PRE-CARBONIFEROUS PLANTS. 



29 



This species in its general form resembles A. equisetiformia, Brong., 

 and in its fructification A. rigidus, Sternberg, as figured by Geinitz. I 

 observe that Schimper has twice quoted this species, referring to the 

 same figures and description in both cases. In page 827 he places it 

 under (Jalamocladus, as an uncertain species of Calaraite leaf At page 

 349 he places it under Annularia as a synonym of A. radiata, Brong. 

 I must dissent from both of these contradictory decisions. The species 

 'is, however, closely allied to A, radiata, Brong., differing principally in 

 the form and number of the leaves. It had a stiff or rigid stem, with a- 

 stout vascular axis, and though the leaves sometimes seem united at the 

 base, they fell off separately, and, in some beds, great numbers occur 

 detached. 



80. ASTEROPHYLITES SCUTIGERA, Dn. — (P1.*V, Figs. 58, 59).— J. G. S.,. 

 XVIII, 311 ; PI. XIII.— M.D., St. John, New Brunswick. 



u 



Stems simple, elongated, attaining a diameter of half an inch, obscurely 

 striated ; bearing on the nodes whorls of round or oval scales, or 

 bracts, which at the ends of the stems are crowded into a sort of 

 spike, while on other parts of the stems the nodes are sometimes 

 an inch apart." „ ^,. .,. 



To the description of this singular species, I have nothing farther to 

 add, except that I have larger specimens with a greater number of joints. 

 It may have been either a sheathed species like Unger's A. coronata, 

 deprived of its leaves, or a sub-aquatic stem, bearing scales instead of 

 branches at the nodes. The singular species of Pinnularia (P, nodosa^ 

 infra) is found in the same beds, and may have been connected with this 

 plant. The spikes of fruit or buds, one of which is represented in Fig. 

 69, also occur with this species. 



31. ASTEROPHYLITES LENTA, S. N.— (PI. V, Fig. 60.)— M.D., St. John, 



New Brunswick. ,_.^ , , .^ , . 



Stemt slender, feeble, delicately striate. Leaves long, linear, one-nerved 

 in whorls of about ten. 



This species is founded on a few specimens in Prof. Hartt's collections. 

 It is quite distinct in form and habit from any of the others, and may hav& 

 been an aquatic species. 



I am sorry to see that Schimper in his new and valuable work, Palaeon- 

 tologie Vegetale, has thrown the Asterophyllites and their allies into a 

 state of confusion even worse than that prevailing before. Be claims as 



