FOSSIL GYMNOSPERMS 



135 



CORDAITALES 



The amount of information that has been accumulated con- 

 cerning this great Paleozoic group is a matter of surprise. Not 

 only are the vegetative structures abundantly preserved, even in 



FIG. 94. Cordaites laevis: branch (restored) bearing leaves and strobili, and also a 

 large bud. After GRAND' EURY. 



their minutest details, but the more telling reproductive struc- 

 tures are known sufficiently to indicate general relationships. 

 The Cordaitales become evident in the Silurian, and increase 

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