rOSSIL FLOKA. 43 



PLATE XIII. 



"Branched Calamite." 



Long and large jointed stems, generally more or less flattened by compression, and bearing 

 some resemblance to a cane or bamboo, are very abundant in the coal formations. Some of 

 them attain many feet in length, and are of a corresponding magnitude in circumference. The 

 original plants are supposed to have been related to the Eqidsetacece, or Mare's-tail, and not to 

 the BambusicE, and other arborescent grasses. The stem is jointed, and longitudinally striated, 

 having annular impressions at the articulations. 



The present species {Galamites ramosus) has the stem arborescent and branched ; the branches 

 are cylindrical, striated, and inserted at the articulations of the trunk ; the articulations of the 

 branches are surrounded by a striated disk. 



The stem has been found nine feet in length, and occurs both horizontally and vertically, in 

 sandstone, in Leabrook Quarry, near Wentworth. 



