Notes on Some Jurassic Plants from the Rajmahal Hills, Bihar, I Dia

NOTES ON SOME JURASSIC PLANTS FROM THE RAJMAHAL HILLS, BIHAR, I DIA

K. ]\f. GUPTA J aswan t College, Jodhpur

ABSTRACT The locality ]( near ipania has yielded A few interesting plant impressions are described by far the best material of silicified flora and out of an old collection made by the author and his whose investigation has contributed subs• friends in 1934 from the Rajmahal Hills. It includes tantially to our knowledge of the petrified two new species of Rhizomopteris (R. Sahnii and R. flora of the Jurassic times in general and rajmahalense). one new species of Cladophlebis ( C. Srivastavai ), one new species of Cycadeospermum that of the Rajmahal Hills in particular. (C. indicum), one new species of Conijerocaulon The recognition of a new group of fossil ( C. rajmahalense). and one new species of Cycado• gymnosperms, namely Pentoxileae, by the lepis ( C. indica). late Professor Sahni (1948) was the last Besides an impression of a Williamsonia flower somecycadean seeds and stems have been figured. All but not the least important publication the fossils are characteristic of the Rajmahal flora. from the pen of that doyen among the botanists of India. The latest reference to INTRODUCTION our knowledge of the Indian Jurassic flora is a review by Dr. R. V. Sitholey (1954) submitted at the last International Bota• DURINGHills, a largeexcursionscollectionin theof fossilRajmahalplants nical Congress, Paris. A few of the more was made by the author alone and important plant impressions out of those old also in the company of the late Professor collections are now described here. B. P. Srivastava and Dr. H. S. Rao. The collection included petrifactions as well as LOCALITIES impressions. The petrifactions were worked out by Srivastava (1945) and the impres• 1. G. Bartala, about a mile south-east of sions by me. The author published an Mirzachowki, the exposure was differ• abstract on these fossil impressions ( GUPTA, ent from the one described by Sahni 1936), but unfortunately detailed descrip• and Rao ( 1933). tions remained in the manuscript form 2. I. Nipania, at the head of a ravine, which could not be published so far. There half a mile east of Nipania. are, however, some specimens in the col• 3. ](. Nipania, in an inlet valley on a lection which are worthy of being recorded footpath leading from Nipania to Bada• and these form the subject-matter of the pahar towards Domarchir (see PL. 1, present communication. In fact, the mate• FIG. 1). rials for my papers on Williamsonia Sahnii 4. N. Paharpurchhota, about one-third of (GUPTA, 1943) and Hausmannia indica a mile west of the main village. ( in press) too belong to this very collection. 5. Q. Banchapa, same as described by At that time many of the places from where Sahni and Rao. the collections were made were also new; 6. R. and S. Saharpur and Rampur, five though since then these fossiliferous local• or six miles east of Amrapara, with ities have been visited by many subsequent numerous exposures. workers. These places had then yielded 7. W. Khairbani, same as described by many well·known plant fossils, character• Sahni and Rao and lies to the west of istic of the Rajmahal flora (see TABLE1). All Banchapa. or most of these are preserved at the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow. DESCRIPTION Since the classical work of Oldham and 1. Rhizomopteris Sahnii sp. novo Morris ( 1863 ) and Feistmantel ( 1877-1881 ) PI. 1, Figs. 2-5; Text-figs. 3a, b the only notable contributions to the study of fossil plants from the Jurassic of Rajmahal Specimens W. 5, 6, 7, 8 Hills are papers by the late Professor B. Sahni Diagnosis - Impressions of creeping rhi• and his school of palaeobotanical workers. zomes, about 15 mm. broad, with no sign of 18 A R&SKNxQ3524XI6 belongsWto X X NowPaperRJ::MARKSknowninReallypressas LOCALITIESXx XXX XXX X X XX 1 7' 19 9. T. McCllelandi5. Coniopleris10. Plilophyllum0.]11.3.&hymenophyltoidesDictyozamitesP.M.12.14.16.tenerrimumaculi/oliumNilsso»iaWilliamsoniaConiles8.6. HausmanniaTaenioplerislalcatasp.Fst.Brong.princeps0 Sahnii&Morr.M.0spatulalaindicaGupta& M.GuptaMcCl. G Pentoxyleae NipaniophyllumGUPTA - NOTES ON SOME JURASSIC PLA:-

