250 FLORA OP LOWER COAL MEASURES OF MISSOURI. 



agree. A close examination of the axis of Besmiophjllum shows, however, 

 that the leaves come from scars closely, althoug-h irregailarlv, sitnated, as in 

 the Missouri specimen. The scars, which are likewise iimbilicoid, are 

 scarcely arranged in nodes, thongh an approximation to grouping is seen in 

 both specimens. Finally, the nature of the leaf, with thin walls, an internal 

 lax vascular fascicle, and small umbilicate scars, is, as Professor Lesquereux 

 remarked, apparently the same as in Tceniophyllum. In short, the re-exami- 

 nation of the original of DesmiopliyJlum and the comparison of the latter 

 with the Missouri specimen of Tmniophyllwn now under consideration 

 leave, in my judgment, no generic distinction between the two plants, the 

 essential differelices, such as the greater frequency of the scars? on the main 

 segment and the finer and more obscure nervation in the former, being of 

 merely specific value. Accordingl}^ I have little hesitation in uniting the 

 genus Desiniopliyllum to Tceniophyllum, which preceded it in the literature. 



The compressed condition of the main axes, which are covered with a 

 thick mask of flattened carbonized leaf bases, conveys but little informa- 

 tion that is satisfactory regarding the mode of attachment of the larger 

 leaves. Portions, however, of two fragments, Nos. 647 and 648, exhibit 

 what appear to be impressions of segments of the axes. These, which are 

 slightly rugose, striated, and covered with rather coarse vascular lines, 

 are marked, generally indistinctly, by rather close, small, Stigmarioid scars, 

 narrowly obovate, or nearly V-shaped at the base. The mode of arrange- 

 ment of these scars, which plainly correspond to those of the leaflets on the 

 leaves, is not at all clear, owing perhaps to imperfect exposure or deformity 

 of the axis itself, but here and there they have at least the appearance of 

 being spirally arranged. If this is the case, the scars may be 3 or 4 mm. 

 distant in the same spiral, the distance between the spirals being about 

 5 mm. Additional material is needed in order to definitely ascertain their 

 tnie relations. 



The generic identity of the specimens from Missouri with the speci- 

 mens from Cannelton described as Tceniophylkim is at once apparent on an 

 examination of the original specimens described by Professor Lesquereux. 

 The thin-walled, cavernose character of the compressed leaves of Tcenio- 

 phyllum and their decurrent bases were described by the author of the genus. 

 The material from Cannelton in the Lacoe collection well illustrates the 

 contraction of the leaf bases, and the lax, flexuose, fascicular axis. In fact. 



