194 



THE CARBONIFEROUS SYSTEM. 



have been broken off without any decrease of their diameter. In one 

 place twelve stems were counted in eight feet measured along the face 

 of the cliff. From the base of the cliff to low- water mark, they could 

 everywhere be seen abundantly along the continuation of the ledge of 

 sandstone. This bed and others of similar character at the Joggins,. 

 have given us much information respecting the nature and mode of 

 growth of these plants, which I may pause here to notice in detail. 



The Calamites were tall cylindrical stems, with a hard outer bark, 

 and were either hollow or filled with cellular matter. The stems 

 were regularly marked with longitudinal strise or furrows and cross 

 joints, sometimes showing the marks of the attachment of the leaves, 

 which were verticillate, or in whorls ai'ound the stem, and long and 

 needle-like (Figs. 37 and 38). The general habit of growth thus 



Fig. 38. — Leaves of Calamites (C. Cistii) 



Fig. 37.— Erect Calamites (C. Voltzii), 

 with Moots. 



One-sixth natural size. 



resembled the Equisetum or Mare's-tail of modern marshes, and pro- 

 bably these plants are also allied to the Calamites in structure. Cala- 



