CHAPTER L. 



CONIFERALES INCERTAE SEDIS. 



TRIOOLEPIS. Zeiller. 



Trioolepis Leclerei Zeiller. This generic name was proposed by 

 Zeiller for a cone from the Rhaetic flora of Tonkin 1 which he at 

 first placed in the comprehensive genus Conites. In general 

 appearance the specimen resembles a cone of a Picea ; it is elongate- 

 oval and incomplete, more than 10 cm. long and about 3 cm. in 

 diameter. The impression shows numerous spirally disposed, 

 imbricate, scales apparently thin, oval-linear in form, 1215 mm. 

 long and 6 7 mm. broad, suddenly contracted to an obtuse apex ; 

 the surface is marked by more or less distinct longitudinal folds 

 and close to the base are slight depressions indicating the former 

 presence of seeds 5 mm. long and 1-5 mm. broad. On some oJ 

 the scales there is a faint curved trilobed line in the upper third 

 of the ventral face which, it is suggested, may possibly mark the- 

 limit of an ovuliferous scale fused to a subtending bract-scale, but 

 there is no substantial ground for any conclusion as to the morpho- 

 logical nature of the cone-scales. Zeiller states that there is no 

 decisive evidence with regard to the systematic position of this 

 fossil: the presence of three seeds recalls Cunninghamia though 

 this in itself is probably of comparatively small importance. 



MASCULOSTROBUS. Seward. 



This designation was proposed for fossils which are in all 

 probability male strobili of Gymnosperms 2 . 



Masculostrobus Zeilleri Seward. 



This, the type-species, was discovered by the late Dr Gunn in 

 Kimeridgian strata on the North-East of Scotland: it consists of a 

 slender axis 13 cm. long bearing numerous small branches with 



1 Zeiller (03) B. p. 208, PI. L. fig. 15; PI. F, fig. 2. 2 Seward (II 2 ) p. 686. 



