750 MR ROBERT KIDSTON ON THE FOSSIL PLANTS OF 



which terminates the fruiting branchlets as an indusium, but judging from his figures 

 I would be more inclined to consider the narrow segments into which the terminal 

 structure is divided as sporangia, and not an indusium split into segments. Assuming 

 that this sporangial interpretation is correct, the arrangement of the sporangia in 

 Alcicomopteris is somewhat similar in general appearance to that of Calymmatotheca, 

 but the synangia are considerably larger than any known Calymmatothecous synangia. 

 In Dr Vaffier's figures the sporangial stalk expands at its summit and forms a saucer - 

 shaped disc, from the margins of which — according to my interpretation of the 

 structure — spring the narrow lanceolate sporangia, which are rather more than a 

 quarter of an inch long. It is probable that the saucer-like expansion to which the 

 sporangia seem to be attached is partially formed by their united bases. 



It is a remarkable circumstance that though in a few localities the fruiting branches 

 of Alcicornopteris convoluta are comparatively common, no trace of the fructification 

 has ever been found, nor is there even any remains of the saucer-like base of the 

 fructification attached to the branchlets. It would appear, then, that the whole 

 structure became attached after maturity. 



Localities. — Archerbeck, Canonbie ; Docken Beck, Eskdale. 



Eskdalia, Kidston, n.g. 



Stems with smooth cortex bearing slightly distant, spirally arranged oval scars, 

 with the vascular cicatrice placed towards the upper part of the scar. In the sub- 

 epidermal condition the scar shows a central oval band occupying about a third of 

 the area of the scar. 



Remarks. — This genus is founded for the reception of the fossil I originally 

 described as Caulopteris minuta, but the discovery of better preserved specimens has 

 shown that it cannot be retained in the genus Caulopteris. 



Eskdalia minuta, Kidston. 

 (Plate I. figs. 4-8.) 

 1883. Caulopteris minuta, Kidston, Trans. Roy. Soo. JSdm., vol. xxx. p. 541, pi. xxxi. figs. 1, la. 



Description. — Stem with smooth cortex bearing egg-shaped scars with slight lateral 

 angles ; rounded base and with narrower rounded apex having a small notch ; 

 immediately below the notch is a small circular scar. The vascular bundle appears as 

 a narrow elongated ridge, placed about two-thirds above the base. On the young con- 

 dition of the stem the scars are oval, and terminate a very slight elevation of the 

 cortex. Specimens with the epidermal layer removed show in the scar a central oval 

 band. 



Remarks. — On the specimen I originally described the epidermal layer was removed 



