Studies in the Glossopteris flora of India - 11. Some observations on Vertebraria from the Lower Gondwana of India

Abstract

Recently a large collection of Vertebrarias was made from Barakar and Raniganj Stages of the Lower Gondwanas. The specimens were studied for anatomical structures bv the "Dry Pull" method. One specimen from the Raniganj Stage shows anatomy different from that of V. indica and hence has been referred to a. new species V. raniganjensis. The collection also includes an axis cast with a small middle part not belonging to the xylem and which looks like a pith. As pith is not known in other species of Vertebraria, it has been given a new specific name V. myelonis. A specimen doubtfully referred to Ctenis by Srivastava (1954) has been found on reinvestigation to be a new species of Glossopteris -G. srivastavai. The anatomy of the midrib of G. srivastavai and V. raniganjensis is almost similar. It is probable that G. srivastavai was one of the leaves borne on an axis of V. raniganjensis.