Affinities of the Palaeozoic Seeds of the Conostoma Group. 3 
specimen were cut from a small block obtained many years ago by 
Dr. Kidston at Langendreer in Westphalia, and again this year another 
specimen has been found at Shore. 
These specimens by themselves would have been inadequate for satis- 
factory description had they not been supplemented by Dr. J. W. Jongmans 
of Leiden, who, hearing that we were at work upon Conostomci , placed at our 
disposal with the greatest liberality both the sections from Duisburg, in 
Rheinpreussen, that were already in his collection, and uncut blocks from 
the same locality which have yielded us additional specimens of this 
undescribed seed. Thus it comes about that whilst the earliest and latest 
specimens are from Shore, Littleborough, the majority, and certainly the 
most valuable preparations, are derived from the nodules of Langendreer 
and Rheinpreussen. In view of this double source of type specimens we 
propose to name our new seed Conostoma anglo-germanicum . 
The two members of the Conostoma group with which we deal fully 
in this paper are C. oblongum and C. anglo-germanicum. 
Before proceeding to the detailed descriptions, it will be convenient 
briefly to outline the methods on which we have placed reliance in the 
reconstruction of these two seeds. 
With objects preserved as petrifications in coal-balls accurate know- 
ledge of form mainly depends on the interpretation of sections cut at 
different heights and at varying angles. When the object under investiga- 
tion is of convenient size it is usually possible to procure series of sections cut 
parallel to one another at regular intervals. Such series are readily drawn or 
photographed, and models in wax or other plastic material constructed, so 
that the object can be faithfully reproduced on any desired scale. In the 
case of small objects only a few millimetres in length and of complex struc- 
ture, like our seeds, this direct method is not available. For in virtue of its 
smallness such an object is apt to evade detection in the matrix until 
a chance section reveals its presence. Moreover, for the same reason, even 
when detected before cutting, its very smallness places a limit to the 
number of sections which can be cut through it. In other words, the 
ordinary methods of the palaeobotanist break down when applied to the 
investigation of minute objects. 
Our experience with C. oblongum affords a good example of what must 
be a common predicament. In all, sixteen sections were available, cut at 
varying angles through sixteen distinct specimens. Of these sixteen sections 
fourteen were oblique longitudinal sections through the body of the seed, 
one a transverse oblique, and one transverse across the stalk. 
In one respect our task was sensibly lightened at the outset, for, owing 
to the histological peculiarities of the testa, no serious doubt was ever enter- 
tained as to whether a given section belonged to our seed or not. 
