Devonian Plants, 11 



With respect to the affinities of the genus, I can only say that 

 the markings on its wood-cells most nearly resemble those of the 

 two genera of fossil Taxine trees above-mentioned, which are, 

 however, found in much more modern geological formations. 

 Among recent trees known to me by specimens or figures of their 

 tissues, Taxus haccata and Torreya taxifolia most nearly resemble 

 the Gaspe fossil. In the meantime, therefore, it may be included 

 in the subfamily Taxinece. 



I could detect no leaves or fruit likely to belong to the species ; 

 but this is not wonderful, since in the Coal-formation the wood of 

 conifers is very abundant, while their foliage is extremely rare. 

 Before leaving this ancient taxine conifer, it may be useful to 

 notice the deceptive appearances which its wood presents when, 

 imperfectly preserved. In some parts of my second specimen the 

 woody tissue has been entirely obliterated, and is replaced by a 

 kind of oolitic concretionary structure, apparently connected with 

 the presence of iron-pyrites. In other portions the wood seems 

 to have been resolved into a homogeneous paste before silicifica- 

 tion ; and this, being moulded on minute granular crystals of 

 quartz, assumes the aspect of a tissue of fine parenchymatous 

 cells — a deceptive appearance very common in badly preserved 

 fossils penetrated by calcareous or silicious matter. In other parts 

 of the specimen the cell-walls remain, but in an opaque coaly 

 condition, which conceals their spiral fibres and discs. I am not 

 quite certain that this last form may not represent the natural 

 state of the heart-wood of the tree. In the first specimen, ob- 

 tained by Sir W. E. Logan, the whole trunk appears to be well 

 preserved, with the exception of the medullary rays-, 



4. PoACiTES, Knorria (fig. 5), Carbonized Wood (fig. 6), etc. 



In addition to the plants above described, the Gaspe sections 

 contain, especially in the beds near the coal-seam, abundance of 

 what seem to be long parallel-sided leaves, with 

 delicate longitudinal striae, and varying from a 

 Fig. 5 a fourth of an inch to an inch, in breadth. Thev 

 may be placed provisionally in the genus Poocites, 

 but are perhaps leaves of Nceggerathia or Cor- 

 daites. 



There is also in the Collection of the Geological 

 Fiff 5 6 Survey of Canada a remarkable fragment, covered 

 Fig. 5. Knorria ? with sharp, flat, angular scales. Were it not for 

 b, magnified. ^^^ carbonaceous character, I should be inclined 



