![Thumbnail: [Volume 82, 1954-55 page 668]](/journals/rsnz/images/rsnz_82/thumbnails/rsnz_82_03_0779_0668_ac_02.gif)
Genus Podocarpites Andrae
Podocarpites tolleyi n.sp (Text-fig. 1, Figs. 1–3)
Length (incomplete specimen) 8.5 mm.
Diameter (on plane of dehiscence) 6 mm.
Seed ovoid, apex acuminate, base mammiliform. Two longitudinal ridges diametrically opposite along junctions of two halves, ridges more pronounced at apical end. Surface coarsely longitudinally striate Apparently dehiscent into two equal halves along ridges Structure of walls along dehiscence three layers, an outer, hard, longitudinally striate thin integument (0.2 mm. thick), a thick middle softer palisade layer (0.8 mm. thick), and a hard, smooth surfaced interior integument (0.1 mm. thick) Inner integument attenuated into the apex and leading to micropyle.
Locality. Rangitawa Stm. B226/8, 128, 129, Paratypes.
Age. Upper Castlecliffian (Pleistocene).
![Thumbnail: [Volume 82, 1954-55 page 669]](/journals/rsnz/images/rsnz_82/thumbnails/rsnz_82_03_0780_0669_ac_02.gif)
Text-Fig 1.—New Species of Fossil Seeds from the Wanganui Series. 1—Podocarpites tolleyi n.sp external view of one-half (B226/128) × 10. 2—Podocarpites tolleyi n.sp. apical view (B226/129) × 10. 3—Podocarpites tolleyi n.sp. section along dehiscence (B226/130) × 10.4—Rumex pachyperianthus n.sp. (B226/131) × 25. 5—Rumex pachyperianthus n. sp. apical view (B226/132) × 25. 6—Proteoides ohukaensis n.sp. external view (B323/31) × 13. 7—Proteoides ohukaensis n.sp. partial section (B323/21) × 13
![Thumbnail: [Volume 82, 1954-55 page 670]](/journals/rsnz/images/rsnz_82/thumbnails/rsnz_82_03_0781_0670_ac_02.gif)
This seed differs from all known living New Zealand species; the general morphology, wall structure and presence of a micropyle suggests inclusion in the family Podocarpaceae. As all Recent Podocarpaceae have not been examined this new species is placed in the form genus Podocarpites. The specific name is an acknowledgment to Mrs. W. P. Tolley, who drew the illustration on Text-fig. 1, and who first noticed the micropyle.