244 Messrs. E. W. Binney and R. Harkness's Account of 



interval they were visited at different times by the authors, who 

 were desirous of being present when the whole of the larger 

 tree should be uncovered, in order to examine the opposite 

 side. This occurrence took place on the 21st of May last, 

 intimation having previously been given to Dr. Buckland and 

 other geologists, that on that day the tree would be entirely 

 uncovered, in order to afford them an opportunity of seeing 

 the connection which subsists between Sigillaria and Stigmaria, 

 as shown by this plant. Circumstances having, however, in- 

 terfered to prevent several from availing themselves of the op- 

 portunity, the only individuals who were present when the 

 tree was laid bare, with the exception of the workmen, were 

 the authors of this account. The appearances on the eastern 

 side of the tree were very similar to those on the western : the 

 furrows and ribs were to a great extent the same, and at once 

 identified the tree with Sigillaria, although no distinct scars 

 were noticeable. Larger portions of the bark occurred on 

 this side than on the one laid bare two years previous. One 

 of these near the top, in thickness from one-third to half an 

 inch, was eight inches square, and another near the base was 

 of still larger size. These patches of bark were marked by 

 longitudinal fibrous lines, easily distinguishable to the eye, 

 and similar to those which occurred upon the stem when de- 

 corticated, but of greater size. The stem contained no inter- 

 nal cylinder, and all its tissues seemed to have been removed 

 before the mineral matter of which it was composed had filled 

 up the internal portion of the plant. A considerable portion 

 had disappeared from the upper part of the stem since it was 

 first seen in August 1843, the eastern side only measuring 

 three feet seven inches in height, and its circumference at the 

 top was six feet eleven inches, about the middle eight feet five 

 inches, and at the base nine feet nine inches, showing cor- 

 rectly the tapering form of the stem, which at its lower part 

 presented the same gnarled appearance as seen on the oppo- 

 site side two years previously. 



At the base of the stem the tree appeared to increase in 

 thickness very rapidly, and on removing the matrix on the 

 north-eastern side, a bulging form was in part visible ; an ap- 

 pearance owing to the roots diverging from the stem, which 

 when a greater portion of the gray clay had been removed, 

 became observable. On this side there seemed at first to be 

 two enormously thick roots, each occupying about a quarter 

 of the base of the tree ; but on the removal of more of the 

 matrix, each of these two roots again divided themselves 

 equally, and gave rise to two others similar in size : and when 

 more of the clay had been removed, each of these secondary 



