CRETACEOUS CONIFERALES 19 
Genus PREPINUS Jeffrey 
PREPINUS STATENENSIS Jeffrey 
Plate 9, figs. 9, 10; Pl. 22, fig. 3; Pl. 23, fig. 5; Pl. 24, fig. 1 
Prepinus statenensis Jeffrey, Annals Bot. 22: 207-214 [descr.], 209 
[name]. pl. 13. f. 1-15. 1908. 
The remains which represent this interesting gymnosperm consist 
of short shoots bearing numerous needles enclosed in a sheath com- 
posed of comparatively short scales or bracts. These shoots were 
found rather sparingly in the material from the Androvette pit. 
Figures 9, 10, Pl. 9, show the well-marked external features, X 10. 
Above the sheaths are inserted the needles, which are present in an 
indefinite, large number, and are not verticillate. In this feature 
they present a contrast to the brachyblasts of all living pines. In 
cross-section the needles vary from triangular to somewhat polygonal, 
the latter condition being present in the more internal ones.’ The 
appearance of these short shoots is such that at first sight one 15 
tempted to consider them the ends of leafy twigs, bearing primary 
leaves. Their internal organization, however, clearly shows that 
they are really short shoots of an apparently primitive type. They 
may be compared with the shoots described and figured by Fontaine 
from the Potomac formation and referred by him to Heer’s Jurassic 
genus Leptostrobus.” Our specimens are much better defined, how- 
ever, than those indicated in Fontaine's figures, although they are 
somewhat more fragmentary on account of the condition of charring 
which is present in so much of our material. They may also be 
compared with Seward's Pinites Solmsi from the Wealden of 
Ecclesbourne.? In fig. 10 may be seen Ше rhombic scars left by 
the fall of certain of the basal leaves of the sheath. Usually the 
scales composing the sheath are all present. We have, unfortunately, 
not found the branches by which these interesting short shoots were 
borne. There can be no doubt, however, as to the close relationship 
of these remains with the genus Pinus. 
In fig. 3, Pl. 22, is shown a transverse section through a part of a 
2 Monog. U. S. Geol. Surv. 15 (Potomac or Younger Mesoz. Fl.): 228; ibid. 167: 
pl. тог. f. 2, 3; pl 102. f. 1-4, pl. 103. f. 6-12; pl. 104. Е. 6 (=Œ L. longifolius Font.). 
—Ibid. 230. pl. 101. f. 4; pl. 103. f. 5; pl. 104. f. I (=L. foliosus Font.). 
? Cat. Mesoz. Plants, Dept. Geol, Brit. Mus. (The Wealden Flora, Pt. II, Gymno- 
spermz), 196. pl. 18. f. 2. 
