350 O. Feistmantel — Contributions towards the [No. 4, 



but the branch does not grow out from the body of the stem, being 

 inserted in an articulation, or at least in a ' breaking', and being joined to the 

 main stem by an articulating surface (pi. xv, fig. 3, b.) in the same way as in 

 Calamites, and in the JEquiseta, fossil and living. The branch shows the 

 same structure as the main stem, a central axis (?), the 'breakings,' and 

 the striation of the surface. 



I suppose this insertion of branches by a special articulation could pro- 

 duce in a certain way of preservation foldings or breakings similar to 

 those seen in this specimen. 



But still something must be considered. It is known that the rhi- 

 zomes in living HJquiseta are constructed in nearly the same way as the stems 

 above the surface, but that, when they dry, they contract and shrink 

 in different degrees. Our specimen could very easily represent such a 

 state of things. 



Another specimen of importance is that figured on pi. xvi, fig. 4. 



It is a thin, compressed stem, which is preserved with the surface, as 

 no axis is visible, but the characteristic ' breakings' and contractions are 

 pretty well marked, so that nobody can deny its being a true Vertelraria, 

 Eoyle ; but what is interesting in this specimen is, that the ' breakings' 

 and contractions are quite regular, corresponding with the articula and 

 internodes of equisetaceous plants. One can count 9 internodes and 

 therefore 8 articula, which are pretty much of the same length. The 

 articula are well marked by a constriction and a ' breaking' in both adjoining 

 internodes. 



The surface is smooth, but on the right side (of the figure) of 

 the original specimen are seen in all the internodes several ribs, which seem 

 to be interrupted in the place of the constriction, and thus to form an articu- 

 lation similar to that which I have already described in the other specimen. 



I can therefore draw, as regards the specimens before me, the following 

 conclusions : 



1. Vertelraria was most probably the rhizome of a certain equisetace- 

 ous plant. 



2. This is rendered probable by its very frequent occurrence through- 

 out all the strata of the Damuda series in an almost unaltered appearance — 

 further by the regular striation or ribbing of the surface and the partially 

 preserved articulation. 



3. Some of the " breakings" may have been produced by the insertion 

 of branches in the articulations. 



4. What now about the relations ? there we are obliged to suppose 

 that they belonged to some frequent plants. Here in Raniganj it is very 

 easy to find the connection, where other eqiusetaceous plants are so 

 frequent, especially Schizoneura, Schimp, to which most of the stems 

 known here as Fhyllotlieca belong, as I think, as stalks above the surface. 



