DEVONIAN. 239 



with its attached rootlets. It was found associated with Psilophyton Deche- 

 nianus. 



Stur has described what he believes to be the fruit of Sporochnus Krejcii, 

 which consists of little club-shaped receptacles placed at the extremities 

 of the hair-like filaments of the Alga. No similar structures are seen 

 on the British example, which is not well preserved. Only one specimen of 

 this curious fossil is in the Collection, but the counterpart, as well as the 

 fossil proper, is fortunately preserved. 



Horizon. Old Eed Sandstone. 



Locality. British. Caithness : John O'Groats. 



RHACOPHYLLUM-LIKE FOSSIL. 



Remarks. The example in the Collection is the only specimen of this 

 curious Rhacophyllum-like fossil with which I am acquainted. It measures 

 10^ inches in length, and is of almost equal width, about 1^ inches, till near 

 its apex. The rachis (?) at its base is about inch wide, and gives off alter- 

 nate pinnae (?), which are directed upwards, or even adpressed to the rachis. 

 Six pairs of pinnae occupy about 6 inches, the lower ones being slightly more 

 distant from each other than the upper pinna?. Towards the apex the pinnae 

 are closer and not so clearly defined, which arises from some of the upper 

 pinnae being apparently drawn together, probably by mechanical agencies. 

 The longest pinna measures 2| inches, the central axis being fully -^ inch in 

 width, from which spring lateral segments. Those on this pinna are not well 

 shown, and appear to be imperfect. On some of the upper pinnae the lateral 

 segments divide into two arms in a dichotomous manner. The whole 

 specimen seems to have suffered from decay, through prolonged immersion. 

 The plant which appears most closely related to this species is Sphenopteris 

 Ouilelmi imperatoris, Weiss. (Beitr. zur Culm-Flora von Thuringen, p. 95, 

 pi. xiv. 1883.) From this species it is distinguished by the pinnae being 

 shorter, less segmented, and the segments broader and without any trace of a 

 central vein. 



Horizon. Old Eed Sandstone. 



Locality. British. Caithness : John O'Groats 



