ORGANIZATION OF THE FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE COAL-MEASURES. 941 
are coherent at the base, forming a funnel-shaped disc; they then become free from 
one another, and their free portions extend to a height equal to two or three 
internodes ; the outline of each bract is linear-lanceolate. The sporangia are 
pluriseriate in each internode, being ranged in two, three, or perhaps, sometimes four 
circles, of increasing radius, and placed one above another. The sporangia are not 
attached directly to the bracts, but are borne singly at the end of filiform pedicels of 
varying length, which are thickened at their summit ; these pedicels start from the 
coherent portion of the bracts, and run parallel to the latter, keeping a little above 
their superior surface ; the pedicels become erect near their summit, and curve back 
towards the axis, following the external outline of the sporangium, which is attached 
by its superior extremity. Near the point of attachment, large cells, with more or less 
thickened lateral walls, can be distinguished on the dorsal surface of the pedicel, and, as 
it seems, on the sporangium itself.* In all these points the fructification of Spheno- 
phyllum cuneifolium agrees exactly with the English specimens of S. Dawsonit. The 
only exception is that, in the latter, the bracts are sometimes of greater length 
relatively to the internodes. 
M. ZEtLuer adds a detailed comparison of the actual dimensions of his own 
specimens (derived from three distinct sources) with those of the English fossil ; in 
all parts there is a most striking agreement.t 
The appearance and form of the sporangium and pedicel in S. cunezfoliwm corre- 
spond exactly with our observations on the English specimens, and the same remark 
applies equally to the whorl of bracts.{ 
The agreement in all respects is so close as to leave no doubt that the strobilus 
described by us is that of a Sphenophyllum, nearly related to, and perhaps identical 
with the species S. cuneifolium. We prefer, however, not to assume the identity of 
the species until we have some further information as to the vegetative organs of the 
English specimens. 
Four other species of Sphenophyllum were examined by M. Zetnuer: S. emargi- 
natum, Bronen.; S. gracile, Crépin. ; S. oblongifoliwm, Germ. et Kaur ; and an 
unnamed species from M. Renavtr’s collection. They all show an essential agreement 
with S. cuneifoliwm, especially as regards the main point, that the sporangia are borne 
singly on pedicels which arise from the upper surface of the bracts. In S. oblongi- 
folium, M. Ze1tLER was able to isolate some of the spores. Though much smaller 
than those of S. Dawsoni, they are similar in form (loc. cit., p. 28). 
Finally, M. Ze1uuer reviews all the previous cases in which the fructification of 
Sphenophyllum has been described, and shows that all the previous observations are 
consistent with the presence of pedicellate sporangia rather than of sporangia borne 
directly on the bracts. We need not follow the details of this critical survey, but 
* The above account is taken from M. Zeruier’s summary on p. 20 of his Memoir above cited. 
+ See his comparative table, loc. cét., p. 21. 
t See M. Zeiiier’s figures, loc. cit., Plate 1, figs. 18 and 4a; Plate 2, figs. la, 1B, 3a, dc. 
