FOSSIL FLORA OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE COAL FIELDS. 133 



1911. Lepidodendron ophiurus, Kidston, Mem. Musee roy. d'hist. not. de Belyique, p. 140. 

 1831. Lepidodendron graeile, L. & H., Foss. Flora, vol. i., pi. ix. 

 1838. ,, „ Brongt., Hist. d. veget. foss., vol. ii., pi. xv. 



1831. Lepidodendron dilatatum, L. & H., Fossil Flora, vol. i., pi. vii. fig. 2. 



1894. Lepidodendron elegans, Nathorst (non Sternb.), Palaeoz. Flora d. arktischen Zone, p. 34, pi. xvi. 

 fig. 1 (Kongl. Svenska Vetenskaps-Akad. Handl., vol. xxvi. No. 4). 



Remarks. — Two specimens of the cones of Lepidodendron ophiurus are given 

 natural size at figs. 2, 3, PL XL That at fig. 2 shows a cone, 14 cm. long and 1*50 cm. 

 broad, of almost equal width throughout, terminating a branchlet which is easily 

 identified by the presence of the characteristic foliage of Lepidodendron ophiurus. 



The distal portion of the lanceolate bracts is upright and mostly adpressed to the 

 cone, and in this it differs from Lepidostrobus squarrosus Kidston,* where the distal 

 portions of the bracts are spreading and the cone is also larger. 



The other specimen, that at fig. 3, and which is 15 cm. long, though not attached 

 to the branch, from its size, form, and character of the bracts I have no hesitation in 

 referring to the same species. This specimen is preserved in the " round " and has 

 been thoroughly impregnated with carbonate of lime, now bleached white, while the 

 surrounding matrix of clay ironstone is of a red-brown colour. The vegetable matter 

 is converted into black carbon, so that the general structure of the cone stands out 

 with diagrammatic clearness. 



At the base of the cone, the sporangia! portion of the bract is slightly deflexed, 

 about 2 cm. above the base it becomes horizontal, and above this point it gradually 

 assumes an upward direction. A slight contraction has taken place in this specimen, 

 as shown by the cavity at the apex, originally occupied by the plant, being now filled 

 with lime, though the apex of the cone itself is quite complete. 



Towards the centre of the cone given at fig. 3 a small part of the peripheral region 

 is seen, and on this are exhibited fragments of some of the bracts. Neither the 

 sporangia nor spores are preserved in this example. 



On another similarly preserved specimen in my collection f it is shown that the 

 bracts were spirally placed on the axis. 



That given at fig. 2 was received from Sir Charles Holcroft, and that at fig. 3 

 from Mr H. W. Hughes. 



Horizons and Localities.. — 



Roof of Brooch Coal : Shut End ; Himley ; Pensnett ; Holly Hall, Dudley ; 



Coneygre Colliery, Tipton. 

 Brooch Binds Lronstone : Pensnett. 

 Ten-foot Lronstone Measures : Clayscroft Openwork, Coseley, Dudley ; Tipton ; 



Moxley. 

 Shale over Heathen Coal : Dudley. 

 Gubbin Lronstone Measures : Shut End. 

 Roof of New Mine Coal: Merry hill Colliery, Brierley Hill. 



* Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin., vol. xxxvii. p. 342, pi. iv. figs. 13, 14, 1893. t No. 3736. 