forking; covered with numerous petiolar ture and show no definite arrangement of bases, measuring about 3-5 mm. across and roots as in the present specimens. almost circular in shape. Leaf traces rough• The rhizome, which is about 15 mm. ly V-shaped with incurved margins, inner broad as mentioned above, is covered all margin of the trace plicated, containing over with numerous round scars (PL. 1, about 20 projections marking the position FIGS. 3-5). These scars, evidently left by of the protoxylem; rhizomes covered with adventitious roots, are arranged in an ir• numerous irregularly disposed roots, the lat• regular manner except round the base of the ter arranging themselves somewhat con• petioles where a somewhat concentric ar• centrically round the bases of the petioles. rangement is seen (PL. 1, FIG. 3). The T?ey may belong to Dipteridaceae or Mato• bases of the petioles were, so to speak, well maceae. protected by the roots. The central dot The specimens described under this name, marking the position of the root stele is not though somewhat fragmentary, are easily ref• clearly seen. erable to the artificial genus Rhizomopteris The leaf trace supplying the fronds was Schimp. The genus includes twenty species roughly V-shaped with the free margins curv• or more belonging to different origin and ed inwards. The structure of the petiolar from different countries. trace is very much like a matoniaceous leaf The surface features of this creeping rhi• trace with numerous projections towards the zome which became somewhat flattened inside (PL. 1, FIGS. 3, 4; TEXT-FIGS.3a & before fossilization are clearly seen. There 3b). These projections, nearly twenty in are four blocks (W. 5, 6, 7, 8) reproduced number, probably mark the positions of in natural size (PL. 1, FIG. 2). They have the protoxylems. Somewhat similar scars the impressions of not less than five petiolar described as eye-shaped on a stem known as stumps and numerous roots that clothed Rhizomopteris ehakshu were recorded by the rhizomes. The rhizome is about 15 mm. Ganju (1946). A comparison in general, broad with no evident sign of forking as however, can be made with R. Etheridgei Sew. found in R. Balli Fst. from the Atgarh Sand• from the Jurassic of Victoria (SEWARD, stones (FEISTMANTEL,1877) or R. Sehenki 1904) and R. Gunni Sew. from the Juras• Nath. ( 1876) and R. erueiata Nath. ( 1906 ) sic of Southerland (SEWARD,1911 ), but the from the Rhaetic of Sweden. The latter detailed structure of the petiole is quite species also possess a different petiolar struc- different in the two cases. 20 THE PALAEOBOTANIST

3a 3b TEXT-FIGS. 1-3 -1. Cladophlebis Srivastavai sp. nov., a few pinnules showing the venation on the pinnae. 2. Cladophlebis Srivastavai sp. nov., showing different abnormal types of pinnae on the main rachis (d. FIG. 7, PL. 2 at P). 3a and b. Rhizomopteris Sahnii sp. nov. Two of the petioles drawn to show matoniaceolls type of leaf trace. Diagrammatic.

The locality from where these specimens ed, with numerous leaf scars. Each leaf scar are described abounds in ferns like Gleiche 5-20 mm. long and roughly C-shaped with nites, Marattiopsis, Sphenopteris, etc. An curved and overlapping margins; leaf scars undoubted specimen of Hausmannia has crowded on one side; possible root traces been described by the present author from preserved at some places. Affinities un the same locality. But no definite opinion known. can be expressed as to the affinities of Rhizo The specimen here described, though mopteris Sahnii sp. nov. without further somewhat puzzling, is undoubtedly filici data, although its petiolar structure is simi nean in its nature and can very well be des lar to Dipteris or M atonia. cribed under Rhizomopteris Schimp. It is about 11 em. long and 5 em. broad in the 2. Rhizomopteris rajmahalense sp. nov. broadest region. There are longitudinal PI. 2. Figs. 9, 10 grooves which are interspersed with numer ous leaf traces, arranged in an irregular Specimen 1. 43 manner. The latter are roughly C-shaped Diagnosis - Impressions of underground with overlapping margins. The horizontal or aerial fern rhizomes, longitudinally groov- ly lying rhizome, or the stem, seen in PI. 2, GUPTA - NOTES ON SOME JURASSIC PLANTS FROM THE RAJMAHAL HILLS, BIHAR 21

