Mr. R. Kidston on British Carboniferous Lycopods. G5 



Bothrodendron Wilkianum, Kidston, n. sp. 

 (PL IV. figs. 2-4.) 



Cf. Lepidodendron Wiikianum, Heer, Foss. Flora d. Biiren Iiisel, p. 40, 

 pi. vii, fig. 1 c, pi. viii. fig. 2 c, pi. ix. fig. 1. 



Descrii^tion. — Leaf-scars distant, small, varying in size 

 according to the age of the branch, transversely oval. Cica- 

 tricules three, punctiform, situated towards the lower margin 

 of the scar. Above the leaf-scar is a small punctiform cica- 

 tricule. Surface of the bark between the leaf-scars irregu- 

 larly striated longitudinally, the strige bending round the scars 

 and leaving in their immediate neighbourhood a smooth 

 space. 



Remarhs. — The leaf-scars vary in size and distance apart 

 according to the age of the specimen. In my smallest ex- 

 ample they are about 1 millim. and in the largest speci- 

 men 3'5 millim. in transverse diameter. On the young 

 branches the little punctiform cicatricule is immediately above 

 the leaf-scar and seems to rest upon it ; but in the largest 

 specimen of the species that I have seen it is separated from 

 the leaf-scar by a short distance. 



The bark is longitudinally striated, the strife being slightly 

 bent, especially in the neighbourhood of the leaf-scars round 

 which they curve, and immediately below and above the 

 leaf-scars they are absent, having the appearance as if they 

 had separated to make room for the scars. There is, how- 

 ever, no " field," as in Lepidodendron. 



I have named this species " Wiikianum " as there seems to 

 be a great probability that this plant is similar to Heer's 

 Lepidodendron Wiikianum, from Bear Island *. The British 

 specimens are not, however, referable to the genus Lepi- 

 dodendron, and, judging from Heer's figures and descrip- 

 tion, I do not think that his plant should be placed in 

 that genus. As, however, I have not seen any of Heer's 

 specimens, I cannot be certain that his species is identical 

 with my Bothrodendron Wiikianum, though I am strongly 

 inclined to believe it is. I therefore, while adopting his 

 specific name, place the British specimens in their proper 

 genus; and should it eventually be proved that these two 

 species are identical, it will be an easy transition to substitute 

 Bothrodendron Wiikianum, Heer, sp., for Bothrodendron 

 Wiikianum, Kidston. 



Localities. liailway-cutting between Boags Mill and Kates 



* In Kongl. Svenska Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handling.ar, Band ix. 

 no. 5 (Stockholm, 1871). 



Ann. & Ma.(j. N. Hist. Ser. 6. Vol. iv. 5 



