DESCRIPTION OF SPECIES. 



Equisetides, Schimper. 



Equisetides rugosus, Scliimp. PL I, Fig. 6. 



In the roof shales of the Waynesbiirg Coal, at West 

 Union, W. Va., we find fragments of a plant which seems 

 more nearly allied to this species than any other. 



The specimen best characterized is represented on PI. I, 

 Fig. 6. It differs from the figure given by Geinitz and 

 Schimper, in not seeming to be so fleshy, since the frag- 

 ment represented in our figure seems to have been leaf-like 

 in nature. The base of the specimens seems to show that 

 the fragment had been attached in a sheathing manner to a 

 stem. 



Equisetides elongatus, Sp. nov. PL I, Figs. 1-4. 



(Stem unknown, sheath comparatively very long, and 

 wide, composed of cylindrical ribs, obtusely rounded at the 

 end, and consolidated together ; ribs fleshy, and marked 

 with a cord of nerves, apparently composed of several vas- 

 cular fibres united togetlier ; attachment apparently by the 

 entire base, in a sheathing manner. Very deciduous.) 



Fig. 1 shows a very long and broad sheath, whose at- 

 tachment was not seen. Figs. Sand 4 show the attachment, 

 but do not extend up to the summit of the sheath. These 

 sheaths must have been easily detached, since we looked 

 carefully for the stems on which they might have been 

 borne, but in a great number of specimens could only find 

 the obscure attachments which we have figured. We find 

 them in fragments, lying scattered through the shale. Some 

 of these are even longer than the one figured in Fig. 1. On 

 3 PP. (33) 



