KILMARNOCK, GALSTON, AND KILWINNING COAL FIELDS, AYRSHIRE. 341 



Lepidophyllum lanceolatum, Lesqx., Atlas to Coal Flora, p. 14, pi. lxix. fig. 38. 

 Lepidophyllum lanceolatum, Geinitz, Vers. d. Steirikf. in Saclisen, p. 50, pi. ii. fig. 8. 

 Sayenaria dichotoma, Geinitz (in part), ibid., p. 50, pi. ii. figs. 6-8. 

 Lepidostrobus lepidophyllaceus, Geinitz, ibid., p. 50, pi. ii. figs. 6, 7. 



Remarks. — Not uncommon, but generally occurring as isolated bracts. 

 Locality. — Woodhill Quarry, Kilmaurs. 

 Horizon. — Shale over Sandstone. 



Lepidostrobus (?) spinosus, Kidston. 

 (Plate II. fig. 7; Plate III. figs. 11, 12.) 



Lepidostrobus spinosus, Kidston, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin., vol. xxxiii. p. 396. 

 Lepidostrobus, Brongt., Hist. d. veget. foss., vol. ii. pi. xxii. figs. 2, 3, 8. 



Description. — Cone oblong, and tapering to its blunt apex ; bracts lanceolate, acute, 

 single veined, adpressed, rigid ; external extremities of sporangia rhomboidal. 



Remarks. — This cone was figured by Brongniart in the second volume of his Hist. d. 

 veget. foss., pi. xxii. figs. 2, 3, and 8, to which, however, he gave no distinctive name. 



Cones which I believe to be referable to the species to which I originally applied the 

 specific name of spinosus are not uncommon in the Kilmarnock Coal Field, and examples are 

 given on Plates II. fig. 7, and III. figs. 11, 12. That figured on Plate II. fig. 7 is the most 

 interesting, as showing its attachment to the parent stem, which is longitudinally striated, 

 and has apparently been unprovided with leaves ; but it is partially veiled by some 

 vegetable matter lying across it. From its smooth striated stem it is comparable to 

 some Sigillarian cones, but in other points it agrees more with Lepidostrobus, and before 

 seeing this stalked example I referred these fossils to Lepidostrobus ; now, however, I am 

 not certain on that point. In the fossil state the bracts are always adpressed to the cone ; 

 that given on Plate III. fig. 1 1 is photographed with the light striking it at right angles to 

 the axis, and the striated appearance of its surface is produced by the edges of the 

 adpressed bracts. The same cone is shown at fig. 12, but is here photographed with the 

 light falling on it parallel with the axis, when the rhomboidal extremities of the sporangia 

 are seen shining through the adpressed bracts. One might, therefore, judge that the 

 bracts, though apparently upright and rigid, had been thin. 



Dawson, in his Geological History of Plants,* described a Lepidodendron under the 

 name of Lepidodendron Cliftonense, in regard to the fructification of which, he says : — 

 " Cones large, cylindrical, or long oval, with large scales of triangular form, and not 

 elongated, but lying close to the surface. Borne on lateral slender branchlets, with short 

 leaves." From a small sketch, with which he has favoured me in a letter,t the cones are 

 seen to depend from the ends of slender branches ; but in Lepidostrobus (?) spinosus the 



* Page 14. ■ + December 10, 1890. 



