Mr B. Kidston on a New Species of Schutzia. 127 



in general appearance to Spiropteris, are most probably quite 

 different in nature. For these Scbimper has proposed the 

 name Ehizomopteris} 



In this genus Schimper places the specimens which Geinitz 

 has figured ^ as Selaginites Erdmanni, believing them to be 

 fern-rhizomes ; and certainly the fossils in question have a 

 great resemblance to such structures. 



There can be no doubt as to Geinitz's plants being quite 

 distinct from those originally described under the same name 

 by Germar.^ 



Schimper also places in his Bhizomopteris the Selagonites 

 uncinnatus (Lesqx.).* 



Lesquereux, though he says the specimen cannot positively 

 be referred to the Lycopodiaceee, still keeps it separate from 

 Bhizomopteris, and includes it in Lycopodites (X. uncintmtus).^ 



I am inclined to regard this fossil as the rhizome of a fern ; 

 and the spiral terminations of several of the branches, which 

 appear to be the chief character that prevents Lesquereux 

 from regarding his plant as a rhizome, are most probably 

 spirally- coiled young fronds springing from the points of the 

 branchlets of the rhizome. 



From the nature of the fossil and the state of its preserva- 

 tion, there is, however, room for difference of opinion as to its 

 true nature. 



XII. On a New Species of Schutzia from the Calciferous 

 Sandstones of Scotland. By Egbert Kidston, Esq., 

 F.G.S. [Plate V., Fig. 2.] 



(Read 19tli December 1883.) 



Schutzia Bennieana, n. s., Kidst. 

 Specific character. — Fruit campanulate, composed of linear 

 lanceolate bracts ; pedicels of fruits short and placed spirally 

 on the axis. 



1 Schimper, I. c, vol. i., p. 699 (1869). 



2 Geinitz, I. c, pi. i., figs. 5 and 6. 



^ Geinitz figures in his "Flora der Kohlenform. v. Hainichen-Ebersdorf u. 

 Floher-Guckelsberg," p. 56, pi. xiv., fig. 20, a plant which he also names 

 S. Erclmanni. This appears to be only a badly-preserved LepidodcTidron. 



4 Geol. Survey of Illin., vol. ii., p. 446, pi. xli., fig. 3 (1866). 



5 Coal-Flora of Pennsylvania, p. 359 (1880). 



