from the Middle Coal Measures, near Rochdale. 79, 



phyllum cuneifolium var. Saxifragcefolium Sternbg.* Here 

 we have whorls of bracts and sporangia arranged very 

 much as in our spike, and there is also a general similarity 

 between the form and appearance of the whole spike. 

 But, and this is an important point, Zeiller's spike has, 

 the bracts connate for a short portion of their length 

 at the base, a feature which cannot be made out in 

 our specimen. 



It will be seen, then, that the most that can be said 

 with regard to the affinities of the spike is that in its 

 general structure and appearance it strongly resembles 

 the spikes of Spenophyllum. To advance beyond this 

 we should require clear evidence of the absence or 

 presence of sporangiophores, as well as of cohesion or 

 the want of cohesion at the base of the bracts, and 

 this evidence the specimen does not supply. 



The figure on the accompanying plate (Plate III.) 

 shows the general features of the spike. It is a little 

 longer than the natural size of the specimen in the ratio 

 of 11 to 10. 



*Loc. cit. 



