On two new species of Mesembrioxylon from the cretaceous rocks of the Trichinopoly district, Madras

Abstract

A collection of about a dozen fossil woods from the Cretaceous rocks of the Trichinopoly district sent by Mr. S. R. Sarma reveals the presence of coniferous woods which have been preserved in limestone. The two woods described in this paper represent two new species of Mesembrioxylon Seward, an artificial genus of fossil conifers showing podocarpinean affinities. The new species have been named M. trichinopoliense and M. Sarmai. The former shows some resemblance with M. fusiforme Sahni described from the Tertiary of Queensland while the latter is new.