242 



CORDAITEAE 



[CH. 



branched roots (fig. 478) spreading over the coal for a distance 

 of several feet and thick stems 40 50 ft in length with very 

 few branches and but little decrease in diameter afford a striking 

 picture of a forest-floor. The frequent occurrence of Cordaites 

 (N oeggerathiopsis} Hislopi in the associated strata suggests a 

 reference of the stems and roots to that species. Moreover the 





FIG. 472. Cordaites (N oeggerathiopsis) Hislopi. From India. 

 (Calcutta Museum; f nat. size.) 



structure of the secondary xylem of some petrified pieces of 

 stem sent to me by Mr Leslie from Vereeniging agrees closely 

 with that of a European Cordaitean stem. 



The leaves of Cordaites (N oeggerathiopsis) Hislopi vary con- 

 siderably in size, in some cases reaching a length of 80 cm. (fig. 471) ; 



