XVIIl] BOTHRODENDRON 253 



branched twigs bearing numerous leaves (fig. 212, D), have 

 been mistaken for shoots of Lycopodium, and fragments of 

 branches might well be identified as impressions of Mosses. 

 The leaf-scars on the smaller shoots occur on elongated cushions 

 (fig. 212, C, D) with a transversely wrinkled surface; on the 

 older branches the leaf-scars are separated by fairly large areas 

 of bark characterised by sinuous transverse grooves and narrow 

 ridges bearing numerous small pits, as shown on an enlarged 

 scale in fig. 212, A. The original surface-features are shown 

 on the left of the drawing, and a slightly deeper level in the 

 cortex is represented on the right-hand side. The absence of 

 leaf-cushions on the older shoots is probably the result of 

 secondary thickening, which also alters the size and shape 

 of the leaf-scars. Each scar has three pits on its surface, as 

 in Lepidodendron; a central leaf-trace scar and lateral parichnos 

 scars. The circular pit above the leaf-scars, which occurs in 

 most species, marks the position of the ligule. The relation of 

 the short leaves, 5 mm. long, to the leaf-cushions is shown in 

 fig. 212, D. The absence of leaves, except in impressions of 

 slender twigs, may be interpreted as an indication that they 

 were shed at an early stage and did not persist many years. 

 The leaf-cushions of the smaller shoots of Bothrodendron 

 minutifoHum closely resemble those figured by Weiss on a 

 Devonian plant, Lepidodendron Losseni^. 



One of the few examples so far discovered of a Bothro- 

 dendron cone is shown in fig. 213 ; this specimen, at least 10 cm. 

 long, was found by Mr Hemingway in the Middle Coal-Measures 

 of Yorkshire and described by Dr Kidston. Numerous sporo- 

 phylls are attached at right angles to the axis, the surface of 

 which is protected by their upturned distal portions; the arrange- 

 ment of the parts appears to be the same as in Lepidostrobus. 

 A specimen figured by Zeiller as Lepidostrobus Olryi, which 

 Kidston is probably correct in identifying with Bothrodendron 

 minutifolium, shows that each sporophyll carries a horizontally 

 elongated sporangium (fig. 212, E). 



1 Weiss, C. E. (84) PI. vi. figs. 6, 7. 



