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FICOIDITES MAJOR. 

 GREAT FICOIDITE. 



Generic Character. 

 Stem with cicatrices; cicatrices distant, depressed, having a tubercle in the 

 centre, surrounded by a hollow ; tubercles bearing leaves or spines. 



Specific Character. 

 FICOIDITES major. Stem with a spike up the centre ; cicatrices distant, oval 

 sides compressed against the tubercles ; tubercles oval, at the base with a longitudinal 

 furrow at top. 



Synonyms. 



It does not appear that this fossil plant has as yet been described or figured by 

 any author. 



Description and Locality. 



Stem cylindrico-compressed, from five to six inches in diameter, with a pith or 

 spike, nearest the compressed side. 



Cicatrices oval, with a tubercle in their centre, which seems to have suffered 

 from pressure, as it rises but little above the surface. 



Tubercles oval at the base, compressed, longitudinally furrowed at top, with a 

 gland in the furrow. 



Found in a sandstone quarry near Rotherham, in Yorkshire, as also at. Crudling, 

 near Stanley, in the same county. 



Observations. 



These fossil plants do not seem to vary much in size, nor are they found im- 

 bedded with any of the others, but more frequently in detached masses, indicating 

 that they are confined to peculiar situations. 



The specimens from Crudling were procured by the Reverend Samuel Sharp, 

 Vicar of Wakefield, in whose possession they now remain. 



Mr. Martin in his Petrificata Derbiensia has given an illustration of this family, 

 accompanied by the supposed leaves of the plant, which has been looked upon as 

 vague and inaccurate ; but the figure which has already been given in the third plate, 

 and those of other species which will hereafter be given, will it is hoped shew that 

 Mr. Martin's ideas on the subject are just. 



