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V.—The Correct Technical Name for the ‘Dragon-tree’ of the Kentish Rag

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

F. H. Knowlton
F. H. Knowlton
Affiliation:
United States Geological Survey, Washington, D.A., U.S.A.
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Extract

That curious fossil organism, long known as the ‘Dragon-tree’, has been a puzzle to palæobotanists for almost three-quarters of a century. Bandied about among various monocotyledonous genera, then thought to be possibly related to the Cycads, and finally given a non-committal name that was without implication of kinship, though placed among the Cycads, it has at last, through the admirable research of Dr. M. C. Stopes, been definitely allocated among the Conifers, and even among the higher members of that group. Dr. Stopes is certainly to be congratulated for having worked out its affinities in such a conclusive and convincing manner. It is to be regretted, however, that the scientific name she has finally adopted for the ‘Dragon-tree’ is not the one that is likely to meet the requirements of nomenclatorial permanency. The nomenclature of systematic palæobotany does not differ essentially from that of livmg plants, and must abide by the same rules.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 8 , Issue 10 , October 1911 , pp. 467 - 468
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1911

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References

1 Geol. Mag., n.S., Dec. V, Vol. VIII, pp. 55–9, 1911Google Scholar.

2 See his account, Geologist, vol. v, p. 336, 1862Google Scholar.

3 Cat. Brit. Fossils, 1st ed., 1843, p. 7Google Scholar.

4 Petrifactions and their Teachings, 1851, p. 49Google Scholar.

5 Geologist, vol. v, pp. 401–4, pl. xxii, 1862Google Scholar.

6 Geol. Mag., Vol. V, p. 154, footnote, 1868Google Scholar.

7 Ibid. (3), Vol. III, p. 201, 1886.

8 Annals of Botany, vol. x, p. 219, 1896Google Scholar.

9 Bull. Soc. Sei., Nancy, , (2), vol. xvi, p. 16, 1900Google Scholar.

10 Annals S. African Museum, vol. iv, p. 35, 1903Google Scholar.