Powrie — On the Genus Cheirolepis. 147 



as seen in the transverse section (fig. 36.) ; the condition of the fossil 

 shows that in this respect its structure was similar (fig. 26.). The 

 walls of the stamens extend into the interior as far as and in a 

 similar manner to what is found in the fossil ; and the apex of the 

 stamens has a similar undulating and irregularly quadrangular 

 aspect. The fossil specimen which I have had cut transversely 

 and longitudinally has belonged either to an unripe spadix, in 

 which the stamens were not fully developed, or to the neuter portion 

 of the spadix, in which the imperfect stamens never produce anthers. 



The genus XantJiosoma, to the structure of which the fossil most 

 nearly approaches, consists of several species of large leaved herbs 

 that are natives of humid localities in tropical America. 



I shall place the fossil in Kutorga's genus Aroides, which he 

 established for what he supposed was the spathe of an Aroideous 

 plant, in preference to establishing a new genus for it. It is desira- 

 ble to establish such comprehensive genera that may include the 

 fruits of an Order, when these are found isolated and often fragmen- 

 tary, and consequently without the means of determining the affinities 

 of the whole organism to which they belong. I have much pleasure 

 iu naming the fossil Aroides Stutterdi, and thus associating the 

 species with the name of Mr. Stutterd, whose intelligent acquaint- 

 ance with the fossils of the beds to which it belongs enabled 

 him to appreciate its importance. 



Besides the specimen figured, there is a second specimen in Mr. 

 Stutterd's collection, and there are two fragments in the Oxford 

 Museum. I am indebted to Professor Phillips for an account and 

 sketch of one of his specimens, and a notice of the other. The 

 specimen I have figured is the only one which exhibits the form of 

 the fossU, the others consisting only of the outer surface exposed 

 upon the surface of the stone. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE VIIL, FIGS. 2 AND 3. 



While the general aspect of the fossil, and of the spadix of the recent plant are well 

 given in the plate, the artist has overlooked the arrangement of the component 

 parts. I have consequently had added portions of both, twice the natural size, 

 and showing the true arrangement of the stamens. 



Fig. 2, Aroides Stutterdi. — 2a. A few of the sub-quadrangular apices of the stamens. 

 2b. Transverse section. 2d. Form of the tubes in a longitudinal section of the 

 fossil. 



Fig. 3, Spadix of Xanthosoma. — 3a. A few of the apices of the stamens. 3b. 

 Transverse section of the spadix, near the apex. 



in. — On the Genus Cheirolepis, from the Old Eed Sandstone. 

 By James Powrie, Esa., F.G.S. 



TmS well known genus of Old Eed Sandstone Fishes was first 

 named and described by Agassiz in his great work, the "Poissons 

 Fossiles," vol. ii. page 128. It is there classed with the Acanthodean 

 family, which it somewhat resembles in the character and structure 

 of its small rhomboidal scales ; and also (according to Agassiz), in 

 possessing Branchiostegal rays. This characteristic, however, as wfll 

 afterwards be shown, appears to me to be founded on a misappre- 



