836 J. W. DAWSON ON A SPECIMEN OF DIPLOXYLON 



44. Note on a Specimen of Diploxylon from the Coal-formation 

 of Nova Scotia. By J. W. Dawson, LL.D., F.R.S., F.G.S. 

 (Read February 21, 1877.) 



In a recent visit to the South Joggins, with the view of further 

 studying the fossils of that district, and more especially of searching 

 for reptilian remains in any erect stumps of Sigillaria that might 

 have been exposed by the action of the waves, I was zealously aided 

 by my friend Mr. Albert J. Hill, Manager of the Cumberland Mine*, 

 who, after my departure, determined to take down some erect trees 

 occurring in beds lower in the section than those containing the 

 reptilian remains. In pursuing this investigation he discovered an 

 erect tree twelve feet in height, having the whole of its woody axis 

 perfectly preserved, in situ, and showing structure. As this appears 

 to me to be important with reference to questions now in discus- 

 sion, I beg to present to the Society Mr. Hill's description of the 

 specimen and some remarks on its structure and affinities. 



Mr. Hill thus describes the mode of occurrence of the specimen : — 

 " The tree in question stood partially exposed near the top of a per- 

 pendicular cliff, one hundred and twelve feet above the beach (fig. 1). 

 The means of reaching and successfully extracting it from the massive 

 sandstone stratum in which it was still half imbedded, was a pro- 

 blem of no easy solution. The difficulty, however, was overcome by 

 an adventurous workman, who undertook, by means of a ladder at- 

 tached by a rope to a small tree upon the surface, to descend to a 

 sloping ledge formed by the jutting-out of a coal-seam and super- 

 incumbent debris, and to form there a ' standage ' from which sub- 

 sequent operations could be carried on. Having successfully estab- 

 lished himself in his eyry, the tree, which, from exposure to the 

 weather and the action of the frost, readily divided itself into sec- 

 tions, was sent up piece by piece in safety to the surface. 



" On removing the clay which covered the upper extremity of the 

 stump, I was struck with the unusual appearance of a well-preserved 

 stem or axis in the sandstone cast, and which exhibited structure in 

 a remarkably distinct manner, though here from exposure it had be- 

 come somewhat friable. Further down, however, it was perfectly 

 calcified and showed its structure distinctly, except in the centre, 

 which was occupied with a core of perfect^ cylindrical form and 

 consisting of grey sandstone. The outer surface of the axis is lon- 

 gitudinally striate, without joints, and occupies a position near the 

 side of the cast, from which it is separated throughout by rather more 

 than its own diameter, or about three inches. 



* We were so fortunate as to find an erect Sigillaria containing the remains 

 of no less than thirteen small batrachians, belonging to six species, two of them 

 new. So soon as these can be worked out from the matrix, I hope to bring 

 them under the notice of this Society. 



