XLYIl] GEINITZIA 359 



Reichenbachii and this species is recorded by authors from many 

 Lower Cretaceous localities, but in no case is any conclusive evi- 

 dence brought forward in support of the assumed generic identity 

 with Sequoia. Specimens of Sequoia Reichenbachii with foliage and 

 cones are figured by Velenovsky 1 from Bohemia showing clearly 

 the characteristic peltate cone-scales, and similar examples though 

 with rather larger cones are described from Lower Cretaceous strata 

 in Xorth America 2 . On the other hand the name Sequoia Reichen- 

 bachii is applied in some cases to fragments of sterile branches un- 

 accompanied with cones 3 : in one instance 4 evidence was obtained 

 of the occurrence of separate circular bordered pits on the tracheids 

 of some vegetative branches from the Cretaceous beds of Aix-la- 

 Chapelle. It is impossible to say whether such shoots bore cones 

 like those of Geinitzia or Elatides ; some at least belong to Elatides 

 curvifolia. 



Two conclusions are suggested by an examination of the records 

 so far quoted : the use of the generic name Sequoia is not based on 

 any solid foundation and, secondly, it is unsafe to assume that 

 fragments of sterile branches bearing falcate leaves similar to those 

 on fertile shoots referred to S. Reichenbachii belong to that species. 

 The common occurrence of Mesozoic specimens agreeing more or 

 less closely with Araucaria excelsa, while demonstrating the 

 abundance of that form of vegetative shoot, by no means proves 

 the equally wide occurrence of one specific type. It has, for 

 example, been shown by Nathorst 5 that the branches from Lower 

 Cretaceous or Upper Jurassic rocks in Spitsbergen figured by 

 Heer 6 as Sequoia Reichenbachii are examples of Elatides curvifolia 

 (Dunk.). The genus Elatides 1 is characterised by cones differing in 

 their flatter scales and more elongated form from those usually 

 assigned to Sequoia though the foliage-shoots are of the same type. 

 It is therefore advisable to adopt some provisional generic term for 

 sterile shoots resembling in habit those of Araucaria excelsa and 

 which in the absence of cones cannot be safely assigned to a genus 

 founded on the cone-characters. The name Pagiophyllum 8 serves 



- 1 Velenovsky (85) B. Pis. vm., ix. 



- Ward (99) B. Pis. 165, 166; Hollick (06) PI. n. fig. 40; PI. in. figs. 4, 5. 



3 Krasser (96) B. PI. xvn. fig. 14; Schenk (71) PL xxiv. figs. 6, 7. 



4 Lange (90) p. 660. ft Nathorst (97) p. 35. 



6 Heer (75) ii. Pis. xxxvi., xxxvu. 7 See page 270. 8 See page 274. 



