History of Monocotyledons. 219 
what aberrant forms among recent plants, when we are 
seeking for aids in the determination of fossil specimens. 
Instead of retaining the generic name Dracaena , I propose 
to adopt a term which does not imply any particular botanical 
affinity, and suggest, therefore, that of Benstedtia , after the 
discoverer of the fossil stems. This genus may be defined as 
follows : — - 
Benstedtia, gen. nov. 
Stems having the surface marked by irregular and in- 
terrupted grooves and broader ridges running transversely, 
with occasional small elliptical protuberances irregularly 
disposed on the surface of the stem. No distinct leaf-scars ; 
branch-scars may be present, and in addition to smaller 
lateral branches, a bifurcation of the stem may be indicated 
by the converging upwards of the transverse lines on the 
surface of the stem. 
Without attempting any specific definitions, we may include 
under this generic name the stems of the Kentish Rag of 
Maidstone, and an example recently described from the 
Wealden rocks of Sussex 1 . 
Conclusion. 
In the above incomplete examination of some of the 
recorded examples of monocotyledonous plants, I have 
endeavoured to draw attention to the dangerous and mis- 
leading practice of assigning generic names, implying definite 
botanical affinity, to imperfect and in many cases indetermin- 
able fragments. It has been pointed out that the resemblance 
of the so-called Monocotyledons from Mesozoic rocks to the 
stems or leaves of recent genera, although in some cases fairly 
close, is not sufficiently well marked to warrant the conclusion 
that the fossil specimens should rather be classed with angio- 
spermous than with gymnospermous plants. The discovery of 
better specimens of certain fossils has supplied us with more 
complete evidence than was available when these forms were 
1 Wealden Flora, Pt. II, p. 171, PI. XII, Fig. 5. 
