12 Weiss, A Tylodendron-like Fossil. 



We are thus left with the conclusion that our Tylo- 

 dendron-like remains belonged to a plant showing certain 

 Araucarian characters (secondary wood) while some of 

 its structures (scalariform tracheids, secretor)- passages, 

 and possibly groups of centripetal wood) indicate it to be 

 more primitive than the recent Araucareae, and in these 

 characters it was more in agreement with some of the 

 Cordaitales. 



This conclusion is of interest when we remember that 

 some of the Tylodendra described by Miss Holden pos- 

 sessed discoid pith. Probably various members of the 

 Cordaitales and the Araucarineae, as well as plants inter- 

 mediate between these two groups, may have given rise 

 to Tylodendroid remains, and thus their investigation 

 may throw some light on the relationship of these two 

 groups of plants. 



Other groups of Gymnosperms, too, may have 

 possessed a pith which, when preserved, has presented 

 a similar appearance. Thus, the pith casts described by 

 Seward belonged in all probability to Voltzia, which is 

 considered to be one of the Taxodineae 



Until the specimen described in this communication 

 can be more definitely identified, it might for convenience 

 be referred to as Tylodendron Cowardii. The remains of 

 the fo.ssil and the sections cut from it are now in the 

 Museum at the University of Manchester, Mr. Coward 

 having presented the specimen to that institution. 



