ON BRANCHING SPECIMENS OF LYGINODENDRON OLDHAMIUM. 349 
On Branching Specimens of Lyginodendron oldhamium, Will. 
By Winirrep E. Brexcutey, D.Sc., F.L.S. (University College, London). 
(With 5 Text-figures.) 
[Read Ist May, 1913. | 
Tue following notes on the branching of Lyginodendron were made about six 
years ago, but publication was delayed in the hope that it would be possible 
to work out various other problems, such as the bud-structure of the plant. 
This has not been practicable, so it seems advisable at the present juncture 
to publish this brief note on the branching just as it stands, without further 
delay. No attempt has been made to bring this account into line with 
recent developments, but Miss Winifred Smith, B.Sc., has now taken over 
the material with the intention of working out the other items of interest for 
a later paper, so as to bring the work up to date. 
Lyginodendron oldhamium, which is one of the best known of Palæozoic 
fossil plants as regards its anatomical structure, owes its position in this 
respect largely to the great wealth of material available, usually in a well 
preserved condition, which has enabled investigations to be carried out, 
chiefly by Williamson and Seott*. Yet, in spite of the very numerous 
specimens which had been examined, especially since the appearance of 
Williamson’s first memoir on the plant in 1873, no stem of Lyginodendron 
had been known te branch until comparatively recently. As late as 1900 
Scott T remarked : * No stem of Lyginodendron has ever been observed to 
branch. It does not follow that it never did so, but certainly branching 
must have been very rare." Some years ago, however, evidence of ramifi- 
cation came to light. At the British Association in 1902, Lomax } briefly 
described two specimens of branching Lyginodendron stems from Dulesgate, 
one three, the other four inches long. One of these is excellently preserved 
and runs through two internodes, roots as well as branches passing off. Since 
then two more good examples have been found at Sharney Ford, near Bacup ; 
one, now in the University College Collection, possessing six nodes, the other, 
originally in the possession of. Dr. Scott, showing five. Doth these Sharney 
* Williamson, W. C.: “ Organisation of Fossil Plants of the Coal-Measures," Phil. Trans. 
Roy. Soc. 1875, рр. 377-408 ; ibid., 1890 D, pp. 89-100. Williamson W. C. & Scott, D. H.: 
* Further Observations on Organisation," Phil, Trans, Roy, Soc. 1895 B, pp. 703-779. 
T Scott, D. H.: Studies in Fossil Botany, Ist edition, 1900, p. 321. 
і Lomax, J.: “ On some new features in relation to Lyginodendron oldhamium,” British 
Association Report, Belfast, 1902; Ann. of Bot. xvi. p. 601. See also Scott, ‘Studies,’ 
2nd edition, 1909, p. 371, fig. 137. 
LINN. JOURN.—BOTANY, VOL. XLI. 2D 
