34 ARKIV FÖR BOTANIK. BAND 13. NIO 7. 



Elatides ef. curvifolia (Dunk.) Nath. 



Pl. 6, figs. 4—6. 



[For reference see Nathoest: Zur mesozoischen Flora Spitzbergens. 

 K. Svenska Vet. Akad. Handl. Bd 30. N:o 1.] 



The specimens of a conifer shown in pl. 6, figs. 4 — 6, 

 do not permit of a definite identification with any known 

 species, but it appears at least very probable that they 

 should be referred to Elatides curvifolia (Dunk.) Nath. 



The specimens in figs. 4 and 5 represent sterile shoots. 

 They have rather thick stems, about 5 mm. broad on the im- 

 pressions, which carry spirally arranged leaves. The leaves 

 are 10 — 15 mm. long, falcate and probably somewhat acute. 

 The preservation of these specimens is unfortunately rather 

 unsatisfactory. 



It is at least very probable that the specimen in fig. 6 

 of the same plate represents a female cone belonging to the 

 same species. The preservation of this specimen does not 

 permit of any details being made out, but it is evident that 

 the cone had a cylindrical shape: the impression measures 

 about 15 mm. in breadth. It would appear as if the cone- 

 scales were prolonged into or carried long falcate appendages. 

 These very much resemble the leaves of the sterile shoots in 

 figs. 4 and 5, and thus tend to support the probability that 

 the cone belongs to the same species as these sterile shoots. 



The probability of a connection between the sterile shoots 

 and the cone is strengthened by the fact that both agree 

 with corresponding specimens of Elatides curvifolia (Dunk.) 

 Nath. This species was first described as Lycopodites ^ and 

 was later identified as a conifer and referred to Pachyphyllum,^ 

 which name, being already employed, has since been discarded 

 for Pagiophyllum. The closest agreement with the present frag- 

 ments is shown by some specimens from Spitsbergen figured by 

 Nathorst (1. c, pis. 1, 2, 4). The cone in our pl. 6, fig. 6, bears 

 an especially great resemblance to a specimen figured by 



' DuNKER, W., Monographie der norddeutschen Wealdenbildung. 1846. 

 P. 20. PI. 7, fig. 9. 



'^ ScHKNK, A., Die fossile Flora der norddeutschen Wealdenformation 

 Palaeontographica. Bd 19. P. 239. Pl. 40, figs. 9, 10. 



