FOSSIL PLOKA. 53 



PLATE XVIII. 

 " Transverse Sternbergia." 



{Sternbergia transversa, of Artis. 



Artesia , of Presl. Additions to Sternberg's Flora der Vorwelt.) 



The stems known by the name of Sternbergia, (from Count Sternberg, the author of the 

 Fossil Flora,) appear to be related to the Yucca, or to the Pandanus or Screw-pine. 



Mr. Artis observes, that they bear considerable analogy to the stems of the Stapelice of our 

 gardens ; but still, the external form, which Is the only character visible, does not furnish 

 sufficient ground for their being positively referred to that genus. The stem is marked 

 longitudinally with double keels or ridges, which terminate at different heights spirally round the 

 stem, and have small tubercles at their terminations. There are likewise slight annular 

 depressions, mostly distinct, but in some places two or more unite. 



The stem is straight, simple, and cylindrical, and is compressed towards the summit. It is 

 sometimes found six feet in length, and from one to four inches in diameter. It is generally 

 coated with a carbonized bark. 



Fig. 1, shows a portion of the stem of the natural size. 



Fig. 2. The upper extremity, in which the tubercular terminations of the double keels or ridges 

 are seen at a, b. 



Found associated with Calamites in the clay-bind of Leabrook Quarry. 



