65 
prominent, distinct, about 8-5 mm. long and 5-5 mm. across, slightly pointed at one 
end and rounded at the other, with a well-marked median groove. “ Nucule ” 
surrounded by a narrow rim or wing, of somewhat unequal breadth. 
Remarks. —This seed is similar in type to many others occurring in Mesozoic rocks 
in various parts of the world. It has some resemblance to the Samaropsis cf. 
S. parvula of Feistmantel(l), from the Talclhr group (Rhaetic) of India, and to the 
Carpolithes cinctus of Nathorst(2), from the Rhsetic of Hoganas, Sweden, though it is 
probably specifically distinct from either. 
Type. —New Zealand Geological Survey collection. 
Occurrence.- —Wairoa Gorge, Mount Heslington, Nelson (Mesozoic). 
Obscure Fructifications ? Plate XIII, figs. 2, 3, 5, 6. 
Description of the Specimens.- —In the collection from Waikato Heads a number of 
specimens occur showing branched axes, the primary branches being stout, and the 
secondary bearing a number of minute indistinct bodies at unequal intervals. Two 
of these are figured (enlarged) on Plate XIII, figs. 2 and 6. The latter shows a very 
stout primary and a slender secondary axis, bearing very indistinct oval organs. In 
one case the organs in question are borne on a branch of the third order. They do 
not appear to be seeds, but look more like sporangia, under the microscope. 
The other specimen (fig. 2, twice enlarged) shows the fructifications (?) more clearly. 
They vary somewhat in size and shape, being subcircular, oval, or elliptical. Less 
distinct specimens are figured (somewhat enlarged) on figs. 3 and 5 of the same plate. 
These again show a fairly broad primary axis, and fructifications (?) borne on slender 
branches. 
Remarks. —The nature of these fossils appears to me to be wholly obscure, and 
I am not acquainted with any to which they may be at all closely compared. There 
may be some resemblance to the fructifications from the Jurassic rocks of Siberia, 
ascribed by Heer(3) to Ginkgo, but the comparison is by no means a close one. 
A nearer case perhaps is Fontaine’s(4) Baieropsis pluripartita, and one of the Victorian 
specimens figured by Seward(5) as “ female flowers of Ginkgoales ? ” 
I am unable to express any opinion as to the nature of these fossils. They do 
not appear to be roots and root-tubercles. I think they are more probably fertile 
shoots bearing sporangia, but as to the class of plants to which they should be 
referred there appears at present to be no evidence. 
Occurrence. —Waikato Heads, Auckland (Neocomian). 
“ Roots,” Plate X, fig. 4. 
The occurrence of beds full of rootlets, on the same horizon as those containing 
other plant-remains at Mataura Falls, was noted by McKay(6). Plate X, fig. 4, shows 
one of these roots. This specimen is in the British Museum collection (No. V. 11678). 
The lateral roots appear to be arranged spirally. It is quite impossible, of course, to 
say to what genus these roots belong. 
(1) Feistmantel (1886), vol. iv, pt. ii, p. 45, 
pi. xiia, figs. 7-15. 
(2) Nathorst (1878 3 ), Younger Flora, p. 52, 
pi. ii, figs. 2a, 3. 
(3) Heer (1876 2 ), pi. xi, figs. 9-12; (1878), pi. 
(1910), pi. iii, fig. 5. 
(4) Fontaine (1889), pi. xc, figs. 4, 4a. 
(5) Seward (1904 1 ). pi. xix, fig. 40' 
(6) McKay (1881), p. 40. 
i, fig. 8 ; (1880), pi. iv, &c.; cf. also Krystofovic 
5—Mes. Floras. 
