Brongniart[977] gave this name to a small elliptical seed, 15×9 mm., recalling in external features the seed of _Taxus_, a genus to which he believed the Grand’ Croix species to be related. The type-species _Taxospermum Grüneri_ (fig. 495, G) has a comparatively thin testa characterised by the absence of a sub-chalazal pad formed by the swelling of the sclerotesta. The nucellus is attached by a broad base to the testa and the two regions appear to be connected for a short distance on the flanks[978]; in this feature the seed is comparable with that of the Conifer _Torreya_ and differs from the other platysperms, _Diplotesta_, _Rhabdospermum_, etc. Bertrand[979] states that the main vascular strand extends from the hilum to the chalaza before giving off the two opposite bundles which ‘follow the floor of the shell-cavity, and on reaching the flanks traverse the shell obliquely from below upwards[980].’ In the course and position of the integumental bundles _Taxospermum_ differs from _Cardiocarpus_, _Cycadinocarpus_, and _Rhabdospermum_. In this genus Bertrand includes _Sarcotaxus angulosus_ Brongn. and _S. olivaeformis_ Brongn.[981] =Compsotesta.= Bertrand ex Brongniart +MS.+ _Compsotesta Brongniarti_ Bertrand. The generic name _Compsotesta_[982], though adopted by Brongniart for some incomplete specimens from Grand’ Croix, was not published either by him or Renault: it has recently been revived by Bertrand[983] in his account of the anatomical details of Brongniart’s sections. This seed appears to be closely allied to the polypterous forms _Ptychotesta_ and _Hexapterospermum_: the testa consists of a sarcotesta differentiated into two zones the outer of which contains vascular bundles in correspondence with the ribs, and an inner shell. There is a nucellar vascular supply and the nucellus is free on the flanks as in _Stephanospermum_ and _Trigonocarpus_. =Samaropsis.= Goeppert. The characters of this Permian and Carboniferous genus have already been described: the name has reference only to superficial features especially the samara-like ‘wing,’ and connotes no special anatomical features.