of Bennettites gibsonianus , Carr . 447 
probably as a pyramidal protuberance, above the surface. 
We see, in fact, quite plainly in many preparations that the 
surface of the spadix is uneven, and that the sections through 
the projecting parts appear as protuberances of varying 
height and steepness. According to our supposition this 
must be the case, since the areolae are cut through sometimes 
exactly in the middle, sometimes only on the margin, and 
therefore cannot possibly have the same height. Unfortu- 
nately we have never been able to get a surface-view of any 
portion of the spadix of Bennettites gibsonianus . But we get 
some help from a fossil which has been described by Saporta 
as Williamsonia Morihei 1 . The figure which is given of it 
shows such absolute agreement with the fructifications of 
Bennettites , that I have no doubt whatever that it belongs to 
that genus. In this specimen the surface of the fructification 
was laid bare to some extent when the fossil was broken up, 
and it shows exactly the character which we have been 
endeavouring to show was probably that of Bennettites. As 
the specimen is changed into spathic iron, it will probably 
show structure ; it is very desirable that its anatomy should 
be examined, for it might possibly throw a welcome light on 
some still dark points. Saporta also associates Podocarya , 
Buckl. and Goniolina with his fossil. This is a bold step, 
and I can express no opinion on the matter, since Goniolina 
has never been found with the structure preserved, and the 
original specimen of Podocarya in the Museum at Oxford 
is at present not accessible, so that we have only the figure 
to depend upon, though that appears to be very good 2 . 
There is one point which requires to be mentioned in 
conclusion. We have hitherto tacitly assumed that all the 
organs of the fructification, the seed-stalks and the inter- 
stitial organs, spring directly from the upper surface of the 
cushion of the axis of the spadix, and simply run through the 
whole of the cluster in the same number and position. But 
1 Saporta, ‘ Paleontologie fran9aise, terrain jurassique,’ vol. iv. 
2 Buckland, ‘ Geology and Mineralogy,’ 2nd Ed. : and Saporta, loc. cit., vol. iv, 
on Proangiosperms. 
I 1 2 , 
