124 DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 



specimen has fallen into the possession of another, or J should 

 have made a transverse section of it, as suggested by M. Adolphe 

 Brbngriiart." 



The specimen was for some time in the collection of llobert 

 13rown, who made a section from its apex, as Carruthers (1866 B, 

 p. 541) mentions and figures (pi. xx, fig. 6). At about this 

 time also the specimen was broken open, Carruthers saying: " I 

 found that it had been cracked, and, inserting my knife into 

 the crack, I separated the pieces, when it exhibited, as has been 

 accurately drawn by Mr. Fielding (pi. xx, fig. 5), the internal 

 structure of an Abietineous cone.'' 



The specimen is now in three pieces : one showing much of 

 the outer scales (1*1. X, fig. 2), as well as the broken transverse 

 view of the central axis and seeds (PL X, fig. 3); the second 

 split longitudinally from this ; and the third a small transvt-i >< 

 segment, from which 1 have had three sections cut (1*1. X, 

 fig. 4; PL XI, fig. 3). The cone is exceedingly like that of a 

 modern Pinus of the titrobus group, and appears to have been 

 quite or nearly mature at the time of petrifaction, for the test as 

 of the large seeds are hardened and ripe, and the scales and 

 other tissues are much sclerised. Unfortunately the seeds are 

 empty, and none of the endosperm or embryonic tissues seem to 

 be preserved. 



The axis, which can be seen at the base of the cone projecting 

 as a short broken-off stalk 4 mm. in diameter, is slender for the 

 size of the cone. It is not seen in longitudinal view, and in 

 transverse section of the seed-bearing part of the cone, where, 

 though the tissues are locally well preserved, the centre is so 

 much macerated that the general plan of the vascular system 

 cannot be made out. Portions of strands of small tracheids can 

 be seen, arid several large round resin-canals. The larger series 

 of canals probably stood in a circle round the axis, as is the case 

 in the beautifully petrified Tertiary cone Pinus ovata, L. & H. 

 The ground-tissue of the axis consists of large roundish cells 

 with much thickened and sclerised walls resembling those 

 found in great numbers in the scales (PL XI, fig. 3, scl.}. 



The scales overlap, and leave exposed an area roughly 2 cm. 

 in tangential direction and 1*3 cm. in vertical extent; and they 

 curve strongly, having a crescent-shaped edge which appears to 

 be thickened somewhat, but without a definite umbo. The 



