140 



MEDULLOSEAE 



[CH. 



striations. Zeiller compares the fossil with Whittleseya elegans 

 and Rhipidopsis ginkgoides and assigns it with some hesitation 

 to the Salisburieae. An examination of the type-specimen led 

 me to form the opinion that it may be a cupular organ of a Pterido- 

 sperm that enclosed a seed. The lamina is slightly concave and 

 has the form of a shallow cup ; moreover the surface-features 

 resemble those of a bract rather than the regularly veined lamina 



FIG. 433. Ottokaria bengalensis. (Nat. size; drawn from the type-specimen.) 



of a foliage-leaf. The specimen bears a very close resemblance 

 to one figured by Bertrand 1 as the cupule of Hexapterospermum 

 modestae which he connects with fronds of Neuropteris gigantea. 

 Ottokaria occurs in association with fronds of Glossopteris 

 indica and with the large seeds described by Zeiller 2 as Cardio- 

 carpus indicus. I have lately obtained some evidence in favour 



1 Bertrand, P. (13) p. 131, PL vn. fig. 6. 



2 Zeiller, loc. cit. p. 37. 



