1921.] The Eighth Indian Science Congress. elxi 
IV. Permian. 
In the next higher stage, Barakar, two new groups, the 
Sphenophyllales and the Cycadophyta make 
heir appearance. The Cycadophyta are a 
phylum of Gymnosperms worthy of note as the most credited 
Barakar. 
their maximum development. The Equisetales are supple- 
mented by the genus Phyllotheca ; important additions are also 
to be noticed in two woody stems (Dadoxylon spp.) which are 
the earliest plants with internal structure preserved yet described 
from India (Holden 1917). One of these stems may well have 
borne the leaves known as Cordaites Hislopt. 
The Ironstone Shales have yielded only some badly pre- 
eal ee lg a8 served plant-remains, but the Raniganj beds 
Rasigani. °S + overlying them contain a rich assemblage 
largely made up of plants with net-veined 
leaves. Glossopteris is here seen its best development, several 
of the species being confined to these beds, while Gangamopleris, 
as far as I know, appears in the Indian flora for the last 
time. 
V. Triassic. 
With the end of the Raniganj stage we approach the close 
ft t 
e Palaeozoic era. At about this time 
Panchet. 
of another period of intense cold at a time roughly correspond - 
ing to the Triassic of Europe. We further know from similar 
en evidence that the close of the Lower Gond- 
nie wana Period, represented by the Parsora 
stage, was in India probably visited by a dry desert-like climate. 
The effect of these unfavourable climatic conditions upon 
the vegetation of the land is visible beyond mistake. Of the 
varied assemblage of plants which were responsible for the 
formation of thick seams of coal in the earlier strata we have 
now only a few stray representatives. Glossopteris, Schizoneura 
and Cordaites appear to have been among the hardiest survivors. 
them faithful company. This association through these long 
ages is probably of significance in the correlation of these 
fragmentary plant-remains. : as 
Perhaps the most remarkable event of this period is the 
