TEMPSKYA. 151 
Corda‘ has defined the species as follows :— 
‘‘Rhachi tenui; cortice tenui fuscescente; fasciculo vasorum 
majori lunulato, equali, utrinque rotundato; minoribus oppositis, 
recurvis.”’ 
We may substitute the following diagnosis as probably more 
in accordance with the real nature of the species :— 
Masses of numerous branched adventitious roots, and a few 
small ? petioles forming masses, occasionally several feet in 
length, and in large specimens about one foot in diameter; the 
transverse section of the mass is often elliptical in shape, no doubt 
as the result of pressure; the ends of the specimens frequently 
taper to a pointed termination, and the external surface may be 
covered over with a layer of coaly substance representing car- 
bonized tissue. The roots are of the diare type, and the petiole 
structures are characterized by a horseshoe-shaped vascular band. 
(The central vascular axis possibly of the Protopteris form). 
Among the fossils collected by Mantell from the Wealden rocks 
of Tilgate Forest, Messrs. Stokes and Webb? described certain 
specimens which usually showed an attenuation towards each end, 
and at times an encrusting shell of carbonaceous matter; to these 
was assigned the name Endogenites erosa. The appearance of 
transverse sections was considered to indicate a Monocotyledonous 
structure, and hence the generic term Hudogenttes; the specific name 
erosa having reference to the eroded appearance of the surface. 
The same fossil was alluded to by Mantell* in 1822, but without 
any definite name. 
In Martin’s work, cited in the synonymy, there is a footnote 
stating the occurrence of a silicified specimen near Mulsey. 
Mantell reproduces Stokes and Webb’s figures, and quotes the 
opinion of Brongniart that these peculiar Wealden fossils have 
some resemblance to fern stems. In Fitton’s important Memoir * 
we find several figures of specimens of the same fossil from the 
neighbourhood of Hastings, and with a much more complete 
description than that previously given by Stokes and Webb. 
Special attention is drawn to the frequent occurrence of an in- 
Flor. Vorwelt, p. 83. 
Trans. Geol. Soe. ser. ii. vol. i. p. 423. 
Fossils 8. Downs, p. 22. 
Trans. Geol. Soc. ser. ii. vol. iv. p. 17, pls. xix. and xx. 
ae So Ye 
