180 
off a few short branches approximately at right angles, which appear to be 
slightly expanded distally, and show traces of having borne terminal append¬ 
ages. In the example represented in Fig. 40 (121, allotment 39, Jumbunna), 
we have a single curved lateral branch bearing a seed-like body 3mm. long ; 
some detached seeds occur on the same piece of rock with fragments of branches 
or pedicels. In other specimens {e.g., 114) pieces of a broader axis are seen, 
which may perhaps be identified as portions of the central axis of the inflor¬ 
escence. It would be seen that the organ consisted of a central axis, about 
2mm. in diameter, bearing short curved lateral members, each of which 
terminated distally in a single seed. It might be suggested that the fossils 
represent portions of a root or rhizome bearing oval bulbils, but, on the whole, 
I prefer to consider them as fragment's of a female inflorescence. 
In 1898 Shirley described some specimens from the Ipswich beds, Queens¬ 
land, as Beania geminata* * * § but I am inclined to think they do not conform 
sufficiently to Carruthers’ type, Beania gracilis ,*j* to be included in his genus ; 
some of the Queensland examples are not unlike the Victorian fragments. 
The slender pedicel shown in the lower part of Shirley’s Fig. 16, PI. XX., may 
be compared with the specimen represented in Fig. 40 (Xo. 121, allotment 39, 
Jumbunna). Some of the inflorescences figured by Heer from Siberia, e.g ., 
CzeJcanowskia setacea,% probably belong to a member of the Ginkgoales, and 
may be compared with the specimens shown in Figs. 39 and 40. Similarly 
Nathorst’s Zamioslrobus stenorrachis§ from the rhaetic beds of Scania, appears 
to be of the same type, and differs chiefly in size from the Victorian specimens. 
Nathorst subsequently followed Saporta in employing Stenorrachis || as a 
generic designation in place of Zamiostrobus. 
The material is too meagre for specific designation, we can only suggest 
the possibility that the fragments belong to a female inflorescence, probably 
of the same species of either Ginkgo or Baiera. 
Localities. —Allotment 39, Jumbunna ; allotment 32a, Kongwak. 
Other specimens. —120, 125, and 126 (allotment 39, Jumbunna). 
CLASS CYCAHOPHYTA, NATHORST. 
In a recent memoir^j Nathorst has suggested the use of the comprehensive 
term Cycadophyta for plants which are believed to be Cycadean, but which, 
from insufficiency of data, cannot be referred either to the Bennettitales or 
the Cycadales. The Bennettitales include plants known to possess repro¬ 
ductive organs of the Bennettites type, while in the Cycadales are included 
plants with organs of reproduction constructed on the same plan as those 
of existing Cycads. Nathorst’s proposal appears to me a good one, as tending 
to a more scientific classification of plants which in many cases are unfortunately 
known to us only in the condition of vegetative leaves. 
* Shirley (98), p. 16, PI. XX. 
t Carruthers (69 2 ). 
j Heer (82), PI. VI., Fig. 15. 
§ Nathorst (75), PL XIII. ; (02), PI. I., Figs. 16, 17. 
|| Nathorst (97), p. 20, PI. L, Fig. 15. 
*|j Nathorst (02). 
