258 Mr. E. A. Newell Arber. New Species of  [Jan. 10,, 
fronds of the genus Sphenopteris. In L. Sinelarri, the most reasonable inter-- 
pretation of the irregularly branched axes is that of a highly-compound. 
frond, which, had it possessed a lamina, would in all probability be placed in. 
the form-genus Sphenopteris. 
Thus, in both cases, the evidence such as it 1s, agrees with the provisional. 
conclusion that the sterile foliage associated with these seed-bearing axes was 
probably of the Sphenopteris type. 
This conclusion is supported by the recent attribution of the seed Z. Lomocci, 
to Lyginodendron, a stem known beyond doubt to have possessed fronds. 
of this nature. There is therefore reason to suppose that these new species 
which, in the morphology of their seed-bearing axes, recall the foliar organs of 
Lyginodendron, and which in the nature of the seeds agree so well with 
L. Lomaxzi, were borne by stems either of the genus Lyginodendron itself or of 
some other closely related member of the same family, possessing, in all 
probability, the Sphenopterrs form of sterile foliage. In JL. Sinclar, the: 
presence of a “cupule”—a rare occurrence among Paleozoic seeds—not. 
dissimilar to that which has been described in the case of LZ. Lomazi, lends. 
additional support to this argument. 
We have thus in these specimens the first definite clue to the habit of the- 
Lyginodendreze as regards the female fructification, a character in which. 
some of them, at least, differed from the Medullosee. We may picture them. 
as plants which, in addition to the numerous, highly-compound fronds of the: 
Sphenopteris type, bore others in which the lamina.were wholly or partly 
reduced, the ultimate branches terminating in seeds with, or without a. 
“cupular” investment. 
In the lax arrangement of the fructification, the Bicridossormeen must hater 
presented a striking contrast in habit to the members of most of the other 
great Paleozoic groups, in which the compact strobili were, for the most part,. 
conspicuous and dominant types of sporangial ageregation. Among living 
plants almost the only analogue is to be found in the female sporophyll of 
Cycas. 
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 
PLATE 1. 
Lagenostoma Kidstont, sp. nova. 
(Photos. 1, 3 and 4 by Mr. L. A. Boodle ; photo. 2 by Mr. H. G. H erring) 
Photo. 1.—A portion of the Glasgow specimen, showing the numerous seeds scattered’ 
over the surface of the shale. The longitudinal ridges and the apical lobes are: 
clearly seen in many instances. Three of the long rachis-like structures associated. 
with the seeds are shown. &X é. 

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