48 PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [June 16, 
inch thick adhering to the surrounding shale. Part of the imner 
surface of this coaly bark fell down with 
the stem, but its scaly structure was di- 
stinctly visible. The impression of the 
outer surface of the bark (4) upon the enve- 
loping shale is undoubtedly that of Lepi- 
dodendron, as will be seen by referring to 
fig. 3, which is a sketch of a piece taken 
from the part marked A in fig. 2, (a) being 
the inner surface. The stem is not quite 
cylindrical, its longest diameter, which lies in 
the direction of the strike of the coal seam, {i 
bemg 15 inches, and that at right angles | 
thereto only 12 inches. Half nat. size. 
Four main roots spread out nearly at equal distances from one 
another, which fork at about 30 inches from the centre of the stem, 
where their width is 12 inches, and depth from 2 to 3 inches. Two 
of these branches fork again, as shown in fig. 2; their width at the 
second forking being 7, and depth 13 mches. Beyond this they 
gradually taper off to about 2 inches in width by 3 in depth. I 
followed one of these small roots two feet further, where it appeared 
to terminate in contact with the coal seam, in a flat obtuse point ; 
but I have only represented in fig. 2 such parts as were plainly 
visible and could be correctly measured. 
All the roots are enveloped in a coaly bark one-tenth of an inch 
thick near the first forkmg, which thins off to a mere film at their 
extremities. At 12 inches from the stem, the rhomboidal structure 
of the external surface of this bark is quite distinct ; it grows fainter, 
but is still visible, as far down as the first forking at C, fig. 2. This 
bark is closely marked with fine parallel transverse striz. 
Decorticated pieces of root taken from the spots marked B, C & 
Fig. 4. 
A 
i 
Hy 7) 
Mh) 
: . | y\ 
li 
Half nat. size. Half nat. size. 
D, fig. 2, are represented at (4) in figs. 4, 5 & 6 respectively, (a) being 
the bark. At B, the areolz (in which the black ring and central dot 
