FEOM THE HUTTON COLLECTION. 93 



MEGAPHYTON, Artis. 



Megaphyton frondosum, Artis. 



Type — Megaphyton frondosum, Artis, Anted. Phyt., 



pi. 20. 

 Megaphyton frondosum, Artis, Anted. Phyt., pi. 20. 

 approximatum, L. etH., Poss. Plora, pi. 116. 

 distans, L. et H., Poss. Plora, pi. 117. 



,, Sternb., Vers., pi. 46, f. 2. 



Goldenlergi, Lesqx., Coal Plor. Penn., pi. 61, 

 ,, Schimp., Traite, pi. 54. f. 4. 



magniftcum, Dawson, Quart. Jour. Gr.S., Yol. 22, 



p. 159, pi. 8, f. 34. 



173. — Megaphyton approximatum, L. et H. 



Impression of one side of a stem, about a foot long, with four 

 very distinct kidney-shaped scars ; irregular appearance of 

 what may be the upper portion of aerial rootlets flattened 

 down on the surface on each side of the row of scars. 



Loc. — Shale above the Low-Main Seam, Felling. (H.C. 321). 



174. Portion of a very broad stem, with distinct impressions 



of three scars, which are curved round and inward on each 

 side towards the centre, forming a somewhat kidney-shaped 

 cicatrix. The margins are ornamented with numerous irregu- 

 lar lines, which run into each other as in the preceding 

 specimen, an appearance due perhaps to the basal attachment 

 of rootlets or leaves. 



Loc. — Shale above the Low-Main Seam, Felling. (H.C. 319). 



Remarks. — "We shall probably never know which of our com- 

 mon ferns was the graceful foliage of the Pern-stem which 

 Possil-botanists call Megaphyton. That Megaphyton was the 

 stem of a tree-fern of goodly size there can be no doubt. If one 

 might be allowed a conjecture in this matter, we should be led 

 by the known size of the fronds to fix upon Alethopteris lonchitica 

 as the leafy covering of this singular stem. The casts of the 

 frond-scars of Megaphyton, when preserved in sandstone, are very 

 prominent, and have a grotesque face-like appearance. 



