xviii Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society. 



pro-cartilage. In the wing there are evidences of four digits. 

 The author holds that birds are descended from bipedal reptiles 

 somewhat intermediate in type between the Pterosaurs and 

 the carnivorous Dinosaurs. 



(2) "Note on the Lacertilian Shoulder Girdle." It is held that 



all the various cartilaginous and bony bars found in front of 

 the shoulder girdle are merely parts of the true scapula and 

 coracoid, and that there is no evidence of any precoracoid or 

 epicoracoid elements, as is usually held. In the chameleon, 

 which has no clavicle or collar-bone in the adult, a small 

 clavicle is shown to be present in the embryo. 



(3) " On some Little-known Bones in the Mammalian Skull." 



A considerable number of bones which are typically present 

 in the reptilian skull, but which are not generally recognised 

 as occurring among mammals, are shown to be occasionally 

 present. The bones recognised are septomaxillary, prevomer, 

 prefrontal, postfrontal, postorbital, and quadrate. 



(4) " On a New Cynodont Reptile from the Molteno Beds of 



Aliwal North." A description is given of a new Cynodont, 

 the first reptile that has been discovered in the Molteno beds. 



(5) " On a New Rhynchocephalian Reptile from the Upper 



Beaufort Beds of South Africa." A description is given of a 

 lower jaw of a small reptile allied to Homceosaurus. This is 

 the oldest true Rhynchocephalian known. 



" Notes on South African Cycads," by Professor H. H. W. Pearson, 

 were read. 



A number of field observations upon Encephalartos Friderici- 

 Guilielmi, Lehm., E. Villosus, Lehm., E. Altensteinii, Lehm., and a 

 species of Stangeria are recorded. 



Evidence in support of the insect pollination of E. Villosus is 

 adduced. It is pointed out that in E. Friderici-Guilielmi and 

 E. Altensteinii the cones are laterally placed and the growth of the 

 stem is therefore monopodial — not sympodial, as is usually stated. 

 The importance of subterranean branching as a means of vegetative 

 reproduction in Stangeria and in E. Friderici-Guilielmi, and its 

 similarity to the type of vegetative reproduction which prevails 

 in the Ferns, are discussed. The influence of external conditions, 

 particularly of sunlight, upon the production of cones, is considered, 

 and it is concluded that these conditions react on the Cycads in the 

 same manner as on many of the higher flowering plants, 



