STRUCTURE AND AFFINITIES OF LEPIDOSTROBI. 445 



which the bundle of vessels that diverged from the vascular axis of the 

 stem to the leaf passed out. 



The uniformity of the surface of the Lepidodendrons figured at plate 

 8, is an argument for their having been erect when fossilized, and 

 proves that the deposition of the Lepidostrobi, &c, into their interior 

 was effected by, comparatively speaking, tranquil waters. Had the 

 specimens been drifted, or exposed to the action of a rushing current, 

 on one side or the other, they must have shown it by the obliteration of 

 some of the scars, or probably the adherence of other fossils to their 

 surface. Again, had the stems been prostrate, the same pressure that 

 flattened the once prominent scars, would have compressed the cylinder 

 also. 



The above are the only observations I have to offer upon these spe- 

 cimens relatively to the formation wherein they were found, and the 

 circumstances under which they appear to have been fossilized : the re- 

 mainder refer to the botanical characters of the Lepidostrobi them- 

 selves, to the strong evidence these specimens contain of their belonging 

 to the Lepidodendrons that enclose them, and to the proofs wliich the 

 discovery of their spores and tissues yield of both being allied to the 

 existing genus Lycopodium. 



Description of the Specimens.* 



Plate 3. This and the following plate represent the fragment of a 

 Lepidodendron, enclosing in its once hollowed axis several Lepidostrobi. 

 The specimen was received through Mr. Jukes from Mr. Lowe, of 

 Wolverhampton, who obtained it from the iron-stone seams in the 

 neighbourhood of that town. 



Fig. 1. External surface of the fossil, displaying the markings of the 

 Lepidodendron Harcourtii of the natural size. 



Fig. 2. Lower surface of the same, showing the fractured surfaces of 

 a mature and very young Lepidostrobus. 



* It is with regret that I find myself obliged to introduce here a detailed description 

 of the specimens, of which the plates are faithful and beautiful copies ; but to under- 

 stand all the points of structure in these interesting fossils, it is essential that the 

 reader be familiar with these. Perhaps there is no more tedious and perplexing task 

 than that of restoring a fossil plant of the coal formation. No solitary specimen among 

 the many prepared at great cost and labour by the Geological Survey has fully illustrated 

 any of the various points now, I hope satisfactorily, cleared up. The restoration of a 

 Lepidostrobus is effected by taking a cell here and a cell there out of many individuals, 

 and the tubes of vascular tissue, spores, &c, from various other cones. The adaptation 

 of these to one another, and arrangement of the whole, are, after all, a mental operation. 

 It is, however, imperative on the restorer to give every feature he has availed himself of 

 in detail ; that the experienced observer may pronounce on the justice of his views, or 

 point out the error of his judgment ; and that the tyro may know how to proceed in follow- 

 ing similar investigations. 



