248 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [MARCH 
formed a projection, and imparted to the synangium a corrugated appearance.” 
The spores are small, about o. 3 mm., and densely covered with fine projections. 
“The usual tetrad scar is not seen on any example, but a single straight scar 
instead, which doubtless indicates that the spores were arranged in the spore 
mother cells bilaterally and not tetrahedrally.” 
Of the bennettitalean forms, the staminate sporophylls of Williamsonia 
spectabilis Nathorst are “not uncommon at Marske.” THomas has been able 
to make an interesting restoration figure of an almost mature staminate flower 
of this species. The sporophylls are united into a cup below, and probably in 
the young condition arched over it, straightening out at maturity. The 
synangia “lie in regular rows, with their long axis at right angles to the sporo- 
phylls,” and on the upper or inner side. The synangia of each row appear to 
be borne on slender stalks. “These stalks seem to have been given off on each 
side of the central portion of the sporophyll, and may be regarded either as 
lateral lobes of this organ, or possibly as arising as part of a pinnate structure like 
the microsporophyll of Bennettites, which is adnate with the broad structures 
hitherto termed sporophylls.” He concludes, however, that “whatever may 
have been the method of production of the synangia of Williamsonia spectabilis, 
this form serves (as NaTHORST believes) as a valuable connecting link between 
on its surface.” There is evidence also of the presence of the whitbiensis type 
itself in the Marske beds, and of a female strobilus of Williamsonia and other 
bennettitalean remains. THomas’ study of the leaves is especially interesting, 
hi nness in distinguishing the bennettitalean from the filicinean 
forms by microscopic examination of the epidermis, etc. Such critical study, 
which was inaugurated by NatHorst, puts the results from impressions mu 
more nearly on a par with those from the study of petrifactions. 
ne of the commonest fossil plants at Marske belongs to the Ginkgoales, 
Baiera longifolia, which has not before been recorded in England. THOMAS 
has not found a complete leaf, but judges that it must be at least 18 cm. ™ 
length. By its great size, and also by its epidermal structure, of which three 
figures are given, it is distinguished from B. gracilis, to which the specimens 
were previously assigned. He also found Ginkgo digitata and Czekanowskia 
Murrayana in the Marske beds. 
Of the Coniferales two forms were found, Tasxites zamioides, of which both 
upper and lower epidermis are described, and Elatides (Pagiophyllum) ssi 
Of the latter THomas reported, as his article was in process of publication, that 
‘“‘many specimens of this type have been recently found at Roseberry Topping; 
bearing male and female cones. These seem to indicate the necessity i 
creating a new species, and probably a new genus for the form here described. 
Further study of the fossil flora of this region promises much for our 
knowledge of the bennettitalean and coniferous forms.—R. B. THOMSON. 
