96 CATALOGUE OP FOSSIL PLANTS 



183. , L. et H. This specimen is labelled by Hutton, "Z. 



variabilis, Jarrow, B., D." There are two small cones on this 

 slab. One cone, three inches long, attached to about the same 

 length of a small branch of L. Stembergii. The other cone 

 is imperfect at the base, and slightly covered on one side by 

 the other cone. The bracts appear to be pressed close, and 

 there are transverse markings across with elevated irregular 

 ridges, which indicate, perhaps, the outer margins of the 

 spore-scales. 

 Loc. — Shale above the Bensham Seam, Jarrow. (H. C. 444). 



184. A large slab with impressions of several short fertile 



cones of L. variabilis. 



Loc. — Shale above the Bensham Seam, Jarrow. (H. C. 429). 



185. Lower portion of a cone attached to a branch of L. 



Stembergii. 



Loc. — Shale above the Bensham Seam, Jarrow. (H. C. 432). 



186. Two impressions of Lepidostrobi upon short portions of 



small branches. They are apparently young immature cones. 

 The bracts are pressed close to the body of the cones, and 

 there is an appearance of depressed parallel lines along the 

 length of the cones. The axis of the cone is indicated by 

 three rows of raised scars, nearly transverse to the axis. The 

 leaves of the branch curve off and upwards. This is probably 

 the young state of the cone of L. Stembergii, and indicates a 

 violent removal from the parent plant. 

 Loc. — Shale above the Bensham Seam, Jarrow. {H. C. 443). 



Remarks. — This species being one of the commonest plants of 

 the Coal-measures of this district and other Coal-fields of Great 

 Britain, Europe, and many other countries, more is known of 

 its external appearance, size, and, perhaps, also of its internal 

 structure (though much yet remains to he found out), than of 

 any other fossil plant. The roots (Stigmaria ficoides), the stem 

 and leaf-scars (Lepidodendron), = (Aspidiaria and Sagenaria, 

 etc., of the older authors), the branches, leaves (Zgcopodolithes), 

 and the cone (Lepidostrdbus variabilis), are now, by the best 

 authorities, acknowledged to be parts of this plant. Then the 

 central pith, with its woody cylinder, as shewn in Lepidodendron 

 Harcourtii and Stigmaria ficoides, is also admitted to belong to 

 this or a closely allied species. The specimens Nos. 175 — 186 



