108 Mr Thomas, On some new and rare 
but the fine grain of the ironstone matrix has retained their — 
external form very clearly. 
In assigning this flower to its systematic position we may first 
notice that it agrees closely with the Williamsonian male flowers — 
previously known, and there can be little or no doubt about its 
generic position. As to its specific name, there is no direct 
evidence, but we have the following considerations : 
(a) The specimen comes from a bed in which stems, leaves 
and female flowers of Williamsonia gigas occur frequently, and 
from which other species of Williamsonia are practically absent. 
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(b) It is to be expected that the male flowers would occur in close — 
proximity to female flowers, stems and leaves of the same species. 
(c) The flower here described differs specifically from other species 
of the genus which are found in the same neighbourhood; four 
Text-fig.2. Diagrammatic drawing of the specimen from the side seen in PI. VI, 
fig. 1. The lower part of the united sporophylls and indications of the upper 
portion of a single one are shown. 
other species of male flowers and three or four species of female 
strobili have now been found in the Lower and Middle Estuarine 
Shales. There is therefore a very strong presumption that the 
present flower belonged to the plants of Williamsonia gigas 
(L. and H.), unless strong evidence to the contrary should be 
forthcoming. 
Little can be said as to the position and mode of growth of 
this structure. Its homologies with W. spectabilis are clear, and 
it, no doubt, had the same position and origin as seen in that form. 
There are three alternative views as to the original position of 
these male flowers. One view would regard them as originating 
in a bisexual flower of the same type as that of Cycadeoidea 
