IV. On Sutcliffia sign a new Type of Meduilosee from the Lower Coal-Measures. 
By D. H...800rty MA; PE Dy ERS. Sec.L.S., Hon. Keeper of the Jodrell 
Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 
(Plates 7-10.) 
Read 1st March, 1906. 
THE fossil plant described in the present paper is one among the many interesting 
petrified specimens obtained from the colliery at Shore-Littleborough, in Lancashire, 
which, after being closed for some time, has been re-opened within the last three 
years in the interests of Paleeobotany, by the generosity of the owner, Mr. W. H. 
Sutcliffe, F.G.S. 
Among the fossils which this rich locality has yielded up to the present time may be 
mentioned SpAenophyllum fertile (Scott, 1905). Cyathotrachus altus (Watson, 1906), Sigil- 
lariopsis sulcata (Scott, 1904), and a British Poroxylon (Scott, 1905, p. 22), besides 
other species not yet described and many excellent specimens of plants already known. 
The new genus, which, as we shall see, it is necessary to found for the fossil stem now 
to be considered, is named Swécliffia, in honour of the gentleman to whom we owe its 
discovery. The specific name insignis is proposed for this novel and remarkable type. 
_A diagnosis will be given later on in the paper. 
Sutcliffia insignis oceurs in a nodule from the roof of the workings. The roof-nodules, 
as a rule, show a peculiar flora distinct from that contained in the ordinary nodules or 
coal-balls of the coal-seam lying immediately below. As this subject, one of great 
importance for our knowledge of the distribution of coal-plants and the conditions under 
which they occurred, is now under investigation by competent hands, the matter need 
not be pursued further here; it may be mentioned, however, that in several respects 
the flora of the roof-nodules has a Permian facies, though obviously of Lower Coal- 
Measure age, an indication that differences due to habitat may sometimes simulate 
differences dependent on geological horizon. : | | 
Petioles, which have proved to belong to Sutcliffia, were discovered at Shore à year 
and a half before the stem itself came to light. One of the first sections I received 
bears the date April 25th, 1904. The petioles are interesting in themselves; some are 
of great size, one obviously incomplete transverse section measuring 42 = by 3 in. 
(12x T5 cm.). The general appearance of the sections is that ofa Myeloxylon, but the | 
Structure differs conspicuously from that type in the fact that the SEDE "m 
so that a comparison with Seward's Rachiopteris Williamsoni (Seward, 1894) at vos 
suggested itself. : a 
All the sections from the Shore material, whether of petioles or stem, were cut by 
| mers | 
= SECOND er VOL. VII. 
