ORGANIZATION OF THE FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE COAL-MEASURES. 901 
been of the nature of a rhizome. If so, the latter forms an important link in the 
life-history leading from the spore to the typical plant. 
ITT. CALAMOSTACHYS. 
The following observations relate to three forms belonging to this genus : 
1. Calamostachys Binneyana, Scar. (homosporous). 
2. C. Casheana, WILLIAMSON (heterosporous). 
3. A doubtful form, which may, however, possibly be referable to C. Casheana. 
Calamostachys Binneyana, which we will first consider, is one of the best-known of 
the fructifications found in the Coal-Measures,* and we are now in a position to 
describe almost every detail of its structure. Unfortunately, however, the specimens 
before us afford no direct evidence whatever as to the nature of the stem on which 
the fructification was borne. In no case has C. Binneyanaw been found in connection 
with vegetative organs of any kind. In endeavouring to determine to what kind of 
plant the strobilus belonged, we can, therefore, only be guided (1) by the morphology 
and anatomy of the strobilus itself, and (2) by the specimens in which similar, though 
not identical fructifications have been found in actual connection with the stems which 
bore them. Many such specimens have been described and figured by Weiss and 
other authors,t and they leave no doubt that fructifications of the Calamostachys type 
belonged to plants of the family Calamariee. ‘lhe whole question, however, can 
only be profitably discussed after the structure of Calamostachys has been described 
in detail. 
CALAMOSTACHYS BINNEYANA. 
1. General Morphology. 
The specimens available for examination consist solely of strobili or portions of 
strobili ; not even a peduncle is found in connection with the fructifications, and its 
constant absence leads us to suppose that the fruit was a sessile one. 
The largest strobilus known to us measures 1# inches (34 centims.) in length, and is 
probably not an absolutely complete specimen. The photographs 10 and 11 on Plate 73, 
* See, for example, Bryyev, ‘“ Observations on the structure of Fossil Plants foundin the Carboniferous 
strata (Culamodendron commune),” ‘Paleontographical Society,’ 1867; Carrutuers, “On the structure 
of the fruit of Calamites,” ‘Seumann’s Journal of Botany,’ vol. 5, 1867; Wui..iamson, “ Organization,” 
Part V., 1873; Part X., 1880; Part XV., 1889; Wuiss, ‘‘Steinkohlen-Calamarien,” I., 1876, and IT., 
1884. Srur, ‘Calamarien der Schatzlarer Schichten.’ 
+ Weiss, loc. cit., Parts I. and II. See especially the closely allied C. Ludwigi, Part IL., ‘Atlas,’ 
Plate 18, fig.2. Wui.ttamson, “ Organization,” Part V., Plate 5, fig. 32. Ruwnavtt, ‘Cours de Botanique 
Fossile,’ vol. 2, &¢, 
