460 Geological Societij. 



PROCEEDmGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



February 1st, 1905.— J. E. Marr, Sc.D., F.R.S., 

 President, in the Chair. 



The following communication was read : — 



' On the Sporangium-like Organs of Glissopteris Broivniana, 

 Brongn.' By E. A. Xewell Arber, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S. 



It has been discovered that some specimens from New South 

 Wales, on which numerous and well-preserved scale-fronds of 

 Glossopteris occur, also exhibit impressions of groups of minute 

 bodies, not unlike the sporangia of certain receut and extinct Ferns 

 and Cycads. The new organs are elliptical in shape, and measure from 

 1-2 to 1-5 millimetres along the major axis. They are hollow, sac- 

 like structures, which open or dehisce longitudinally. Unfortunately, 

 no trustworthy evidence can be obtained as to their contents. The 

 fact that they have never been found, except in the closest asso- 

 ciation with the scale-leaves of Glossopteris, is regarded as an 

 indication that they may be attributed to that genus ; and this 

 conclusion is supported by the direct evidence of some of the scale- 

 fronds, which show scars of attachment and fragments of the sac- 

 like bodies still apparently in continuity. While, in the absence of 

 recognition of spores, it is impossible to be quite certain that these 

 sac-like bodies are really sporangia, there is much to be said in 

 favour of this conclusion. The fact that they were probably borne 

 on the scale-fronds in sorus-like groups, and that in size, shape, 

 and mode of dehiscence they are not unlike the sporangia of certain 

 recent and fossil plants, supports this view. The closest analogy 

 may probably be found in the microsporangia of Cycads, which are 

 also exannulate. 



An historical sketch is given of the present evidence on the 

 subject of the fructification of Glosf^ojyferis ; and it is shown that no 

 sporangia have so far been found, and that such evidence as has 

 been put forward as to the occurrence of sori on the larger fronds 

 is not altogether satisfactory. It is pointed out that, if the present 

 conclusion be correct (that the sporangia were borne on the smaller 

 scale-fronds), Glossopteris cannot be included in any recent family 

 of the true Ferns. Although the affinities of this genus are still 

 doubtful, the creation of a new family may not be inadvisable. 



