390 Systematic Paleontology 



broad rhomboidal bases. The type species BrachypJiyllum mamillare 

 from the Lower Oolite was described but not figured and was placed 

 Tinder the heading conifere doutense. In 1849 ^ the same author 

 compared this genus with the existing genera Arthro taxis, Widdringtonia 

 and Olyptostrohus. Schimper in 1872 ^ somewhat restricted the genus 

 and also extended Brongniart's diagnosis. Saporta also ^ gives a 

 rather well-illustrated account of BrachypTiyllum figuring Brongniart^s 

 type and pointing out its doubtful botanical affinity. His diagnosis of 

 the genus is as follows : 



" Eami sparsim pinnati ramulis alternis erectiusculis cylindricis, 

 ssepius rigidis; folia spiraliter inserta abbreviata vel brevissima basi 

 late rhombsea insidentia^, in statu juvenili etiam minime producta, 

 C£eteru;m conica mamilleeformia, apice obtusissime intus recurva, 

 plemmque carnosa vel saltem firma crasseque coriacea, dorso autem plus 

 minusve carinata glandulaque sape notata, postea getatis decursu in 

 caulibus adultis dilatata depressaque, areas scutellasque convexiusculas 

 regulariter rhombseas hexagonulasque puncto medio signatas efformantia ; 

 — strobili mediocres aut parvuli verosimiliter terminales, e squamis 

 plurimis arete imbricatis sursum lanceolatis aut rarius in apophysim 

 incrassatis anticeque carinatis et post maturitatem sexus axin persistent- 

 ibus constantes ;-^semina minutissima ala brevi superata inversa liberaque 

 in quacumque squama 1-3; — amenta mascula ovata globosaque^ parvula, 

 ut videtur axillaria, basi involucrata postque pollinisationem caduca, e 

 squamulis arete imbricatis antice in appendicem lancealatum dilatatis 

 eomposita." 



Seward ^ regards BrachypJiyllum as a purely provisional genus, the 

 actual botanical position of which is very uncertain, and further states 

 that it is quite probable that more than one family of conifers are 

 included under this name. Comparisons have been made at various times 

 with the modern subfamilies Araucariese, Taxodiege, and Cupressese, 



^ Brongn., Tableau, 1849, p. 69. 



^ Schimp., Traite, Pal. Veget, 1870, tome ii, p. 334. 



* Saporta, Pal. franc, 1884, tome iii, p. 310. 



* Seward, Wealden Fl., pt. ii, 1895, p. 214. 



