﻿676 Foerste: Dictyophlois reticulata sp. no v. 



between this central point and the larger ring, could not be iden- 

 tified with certainty in any case. 



These undescribed rhizophores differ from those of Stigmaria 

 in having the areas between the ring-like scars of attachment of 

 the monarch roots marked by irregular ridge-like elevations and 

 depressions presenting the appearance of an irregular network. 

 In the immediate vicinity of the ring-like scars the ridge-like 

 elevations of this network tend to be arranged in radiating series. 

 The network evidently is a characteristic of the outer cortex, hence 

 the name Dictyophlois reticulata, here proposed for the rhizophores 

 in question. No explanation based on evidence can be assigned 

 at present for the reticulate appearance of the surface of this outer 

 cortex. But, if these rhizophores are homologous with subterranean 

 stems rather than with roots, the reticulate structure may be con- 

 nected with the former presence of more or less appressed scales, 

 of which, however, there is no positive evidence in Dictyophlois; in 

 Stigmaria the former presence of appressed scales seems impos- 

 sible since the outer cortex of the rhizophores in the latter genus 

 is smooth. 



The specimens of Dictyophlois here described and figured were 

 discovered about ten years ago and were retained in the hope that 

 further evidence regarding their structure might be obtained. 

 Since this delay has not been attended by any additional informa- 

 tion the accompanying illustration is published in the hopes that 

 it may arouse interest in other paleobotanists. If Dictyophlois 

 is indeed an underground scale-bearing stem then these scales 

 should be found sooner or later still attached to the rhizophores. 



Dictyophlois reticulata gen. et sp. nov. 

 Original diameter of rhizophores varying from lo cm. to 15 

 cm. The figured specimen (type) is a flattened fragment 10 cm. 

 in length and 13 cm. in width, exposing a part of one side of a 

 rhizophore, the original diameter of which is unknown. Round 

 areas of attachment of the so-called rootlets usually 3.5-4 mm. 

 in width, but not infrequently attaining a length of 5 mm.; 

 with a small central pit about 0.75 mm. in diameter. These 

 areas are arranged in diagonally intersecting series, five areas 

 occupying a length of 60-80 mm. measured along the diagonal 

 rows. For a distance of 3-4 mm. from the margins of these round 

 areas of attachment the raised ridges forming the intermediate 