Fig. 9, is either dividing on one side or the (5 mm.) than is usually the case with latter represents only its broader end. How• Cladophlebis species. They are bluntly ever, it is certainly narrower on the opposite pointed towards the free end and attached side bearing crowded and smaller leaf traces. to the pinna rachis by a broad base (TEXT• The details of the structures of the leaf FIG. 1; PL. 2, FIG. 7) at a wide angle. The trace are not clearly made out, there being margin is probably not quite smooth, al• no trace of the number of the vascular though no definite dentations are visible. bundles supplying these leaf traces. But Some of the pinnules are of different there are some round dots with a central character and are directly attached on elevation ( PL. 2, FIG. 10) possibly marking the main rachis ( PL. 2, FIG. 7) at P. That the position of the roots. It is not possible these are pinnules of different type and to study the specimen in sections or in any not the bases of the ordinary pinnules is other way; but it is certain that we are deal• clear from the bifurcating veins found on ing here with an undoubted specimen of the margin of the pinnules, and in this some fern stem or rhizome. Comparable respect a comparison is possible with C. structures have not so far been figured from Brauni and C. Albertsii from Greenland the Indian Jurassic strata. Neither it is (SEWARD, 1925). The venations in the possible to compare the present specimen pinnules are typically of the Cladophlebis .with any of the known species of Rhizom• type. There is a main vein from which opteris. arise a number of bifurcating veinlets ( TEXT• FIG. 1 ) arranged in an alternate manner. 3. ? Rhizomopteris sp. The habit and structure of the species described under this name, though altogether PI. 1. Fig. 6 different from anyone so far known from The specimen here figured is too poorly the Rajmahal Hills, betray clearly its Cla• preserved to be described in detail, but there dophlebis nature in all its essentials. are some indications that it represents an Cladophlebis has a very wide distribution impression of some fern rhizome or stem. in the Jurassic strata, commonly known It is found on the same block ( W. 8 ) on the from England, South Africa, Australia, other side of which is preserved R. Sahnii Grahamland, etc. The species of this genus sp. novo described above. There is a small show a wide range in the form of the pin• bit of a rhizome which is curved and covered nules; but in some cases, e.g. C. indica and over with numerous small dots. These dots C. undens, the sporangia are also known. are undoubtedly left due to the falling away The present material has certain characters of the roots. Nothing definite, however, which, in their vegetative condition, are can be said about the specimen. distinct enough from the well-known Indian species, C. indica. The habit is very much like that of Todites Williamsoni and the speci• 4. Cladophlebis Srivastavai sp. novo mens figured by Seward (1900) from the PI. 2, Figs. 7, 8; Text-figs.!, 2 Jurassic of Yorkshire and by Seward and Specimens G. 1, 2, 12, 16 Ford ( 1903 ) are worth comparing with the present one at least in their habit. The other Diagnosis - Fronds bipinnate, pinnae long species of Cladophlebis, bearing some re• and narrow, 10 cm. long and 5-7 mm. broad, semblances with this type, are C. nebbensis on a slender rachis at an acute angle. Pin• Brongn., C. browniana, C. (Klukia) exilis, nules short, bluntly pointed, densely crowded C. Roesserti Harr., C. lobifolia, C. (Todites) in the lower half on the pinnae rachises; Williamsoni var. tenuicaulis. venation typically of the Cladophlebis type. Habit somewhat recalling that of Todites 5. Williamsonia sp. (d. W. indica Sew.) Williamsoni. PI. 3, Fig. 11 The fronds are bipinnate, each pinna Specimen F. 145 being as much as 10 cm. long bearing pin• nules nearly 5 mm. in length. The pinnae The specimen was found at Onthea, a are arranged in an alternate manner on the well-known locality and a place familiar to main rachis (PL. 2, FIG. 7) which is not geologists since the time of Feistmantel, in very stout; it is only a millimetre in thick• a soft cream-coloured rock. Although the ness. The pinnules are comparatively small specimen is poorly preserved, the impression 22 THE PALAEO BOTANIST

