16 



length of the spore. Numerous smaller, close- 

 ly spaced, more or less parallel ridges and 

 grooves run approximately transverse to the 

 major ridges. The spore coat is 1 to 2 /x thick. 

 The spores are 37 to 81 /x in longest dimen- 

 sion. 



Affinities. — Columinis pontes probably be- 

 longs to or is closely related to the family 

 Schizaeaceae. The general appearance of the 

 spores is somewhat similar to that of the 

 schizaeaceous spores illustrated by Selling 

 (1944a, pi. 3, fig. 25; 1944b, pi. 3, fig. 24) 

 and by Cookson (1956, pi. 9, figs. 1-3) . 



Comparison. — Columinis porites differs 

 from Schizaeois pontes Potonie, 1951, in hav- 

 ing anastomosing and branching ridges rath- 

 er than regular parallel cicatricos ridges or 

 canals. 



Derivation of name. — The generic name 

 refers to the raised (columen) ridges. 



Columinis porites ovalis sp. nov. 

 Plate 1, figures 11-12; text figure 3 



Diagnosis. — The spores are bilateral and 

 bean shaped to elliptical in outline. They 

 probably are monolete, but no definite suture 

 has been noted in any of the specimens ob- 

 served. Many specimens are torn parallel to 

 the long dimension, and the tears may repre- 

 sent in part a monolete suture. The spore 

 is covered on all surfaces with elevated anas- 

 tomosing and branching ridges that run more 

 or less parallel to the length of the spore. 

 The ridges, about 2.5 /x wide and 1 /x high, 

 number from 3 to 10, but usually 5 or 6 are 

 present. In addition, numerous more or less 

 parallel, closely spaced grooves and ridges 

 less than 1 /x wide run transverse to the ridges. 

 The spore coat is about 1 /x thick. Dimen- 

 sions (15 specimens) : 37.3 by 30.2 /x to 51.9 

 by 34.4 /x; median, 47.7 by 33.7 /x. 



Holotype. — Plate 1, figure 11; negative 

 5791 ; Fithian Gyclothem, maceration 1 170-G, 

 slide 15; coordinates, 138.2 X 48.9; size, 48.9 

 by 32.4 ,1. 



Paratype. — Plate 1, figure 12; negative 

 6126; Fithian Cyclothem, maceration 1 170-G, 

 slide 15, coordinates, 128.9 X 52.5; size, 48.6 

 by 31.4 ii. 



Derivation of name. — The specific name 

 refers to the oval (ovalis) shape of the spore. 



FIG. 3 — Columinisporites ovalis sp. nov.; diagram- 

 matic reconstruction of holotype; 48.9 by 

 32.4 M . 



Columinisporites sp. 1 

 Plate 1, figure 13 



The spore is bilateral and bean shaped in 

 outline. No commissure was observed. The 

 surface of the spore coat is covered with two 

 sets of ridges. The larger set of intercon- 

 necting sinuous ridges, about 1.5 /x wide, runs 

 more or less parallel to the long dimension 

 of the spore. The closely spaced, crisscrossing 

 ridges, about 1 /x wide, of the second group 

 are approximately perpendicular to the larger 

 ridges and are connected to them. 



Figured specimen. — Negative 6007; Trivoli 

 Cyclothem, maceration 1175-B, slide 11, co- 

 ordinates, 144.7 X 51.3; size, 77.8 by 55.1 xi. 



Columinisporites sp. 2 

 Plate 1, figure 14 



The spores are bilateral and bean shaped 

 in outline. No commissure was observed. The 

 spore coat is covered with more or less paral- 

 lel ridges 2.5 to 3 /x wide and about 2 /x high. 

 Secondary closely spaced ridges less than 1 /x 

 wide are more or less perpendicular to the 

 larger ridges. 



Figured specimen. — Negative 6008; Trivoli 

 Cyclothem, maceration 1175-B, slide 20, co- 

 ordinates, 143.4 X 37.5; size, 81.1 by 56.8 /x. 

 This species was also found in maceration 

 1175-D. 



Genus Convolutispora Hoffmeister, 



Staplin, & Malloy, 1955a 



Plate 1, figures 15-17 



Type species. — Convolutispora florida Hoff- 

 meister, Staplin, & Malloy, 1955a. 



Affinity.- — Unknown ; . see Punctatis porites. 



