356 



SEQUOIINEAE 



[CH. 



at right-angles to the axis; at the apex is a rosette of a few almost 

 sessile barren scales; the arrangement of the scales is distinctly 

 spiral. It is not easy to count the number of the scales, as none of 

 the cones we found are perfect. There would seem to be 20 24 

 fully developed scales, besides a few undeveloped round the apex 

 and base.' The scales vary in shape (fig. 768, C, D) and are cuneate 

 or umbrella-shaped, the rugose distal ends have lines radiating 

 from a central umbo; the winged seeds are pendant beneath the 

 thick involuted margin and on the upper surface of one scale five 

 seeds were found. Preparations of the cuticular membrane of the 

 leaves showed irregularly scattered stomata, each surrounded by 



FIG. 768. Sequoiites Couttsiae. Twigs A, B, and cone-scales C, D, from Bovey 

 Tracey. (Photographs by Mr and Mrs Clement Reid; x 3.) 



a ring of four or occasionally five cells. Gardner 1 has also described 

 specimens from Bovey Tracey and Hampshire characterised by 

 imbricate keeled decurrent leaves with a free, divergent or falcate, 

 apex and in older branches by more obtuse appressed leaves. The 

 cones in size and form resemble those of Sequoia sempervirens while 

 the vegetative branches agree with S. gigantea. There are 3 5 seeds 

 on each scale. Several examples of Sequoiites Couttsiae are figured 

 by Heer 2 from Miocene beds in West Greenland and he speaks of the 

 species as the commonest Conifer in Disco Island. Gardner points 

 out that the northern form has larger cones and stouter foliage- 

 shoots than the British type and proposes for it a new specific name 



1 Gardner (86) p. 36, PI. vi. 



2 Heer (68) p. 94, Pis. m., vm., XLV.; (71) Pis. XL., XLIII., etc.; (83) PL LXVIII. 



