256 ‘Mr. E. A. Newell Arber. New Species of [Jan. 10, 
regarded, on quite inadequate grounds, as the fructification of Odontopteris 
britannica, which are more worthy of consideration in this connection. We 
are not here concerned with the question of their attribution, which appears 
to be still problematical, especially in the light of M. Grand’Eury’s recent 
suggestion* as to the probable nature of the female fructification of this — 
genus, which does not agree at all with the characters exhibited by Geinitz’s 
figures. These specimens consist of a number of small bodies attached to an 
axis, but their structure is not very clear, judging by the drawings given. I 
do not regard it as certain that these bodies are really of the nature of seeds, 
though I admit the possibility of their being of this nature, so far as one can 
judge without any opportunity of examining the actual specimens. On the 
other hand, there is an equal probability that these specimens may be of 
a similar nature to those figured by Schlotheim and Gceppert, to which 
reference has been made above, and this probability renders unnecessary any 
further comparison with the Lagenostomas described here. 
It has been already pointed out that the presence of a “cupule” in the case 
of L. Sinclairi is a character of special interest. Of the three species previously 
recorded, only one has been found to have possessed this organ. In 
L. physoides and L. ovoides, the seed appears, on the present evidence, to have 
been naked, a condition similar to that which pertained in the seed described 
here as LZ. Kidstoni at the stage in its development represented by these 
specimens. The “cupule” of L. Sinclacri probably differed only in details 
from that of Z. Zomaxi. It forms, so far as one can judge, a close investment 
to the seed, and although lobed distally, the undivided portion is considerably 
longer than the seed itself. A similar condition of affairs existed at certain 
periods in the development of the seed, LZ. Lomaxr. In JL. Sinelawi, the 
apical lobes appear to be erect, but in the living state their disposition was 
doubtless such as to allow free access for the microspores to the pollen- 
chamber, a condition which we know to be necessary from the recent 
exposition of the pollination mechanism in seeds of this type. 
A “cupular” investment to the seed is only known, at present, in three 
instances among the fossils of this period. In ZL. Lomaxi and L. Sinclairi, the 
“cupule” subtends a single seed, whereas in G'netopsis ellipticat as many as 
four seeds may be enclosed in one “cupule.” These are the only recorded 
examples among Paleozoic plants. While our knowledge of this organ is, 
therefore, too scanty at present to afford sufficient evidence as to its origin and 
homologies, it is, perhaps, permissible to enquire whether it may not in some 
* Grand’Eury, “Sur les graines des Neuropteridez,” ‘Comptes Rendus, Acad. Sci. 
vol. 139, p. 25, July 4, 1904. 
+ Renault, ‘ Cours Bot. Foss.,’ vol. 4, p. 180, Plate 20, 1885. 
