A NEW CONIFEROUS MALE CONE FROM THE ENGLISH WEALDEN AND A DISCUSSION OF POLLINATION IN THE CHEIROLEPIDIAECAE

The cheirolepidiaceous pollen-bearing cone Classostrobus comptonensis is redescribed on the basis of new material from the type locality. A different pollen-bearing cone from the same deposit is described as a new species of Masculostrobus. The numerous specimens display a range of variation which probably represents various degrees of maturity. Th e structure of this new species, which is typically coniferous, is clo ser to that found in Taxodiaceae or Araucariaceae than any other extan t family. It cannot yet be attributed to any leafy shoot.