222 MR. E.W. BINNEY ON ORGANS OF FRUCTIFICATION 



When we look at the shape and size of the cones of the 

 Ewood-Bridge specimens^ it is evident that they resemble 

 the cones showing structure more than any other figured 

 and described with which I am acquainted. The form and 

 size of the leaf represented in Plate VI. fig. i also very 

 much resembles the cones of my C alamo dendr on commune. 

 The cones, whether proceeding from the nodes of the 

 stem in whorls,, or at the end of the branches, have at 

 their bases delicate leaves (Asterophyllites) . The stem of 

 the branch to which the cone was attached in the last- 

 named specimen is remarkably slight for the size of the 

 cone (as seen in the woodcut), a character which appears 

 common with regard to the organs of fructification of 

 coal-plants at the terminal parts of branches. Of course 

 the axis of the cone is only a prolongation of the stem of 

 the plant. In the Ewood-Bridge specimens, as yet, no 

 evidence has been obtained as to the spores contained in 

 their sporangia to identify them with the cones of Cala- 

 modendron commune ^ but, as previously stated, in their 

 external characters the one very much resembles the other, 

 and, although found in different localities, the fossils occupy 

 about the same geological position in the Lancashire coal- 

 field. One thing appears pretty certain, namely that 

 both these small cones are the organs of fructification of 

 Calamites of some kind ; and at present my observations 

 have led me to the conclusion that they are most probably 

 the organs of my C alamo dendr 07i commune, or of a plant 

 nearly allied to it, and having a similar structure. They 

 do not afford us any information as to the anatomy of the 

 plant, as do my specimens possessing structure ; but they 

 are useful as showing the nature of the foliage and the 

 connexion of the organs of fructification with the stem of 

 the plant. 



