622 
Now again a similar opportunity is offered by the publication, 
some months ago, of an elaborate paper by Mrs. Marim C. Stropers, 
entitled : Petrifactions of the earliest European Angiosperms'). 
In this paper detailed anatomical descriptions are given of 3 
specimens of fossil wood belonging to the collections of the British 
Museum of Natural History. These specimens are from the Lower 
Greensand, a formation of the Cretaceous Period and are considered 
by the author as representing the oldest European Angiosperms, 
known up to this date. For this reason a careful study of the inter- 
esting specimens was commenced, and descriptions were made, so 
far as the condition of the specimens permitted. 
By far the best preserved specimen was that called Aptiana 
radiata, gen, et spec. nov. We will only treat of this one. 
Reading on p. 90 of the paper the discussion of the affinities of 
Aptiana radiata, the prospect does not indeed seem very hopeful. 
Mrs. Sroprs points out that no branch of modern botany is in a 
mere chaotic condition than that dealing with the anatomy of 
Angiosperms, which from a taxonomic point of view must certainly 
be admitted. 
She considers that it is entirely premature to attempt any dis- 
cussion of the possible affinities of this fossil. “In evidence of this 
“T may mention, that for more than a year I have been showing 
“this fossil wood to many of the leading botanists. of this country, 
“Europe, and America, and that among the numerous opinions kindly 
“offered, I have been told it resembled closely nearly every family 
“ranging from the Gnetiles on one hand to the Malvales on the 
“other, This is not to be interpreted to mean that the woods of all 
“these families are alike, and that consequently classification of them 
“is impossible, but it is due to the comparatively few samples that 
‘any one individual studies and to the great range of variations 
“between the woods of so-called species of so-called genera.” 
Mrs. Sroprs concludes: “The genera which I was able to examine, 
“which showed most points of likeness to the fossil, were some 
“species of Lonicera, of Viburnum, of Magnolia and of Liriodendron. 
“On this however | lay no stress and consider that for the present 
“more definite statements regarding possible affinities would be purely 
“theoretical and unprofitable.” 
We have quite another opinion. After the reading of Mrs. Stopss’ 
paper, it occurred at once to us, that Aptiana could very well 
belong to the family of the Zernstroemiaceae. And knowing, that 
1) Phil. Trans. o. t. Roy. Soc. B. Vol. 203. 1912. Pp. 75—100 and Plates 6—8, 
