IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 51 



clined to think that one of the most remarkahle results of my investigations, 

 at least it was that which struck myself most, — is the discovery of very 

 regular texture in a variety of coal, found in the roof of a seam of that 

 combustible in the mountain limestone group in Northumberland. 



Figs. 6. and 7. Represent portions of transverse slices of this coal 

 viewed under the microscope. The tissue is seen only in patches, but it 

 exactly resembles that of the recent Conifera?, and of the fossil genera Pini- 

 tes and Pitus. There are regular series of roundish or subhexagonal 

 cellules, separated by opaque spaces, which seem to be obliterated medullary 

 rays. 



Fig. 8. Represents a portion of a longitudinal section parallel to the 

 medullary rays. The elongated cellules are very distinctly seen ; but their 

 walls are so obscure, that only in one or two places have I been able to 

 trace reticulated appearances resembling those of the genus Pinites. 



Fig. 9. Represents another portion of a similar section, the elongated 

 cellules are sufficiently obvious ; but their walls are as obscure as in the last 

 figure. 



This fossil plant, therefore, appears to me to belong to the genus Pini- 

 tes, and may be named Pinites carbonaceus. 



By the success which has attended my limited attempts at tracing or- 

 ganic texture in coal, I trust that others will be induced to pursue the in- 

 quiry. The result, I have little doubt, will bring many curious circum- 

 stances to light, and will tend to complete our knowledge of the nature of 

 those important deposits, which have so materially contributed to the un- 

 rivalled prosperity of our island. 



DESCRIPTION OF A LEPIDODENDRON OF THE COAL FORMATION, RETAINING 



ITS ORIGINAL TEXTURE. 



In the month of January 1832, Mr Phillips of York having sent me 

 a fragment of a Lepidodendron, which had been presented to him by the 

 Reverend C. G. V. Vernon Harcourt, Rector of Rothbury, I examined 



