REPORT OP THE STATE PALEONTOLOGIST 1901 605 



doubtful, however, whether, in the absence of knowledge of the 

 frutification of the types, Cretacic and Devonic plants of this 

 class should on account of a superficial resemblance be included 

 within the same genus.^ 



The problem of the relationship of Goppert's types to 

 Psilophyton or to the algae with membranaceous laminae seems 

 to await thorough examination of the original specimens 

 together with other material from the type locality or local- 

 ities. It appears not improbable that Psilophyton will be 

 found at the same stage and perhaps at the same localities. 

 On the other hand it would not be strange if in the Psilophyton 

 group, the doubts as to whose supposed structure were pointed 

 out by Solms-Laubach^, we should find transitional types be- 

 tween the algae and ferns and even other classes. And it 

 should be borne in mind that such forms asThamnocladus 

 c 1 a r k e i , while presenting the general aspect of many ordi- 

 nary seaweeds, particularly among the fucaceous Phaeophyceae, 

 and containing structural traces strongly suggestive of a some- 

 what highly organized axis, may eventually prove to be allied 

 to Nematophycus (Prototaxites) or to some higher type. 



The Devonic period offers a most fascinating as well as diffi- 

 cult field for paleobotanical investigations; and it has great 

 need of ability and experience of the highest order to conscien- 

 tiously and patiently work out the elements of its plant life, 

 making the most of its generally scanty and obscure plant re- 

 mains which must sooner or later throw the greatest light on 

 the paleontologic origin of the ferns, equiseta, lycopods and 

 gymnosperms. 



^ It would seem that in such instances the ancient types should receive 

 some distinctive name, such perhaps as was given to the Paleozoic forms of 

 Chondrites which Schimper designated (Zittel. Handb. Palaeont. 2;61) 

 Palaeochondrites. 



' Jahrb. d. k. Pr. geol. Landesanst. 1894 (1895). p. 74, 77. 



