The Mesozoic gymnosperms

Features needing elucidation in Mesozoic Cycadales and Bennettitales are given and the Ginkgo—Czekanowskia assemblage is surveyed. Florin's interpretation of the conifer cone scale is discussed in relation to Schweizer's work on Pseudovoltzia. Taxus jurassica Florin is revised and shown to differ generically from Taxus but to share features seen among other Taxaceae: it thus helps to unify the family, but it does not relate the Taxaceae to ordinary conifers. A possible way is offered by which early conifers like Walchia could shift their ovules from a lateral to a terminal position and if this were acceptable, then the class Taxopsida would become unnecessary.