18 Transactions of the Kansas 



fossils. They vary greatly in size, some being less than half an inch in diameter, 

 while others are four or five inches. The longest continuous specimen is about 

 twenty -eight inches. They exist in vast numbers in small areas, some small slabs 

 of rock revealing them by the dozen. Of so-called " tips," the most valuable speci- 

 mens, we have found three kinds. The most common is pyramidal in shape, three 

 or four inches in diameter at the base, and six or eight inches in length, the apex or 

 point being deflected. Another kind is small, less than an inch in diameter, with 

 the point rounded, while the preceding one is sharp. The third, of which I have 

 found but one specimen, is slender, sharp, wedge shaped, and with very fine striae. 

 Lyell figures some of these tips, and comes to the conclusion that they are the roots 

 of the Calamite instead of the top of the stalk. He and Dr. Dawson found, in Nova 

 Scotia coalfields, these tips projecting downwards in position, thus showing their 

 nature beyond question. He thinks, too, that they are the striated piths, instead of 

 being the outside of the stem. He is borne out in these views by several able Euro- 

 pean geologists. In oue or two of these specimens in our cabinet, 1 have found a mark 

 that is not mentioned either by Lyell or Dana. It is a deep scar close to the joints, 

 as large as the end of ones finger. They occur in vertical series at alternate joints, 

 and one-quarter around the stem. Are they the marks of branches ? Are the very 

 small fossils only the branches of the main trees? The rarity of these large scars, 

 suggest proof of Lyell's position, that the most of our Calamites are only casts of 

 the pith.s. 



In connection with this quarry and others about Baldwin, I have found a fossil as 

 yet not identified, but which I surmise to be roots of Calamites, like underground 

 stems or root-stalks. They are from half an inch in diameter to two inches, and I 

 have secured some a foot long. They are not marked with striae lengthwise, but are 

 decidedlj' rugose transversly, like roots of trees growing at present. There seem to 

 be no marks of joints or branchings. In every instance of extensive Calamites, 

 they are found, and only there. 



Authors disagree in locating the place of Calamites in the vegetable kingdom. 

 Most, however, among them Dana, place them in Lycopodiaceaj, the Equisetum, or 

 gigantic "horsetail," the only representative now living being the scouring rush. 

 Still there are many marks of their belonging to Gymnosperms. In connection 

 with these Calamites near Baldwin, are found various leaves, flap:s, and some well 

 defined casts of Cordiates. Also well preserved Siyillaria. 



. KANSAS MAMMALIA. 



By Prof. ]\[. V. B. Knox, of Baker University 



FELID^. 



1. Felis concolor Linn. — American Panther. A specimen taken about nine years 

 ago at Valley Falls, by Mr. Whitman, and identified by him. Probably only a tran- 

 sient visitor. Now and then known as crossing different parts of the State. 



