160 A YORKSHIRE NATURALIST 



in the woody axis of the above lycopodiaceous plants 

 is conspicuous from its scarcity. 



Of course the question is, what has become of 

 these tissues ? The spores, t.e. t seed-like bodies of 

 the same plants, are there in vast quantities ; but I 

 have one most interesting specimen which indicates 

 that the missing objects melted away into the brown 

 structureless element which constitutes so large a 

 part of the substance of coal. To the quadrate 

 forms common amongst the fragments of mineral 

 charcoal thus preserved, we find abundant parallels 

 at the present day in old decaying tree stumps 

 and in the blocks of wood burnt upon the home fires. 

 If the latter examples be watched it will be noticed 

 that in some kinds of woods the burning surface is 

 broken up into small squares by deep cracks, the 

 most conspicuous of which are transverse to the long 

 axis of the burning block. 



[Dr. Williamson sent specimens of the results of his 

 researches in detachments to the museum of Owens Col- 

 lege, Manchester. When his strength failed so seriously 

 as to convince him that he would never complete his work, 

 he asked his old friend and disciple, A. C. Seward, Esq., of 

 St. John's College, Cambridge, to take possession of his 

 notes and un worked material and continue the inquiry 

 as circumstance permitted. A. C. W.] 



