BEANIA.. 273 



at right angles to the axis, peltate, apex of the scale small, scarcely 

 covering the ripe seeds ; seeds sessile, ovoid, slightly acuminate at 

 the apex, symmetrically arranged on the two sides of the pedicel, 

 reflexed." 



The author of the species points out the close resemblance 

 of Beania gracilis to the female flower of the Cycadean genus 

 Zamia ; it agrees with such a strobilus as that of Z. muricata, 

 Willd. (figured by Carruthers), "except that the apices of the 

 scales are not adprcssed, but the scales are scattered over the axis 

 so as to form a very loose spike." 



The two specimens figured by Lindley & Hutton in 1835 as 

 Sphareda paradoxa may possibly belong to the same species, but 

 the fossil shown in fig. 1 of the Fossil Flora has a much broader 

 axis and apparently smaller seeds than that shown in fig. 2. The 

 latter, as Carruthers notices in his paper, is identical with Beania 

 gracilis ; I have not been able to find the original specimen of fig. 1 , 

 and without more evidence than is afforded by the drawing it 

 is impossible to be certain as to its real nature. It may represent 

 a flower of similar form to that of Beania gracilis, but specifically 

 distinct. Lindley & Hutton express no definite opinion as to the 

 nature of the fossils which they name Spliareda paradoxa. 



In the third edition of Phillips' Geologg of Yorkshire a figure is 

 given of a specimen identical with Carruthers' type, and the opinion 

 expressed that it "may possibly be the rhizome of a fern with 

 young fronds in the circinate condition." ' 



Schimper classes Beania gracilis among the Cycads, and 

 suggests that the greater elongation of the internodes between the 

 carpophylls, as compared with the more closely packed carpophylls 

 of recent Cycads, may be due, in part, to growth in length after 

 fertilization of the ovules. 2 This is hardly likely ; the looser habit 

 of the flower is no doubt an original character, and one which 

 forms an interesting peculiarity of this Jurassic species. The 

 suggestion of Saporta that this loose habit of Beania gracilis may 

 be due to the fall of some of the carpophylls cannot be accepted ; 

 an examination of several specimens of this species enables me to 

 assert that there is no evidence to support such a view. 3 



1 Phillips (75), p. 233. 

 - Schimper (70), p. 206. 

 3 Saporta (75), p. 59. 



