LEPIDOPHLOIOS, AND ON THE BRITISH SPECIES OF THE GENUS. 553 



could have supported the weight of the terminal cone in an upright position. I there- 

 fore presume that the cones were pendent. 



The chief point to which I now wish to direct attention in connection with fig, 7 is 

 the upward directed leaf-cushions. That they are directed upward is shown by the 

 truncate funnel-shaped base of the stem, which corresponds to its Halonial attachment on 

 the parent branch. If it were possible to have any doubt about the direction of the leaf- 

 cushions on this example, the stems with cones attached conclusively settle the point in 

 showing the same character. 



But not only on the cone-branches of Lepidophloios Scoticus were the leaf-cushions 

 directed upwards. At PI. I. fig. 3 is given a figure of a small specimen, fth natural 

 size, which was collected by the late Mr C. W. Peach at West Hermand, West Calder. 

 This shows a small bifurcated stem by which the direction of the growth is easily deter- 

 mined. As seen here and in the enlarged drawing, fig. 3a, x 4, the leaf -cushions are 

 directed upwards. 



On a small fragment of stem in my collection, about ^ inch thick, the leaf-cicatrices 

 appear as if directed outwards ; * but on no single specimen have I ever seen any transi- 

 tion from the upward to the downward directed leaf-cushion. On the smaller branches 

 they are always directed upwards, and on the larger branches they are always directed 

 downwards, while on the intermediate-sized branches, as that mentioned above, the leaf- 

 scars appear to be directed outwards. Most probably, then, the change in the direction 

 of the leaf -cushion took place gradually, and could only be traced on much larger and 

 more perfect specimens than those usually met with. 



These are the facts, as supported by specimens in my possession ; and from their 

 study one can only conclude that in Lepidophloios Scoticus in the young condition the 

 leaf-cushions are directed upwards, but as the plant increases in age and size they 

 gradually become deflexed ; but it must be borne in mind that, whatever was the 

 position of the leaf-cushion, the leaf was always directed upwards, t 



The downward directed position of the leaf-cushions on the other branches of Lepido- 

 phloios Scoticus is seen at PI. II. fig. 6. Another portion of a branch, which shows the 

 whole width of the stem, is shown, natural size, at PI. I. fig. 2. The same position of the 

 leaf-cushion of Lepidophloios laricinus is seen at PI. II. fig. 8. 



Of Lepidophloios acerosus, L. and H., sp., I have only seen a single specimen from which 

 the direction of the leaf-cushions could be determined. This example is shown, natural 

 size, on PI. I. fig. 1. In this case the leaf-cushions are certainly directed upwards, as in 

 Lomatophloios crassicaule, Corda, which, however, I regard as synonymous with 

 Lepidophloios acerosus, L. and H., sp. It may also be noted that the attached foliage 

 seems to correspond to the Lepidophyllum majus, Brongt. 



* Eeg. No. 1805. 



t See Zeiller, Lepidophloios Dessorti, Bassin houil. et perm, de Brive, Flore foss., 1892, p. 77, pi. xiii. fig. 1. 



VOL. XXXVII. PART III. (NO. 25). 4 



