XXXV] AETHEOTESTA 331 



(fig. 498, A, s). Externally the upper half or seed-proper forms 

 a depressed cupola with eight slightly developed ribs, separated 

 by a circular transverse constriction from the basal chamber 

 (fig. 498, B). There is a fairly large pollen-chamber, pc, in which 

 Renault found multicellular microspores in C. olivaeforme. In 

 C. anomalum 16 vascular bundles (fig. 498, B, v) surround the 

 central region of the seed probably in the peripheral tissue of the 

 nucellus; these bundles unite in the chalazal region to form a 

 strand that passes up the centre of the empty chamber. In 

 C. anomalum the testa of the lower half has eight ribs and corre- 

 sponding with each rib is a strand of fibrous tissue (fig|498, B,/). 

 In C. olivaeforme the testa is thicker than in C. anomalum and the 

 lower region of the seed is smooth and circular in section. 



Impressions of Codonospermum are described 1 from Com- 

 mentry, from the Loire the Gard district 2 , and by Zeiller 3 from 

 Blanzy. There is no decisive evidence as to the parent- plant, but 

 some French authors 4 regard the frequent association of Codono- 

 spermum with leaves of Dolerophyllum as significant. 



Aetheotesta. Brongniart. 

 Aetheotesta elliptica Renault. 



Brongniart instituted the genus Aetheotesta 5 for an incomplete 

 seed (A. subglobosa) from Grand'Croix, and Renault 6 subsequently 

 founded the species A. elliptica on much better material. The testa 

 of the elliptical seed, 3 cm. long, consists of an outer region very 

 thin on the flanks but highly developed at the apex and base which 

 forms a sarcotesta characterised in the apical region by large 

 radially disposed spaces, fig. 498, C, s ; the sclerotesta, composed 

 of harder tissue, is prolonged as an apical beak. There is a large 

 pollen-chamber, pc, in which Renault found multicellular micro- 

 spores (320jLt- 400 jit). In the chalazal region the main vascular 

 supply forms a cup-like investment, v, in the basal portion of the 



1 Renault and Zeiller (88) A. p. 659, PI. 83, figs. 10-26. 



2 Grand'Eury (77) A. p. 184, PI. xv. fig. 5; (90) A. p. 311, PI. m. fig. 6. 



3 Zeiller (06) B. p. 227. 



4 See also Grand'Eury (05 2 ) B. 



6 Brongniart (74) p. 260, PL xxm. pp. 1618; (81) p. 30. 

 6 Renault 96 A. p. 272. 



