XXX] SUTCLIFFIA 149 



In the absence of more complete information as to the 

 anatomical structure of this stem and of all information as to the 

 leaves or reproductive organs it is impossible to fix with precision 

 the systematic position of the genus. It is, however, clear that 

 Rhexoxylon is closely connected with Medullosa in certain features 

 though in the structure of the wood it exhibits important pecu- 

 liarities. The imperfectly known stem Cladoxylon Kidstoni^ shows 

 a fairly close agreement with the African plant in the form of 

 the steles (fig. 460) but the pitting is scalariform. 



SUTCLIFFIA. Scott. 

 Butcliffia insignis Scott. 



The generic name Sutcliffia was given by Dr Scott^ to a pecuhar 

 type of stem from the Lower Coal Measures of Shore, Lancashire, 

 in recognition of the valuable services rendered to Palaeobotany 

 by the late Mr W. H. Sutchffe, the owner of the colUery from 

 which several new types of plants have been obtained. Two 

 stems are recorded, the type-specimen and a more recently 

 discovered stena, also from Shore, described by Miss de Fraine*, 

 which difEers in several particulars from Dr Scott's species. In 

 view of the well-marked pecuharities of the se6ond stem it is 

 convenient to speak of it aa forma ^ instead of including it without 

 a distinctive epithet in Sutcliffia insignis. We know nothing of 

 the reproductive organs of the genus. 



1. SutcliffiM insignis, forma a. 



This consists of a piece of stem approximately 12 x 7 cm. 

 in diameter characterised by a broad cortex of parenchyma with 

 secretory sacs and ducts and strands of mechanical tissue (fig. 

 439, A). Decurrent and massive leaf-bases form a prominent 

 feature as in the stem of Medullosa anglica. The stele, though 

 compressed before petrifaction, was probably not quite cyhndrical 

 but more or less polygonal or broadly triangular in section ; it con- 

 sists of groups of large primary tracheids (SSO/x in diameter) with 

 numerous bordered pits (fig. 439, B, and fig. 440) embedded in an 

 anastomosing system of parenchyma containing scattered secretory 

 sacs, a type of protostele hke that of Heierangium and Medullosa 



' Page 205. ^ Scott (06). ' de Fraine (12). 



