1024 REPORT—1896. 
2. On some Carboniferous Fossils referred to Lepidostrobus. 
By D. H. Scort, IA., Ph.D., PRS. 
1. The specimens described by the late Professor W. C. Williamson under the 
name of Lepidodendron Spenceri' consist entirely of pedunculate strobili, and 
therefore, if their Lepidodendroid affinities were established, would be placed in the 
genus Lepidostrobus. Under the name Z. Spencert two distinct species are in- 
cluded, differing in the dimensions of the axis, the arrangement of the sporophylls, 
and the size, arrangement, and forms of the spores. 
The smaller kind, which is the more frequent, is alone figured in Williamson’s 
memoirs, and must retain the specific name of Spenceri. The structure is pre- 
served with great perfection. The anatomy of the peduncle and axis is consistent 
with the attribution of the species to Lepidostrobus; but in several points, notably 
the form of the sporophylls and the insertion of the sporangia, the cone differs 
from all known Lepidostrob:. It agrees most nearly with a form described by 
M. Zeiller as Siyillartostrobus Crepini.?. If the latter be a true Sigillario- 
strobus then L. Spencert should also be placed in that genus. In that case it 
would be the first fructification of Sigillaria discovered with structure preserved. 
The second and larger species appears to be co-generic with the former. : 
2. A fragment of stem from the Burntisland beds at the base of the Car- 
boniferous formation was described by Williamson in 1872° as possibly forming 
part of the axis of the Zepzdostrobus found in the same deposits. A renewed 
examination of the specimen has shown that it differs in many respects from any 
Lepidodendroid axis, as shown by the pitted, as distinguished from scalariform 
tracheides, by the di- or trichotomous leaf-traces, and by the presence of a ventral 
lobe on the leaf. The specimen represents a new type of stem, having some points 
in common with Sphenophyllum, but so far of uncertain affinity. 
3. A New Cycad from the Isle of Portland. 
By A. C. Sewarp, J/.4., F.GS. 
Dr. Woodward lately obtained an exceedingly fine specimen of a cycadean 
stem from the Purbeck beds of Portland, which is now in the fossil plant gallery of 
the British Museum. The stem, which is probably the largest known, has a height of 
1m, 185 cm., and measures 1 m. 7 cm. in girth at the broadest part. A striking 
feature of the specimen is the conical apical bud enclosed by tapered bud scales, 
bearing numerous ramental outgrowths on the exposed surface. The surface of 
the stem presents the appearance of a prominent reticulum of projecting ridges, of 
which the meshes were originally occupied by the persistent petiole bases. The 
substance of theleafstalks has for the most part disappeared, while the interpetiolar 
ramental tissue has been mineralised and so preserved as a projecting framework. 
In structure the ramenta are practically identical with those of Bennettites, as 
described by Carruthers and other writers. The petiole bases also agree very closely 
with those of Bennettites, consisting of a mass of parenchymatous tissue traversed 
by numerous vascular bundles and secretory canals, with a distinct band of cork at 
the periphery. No trace of any inflorescence has been found. It is proposed to 
name the plant Cycadeowdea gigantea. ’ 
4. Note on a Large Specimen of Lyginodendron. 
By A. C. Sewarp, JILA., £.G.S8. 
The specimens on which this description is based are in the Botanical Depart- 
ment of the British Museum and in the recently acquired Williamson Collection. 
1 «Organization of the Fossil Plants of the Coal-measures,’ parts ix., x., XVi., 
and xix., 1878-93, Phil. Trans. 
2 Flore fossile du Bassin Houiller de Valenciennes, pl. Ixxvii. fig. 3. 
3 « Organization,’ &c, part iii. 
