194 PIXITES. 



Pinites cylindroides may possibly be identical with P. Dunkeri, 

 Carr., and even with/*. Carruthersi, P. Pottonicnsis, and P. valdensis. 

 The type specimen on which the species P. Pottoniemis is founded 

 is too small to admit of any specific diagnosis, and does not appear 

 to me to have any claim to be regarded as specifically distinct from 

 P. cylindroides. It must be admitted, however, that there is 

 considerable risk in attempting to discriminate between these 

 imperfect and detached cones ; but it is surely a mistake to 

 multiply the number of species without stronger evidence for the 

 existence of any real specific differences. 



A careful revision of the cones of Mesozoic Abiekinea is very 

 desirable ; the number of species would no doubt be considerably 

 reduced. 



In the Rufford Collection there are some specimens of fairly 

 well-preserved cones attached to their branches, and in addition 

 to these, several isolated specimens in other Wealden collections, 

 which differ in their greater length from those preserved in the 

 position of growth. The larger detached cones I have referred 

 to Carruthers' species Pinites Dunkeri; the others, with their 

 branches and leaves, are placed in a new species, P. Solmsi. 



Pinites Dunkeri, Carruthers. 



1853. Abietites Dunkeri, Mantell, Geol. I.Wight, p. 452. 



1866. Pinites Dunkeri, Carruthers, Geol. Mag. vol. iii. p. 542, pi. xxi. figs. 1 



and 2. 



1867. Pinites Dunkeri, Carruthers, Journ. Bot. vol. v. p. 14, pi. lix. figs. 1 



and 2. 



1870. Abietites Dunkeri, Schimper, Trait, pal. veg. vol. ii. p. 307. 

 1878. Pinites Dunkeri, Dixon's Geol. Sussex, p. 279. 

 1886. Pinites Dunkeri, Gardner, Rep. Brit. Assoc. p. 5. 

 1889. Pinites Dunkeri, Bristow, Geol. I. Wight, p. 258. 



Type. Isolated cones. British Museum. 



The following definition is given by Carruthers for this species : 



"Cone elongated cylindrical; scales broad, with a rounded and 

 thin apex ; axis slender; seeds oval compressed." 



The largest cone referred to this species has a length of over 

 33 cm. and is 3 cm. broad. Cones of a similar form have been 



