FOUND IN COAL FROM FORDEL. 193 
when acted on by heat and other causes, may have thus formed a continuous 
layer of Middletonite in the seams of coal. At all events, the matter deserves 
consideration. 
In conclusion, I think that this coal gives evidence of Sigillarias and Stigmarias 
having entered into its formation,—of Acrogenous plants allied to Lycopodiaceze 
having also been present, as indicated by the abundance of peculiar sporangia, 
and of the probable origin of Middletonite from the contents of these sporangia. 
In the further prosecution of the subject, it will be interesting to observe if in 
those coals which contain Middletonite similar sporangia can be detected. 
Explanation of PuaTE IIL., Figures 5 to 18. 
Fig. 5. Punctated woody tissue, apparently coniferous, from the needle-coal of Toplitz in Bohemia ; 
from a specimen sent by Professor Harkness (magnified 190 diameters). 
Figs. 6 and 7. Dotted or Pitted vascular tissue (Bothrenchyma) from Arniston coal (magnified 190 
diameters). 
Figs. 8 and 9. Pitted vascular tissue, from Fordel coal (magnified 190 diameters). This kind of 
tissue is common in the carbonaceous matter, which is often found between the lamine of 
coal and which soils the fingers. 
Fig. 10. Pitted vessel from coal with the dots elongated transversely, and giving a scalariform appear- 
ance (magnified 190 diameters). 
Fig. 11. Scalariform vessels from coal, resembling those of ferns (magnified 190 diameters). 
Fig. 12. Seed-like bodies or sporangia, found in vast abundance in Fordel splint coal, natural size. 
Fig. 13, The same sporangia magnified about 8 diameters, imbedded in a mass of Fordel coal; some 
lying on the surface, others projecting from the broken edges of the coal. They seem to 
occur frequently in coal from different localities, both in Scotland and in England. Mr 
Binney has seen them in Wigan coal. Similar sporangia occur in enormous quantity in 
specimens of a brown inflammable deposit sent by Sir W. Dentson from Van Diemen’s 
Land. 
Fig. 14. Section of Fordel coal, showing the sporangia as viewed by transmitted light, and magnified 
20 diameters, The orange-yellow lines indicate the walls of the sporangia cut across in a 
microscopic section. 
Fig. 15. Sporangium magnified 20 diameters. 
Fig. 16. Valves of sporangium separated, containing a quantity of black carbonaceous matter in its 
interior (magnified 24 diameters). 
Fig. 17. Sporangium cut transversely, showing the internal cavity (magnified 24 diameters). 
Fig. 18. Sporangium cut obliquely, showing the cavity and the dark-coloured contents (magnified 
24 diameters). 
