BENNETTITES. 159 



peduncles. The fine longitudinal lines seen on the surface of 

 the specimen figured by Lignier on pi. v. figs. 55 and 56, and 

 described by him as the peduncles, bear a very close resemblance 

 to the fine lines traversing the basal annular area in our figure 

 (PI. X. Fig. 1), and to the so-called antheriferous tissue of 

 Williamsonia gigas. It is, I believe, the interseminal structures 

 or possibly atrophied peduncles that are seen in such specimens of 

 Bennettites Carrutliersi as are represented in PL X. Fig. 1, PL X. 

 Fig. 2, PL X. Fig. 3, and PL XI. Fig. 4. The central conical 

 cavity was originally occupied by a fleshy axis, on which were 

 borne the seed-bearing peduncles. Ecclesbourne. Rufford Coll. 



V. 3201. PL X. Fig. 4. 



In this specimen we have the outer part of the basal portion of 

 a larger form, or older inflorescence. In the centre there is a 

 somewhat oval area with an uneven surface 2-3 cm. in diameter, 

 surrounded by a series of slightly raised structures ; external to 

 this is a concave rim, with its surface marked by a well-defined 

 reticulum of projecting ridges. The appearance of this saucer-like 

 rim suggests that there were originally numerous narrow bracts in 

 close contact with it ; the outline of these being indicated by the 

 shallow depressions and intervening ridges as shown in the figure. 

 This specimen approximately corresponds to the basal portion of 

 V. 3177 (PL X. Fig. 1), the external margin of the reticulately 

 marked rim coinciding with the truncated bases of the involucral 

 bracts of such examples as V. 3177 (PL X. Fig. 1) and V, 2129 

 (PL X. Fig. 2). The network is probably formed by the same 

 regular indentations which are seen in Fig. la, and described by 

 Solms 1 as forming a regular areolation over the surface of the 

 spaclix. Between the reticulately marked rim and the central 

 boss there would be the continuous external layer of the peripheral 

 zone. Cf. Solms, pi. xxv. figs. 4 and 7-12. Ecclesbourne. 



Rufford Coll. 



V. 3202. PL X. Fig. 2. 



Here again we have the characteristic Williamsonia gigas base, 

 somewhat larger than in V. 3177 (PL X. Fig 1). The linear bracts 

 are unevenly broken, exposing the numerous fine, interseminal, 



1 Loc. cit. p. 437. 