of the overlapping bracts is clearly seen. 7. Coniferocaulon rajmahalense sp. novo They are narrow and linear as found in PI. 3, Figs. 15, 16 Williamsonia species which are figured by Specimen 1. 36 Feistmantel ( 1877) and Seward and Sahni 1913. Bancroft, ••Coniferocaulon sp.", PI. 9, Fig. 2; ( 1920) and which are now known as W. Appendix Text-fig. 1. 1931. Sahni, •• Coniferocaulon indica Sew. (1917). The present flower sp.", PI. 12, Fig. 53 is associated with numerous leaves of Ptilo• Diagnosis - Coniferous stem impressions phyllum tenerrimum, Nilssonia princeps and from the Rajmahal series; the surface is N. jissa. Similar forms of Williamsonia are irregularly grooved in a transverse direction, recorded by Wieland (1916) from Mexico with occasional elliptical protuberances. as W. Quetzaltoatl and W. texcatzoncatl. Possible branch scars preserved, being oval Wieland's Mexican species like W. xico• in shape with a central elevation. Internal tencatl and W. Cuauhtemoc may also be com• structure not known, possibly coniferous. pared with the Indian specimen. The present specimen is probably better than anyone so far described from India (BANCROFT,1913). It also contains a few 6. Cycadeospermum i~~dicum sp. novo branch scars. These scars (8 X 5 mm.) are PI. 3, Figs. 13,14 oval in shape with a central elevation. The branches seem to have grown horizontally Specimen F. 144; G. 24 from the main stem in a manner somewhat comparable to the modern Araucarias and Diagnosis - Impressions of isolated seeds. some other conifers. The surface features Size about 15 X 30 mm. resembling modern are otherwise similar to those figured by Cycas in shape, being oval and smooth. Bancroft and Sahni, though in their speci• Micropylar end rough and attenuated. mens no undoubted leaf or branch scars can The specimens here described from two different localities are referable to the arti• be distinguished. The material of such specimens being so common in the Rajmahal ficial genus Cycadeospermum Nathorst. Al• Hills deserves a specific name in order to though the details of the structure are not distinguish it from other similar stems like available on the cast or the mould, their Benstaedtia species or the Lower Cretaceous shape and size could be compared with similar seeds described elsewhere. species like Coniferocaulon colymbeaeforme. The seeds are ovate or round and smooth, 8. Cycadolepis indica sp. novo measuring about 15 X 30 mm. The micro• PI. 3, Fig. 12 pylar end, when preserved, is rough and Specimen Q. 4, 5 attenuated. Oldham and Morris (1863) have figured some cycadaceous seeds from Diagnosis - Thick leathery leaves, scales various localities in the Rajmahal Hills; or stipules up to 8 em. long and 7 em. broad, but they are decidedly smaller (5-10 mm.) broader at the free end, margin deeply in diameter. The latter are also of different lobed in the young condition. Well-defined shape, usually roundish. More comparable midrib absent, veins somewhat parallel in seeds have been described by Wieland the basal region, diverging towards the ( 1916 ) from the Liassic of Mexico under margin while forking two or three times. the name Cycadeospermum oaxacense. The The definition of this generic name as general outline of both the seeds figured extended by Seward ( 1903) includes bud• here could very well be compared with scales of cycadean fronds, scale-like leaf some of the modern seeds of Cycadales, e.g. structures of cycadean plants of variable Cycas. Some seeds probably cycadaceous sizes, petiolar bases, carpellary and antheri• have also been described under the name ferous scales without the traces of ovules or Carpolithus Linn. An unusually well• pollen sacs and, lastly, the protective scales preserved specimen was described as a of the vegetative leaves or fertile shoots. species of Carpolithus from the Wealden Stipular organs could, however, be con• of Sussex which measured about 18 X 11 veniently added to this artificial genus. The mm. (SEWARD, 1895). This is certainly three specimens, five including those men• comparable in size with the present speci• tioned by Sahni and Rao (1933) without men, but its shape and surface features further proof of any relationship, can be are quite different. rightly referred to this genus, specially in GUPTA - NOTES ON SOME JURASSIC PLANTS FROM THE RAJMAHAL HILLS, BIHAR 23 