Notes . 
629 
extent. The structure of the large bundle, seen in the pedicel, agrees 
with that of a petiolar strand in Lyginodendron. The minute characters 
of the tracheides are also in close agreement with those observed in 
the xylem of the foliar organs of the same plant 
Hence, characters presented by the internal anatomical structure 
strengthen the conclusion drawn from a comparison of the glands, 
and thus further support the attribution of Lagenostoma Lomaxi to 
Lyginodendron. 
The evidence thus indicates that in a transitional type, such as 
Lyginodendron Oldhamium , with leaves wholly fern-like in structure 
and form, but with decided Cycadean as well as Filicinean characters 
in the anatomy of stem and root, the seed habit had already been 
fully attained, as fully, at any rate, as in any known Palaeozoic 
Gymnosperm. Lyginodendron retains, so far at least as its vegetative 
structure is concerned, the intermediate position already assigned to 
it, but whereas the fern-like characters have hitherto seemed to 
preponderate, the discovery of the seed inclines the balance strongly 
on the Gymnospermous side. It is not likely that Lyginodendron 
stood alone in this ; we must now be prepared to find, what has long 
been recognized as a possibility, that many of the plants grouped 
under Cycadofilices already possessed seeds, and thus that a consider- 
able proportion of the so-called ‘fern-fronds’ of the Palaeobotanist 
really belonged to Spermophyta. It is at present impossible to say at 
what stage in the evolution of the Fern-Cycad phylum the great 
change in reproductive methods came, whether it followed in the 
wake of general anatomical advance, or vice versa . The discovery 
of further evidence as to the reproductive processes of these ancient 
plants is likely to yield interesting results. 
The authors are much indebted to Miss Marie Stopes for her 
valuable aid in the examination of the numerous sections in the 
Williamson and various other Collections. 
Mr. J. Lomax deserves high praise for his good judgement and 
skill in collecting and preparing the material for the investigation. 
A full account of the fossils dealt with in the present note is in 
preparation, and will shortly be submitted to the Royal Society. 
F. W. OLIVER. 
D. H. SCOTT. 
