On the Fructification of Sphenophyllum trichomatosum, 57 
verticillatus, Schl., Sphenophyllum Schlotheimu,? he having 
modified the orthography of Sphenophyllites to Sphenophyllum 
in this work. 
The cones of certain species of Sphenophyllum were early 
known in the form of impressions, but it is only in recent 
years that their structure and the arrangement of the 
sporangia have been understood. 
In 1838 Presl described a specimen showing two laterally 
developed cones, which he identified as Rotwlaria marsilee- 
folia, Sternb.® 
In 1845 Germar figured several species of Sphenophyllum 
in fruit.? 
Geinitz figured a cone of Sphenophyllum emarginatum in 
1855, which showed the sporangia, but not so preserved as to 
show their attachment to the bracts.° 
Some fruiting specimens of Sphenophyllum are also given 
by Lesquereux ® and Weiss.’ 
None of these specimens, however, afford any clear infor- 
mation as to the arrangement and attachment of the sporangia 
within the cone. 
Renault was the first to describe the minute structure of 
the cones of Sphenophyllum, from which botanists were 
enabled to form an idea of the systematic position of the 
geuus.2 Grand’ Eury also gives details of their fructification.® 
1 In justice to Schlotheim, whose figure is very characteristic, the original 
specific name of vertici/latwm must be restored to his species. Irrespective of 
the rules of priority, this is especially desirable, as Brongniart’s Schlotheimii 
has been very loosely applied, and seldom to the correct plant. The 
Sphenophyllum Schlotheimii, L. and H. (Fossil Flora, vol. i., pl. xxvii.), is the 
Sphenophyllum emarginatum, Brongt. Sphenophyllwm verticillatum, Schl. sp., 
is apparently a rare plant, which has not yet been discovered in Britain. 
2 The genus Rotularia was formed for the same plants by Sternberg in 1823 
—LEygsai F]. du monde prim , vol. i., fasc. 2, pp. 34, 37. 
3 Beitrage zur Kunde Vorweltlichen Pflanzen—Verhandl. d. Gesell. d. 
Vater. Museums in Bohmen, Prag., 1838, p. 29, pl. ii., fig. 2. 
4 Vers. d. Steink. von Wettin u. Lobejun., fase. ii, Sphenophyllites 
Schlotheimii, pl. vi. ; Sphenophyllites angustifolius, pl. vii., figs. 5, 6. 
5 Vers. d. Steinkf. in Sachsen., p. 12, pl. xx., figs. 7, 7a. 
6 Coal Flora—Atlas, 1879, vol. i., 1880, vol. iii., 1884. 
7 Foss. Flora d. jiingst. Stk. u. Rothl., p. 136, pl. xviii., fig. 33. 8S. 
angustifolium. : 
8 Ann. d. Sc. Nat. Bot., 6° sér., vol. iv., 1876, pp. 277-311, pls. vii. -ix. 
® Flore carbon. du Départ. de la Loire et du centre de la France, 1877, 
