Showing papers in "Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of The Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1961"

XV.—Some Pteridosperm Seeds from the Calciferous Sandstone Series of Berwickshire

Abstract: Four new species of petrified seeds are described: 1. Eccroustosperma langtonense gen. et sp. nov.—a curved platyspermic seed with two apical lobes of the integument and a rough sclerotesta when mature. 2. Hydrasperma tenuis gen. et sp. nov.—a small slender seed with 8–10 free apical lobes and longitudinal external ridges. 3. Stamnostoma bifrons sp. nov.—a barrel-shaped seed with a nucellar apex and micropyle intermediate in form between Stamnostoma huttonense and Sphcerostoma ovale. 4. Dolichosperma sexangulatum gen. et sp. nov.—a relatively long narrow radiospermic seed with a dense sixangled integument open above and without tentacles or micropyle. The salpinx was probably funnel-shaped. All four species are assigned to the Lagenostomales.

XVII.—Contributions to the Knowledge of Zosterophyllum myretonianum Penhallow from the Lower Old Red Sandstone of Angus

Abstract: Well-preserved compression material of Zosterophyllum myretonianum Penhallow from the Lower Old Eed Sandstone in Angus has yielded additional information about the structure of this plant, one of the earliest known types of vascular land plants. It is the earliest plant in which the structure of the epidermal cuticle, stomata and complete tracheids has been clearly demonstrated. The basal regions of the plant are found to consist of branching axes some with arrested or dormant side branches. Simple dichotomy into two equal and similarly orientated branches is rare. H-type branching and some modifications of it are of frequent occurrence in the basal region of the plant. Parts of this region of the plant have no stomata although a cuticle was present. The upright fertile axes rarely branched.

XIV.—The Muscular and Reproductive Systems of Atomaria ruficornis (Marsham) (Coleoptera, Cryptophagidæ.)*

Abstract: This is a study of the functional morphology of the muscular and reproductive systems of the adult beetle, Atomaria ruficornis (Marsham) made by means of serial sections and dissections. An account is given of the skeleto-muscular system of the head, thorax and abdomen with reference to previous work in this sphere. Wherever possible, the muscles described have been homologized with those of other Coleoptera. In a small number of cases, it has been found necessary to use new names for muscles. The probable mode of action of the mouth-parts and foregut during feeding is described. An account is given of the reproductive organs and genitalia of both male and female beetles; the muscular system of the genitalia in both sexes is described fully, and the functioning of the genitalia is discussed.