CALCIFEROUS SANDSTONE. 7 



FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE CALCIFEROUS SANDSTONE. 



Plate IIv 



Genus P A L .^ P H Y C U S . 



[ Greek, *aXaiof, ancient, and (puxos, a seaweed ; from the apparent habit of the plant] 



Character. Stem terete, simple or brnnchecl, cylindric or subcylindric ; surface nearly 

 smooth, without transverse ridges, apparently hollow. 



4. 1. PALiEOPHYCUS TUBULARIS (n. *;;.). 



Pl. II Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5. 



Stem cylindric, gradually tapering (sometimes to an obtuse point as in fig. 1) , unevenly 

 bent or flexuous, irregularly branched and sometimes regularly bifurcating ; surface nearly 

 smooth ; stems and branches usually compressed, and, when weathered, appearing as if 

 hollow. 



Fig. 1 is a collection of flattened flexuous stems, which were apparently broken and 

 thrown together upon a surface of sand, and gradually covered with shaly matter. The 

 forms are not so well defined as in soine of the other specimens. 



Fig. 2 is better preserved, and the cylindrical form of the stem better defined. A great 

 number of small fragments occur on the same specimen, some of which present an ap- 

 pearance as if originally possessing a vesicular structure. The small branches appear to 

 have been solid, and the larger stem hollow. The fossil is calcareous. 



Fig. 4 is a portion of a single stem, presenting a small branch below, with a bifurcation 

 above. This specimen is but partially calcareous, with a considerable intermixture of oxide 

 of iron. 



Fig. 5 is a collection of fragments of stems, aggregated in a fine sand from the lower 

 part of the formation. 



It is not improbable but a further examination will enable us to distinguish two species 

 among those described, as the specimens jjresent some diversity of character, which I have 

 attributed to the nature of the matrix, and the variable proportions of siliceous and cal- 

 careous matter. 



Position and locality. These fossils are more abundant towards the upper part of the 

 mass, and in situations showing an admixture of calcareous matter. Tliey occur in the 

 same layers with the fossil shells in some places, while in others they hold a higher situa- 

 tion than some of the shells. They are found at numerous localities along the Mohawk 

 valley, the principal of which are Amsterdam ; opposite the village of Fort-Plain ; along 

 the railroad ; Canajoharie ; west of Palatine bridge, and at various other places. 



(State Collection.) 