view of their resemblances with the specimens as given by SEWARD,1903). Secondly, the described by Seward (1903) from South Indian species has deeply folded margin and Africa. the veins divide a number of times before The biggest and probably the oldest leaf reaching at the margin of the leaf. These is about 8 em. long and 7 em. broad in the differences, coupled with the idea of their broadest region. The margin is folded, but distribution in space, provide arguments in the curling is not so pronounced as in the favour of creating a new species. younger leaves ( not figured here) where the folds are deep and numerous. The venation 9. Stem, Probably Cycadean is quite distinct towards the margin. The veins that are running somewhat parallel PI. 4, Figs. 17-19 in the lower half of the leaf begin to diverge Specimens J. 1-8 and bifurcate twice or thrice before reaching the margin. No anastomoses are discern• The specimens here described comes from ible. The impression of the younger leaves Bhutahah, a locality described by Sahni and suggests that they may be of the nature of Rao, and seem to belong to the cycads protective bud-scales. though we cannot assign them to their pro• Although numerous species of Cycado• per systematic position. These are about lepis are described from many places. the an inch in breadth and covered over with majority of them such as C. villosa Saporta wrinkles which look like rhomboid marks. and C. hirta Saporta (1875); C. maxicana However, this appearance is probably due to Wieland (1916) and Cycadolepis sp. compression and not due to any structural described by Halle from Grahamland (1913) features. But the more important feature bear no comparison with the Indian form. of these impressions is the occurrence of Feistmantel's ( 1876) figure of C. pilosa from small round or oval cavities (PL. 4, FIGS. Bhoojooree (Kach) is absolutely not com• 17, 18) at regular intervals ( distances of an parable in its size and structure; so also the inch apart). These cavities, about 5 mm. Cycadolepis sp. from the Upper Gondwanas in diameter, almost certainly mark the posi• of the Madras coast (FEISTMANTEL,1879, tion of either buds or some sort of thick PL. XIV, FIGS.10-12; PL. XV, FIG. 10) differ petioles. In the latter case they could be in having a broad base and small size from classed under Rhizomopteris Schimp. and the present specimen. In 1933 Sahni and then could very well be compared with simi• Rao described some specimens of Cycadolepis lar though smaller structures which have from the Rajmahal Hills, but did not figure been figured by Feistmantel (1876) from them. They think that Cyclopteris Oldhami Kach. Fst. (FEISTMANTEL,1877, PL. XXXIII, FIGS. 5, 6) from Bindrabun is not a fern, but 10. Stem Impressions should be referred to Cycadolepis. I agree with them, but the present specimens are PI. 4, Fig. 20 quite different from all these. Most of the Specimens Q. 1-3, all counterparts specimens referred to above are small in size and broader at their base and some of them Many such specimens and bigger than the possess hairy margins, whereas the present one figured here were seen in the field on specimens are narrower at the base, thicker grey-coloured rocks, some of them measuring in texture, bigger in size and there seems to as much as a metre in length. They present be no trace of hairs. an appearance as if the stems are 'worm Lastly, it is also not possible to identify eaten " but probably it has something to do the present specimens with C. jenkinsiana with the internal structure of the wood of Tate as figured by Seward ( 1903), because these stems. On the left of Fig. 20 is seen of the different size in the two cases and be• a big smooth scar from where a leaf or a cause of the different structure of their stipule-like organ seems to have fallen. The margin. The only useful comparison that size and the surface marks indicate that the can be made with the present specimens is nature of these organs may have been simi• with those figured from the Cape Colony, lar to Cycadolepis indica sp. novo described though there are a few minor differences. above. However, the impression of the The Indian species has no well-defined entire stem looks problematical and its affi• midrib as found in the African leaf (FIG. 5 nities cannot be deciphered at present. 24 THE PALAEOBOTANIST

