86 
T. G. HALLE, 
(Schwed. Südpolar-Exp. 
Elatocladus conferta (Oldh.). 
PI. S, figs. 26 — 40. 
Ciintiinghamites confertus. Oldham & Morris 1863, pl. 32, fig. 10. 
Palissya conferta, Feistmantel iSfj a, p. 85; pl. 45, figs. 4 — 8 a, fig. 9?; pl. 48, figs. 4, 5. — 1877 â, 
p. 21; pl. 5, fig. 3?; pl. 8, figs. 1^6. — 1879, p. 26; pl. 14, fig. 3; pl. 15, fig. 14. 
Palissya australis (M’Coy), Stirling 1900, p. 6; pl. 3, figs. 8, 9. 
Araucarites, Nathorst fig. in; O. Nordenskjöld, J. G. Andersson etc. 1904, p. 316. 
Of the specimens of sterile coniferous branches shown in pl. 8, a large number 
(figs. 26 — 40) appear to belong to one and the same species. No determination of 
generic or even family affinities is possible, but there is fairly good evidence that 
the form is identical with Palissya conferta (Oldh.). 
The plant has a rather freely branching habit, and the branches of different 
orders all have, as far as the present material is concerned, a dorsi ventral symmetry. 
Most of the branches are given off at a fairly wide angle. The leaves are placed 
spirally but directed towards two sides, thus affecting a distichous arrangement. 
They are sessile and decurrent on the stem but bend abruptly outwards so as to 
form a wide angle, often a right angle, to the axis. The lamina is linear or some- 
what oblong and a little contracted towards the base. The apex is obtuse or 
abruptly and somewhat bluntly pointed. In all the specimens a strong midrib is 
present, reaching to the apex. In the best preserved leaves there are seen also two 
fainter parallel lines, one on each side of the midrib. It is not certain, however, 
that these lateral lines represent true veins; it seems more probable that they are 
caused by the borders of a longitudinal furrow on the lower side of the leaf. 
The habit of these specimens is so strikingly like that of the Indian Palissya 
conferta, that a specific identification of both forms appears perfectly justified, in so 
far as accuracy is possible in determinations of sterile coniferous branches. The 
direction of the leaves in respect to the stem is the same, and in the shape of the 
leaves there is no difference to be seen between the figures shown in pl. 8 and 
those published by Feistmantel. According to the description by that author, 
there would be considerable difference in regard to the ape.x, which is stated by 
Feistmantel to be acuminate. In the figures given by him, however, the apex is 
shortly acute or obtuse as in the Antarctic specimens, though the latter may per- 
haps be said to have, on the whole, a somewhat broader apex. The difference is 
too slight, however, to be regarded as a sufficient specific distinction. The Indian 
plant is stated to have uninerved leaves and there is no mention made of anything 
like the two lateral lines sometimes observed in the leaves of the Antarctic specimens. 
It is doubtful, however, whether these lateral lines are true veins; and as they are only 
