168 DR ROBERT KIDSTON ON THE 



practically extends over the whole surface of the scale, though shallow and not so 

 pronounced in the lower half. 



A scale entirely covered with microspores embedded in lime is seen natural size at 

 fig. 5, and enlarged about 4 times at fig. 5a. Here, as in all the other examples 

 seen, the sporangia have entirely disappeared, and their original presence is only 

 assumed from the occurrence of the microspores. The upper margin is slightly broken, 

 but if this scale be compared in its general form and in the probable distribution of 

 the microsporangia over the whole of its surface, its general resemblance to the 

 pollen -bearing scale of Cycas is very striking ; and although this resemblance is 

 only superficial in some respects, it is probably real in others. It is a real resemblance 

 in so far as there is a specialised scale, destined for the production of microsporangia, 

 but it differs in these being enclosed in a special receptacle formed by a subtending 

 scale, which acts as a protection to the sporangia ; but, notwithstanding this additional 

 structure, the fossils seem to show Cycadacean affinities, though here the microsporangia 

 are apparently borne on the upper surface of the scale, while in the Cycads they are 

 borne on the lower surface. 



The bending-in of the upper part of the scale to make a closed organ is well seen 

 at fig. 9, but is observable more or less at all the figures, and it is this bending-in 

 which causes the apparent rounding of the upper angles of the scales which, if 

 straightened out, would have a more cuneate form than they appear to possess in 

 the figures. 



The bracts are strongly striated longitudinally with numerous somewhat irregular 

 veins. This character is clearly seen at figs. 6, 6a, and more or less distinctly on all 

 the other figures. 



The microspores are oval, have thick, smooth walls, and some show clearly the 

 presence of a line on one of their surfaces which passes up the centre but which does 

 not quite reach the ends. This may indicate the mode in which the spore opened. 

 Three spores are seen enlarged 50 times at fig. 10. 



The next question which falls to be considered is the affinities of these micro- 

 sporangial organs, and in doing this it is well to keep clearly before us the outstanding 

 characters of these scales, which are their cuneate form, dentate upper margin, and 

 strong parallel or slightly fiabellate nervation. They have also a dorsal (or ventral) 

 ridge — for it is difficult determining which is the dorsal and which the ventral surface 

 of the scales, as they all are separate from their parent axis. Now all these characters 

 occur in Whittleseya, and though no specimens of leaves of Whittleseya have been found 

 associated with the specimens under discussion, a most characteristic leaf of Whittleseya 

 elegans Newberry has been found by Mr S. P. Heath at Doulton's Clay Pit, Netherton, 

 near Dudley, on the same horizon, and described and figured by Mr H. Hamshaw Thomas,* 

 through whose kindness I am enabled to give a figure of the specimen on PL XV. fig. 11. 

 It consists of a broadly cuneate leaf, with central ridge and dentate upper margin. As far as 



* Palaeobot. Zeitschrift, vol. i. Heft i. p. 4(i, figs. 1, 2, 1912. 