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT disposal for description. It is not easy to express the indebtedness due to my professor I am greatly indebted to the authorities of revered memory, the late Professor B. of the Birbal Salmi Institute of Palaeobotany Sahni, for without his valuable advice and for tracing out myoId manuscript and so critical guidance, my attempt at describing kindly returning the same to me for rewriting fossil plants would have been impossible. I it in the light of our present knowledge of am also grateful to my esteemed friend Dr. the Jurassic flora of the Rajmahal Hills. My R. V. Sitholey for helpful suggestions and thanks are due to the late Professor B. P. Sri• useful criticism and to Dr. A. R. Rao for vastava and Dr. H. S. Rao for their genero• going through this revised manuscript before sity in freely placing this collection at my publication.

REFERENCES

BANCROFT,N. (1913). On some Indian Jurassic OLDHAM,T. & MORRIS,J. ( 1863). Fossil Flora of Gymnosperms. Trans. Linn. Soc. Bot. 8, Pt. 2. the Rajmahal Series in the Rajmahal Hills. Foss. FEISTMANTEL,O. (1876). Jurassic (oolitic) flora Pt. of the Condo Syst. 1,Pt.!. of Kach. Mem. Ceo!. Surv. Ind. Pal. Ind. 2(1). SAHNI, B. & RAO, A. R. ( 1933 ). On some Jurassic Ser. 11 : 1-80. plants from the Rajmahal Hills. Jour. and Idem (1877). Jurassic (Liassic) Flora of the Proc. Asiat. Soc. of Bengal. (N.S.) 27. Rajmahal Hills. .Mem. Ceol. Surv. Ind. Pal. SAHNI, B. (1948). The Pentoxyleae, a new group Ind. 1(2), Ser. 2: 50-162. of Jurassic Gymnosperms from the Rajmahal Idem (1877). Notes on fossil floras in India. 9. Hills of India. Bot. Caz. 110(1). On some fossil plants from the Atgarh Sand• SAPORTA, G. DE (1875). Plantes Jurassiques stones. Rec. Ceol. Surv. Ind. 10: 70. Paleont. Francaise. 2. Idem (1881). Notes on Rajmahal Plants. Rec. SEWARD, A. C. (1894-95). The Wealden Flora. Pts. Ceol. Surv. Ind. 14(1): 148-152. 1 & 2. Brit. Mus. Catalogue. Mesozoic plants. Idem (1879). Outliers on the Madras Coast. Idem (1900). Jurassic Flora. 1. The Yorkshire Mem. Ceol. Surv. Ind. Pal. Ind. 1(4). Ser. 2: Coast. Catalogue of .Mesozoic plants. Brit. 191-224. Mus. GAN]U, P. N. (1946). On a collection of Jurassic Idem (1903). Fossil Flora of Cape Colony. Ann. plants from the Rajmahal Hills, Bihar. Jour. South African Mus. 4. Ind. Bot. Soc. (M.O.P. Iyengar Commemoration Idem ( 1904 ). On a collection of Jurassic plants Volume). from Victoria. Rec. Ceol. Surv. of Victoria. 1, GUPTA, I<:. M. (1936). Old and new fossiliferous Pt. 3. localities in the Rajmahal Hills, Bihar. Proc. Idem (1911). Jurassic Flora of Southerland. Ind. Sci. Congo Indore. Trans. Roy. Soc. of Edinburgh. 46(23), Pt. 4. Idem ( 1943). A new species of Williamsonia ( W. Idem (1917-19). Fossil plants. Vols. 3 & 4. Sahnii sp. nov.) from the Rajmahal Hills. Idem (1925). Notes sur la Flor Cretacique du Jour. Ind. Bot. Soc. 22. Greenland. Livre Jubil. Soc. Ceol. Belg. Liege. HALLE, T. G. (1911). On the fructification of SEWARD, A. C. & FORD, S. O. (1903). Anatomy Jurassic fern leaves of the Cladophlebis denticulata of Todea with notes on the geological history and type. Ark.fur Bot. Stockholm. 10(15). affinities of the Osmundaceae. Trans. Linn. Idem (1913). The Mesozoic Flora of Grahamland. Soc. London. 6, Pt. 5. Wiss. Ergeb. Schwed. Sudpolar Expedit. 1901• SEWARD,A. C. & SAHNI, B. (1920). Indian Gond• 1903.3:14. wana Plants. A revision. Pal. Ind. 7, Mem. Hsu, J. & BOSE, M. N. ( 1952). Further informa• No.!. tion on Homoxylon rajmahalense Sahni. Jour. SITHOLEY, R. V. (1954). The Mesozoic and Ter• Ind. Bot. Soc. 21. tiary floras of India-a review. Proc.·Inter. Nat. NATHORST, A. G. (1876). Beitrage Till Sveriges Bot. Congo Paris. Fossila Flora Kong!. Svensk. Veternskaps akad. SRIVASTAVA,B. P. (1945). Silicified plant remains Handlingar. (3). from Rajmahal Series of India. Proc. Nat. Acad. Idem (1906). Dber Dictyophyllttm und Comp• Sci. 15, Pt. 6. topteris spiralis KongaJ. Svensk. Vetemskaps WIELAND, G. R. (1916). The flora Liassica de la akad. Handlingar. 41(5). Mixteca Alta Atlas. GUPTA - NOTES ON SOME JURASSIC PLANTS FROM THE RAJMAHAL HILLS, BIHAR 25

