delicate, and composed 

 <^f narrow meshes, as in many living Laurinece. However, the 

 species described may remain for the present under the desig- 

 nation Laurophyllum., until it is possible to gain from better 

 material safer points for a more exact designation of the genus. 



