326 Reviews—The South Wales Coal-field. 
regarded as a branch-scar. This hypothesis is further supported by 
M. Renier, who describes a specimen of Bothrodendron from Liége 
giving indisputable evidence that the scar represents the base of the 
branch (p. 133). The structures of the spore-bearing cones and the 
scar and stem-structures of both Zepidodendron and Sigillaria are 
elaborately illustrated and clearly described by the author. 
As bearing upon the probable aquatic habit of the roots of 
Lepidodendron and Sigillaria, known by the name Stigmaria, met 
with so abundantly in the underclays of the Coal-measures, it may 
not be without interest to record that when the great water-lily lake 
in Mr. James Yates’ garden at Hampstead was drained many years ago, 
the floor was found to be carpeted with a vast interlaced mass of 
the roots of Vymphea alba and Nuphar lutea, which might have been 
easily imagined to be recent living examples of Strgmaria ficordes, their 
surfaces being covered with circular scars bounded by a raised rim 
and containing a small central pit. These scars are the bases of 
attachment of rootlets, and are often to be seen radiating through the 
shale or sandstone, once forming the muddy semi-aquatic soil on which 
these Carboniferous forest trees actually grew. 
From the forest trees of the Coal we pass to the Filicales, the 
fossil ferns whose beautiful forms are to be seen often in the roof- 
shales of our productive Coal-measures. But space does not permit 
us to dwell upon them here; they fill 300 pages, and deserve a very 
careful and full notice. Many forms met with in Oolitic shales and in 
the Wealden are recorded by Professor Seward, as well as the rich 
series from the Coal-measures. They have more than 100 excellent 
illustrations to their share. 
But we do not permanently part company with Professor Seward, for 
in his preface he announces his intention to give us a third volume to 
embrace the Ptercdosperms, other than those briefly described in the 
final chapter of the present volume, and also other classes of 
Gymnosperms. We are likewise promised some discussion on the 
fascinating subject of the geographical distribution of plants. 
The story of the past floras of the earth, interwoven as it is with 
that of its living plants, is like the Indian story-tellers’ recitals, which 
last for many days, but we promise Professor Seward—if he does 
not delay his third volume too long—we will give it as cordial 
a welcome as we have done vols. i and ii already before the public. 
II].—Memorrs oF tur GrotocicaL Survey or Encrtanp anpD WALES. 
Tur Gerotoey or THE Sourm Wares Coat-Frretp. Part X: THe 
Country azounD CarmarrHen. By A. Srrawan, Se.D., F.B.S., 
T. C. Cantritt, B.Sc., E. E. L. Drxon, B.Sc., and H. H. THomas, 
M.A.; with notes by B.S. N. Wirxrnson. 8vo; pp. vill, 177, 
with 18 text-illustrations. London, 1910. Price 2s. 
f{\HE area described in this memoir is wholly in the county of 
Carmarthen, and it is included on Sheet 229 of the colour- 
printed Geological Survey map. Two editions of this sheet accompany 
