ANOMOZAMITES. 203 



The differences between this genus and Pterophyllum and 

 Nilssonia were discussed in the second volume of the Wealden 

 Flora, and need not be considered here. 



There is, however, one point of importance as regards the 

 probable systematic position of Anomozamites. Nathorst has given 

 a description of some specimens which afford trustworthy evidence 

 of the association of a Williamsonia type of flower with Anomo- 

 zamites fronds. 1 The restoration which he gives of the plant 

 indicates a habit different from that of Williamsonia gigas ; the 

 stem is repeatedly branched dichotomously, and in each fork there 

 is a single flower of Williamsonia angustifolia, Nath., 2 the fronds 

 being of the type Anomozamites minor (Brongn.). The specimens 

 on which the restoration is based are in the Palasobotanical 

 Museum, Stockholm ; an examination of them a few years ago 

 led me to agree with Professor Nathorst in his interpretation of 

 the habit of the plant. Nathorst's evidence enables us, therefore, 

 to include Anomozamites as another member of the Bennettiteae, 

 closely allied to Williamsonia gigas in the form of the reproductive 

 organs, but differing from that type, as also from Williamsonia 

 pecten, in the form of the fronds and in the habit of the stem. 



The linear shape of the leaf of Anomozamites and the unequal 

 segments suggest a comparison with the fronds of Polypodium 

 irioides, Lam. ; it is of some interest to find that more than one 

 type of Mesozoic Cycadean frond may be fairly closely matched 

 with the leaves of recent ferns. These resemblances, although of 

 no very great value in themselves, are of interest as additional 

 links connecting the Cycadales and Filices, which it is believed 

 represent phyla of the plant kingdom descended from a common 

 stock of remote antiquity. 



The resemblance between Anomozamites and Pterophyllum has 

 led Potonie 3 to unite the two genera, regarding the former as 

 a synonym of the latter ; for the present, at least, it is probably 

 the better plan to retain both generic terms. 



1 Nathorst (88), p. 362. 



2 Nathorst (80 2 ), pi. viii. figs. 8-10. 



3 Potonie (99), p. 281. 



