FLEMINGITES. 41 



the capsules vary in form in different parts of the spike in that genus, it is difficult to 

 assign its affinity to that division of the Lycopodiacece . 



" The capsules (pi. xxxviii, figs. 8 and 8 a) of this species neither bituminized nor 

 mineralized, but in a state of brown vegetable matter, are very abundant in some of the 

 coarser sandstones of the Coal-measures." 



§ 15. Binney. — In a paper of my own, published in 'The Quarterly Journal of the 

 Geological Society '^ for May, 1849, a description is given of some spores found 

 imbedded in the roots of Siyillaria, from a coal-seam at Wigan. These bodies varied 

 in size from one twenty-fifth to one twentieth of an inch in diameter, were of a nearly 

 spherical form, and had a tri-radiate ridge on the under portion. On carefully 

 comparing them with the spores of Lepidostrobi, figured in plates 5, 6, 8, and 1 0, 

 of Vol. ii, Part 2, of the ' Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain ' (Dr. 

 Hooker's illustrations), I became acquainted with their true nature, and, from their 

 resemblance, was led to believe them to be the spores of Lepidostrobus ornatus. 



§ 16. Balfour. — Dr. Balfour, in a paper ' On certain Organisms found in Coal from 

 Fordel/' says, "Besides Sigillarias and Stigmarias, we also detect in theFordel coalpecuKar 

 organisms, which have the appearance of seeds (pi. 11, figs, 12 and 13). Dr. Fleming 

 informs me that similar bodies have been observed by him in coal, and that he exhibited 

 them to Mr. Witham about twenty years ago. They have also been seen by Dr. Fleming 

 in Lochgelly and Arniston parrot, and in the coal at Boghead ; and, from having observed 

 them in cherry, splint, and cannel coals, he is disposed to consider them as a somewhat 

 common feature. I have seen them from coal at Miller Hill, near Dalkeith, as well as in 

 the coal from Fife. They do not appear to have been fully described. The nearest approach 

 to them is the Lycopodites figured by Mr. Morris iu the ' Appendix to Mr. Prestwich's 

 Paper on the Geology of Coalbrookdale.' They appear to be certainly allied to the 

 fructification of the Lycopodiacea of the present day, more particularly to that form of it 

 which consists of two valves placed in apposition, and containing what is called Lycopode 

 powder, or minute cells having a glistening aspect, interspersed sometimes with matter of 

 a dark wine-colour. These and like bodies I therefore consider to be the sporangia or 

 spore-cases of some plant allied to Lycopodium, perhaps Siyillaria." 



"Explanation of plate 11, figs. 5 to 18. Fig. 13. The same sporangia, magnified 

 about eight diameters, imbedded in a mass of Fordel coal ; some lying on the surface, 

 others projecting from the broken edges of the coal. They seem to occur frequently in 

 coal from difi'erent localities both in England and Scotland. Mr. Binney has seen them in 

 Wigan coal." 



' Vol. vi, p. 17, &c. ; with woodcuts, figs. 2, 3, 4. 



* 'Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh,' vol. .xxi,p. 187. 



