688 KNOWLTON: FossiL FRUITS AND 
It is almost twelve inches long and four inches broad. It breaks 
up very readily into small irregular fragments which appear desti- 
tute of structure on their transverse fracture, but when split along 
certain lines, notably in the direction of the medullary rays, very 
plain structure may be observed even with the naked eye. In 
general the only specimens that can be obtained for examination 
are small fragments hardly an inch in length. Most of the ma- 
terial upon which the following examination is based was kindly 
placed at my disposal by Professor H. M. Seely, of Middlebury 
College, and Professor George H. Perkins, of the University of 
Vermont. 
Hitchcock was of the opinion that little if any of this lignite 
could be regarded as coniferous, while Bailey, in his letter before 
referred to, states positively that the woods “are mot coniferous.” 
Contrary to these statements and my expectations, a large propor- 
tion of the lignite examined proved to be undoubtedly coniferous 
in character. These later results are perhaps due to improved 
methods of study, or possibly its character may differ in different 
parts of the area. This latter supposition seems hardly probable, 
however, as the area from which it was obtained has always been 
so limited.* 
When specimens prepared as indicated above are placed under 
the microscope, a glance suffices to show that they have been 
much crushed and distorted by pressure. In transverse section 
the lumen of the cells is seen to be almost entirely obliterated, 
and they have been distorted in other ways. But by repeated 
Selections of material and its careful study, points that have been 
especially favored during the processes of fossilization, are usually 
to be found, and from a study of these areas, in numerous examples, 
a pretty complete idea can be formed of its nature and appeal 
ance when living. The large specimen in my possession, men- 
tioned above, was found to be undoubtedly coniferous. Selected 
sections from it show clearly the characteristic pits s on the radial 
* To prepare this lignite for examination by transmitted light the directions give? 
by Griffith and Henfrey in the Micrographic Dictionary, second edition, P- 178, es 
very satisfactory, The specimens are to be macerated in a strong solution of carbo 
nate of potash for a few days, when they may be cut into thin sections with a razor 
beste - : ight 
These thin pieces are boiled for a few moments in nitric acid, or until they bigger pa 
brown in color. They are then washed out in pure water and mounted in glycer 
