AEATJCARITES. 191 



probably be referred to the genus Araucarites. Another fossil 

 which is probably identical with these Wealden cones is that 

 described by Carruthers as Kaidocarpon minor from the Potton 

 beds of Bedfordshire ; the type specimen l of this species in the 

 "Woodwardian Museum shows the general characters of a somewhat 

 waterworn female araucarian cone. The same form of cone, but 

 one belonging to another species, is illustrated by a beautiful 

 specimen in the York Museum, which has been described and 

 figured by Carruthers from the Coralline Oolite of Malton, in York- 

 shire, under the name of Araucarites Hudlestoni? Mr. Carruthers 

 tells me he is disposed to regard some of the fossils described 

 by him as monocotyledonous inflorescences, as more probably 

 araucarian cones. It is proposed to discuss elsewhere, at greater 

 length, the value of several of the published records of supposed 

 monocotyledonous plants from Jurassic and Wealden strata. 



V. 2180. PL XII. Fig. 2. 



In this specimen we have a view of the proximal ends of the 

 scales, their broad and flattened form is clearly seen, also the 

 lozenge-shaped cavity in which the seeds were originally situated. 

 The form of the scales and the more or less globose form of the 

 cone, present a strong resemblance to the female strobili of species 

 of Araucarian e.g., cf. the figure given by Martins in pi. ex. of 

 his Flora Srasiliensis, with the specimens in our PI. XII. Figs. 

 1 and 2. 



V. 218(k. PL XII. Fig. 1. 



The stout central axis is clearly shown, with the spirally 

 disposed points of insertion of the broad scales. Breadth of axis 

 about 4 cm. ; the scales probably wider towards the distal end, 

 showing prominent lateral angles or wings with a slightly convex 

 and wrinkled upper and lower surface. In one part of the 

 specimen the impressions of the scale apices show a prominent 

 distal end with a central dot, as in V. 2148. Some of the scales 

 show a clearly defined cavity, originally occupied by the small 

 seeds which were narrowed towards the cone axis. There are 

 three small seeds which seem to have fallen out from this cone. 

 Ecclesbourne. Rufford Coll. 



1 The specimen has not been figured. 



2 Carrnt.hfirs IK\. 



J. 



2 Carruthers (8) 



