Mesozoic Coal Strata.'] PALAEONTOLOGY OF VICTORIA. [FlanU. 



Platk VIII., Fa;. 4. 



ZAMITES (PODOZAMITES) ELLIPTICUS (McCoy). 



Description. — Fronds about 2^ inches wide; rachis very thick, about 2 lines 

 wide ; pinnules elliptical, scarcely touching- ; varying; in width, from 1| inches long- 

 and 3| lines wide, to 1 inch 1 line long- and 2 lines wide ; substance thick, usually 

 showing- only 3 obtuse ridges, but sometimes 11 smaller, the whole covered with a 

 very fine longitudinal striation ; base of pinnules contracted and inserted obliquely 

 on the rachis, in a slightly alternate order, or nearly opposite. 



This is easily distinguished from the Z. Barklyi by the much 

 thicker rachis, the broader oval form of the pinnules, and their 

 thicker substance. I have just received some specimens nearly like 

 this plant in foliage, but having indications of the leaflets or leaves 

 being in four instead of in two rows, and having a branching stem, 

 recalling the Lycopodites WiUiamsoiii of the Scarborough Oolites, 

 but with the leaves flat and elliptical, instead of thick, carinate, 

 and falcated. I should propose the name Bunyaiites for these 

 fossil forms which approach Araucarites in many respects and have 

 branching stems, but with the leaves contracted at the base, as in 

 the Podozamites and Araucaria Bidwilli, or bunya-bunya. Along 

 with these plants are also fruit cones, resembling the Oolitic 

 Zamiostrobus, as far as their character can be seen. 



Explanation of FuiUUES. 

 riate VIII. — Fig. 4, s])ecimeu of part of frond, natural size. 



Plate VIIL, Fig. 3. 



ZAMITES LONGIFOLIUS (McCoy). 



Description. — Fronds about 10 lines wide; rachis about h a line thick ; pinnie 

 slightly- contracted and obliquely inserted at base, closely arrang-ed in two rows, 

 standing- nearly at right angles to the rachis, except at the curved base; pinuic 



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