297 
of an inch, and the macrospore figured has a large diameter 
of ‘027. The triradiate feature of the microspores described 
by Professor Wiit1amson is common to the coal micros- 
pores, and is also shown in those figured by Sir Joseru 
Hooxer in the Memoirs of the Geological Survey.* The 
absence, however, of macrospores in Sir JosepH Hooxer’s cones 
renders an alliance out of the question. With Professor 
Wuiamson’s Burntisland strobilus, however, both spores are 
present. The size of the microspores nearly corresponds with 
the small variety of microspore detected in the Scotch “Splint” 
coal, but the macrospores are far too large to correspond with 
my smaller variety; they more nearly correspond with my 
larger varieties. Professor Wiiuiamson does not mention 
anything about a triradiate ridge or marking on the surface 
of these macrospores, which is a conspicuous feature in those 
from the coal. He states that the characteristic peculiarity of 
the macrospores from the Burntisland beds “‘is the projection 
from every part of their external surface of numerous caudate 
appendages.” This isa feature common to some of the coal 
macrospores. In the coal, however, the appendages are not 
well preserved, and frequently only the roots or base remains, 
giving to the walls of the spore a tuberculated appearance ; 
indeed I at first took the appearance for tubercles. The 
appendages are seen in Fig. 13B, where a few of them remain. 
Professor. Wiiuramson thinks the strobili referred to are the 
fruit of Diplozylon, though he does not appear to have found 
them.-attached to the stems of that plant. I would call special 
attention to Professor Witi1amson’s remark that the beds in 
which the remains occur “appear to have been patches of peat.” _ 
I cannot say that I am satisfied that the coal spores 
referred to in this paper are identical with any that have been 
discovered. I have been told that they are those of Triplospo- 
rites. Mr Carruruers,t in referring to that genus, points out 
that the microspores occur in triple form, and, to show the close 
alliance with the Selaginellee, he figures the triple microspores of 
* Vol. II, Part 2. 
t+ Geol. Mag., Vol. VI, p. 298. 
