CLINTON GROUP. 



21 



407. 12. BUTHOTREPHIS RAMOSA { n. sp.). 



Pl. VI. Fig. 3. 



Stem rigifl, divaricately branching , branches numerous, opposite or alternate ; root or ter- 

 minations unknown. 



This species is clearly distinct from any other one, in its rigid form; and numerous branches 

 which are not flexuous. 



Position and locality. In the shaly sandstone of Blackstone's quarries, New-Hartford, Oneida 



county. {State Colkctkm.) 



Roots of Buthotrephis'? 



Pl. VII. Fig. 2 a, b, c. 



Specimens such as are here represented in the figures, are frequently found upon the surface, 

 and penetratmg the strata. In the figures 2 a and 2 6, there has been clearly a round stem broken 

 off in removing the superincumbent layer, for there is a fresh fracture in the centre. From this 

 stem radiate something resembling rootlets, which form a compact mass, and penetrate the 

 stratum in which it lies imbedded. The surface of this stratum has evidently, for a considerable 

 time, remained the undisturbed bed of the sea ; for over its surface, sometimes for many yards, 

 are spread fragments of several species of marine plants, around which have accumulated thin 

 laminae of extremely comminuted materials like the last sediment of turbid waters. Upon such a 

 surface these marine plants affixed themselves, growing upwards to a greater or less height. At 

 the time of the deposition of the succeeding bed, many of them are thrown down, and it is those 

 only which give us the form of the plant. Those which remain iqiright during the next deposition 

 of mud, penetrate the now stony bed, and we are able to see only the transverse sections of the 

 stems. 



The figures 2 a, b, represent the common appearances of these roots upon the lower surface 

 of the stone. 



Fig. 2 c is a specimen where the successive layers of a subsequent deposition gathered around 

 the stem. It is represented in its vertical position ; the lower part being the root which was fixed 

 in the lower bed, and above this the edges of the successive layers are clearly seen : penetrating 

 the centre of these from the base to the top, is the stem as represented in 2 6. 



Pl. X. Figs. 9 o, b, and 10. 



Fig. 9 a. The lower part of this figure presents precisely the same appearances as the lower 

 part of fig. 2 c, pl. 7. The upper part presents a thin layer of rock with a depression upon the 

 upper side, in the centre of which appears the stem of one of these plants broken off. The form 

 of the cavity and the size of the stem are shown in fig. 9 b. The sides of this cavity present 

 shallow grooves or depressions, extending down to the point where the stem is broken off. 

 These depressions appear very much as if made by the stem of the plant as it swayed from side 