EXPLANATION OF PLATES

PLATE 1 10. Same. A portion enlarged to show the curved leaf traces and longitudinal grooves on the 1. A general view of Nipania, showing the general surface. X 2. flat topped hills in the background and the fossili• ferous locality K in the fore-ground. 2. Rhizomopteris Sahnii sp. novo Three different PLATE 3 blocks (W) showing the rhizomes with bases of the petiole. Natural size. 11. Williamsonia sp. ( d. W. indica Sew.), 3. Same. One of the petiole bases enlarged showing the impression of the enveloping bracts. to show its shape and the leaf trace; surrounding Natural size. the petiole base are numerous regularly arranged 12. Cycadolepis indica sp. nov., showing the root scars. x 5. general shape and size of the leaf. Part of another 4. Same. Another petiole base enlarged. X 5. leaf at the right-hand corner. Natural size. 5. Same. Root scars highly magnified. X 30. 13,14. Cycadeospermum indicum sp. novo Two 6. Rhizomopteris sp. Preserved on the reverse seeds from two different localities. Natural size. side of the same block (W. 8) shown in Fig. 2. 15. Coniferocaulon rajmahalense sp. nov., showing Natural size. surface features and a few possible branch scars. Natural size. PLATE 2 16. Same. A portion slightly enlarged.

7. Cladophlebis Srivastavai sp. nov., showing the general disposition of the pinnae on the PLATE 4 rachis. At P are seen different types of pinnae ( cf. Dichopleris). Natural size. 17. Cycadean stem, showing more than six 8. Same. A portion enlarged to show the roundish scars, possibly marking the position of venation on the pinnules, their broad base, rounded buds or thick petioles. Natural size. apex and probably a somewhat denticulate margin. 18,19. Other cycadean stEms. Slightly reduced. X 3. 20. Another stem impression. On the left is seen 9. Rhizomopteris rajmahalense sp. nov., showing a broad surface, possibly the base of a big stipular the general shape and size of the stem. Natural size. organ. Natural size. GUPTA - PLATE 1 THE PALAEOBOTANIST, VOL. 3

5 6 GUPTA - PLATE 2 THE PALAEOBOTANIST, VOL. 3

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IS 16 GUPTA - PLATE 4 THE PALAEOBOTANIST. VOL. 3