XXXV] TAXOSPERMUM 347 



from Taxospermum in the structure of the testa, but resembles 

 it in external features. Bertrand 1 in his revision and extension 

 of Brongniart's account says that the sections throw no light on 

 the nature of the vascular supply, and it is therefore impossible to 

 form a satisfactory opinion as to the relationships of the genus. 

 Renault 2 referred this genus to the Cordaitales, but we have no 

 evidence as to the parent-plant. 



Taxospermum. Brongniart. 



Brongniart 3 gave this name to a small elliptical seed, 15 x 9 mm., 

 recalling in external features the seed of Taxus, a genus to 

 which he believed the Grand' Croix species to be related. The 

 type-species Taxospermum Gruneri (fig. 495, G) has a compara- 

 tively thin testa characterised by the absence of a sub-chalazal 

 pad formed by the swelling of the sclerotesta. The nucellus is 

 attached by a broad base to the testa and the two regions appear 

 to be connected for a short distance on the flanks 4 ; in this 

 feature the seed is comparable with that of the Conifer Torreya 

 and differs from the other platysperms, Diplotesta, Rhabdospermum, 

 etc. Bertrand 5 states that the main vascular strand extends 

 from the hilum to the chalaza before giving off the two opposite 

 bundles which ' follow the floor of the shell-cavity, and on reaching 

 the flanks traverse the shell obliquely from below upwards 6 .' 

 In the course and position of the integumental bundles Taxo- 

 spermum differs from Cardiocarpus, Cycadinocarpus , and Rhabdo- 

 spermum. In this genus Bertrand includes Sarcotaxus angulosus 

 Brongn. and S. olivaeformis Brongn. 7 



Compsotesta. Bertrand ex Brongniart MS. 



Compsotesta Brongniarti Bertrand. The generic name Com- 

 psotesta 8 , though adopted by Brongniart for some incomplete 

 specimens from Grand' Croix, was not published either by him 

 or Renault: it has recently been revived by Bertrand 9 in his 



1 Bertrand, C. E. (07 3 ) compares Leptocaryon with Diplotesta as regards various 

 structural features. 2 Renault (80 2 ) p. 108. 



3 Brongniart (74) p. 249, PL xxi. figs. 1820; (81) p. 23, PL A. figs. 1820; 

 PL x\. 4 Oliver (03) p. 457. 



5 Bertrand, C. E. (07 4 ). 6 Bertrand, C. E. (07 6 ). 



7 Brongniart (74) p. 247. 



8 jco/i^6s, elegant. 9 Bertrand, C. E. (09). 



