SEcrion IV., 1902 [3] Trans. R. S. C. 
I.—Osmundites skidegatensis, n. sp. 
By D. P. PENHALLOW. 
(Read Me. 27, 1902.) 
(By permission of the Acting Director of the Geological Survey.) 
PLATES I-VI. 
The material upon which the following studies are based, was 
received from the Director of the Geological Survey of Canada early in 
the present year.t It was found to consist of several fragments of what 
appeared to be stems, and a number of fragments of leaves. In trans- 
mitting these specimens to me, the observation was made that the stems 
were believed to represent some form of Cycadaceous plant. They were 
all obtained from Alliford Bay, Skidegate Inlet, Queen Charlotte 
Islands, by Dr. C. F. Newcombe, of Victoria, B.C., in 1897. In two 
instances they gave evidence of having been exposed for some time to 
the action of salt water, by reason of barnacles attached to their sur- 
faces. Dr. G. M. Dawson informs me that the age of the deposit to 
which these fossils belong is undoubtedly Lower Cretaceous, and a full 
account of the formation may be found in his report upon the Geology 
of the Queen Charlotte Islands for 1878-1879." 
Macroscopic CHARACTERS. 
The material of most definite value consists of fourteen fragments 
of stems, all of which are highly calcified. When small fragments were 
treated with hydrochloric acid, they were found to undergo rapid solu- 
tion with violent effervescence, leaving a residuum of rather large 
volume and composed of black, angular fragments like chips of lignite. 
These were found to be very brittle, and although soft, were quickly 
broken up when probed with a needle. When this residue was ignited 
in an open crucible, it oxidized rapidly, but without much apparent 
diminution in volume, to a gray ash which gave no further solution 
with hydrochloric acid. . A quantitative estimation of the proximate 
constituents of the fossil gave the following results :— 

Soluble in hydrochloric acid .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 70°49 
Combustiblepmatveuae wich ELEMENT NA PA EL TES 6 
LHSOlUDICARCSIGIICH Ee bose ciel cee ce RE 2 EE 
100°00 

1 Dr. G. M. Dawson, 1898. 
2 Report of Progress, Geol. Surv. of Canada, 1878-1879, 29, 63-77B. 
