TE.U^SACTIONS OF SECTION C. 655 



of the allied Calamostacbys Binneana ; and I now propose that it should he 

 known as Oalamostachys Casheana, after my energetic colleague, Mr. William 

 Cash, of Halifax. 



We have also ohtained some additional knowledge respecting the elegant little 

 stem known as Kaloxylon Hookeri. We have now not only obtained specimens in 

 which each of the six radiating wedges of vascular tissue has a distinct crescent of 

 phloem on its periphery, hut we also find that the curious cortex enclosed within 

 the well-defined and thick epiderm -was abundantly intermingled with small verti- 

 cally elongated canals or lacunoe. Besides this, Plalifax has furnished numerous 

 specimens which we were at first inclined to regard as a distinct species of Kaloxylon, 

 since, in it, the radial vascular exogenous wedges were much less fully developed 

 than is the case with the numerous examples previously figured from the Oldham 

 coals. But we have now got reason for thinking that most of these new specimens, 

 at least, are roots of Kaloxylon Hookeri, with zylem bundles, externally to which 

 a centrifugal exogenous zone was developed in some examples, though more feebly 

 than was the case in the aerial stems. Some of these specimens of roots are 

 abundantly surrounded by smaller rootlets. 



A still more valuable discovery will be laid before the Botanical Section at tbis 

 meeting of the Association. It is a new species of Heterangium, closely resembling 

 in many respects the Heterangium Grievi, from Burntisland, described in one of 

 the earlier parts of ' The Organisation of the Fossil Plants of the Coal-measures.' 

 But it is clearly distinguished from that plant, not only by the possession of a mar- 

 vellously developed phloem or bast zone traversed by magnificent phloem-rays, but 

 by other peculiarities in the structure of its true cortex. To this important plant 

 the name of Heterangium Tiliteoides will be given. 



Besides the objects to which we have thus specially called your attention, we 

 have obtained numerous fragments of plants, which, as stray leaves, stems, and 

 fruits found floating upon the wide ocean, tell of an unknown flora hidden in some 

 uninvestigated corner of the earth and suggest that there are yet unknown plants con- 

 cealed within the coal-mines of Yorkshire and Lancashire. In former years similar 

 fragments have guided our researches, and in several instances we have been 

 rewarded by the discovery of their true affinities ; but many remain respecting 

 which we know nothing beyond their existence. They show us, however, that we 

 must continue our labours until we have unearthed their history, whilst the fact 

 that similar waifs and strays of former years now possess recognised names and 

 habitations stimulates us to perseverance. 



A word or two in conclusion about the fine specimens of Stigmaria, a notice 

 of which was brought before this Section by Mr. Adamson on Friday last,^ 

 and which will be described in my memoir on Stigmaria ficoides now passing 

 through the press. This specimen settles, most conclusively, several questions of 

 fact respecting which even some of our German friends appear to be still in doubt, 

 whilst it is equally conclusive against some most extraordinary views respecting 

 Stigmaria promulgated by M. Renault, of Paris. The specimen itself is the finest 

 of its kind hitherto obtained in any part of the world. It demonstrates that 

 Stigmaria is a root, and not a rhizome ; that four primary roots radiate from the 

 base of an erect stem ; that each of these roots dichotomises twice in close proximity 

 to the base of the parent stem, and that beyond the second branching no further 

 divisions take place ; thenceforth the undivided roots extend to considerable though 

 varied distances. These latter portions are obviously identical with those referred 

 to by some Continental authors as being something wholly difierent from the ordinary 

 Stigmarian roots. 



' See p. 628. 



