PRESENT POSITION OF PALEOZOIC BOTANY—SCOTT. 391 
various synangic fructifications above mentioned have been found. 
Thus we have to do with a group of plants showing affinity with 
Marattiaceze, alike in their anatomical structure and in the characters 
of their reproductive organs. The conclusion appears to be unas- 
sailable, and yet in view of Mr. Kidston’s discovery that a typical 
Crossotheca was born on the fronds of Sphenopteris Honinghausii, 
showing this fructifi- 
sation, which would 
previously have been 
classed as Marattiace- 
ous, to have constituted 
the pollen-bearing ap- 
paratus of a Spermo- Qarea WSS 
phyte, and of the fact — 
that the Crossothecas, = 
as a group, involving 
several species of Pe- 
copteris, will no doubt 
prove to have been of 
the same nature, we 
can not, in the pres- 
ent state of our knowl- 
edge, feel sure where 
the encroachments of 
the Pteridosperms will 
stop. Considering the 
anatomical evidence, 
however, it seems im- 
possible to doubt that 
Paleozoic Marattia- 
cee actually existed, pee } 
Bee rr opaue type! vee ct race ote a 
of stem is altogether B, 1, 2, Renaultia (affinities doubtful). C, 1, 2, Dac- 
$ D tylotheca (doubtful). D, Sturiella, in section; a, 
Yeaprn-liice , 7 Y é ‘ 
Fern-like in structure bundle; b, d, annalus; c¢, hairs (cf. Corynepteris). 
and presents none of E, Oligocarpia (cf. Gleicheniacee. F, Crossotheca 
7 : : ; (¢ fructification of Lyginodendreat). G, Senften- 
those anatomical fea- bergia (cf. Schizaeacee). H. Hawlea (Marattia- 
tures by which the ceous?). J, 1, 2, Urnatopteris (affinities doubtful). 
. ter various authors. 
Cycadofilices were rec- After various authors 
ognized, long before the evidence of fructification led to the founda- 
tion of the class Pteridospermee. 
For the present, therefore, we must continue to accept the existence 
of a certain number of Marattiaceous Ferns, especially in the later 
Carboniferous and Permian periods, though we may not always be 
able to distinguish their fructifications from the pollen-bearing organs 
41780—08 29 
