464 R. KIDSTON AND D. T. GWYNNE-VAUGHAN ON 



The stipular wings contain a large number of isolated sclerotic strands whose form 

 and arrangement varies with the level of the section in the stipule. At about the level 

 which we have taken as presenting the typical arrangement in the stipules of the other 

 Osmundacete (text fig. 5), there is a large continuous strand in the central region, extend- 

 ing from near the sclerotic ring to the margin of the stipule, and gradually decreasing in 

 size towards the latter. There is also a large number of smaller strands of all sorts 

 and sizes scattered irregularly throughout the wing (fig. 27) At lower levels in the 

 stipule the structure is much the same, but the continuous central strand is broken up 

 into a row of separate strands, of which the largest is near the sclerotic ring. 



The Root. 



The roots arise in pairs from the sides of the leaf- trace just as it separates off from 

 the stem stele (fig. 28, l.t. 2 ). They obtain a cortex of their own as they pass through 

 the outer cortex of the stem. In the leaf-coating this cortex consists of an inner thin- 

 walled and an outer sclerotic zone. The stele of the root is always diarch, and in all its 

 details is a typical Osmundaceous root. In a few cases roots were met with inside the 

 sclerotic rings of the petioles. 



Considerable difficulty is met with in separating Osmundites Schemnitzensis from 

 its nearest allies. The distribution of the sclerenchyma in the stipular region of the 

 petiole does not agree with that in any other species, fossil or living, so that it is in all 

 probability a distinct species. Comparing it with the modern genera, the anatomy 

 gives an impression that it is slightly nearer Todea than Osrnunda. On the other 

 hand, the pinnae that are found in the same locality are definitely referred by Stur to 

 Osrnunda. On the whole, therefore, it is better to retain it in the genus Osmundites 

 until a more complete knowledge of its general morphology is obtained. 



Locality. — Illia, near Schemnitz, Hungary. 



Horizon. — At the base of the Miocene, or perhaps at the commencement of the 

 Pliocene. 



The Geological Distribution of the Fossil Osmundace^e. 



We have now described all the recorded fossils showing; structure that we are aware 

 of which appear to be Osmundaceous in character, with the exception of one referred to 

 by Graf zu Solms-Laubach.* This specimen was found loose in the alluvium of the 

 river Lena in Siberia, and is contained in the palseontological collection of the University 

 of Gottingen. From Solms-Laubach's account this plant certainly belongs to the 

 Osmimdacex, and it appears to exhibit some features of such special interest that a 

 more detailed description of the specimen is greatly to be desired. 



There is also a section in the British Museum collection (No. 2649), registered as 

 Asterochlsena Cottai, which is really a very badly preserved Osmundites. 



* Fossil Botany, English ed., p. 172. 



