THE ANNALS 



AND 



MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTOEY. 



[SIXTH SERIES.] 

 No. 8. AUGUST 1888. 



XIII. — O71 a new Species of Galamite from the Middle Goal- 

 measures (Eucal.imites (Calamites) britannicus, Weiss^ MS.). 

 By R. KiDSTON, F.R.S.E., F.G.S. 



[Plate VII.] 



The fossil which forms the subject of this communication 

 was previously in the collection of Mr. C. Bealc, Rowley 

 Regis, near Dudley, by whom it was collected. Before 

 describing the specimen it may be well to give a brief review 

 of the groups into which Dr. Weiss, of Berlin, has subdivided 

 the genus Calamites. It must be borne in mind, however, 

 that these groups are not to be regarded as genera, but as 

 convenient divisions — probably of a provisional nature — in 

 which those forms having certain characters in common are 

 brought together. 



Nothing but their fructification can afford a satisfactory 

 basis of classification ; but as stems of Calamites have_ so 

 rarely been found with cones attached to them, it is impossible 

 at present to classify them from characters derived from the 

 structure of the fruit. In the absence, then, of a sufficiently 

 complete knowledge of the fructification of Calamites, we must 

 avail ourselves of such characters as those which enable us 



Ann. d; Mag. N. Hist. Ser. G. Vol ii. 9 



