686 Note on the Scapes of Xanthorhcea , §c. [August, 



cuncial order, their very bases become accreted within into a false 

 bark of considerable strength — the outer coat is with difficulty separa- 

 ted from the fresh stem for the purpose of examination, but in the 

 old and partly decayed stems, is easily detached and gives a clear 

 view of the inner surface. I found some stems quite hollow, the woody 

 core having decayed and disappeared, the cortical portion contains a 

 large quantity of resin with the appearance and colour of Gamboge, 

 which is perhaps the cause of its preservation, this resin is also found 

 abundantly on the ground round the base of the plants, and I believe 

 is for the most part exuded on those occasions when the grass is set 

 fire to, a practice resorted to in N. S. Wales as in India, for the pur- 

 pose of destroying the more rank kinds of vegetation — the inner sur- 

 face of the false bark is densely covered with lozenge-shaped areolae 

 arranged in a quincuncial manner — the transverse diameter (with 

 respect to the axis) is the longest — the woody core exhibits impressions 

 of similar areolae, a point rises in the middle of each, which is received 

 in a corresponding hollow in the areola of the outer coat — it appears 

 in fact as if the outer coat was a mould in which the wood was cast, 

 the base next the crown of the root is thickest, rounded and blunt, 

 the shaft is often irregular in thickness with a strangulated appearance, 

 owing perhaps to those seasons in which the growth of the plant was 

 retarded. I regret having neglected to examine a transverse section 

 of the wood, and cannot recollect any thing peculiar about it unless 

 its coarse and loose grain. 



The above imperfect note exhibits several points that quadrate with 

 the descriptions given of some Lepidodendra and I send it to you 

 chiefly for the purpose of drawing the attention of those who feel an 

 interest in such things to a further and more complete investigation of 

 the subject. It was my intention to have brought some stems to 

 Calcutta and to have followed up the inquiry with the assistance of 

 some person more competent to the task, I however was unable to do so. 

 It would be easy to procure them from Sydney, as there are many very 

 large trees flourishing at about two miles to the South of it, small ones 

 are to be had everywhere. — The resin mentioned above has been 

 sent to England, and found to be useful to coach makers as a varnish. 



I am Sir, &c. &c. 



N. VICARY, 4th Regt. N. I. 



