ON THE HIGHER EOCENE BEDS OF THE ISLE OF "WIGHT. 423 



Fig. 23. — Edge view of an infiltrated, and fig. 24 of an uninfiltrated, specimen. 



Fig. 25. — An opened fruit exposing the sac. 



Fig. 26. — Basal view of an infiltrated, dehiscing fruit. 



Fig. 27. — Membranous sac. 



Fig. 29. — Edge view, and fig. 28 side view, of infiltrated kernel. 



Carpolithes Jleadonensis, Sp. Nov. 



Fig. 30. — Several fruits, natural size. The rest of the figures magnified. 

 Fig. 30«. — Back view showing dorsal keel. 



Fig. 30b. — Side view, 30c back view, of more compressed specimen. 

 Fig. 30d. — Front view of the large valve. 

 Fig. 30^. — Oblique view, showing both valves. 

 Fig. 30y. — Three-quarter view. 



Fig. 30(. — Exterior, and 307/ interior, face of small valve. 



Fig. 30/7. — Well-developed fruit showing both valves, and SO/ a similar fruit after 

 dehiscence, with small valve removed. 

 From the Lower Headon, Hordwell. 



Pbms Vectcnsis, Sp. Nov. 



Fig. 31. — The small pine cone figured was probabl}' washed out of the Bembridge 

 marls, and is unique. It measures 32 millims. in length and 22 in breadth, and is 

 composed of some 40 scales. The scale heads are hexagonal and rather prominent, 

 but partially obscured by encrusting pyrites. No internal structure is visible. It is 

 the smallest pine cone yet recorded from our tertiaries, and appears to be allied to 

 the section of P. Mugho. A much larger species is also found in these marls. 



Doliostrobus Sternhergi, Goepp. 



Figs. 32, 33, and 34 represent some very perfect foliage from near the base of the 

 Bembridge marls, that hitherto recorded having been in the state of casts. The 

 discovery by Mr. A'Court Smith, in June last, of slabs at Gurnet Bay in which the 

 foliage is associated with the detached and characteristic araucaria-like scales 

 described by Saporta and Marion, places the correctness of this determination 

 beyond any doubt. 



Plate IV. 

 NelumMum Bucliii, Ettingshausen. 



Magnificent specimen of Nelumhium leaf in the British Museum. The actual 

 margin is preserved over a great portion of the periphery, but seems in places to 

 have been rather heedlessly cut away. The leaf is peltate, nearly circular in outline, 

 notched on the uppermost margin and with radiating venation, the vein proceeding 

 to the base of the notch being stronger than the rest. The principal veins fork, but 

 reunite near the margin, and the secondary venation is obscure. The articulation with 

 the petiole is very visible in the centre of the leaf. 



This Nelumhium is one of the most interesting of our Eocene plants, as it is not 

 distinguishable from the Sacred Lotus, so celebrated for its associations and for the 

 beauty of its rose-coloured flowers. Leaves are exceedingly rare at Hamstead and 

 are generally represented by torn shreds or immature specimens. Rhizomes, iden- 

 tified by Heer and Saporta as those of Nehtmhia, abound in the NelmnUum bed, but 

 hitherto no trace, either of the remarkable fruit, oi- of the seeds, has accompanied 

 them. 



Plate V. 



FlabeUaria Lamanonis (?), Brongn. 



Fig. 1. — This palm has a small leaf with a long, slender, perfectly smooth foot- 

 stalk, and must have been a graceful species. It is from the Bembridge marls. 



Sahal Major. 

 Fig. 2.— The base of a leaf from the Bembridge marls. Enormous leaves are 

 sometimes visible, though it is impossible to remove them. Seeds of Sahal are 

 common at Sheppey, but have not been met with in these beds. 



