Szekessy Vilmos (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 56. (Budapest 1964)

Rásky, K.: Studies of Tertiary plant remains from Hungary

wide, 1—2 mm high, apparently hexagonal impressions, with an oval or angular protuberance in their middle on the negative side. The cicatrices of the fruits (or flowers?) are situated in spiral rows beside each other on the spadix. Aside of the spadix-impression, one might almost discern the weak outlines of a part of the spatha. Neither from the measurements of the spadix fragment nor from the uncertain spatha remains could one infer their original, that is, actual dimensions. There were found some other cylindrical, but compressed spadix fragments, too. The longest impression is 4 cm, their width between 1.2—1.8 cm, according to the rate of compression. The inner of these spadix fragments is filled with the materials of the volcanic tuff, their surface displaying polygonal or rhombic patterns. Some spadix remains exhibit also a short constriction, assumably indicating the border of the pistillate and staminate flowers. Neither the apex nor the base of the spadix remains were left whole. There is no sign of woody structure. Remarks: The best preserved impression was found in the so-called „feet imprints" sandstone layer; all others from the volcanic tuff stratum. Of the known fossil spadix remains, Araceites parisiensis FRITEL (1910, vol. 16, nr. 4, p. 28), found in the Paris Basin ,cannot be identified with the Ipolytarnóc finds. The spadix remains of Araceaeites friteli BERRY (1916, p. 175, Pt. 114,'Figs. 3-4) from the Wilcox flora is considerably larger than the Ipolytarnóc specimens. The extremely large-sized spadix remain of hructus polyspermus ENGELHARDT (1877, p. 389, Taf. 2, Fig. 8), described from the fresh-water limestone layer of Tschernowitz, resembles best the large spadix of the recent Amor p ho phallus beccarii ENGL. Comparison with recent species: The spadix impressions from Ipolytarnóc might be compared to the recent Anadendron montanum (BL.) SCHOTT, Raphidophora borneensis ENGL. Raphidophora glauca (WALL.) SCHOTT, Raphidophora novoguineensis ENGL, etc. Similar spadices might yet be found in the genus from the family Araceae living in SE Asia. Nor is the spadix of Philodendron Surinamense (SCHOTT) ENGL, of Surinam far from the fossil species. FRITEL compared the find from the Paris Basin to the recent Spatiphyllum floribundum ENGL., and Spatiphillum lanceolatum KOETZ., while BERRY collated the spadix remain from Wilcox with the spadix of recent Monstera species. The anatomical examination of better preserved remains might render a satisfactory solution to the precise systematical position of the Ipolytarnóc species. Quercus cruciata A. BR. (Plate X, Figs. 1—6, and Plate XI, Figs. 1—2) Description : Lobate leaves of different sizes. The leaf impressions are 5—15 cm long. The apex is extended, acute. The longest apex attains even 7 cm. The basis is broadly cuneate to rounded. The petiole is 1 cm long, strikingly thick. The width between the sinuses of the leaf varies between 1.5—3 cm. The number of the shorter and longer lobes alternates between 1 and 4 on both the smaller and the larger leaves. The degree of lobing, the length and width of the lobes, the depth and numbers of the sinuses also vary on the blades. The lobes are shorter basally and longer apically. The lobal apices are characterized by an elongate thorn (spinescent lobe). The edges of the leaves are bordered by a well-developed marginal vein. The midrib is also thick, emitting the relatively also wide, parallel secondaries, terminating either in the lobal apices or, ramifying in front of the sinuses, join the other veins decurrent into the apices. The secondary veins are connected tertiaries, almost perpendicular to their axis. A network is well visible between the tertiaries. The leaves are decidedly coriaceous. Remarks: These leaf types are frequent in the Ipolytarnóc tuff lyaer. The whole leaves were first described under the name Quercus cruciata A. BR. (1845), from the Swiss Tertiary. HEER (1856, p. 55, Taf. 77, Figs. 10 -12) found them also in the Oeningen sediments. ETTINGSHAUSEN (1853, p. 20, Taf. 3, Fig. 4) found a