xin LYCOPODINEJE 535 



latecl to the other Lycopodineae has been referred to. As noth- 

 ing is known at present of the gametophyte and embryo, this 

 point must, for the present, remain open. 



Fossil Lycopodinece 



Many fossil remains of plants undoubtedly belonging to the 

 Lycopodineae are met with, especially in the Coal-measures, 

 where the Lepidodendrese were especially well developed. Of 

 homosporous forms, it seems pretty certain that the fossils 

 described under the name Lycopodites are related to the living 

 genus Lycopodium, and certain fossils from the Coal-measures 

 have even been referred to the latter genus, some of these being 

 homophyllous, others heterophyllous. Solms-Laubach thinks 

 it somewhat doubtful whether the plants described by various 

 writers, and belonging to older formations, really are Lyco- 

 podinese. 



In regard to the Psilotacese he says : "The statements re- 

 specting fossil remains of the family Psilotacece are few and un- 

 certain, nor is this surprising in such simple and slightly differ- 

 entiated forms. If Psilotites . . . does really belong to this 

 group, a point which I am unable to determine from the figures, 

 we should be able to follow the type as far down as the period 

 of the Coal-measures." 



A discussion of some of the numerous characteristic fossil 

 Lycopods will be left for a special chapter. 



