450 



G. R. Wieland — Williamsonian Tribe. 



tises. Indeed, the later discovery of similar cones in close asso- 

 ciation with the PtilopJiyllum leaves of the Gondwanas, and 

 Nathorst's observation of related fruits with Anoniozamites 

 leaves would almost seem to have confirmed any ideas of isola- 



D 



Fig. 8. 



Fig. 8. Williamsoma gigas. x 1/2. Ovulate strobilus of the Yale-James 

 Yates collection from the cliffs of Hawkser arid Eunswick (1843 or before). 



A. Lateral views showing, together with portions of ensheathing husk of 

 bracts, apical cavity due to failure of conservation resulting in " pyrif orm " 

 surfaces. 



B. Basal view showing large insertion scar, and somewhat worn surface of 

 strobilus, with bracts split off or worn away. 



C. Apical view, nearly the same as at A. 



D. Partial restoration of cone effected by sawing in two, and drawing in 

 natural form and position the seed stem and seed zone which failed of con- 

 servation, though the axis is fairly conserved. (Hence restored view = me- 

 dian long, section.) — The strobilus probably ended as a loosely compacted 

 and flowing more or less silky mass of sterile filaments, just as in Cycade- 

 oidea dacotensis. 



tion and rarity of such fruits, or even to have diverted atten- 

 tion from the urgent need of renewed study in nearer fields. 

 And it still remains difficult to understand why most of the 



