148 DR ROBERT KIDSTON ON THE 



To illustrate the character of Lepidocarpon more clearly, a diagrammatic repre- 

 sentation of a sporophyll as seen in transverse section — that is, tangential to the cone 

 axis — is given at text-fig. 7. Here the only one of the four megaspores in each 

 sporangium which becomes developed is seen at mg, enclosed within the sporangium 

 sp, which is attached to the sporophyll at b and enclosed by the integument i. This 

 envelops the sporangium on both sides, only leaving at the summit a narrow slit m, 

 which passes radially along the whole length of the elongated sporangium. 



m. 



m 



5 



Text-fig. 7. — Lepidocarpon Lomaxi Scott. Diagrammatic section tangential to axis. Description in text. 



In the fossil about to be described, as only the remains of some of these structures 

 are preserved, their interpretation- is made much clearer by reference to this text-fig. 

 The same distinguishing letters are used on the plate for the corresponding structures 

 shown in the fossil. 



Lepidocarpon Westphalicum Kidston, n. sp. 

 Plate XIII. figs. 1-6. 



Description. — Cone of unknown length, l - 40 cm. in diameter; sporophylls forming 

 steep spirals and placed at right angles to axis ; pedicel on which sporangium sits 

 5 "5 mm. long; sporangium oblong, compressed, with a basal keel, truncate at distal 

 extremity, slightly contracted and rounded at proximal end, 5*5 mm. long, about 

 2*5 mm. high, and slightly over 1 mm. broad ; integumented. On removal from cone 

 the sporangiophores leave a narrow rhomboidal scar with central point on the axis. 



Remarks. — This remarkable fossil occurs in an ironstone nodule about 3 "50 cm. long 

 and 2 "80 cm. broad. Its mode of preservation is most peculiar. The greater part of 

 the cone is absent, but a small portion towards the centre is preserved, and this stands 

 up free from the surface of the stone entirely uncompressed. The whole of the bracts 

 have disappeared, except perhaps their bases between the sporangia, and the only parts 

 exhibited are the axis, the sporangia, and the remains of the integuments. 



