230 GLOSSOPTERIS AND ITS ALLIES, 



many others. The whole of the organic matter has been removed, 

 nor is the slightest trace of any hard epidermal envelope remaining, 

 leaving only the impression of the parts on the slab of fine sand- 

 stone forming the matrix. 



The caudex is represented by a matrix-cast, reposing in its own 

 impression, six inches long, and in its compressed state three- 

 quarters of an inch in width. It is covered from end to end with 

 cicatrices, or leaf-scars, that will be described later on. The 

 fronds are attached in a clump at the upper or younger end, to 

 the number of about eight, in various states of completeness, but 

 only one of them can be said to be entire. The manner in which 

 they overlap one another leads us to believe that these fronds were 

 not placed in a vertical, but spirally on the caudex, after the 

 manner of a tree-fern, and the appearance of the leaf-scars 

 supports this view. 



The fronds are elongately-lanceolate, apparently sessile, and 

 without any evidence of the existence of a long petiole. There is 

 the impression of a strong persistent mid-rib, and secondary veins 

 that curve outwards obtusely and gradually. Commencing on 

 the right-hand of the specimen (PI. xviii. fig. 1), an entire leaf is 

 followed by the broken base of a second. In a line with the latter, 

 but above and separated by matrix, and clearly passing under- 

 neath it to a lower level on the caudex, is a third frond ; adjoining 

 the third leaf, although not seen to articulate with the caudex, 

 is a fourth and broader frond, slightly overlain on the left side by 

 the fifth, which shows the most satisfactory evidence in the whole 

 series of stem-attachment. Following this to the left are portions 

 of certainly three others, and possibly a fourth, most of them 

 showing traces of a downward prolongation towards the caudex. 



The first and best preserved leaf on the right, although by no 

 means the widest, is five and three-quarter inches long, and three- 

 quarters of an inch wide. The partially preserved fourth frond 

 is one and a quarter inches in width. 



From the method of the fossil's preservation, the retention of 

 the mesh formed by the reticulation of the secondary veins, is but 



