415 



THE GENUS PHYLLOCLADUS, 



L C. Rich. Conif. 129, t. 3. 



I. HISTORICAL. 



This genus was established in 1826 by L. C. Richard (Con. 130, t.), 

 and comprises one Austrahan species which is endemic, one in New Zealand, 

 and one in Borneo. In using this name the " Index Kewensis " is followed, 

 although as a matter of priority Sprengel's Thalamia, 1817, perhaps should take 

 precedence. 



Species have been traced to the Cretaceous times (Renault) in Nebraska 

 and Spitzbergen, whilst Ettingshausen, I.e.. p. 103, PI. VIII, records and figures 

 a species under the name of P. asplenoides as Tertiary from Tingha, New South 

 Wales. 



II. SYSTEMATIC. 



The distinguishing characteristic of these Conifers is their flattened, entire, 

 or lobed phylloclades or branchlets, the true leaves being reduced to small appressed 

 scales. 



The flowers are monoecious or dioecious. Male amentum cylindrical, stalked, 

 solitary, or two or three together in the axils of leafy bracts ; microsporophylls 

 imbricate, on a short stipes, with a small connective having an apiculation or 

 crest ; the microsporangia are adnate, and two in number. The female amentum 

 very small, terminal, occurring along the edges of the phjdloclade, consisting of 

 a few macrosporoph5dls in a short spike, or a single one, and individually bearing 

 a solitar\', erect macrosporangium, the upper macrosporophyll occasionally being 

 sterile. 



Fruiting scales thick and fleshy, enclosing the base of the seed, which is 

 ovoid, in a cup-shaped disk, the outer integument membranous and not winged; 

 the inner one crustaceous. 



