XXXV] 



SAMAROPSIS 



353 



accuiacy of the original account. The platyspermic seed is 5*5 cm. 

 long and 4-5 cm. broad ; a cordate nucule is enclosed by a flat 

 border similar to that of Samaropsis Leslii but narrower especially 

 on the sides of the nucule. At the apex there is a deep sinus 

 extending to the nucule, and at the base a fairly broad band of 

 carbonaceous matter shows the position of the chalazal vascular 

 strand. The seed is characterised by its large size and by its 

 almost orbicular form : it occurs as a detached specimen in beds 

 containing Cordaites (Noeggerathiopsis) and Glossopteris. 



A species from Arkansas described by Lesquereux^ as Cardio- 

 carpus ingens [= Cordaicarpus ingens (Lesq.)] afEords another 

 example of a large seed similar to C. indicus and, except in its 

 more orbicular form, to Samaropsis Leslii. 



Samaropsis Milleri (Feistmantel). 



An examination of the type-specimen from the Calcutta 

 Museum enables me to amphfy the original description in an 

 important particular. The species was found 

 in Lower Gondwana (Kathlirbari) beds in India 

 and referred by FeistmanteP to the genus 

 Carpolithes. Arber^, who tentatively employed 

 the generic name Cardiocarpus in place of 

 Carpolithes, suggests that the seeds may be 

 radiospermic, as Feistmantel's drawings show 

 only a very narrow border to the nucule. The 

 specimen reproduced in fig. 504 was figured 

 by Feistmantel without any indication of a 

 definite sarcotesta or wing, but as seen in the 

 drawing the ovate cordate sclerotesta is sur- 

 rounded on one side and at the base by an 

 outer envelope : this is clearly seen at the apex 

 where it shows a roimded termination sloping 

 downwards towards the micropyle precisely 

 as in Samaropsis indica (Zeill.). The border is narrow at 

 the sides and broader at the base as in S. Leslii. The seed 



1 Lesquereux (80) A. PI. 85, figs. 34, 35. 



2 Feistmantel (79^) p. 30; (8P) p. 59, PI. xxx. fig. 14; (82) p. 43, PI. xv. 

 figs. 5—12. ' Arber (05) B. p. 205. 



S. m 23 



Fig. 504. Samaropsis 

 Milleri. (Indian 

 Geological Survey, 

 Calcutta; nat. size.) 



