278 Ber ridge . — On Two New Specime?is of Spencerites insignis . 
radial sections through the ventral lobe and sporangial attachment are 
frequent. 
The distal attachment of the sporangium to the sporophyll has sug- 
gested a relationship with Sphenophyllum ; in that case, the well-marked 
ventral lobe would represent the sporangiophore of that type. The absence 
of any trace of a vascular bundle running to the lobe, however, makes this 
suggestion as to its nature a very doubtful one. 
It is evident from the foregoing comparison that the new specimens 
vary considerably in several points from the examples of Spencerites 
insignis already known, particularly in the absence of Dictyoxylon structure 
in the cortex, the more ovoid form of the sporangia (corresponding to 
a greater length of the sporophyll-pedicel), and the greater tangential 
width of the sporophyll-head as compared with its vertical height. In 
these characters the new cones show a closer resemblance to Spencerites 
majuscuhis, and it is questionable whether they do not belong to a species 
intermediate between S'. insignis and S. majuscnlus , though certainly much 
more closely allied to the former. It seems, however, inadvisable to 
multiply species, and the differences are hardly greater than such as might 
possibly occur between a young and old cone, or between the top and 
bottom portions of a long strobilus. 
The diagnosis given by Dr. Scott in his paper ‘ On Spencerites ’ must, 
however, be considerably modified in order to include the new cones as well 
as those in the Williamson Collection at the Natural History Museum. 
With his permission, therefore, I have introduced the following diagnosis, 
and take this opportunity of gratefully acknowledging the help I have 
received from him in dealing with this new material. 
Spencerites. 
Cone, consisting of a cylindrical axis, bearing numerous simple sporo- 
phylls, arranged spirally or in crowded alternating verticils. 
SporophyUs , formed of a sub-cylindrical pedicel expanding into a large 
lamina. 
Sporangia , solitary on each sporophyll, inserted by a narrow base 
on the upper surface of the lamina, but free from the pedicel. 
Sporangial wall , formed of a single layer of prosenchymatous cells. 
Spores , winged. 
Spencerites insignis (Will.). 
Coney pedunculate, peduncle bractigerous. 
Whole cone , 8 to 10 mm. in diameter. 
Axis, 3*5 to 5 mm. in diameter. 
