FOSSIL FLORA OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE COAL FIELDS. 159 



probable in regard to the seeds seen on PL X. fig. 6 and fig. 7, though there is only 

 about the third of the circumference of the seed seen at the latter figure, and on 

 PL XIV. at figs. 5, 6. 



At fig, 7, PL XIV., a small flattened example is given, but even here the longitudinal 

 lines indicating the position of wings can be seen, and a broad wing extends on the 

 matrix from each of the margins. This wing is broader than the wing seen on any of 

 the other specimens, and can be compared with that shown on fig. 6 of the same plate. 

 It is possible, then, that in this species six of the wings were wider than the other six, 

 but it should be pointed out that here this apparent difference in width may be due to 

 more perfect preservation and not to a true structural difference. At the apex the wings 

 seem to have narrowed as they bent over the top of the seed, where they rose upwards 

 as sharp points extending past the apex of the seed. When perfect, what now appear as 

 spine-like projections may have united amongst themselves to form the micropylar 

 tube. They are seen on the crushed specimen given on PL XIV. fig. 8. 



Polypterospermum is described as hexagonal in transverse section, but one would 

 think that the six intermediate wings must have had some effect in producing 

 intermediate though perhaps weaker angles. 



Between the ribs, the outer surface is ornamented by irregular transverse ridges, 

 which are well seen on the specimen given at PL X. fig. 7, and its enlargement, fig. la, 

 and on PL XIV. fig. 5, and its enlargement on PL X. fig. 6. This ornamentation 

 consists of transverse ridges of unequal distance apart and generally slightly curved. 



Polypterospermum ornatwn seems to be rare in the South Staffordshire Coal Field, 

 but more common in the Derbyshire Coal Field, though, as far as I know, at only one 

 locality, where a number of specimens have been discovered by Dr L. Moysey, F.G.S., 

 to whom I am indebted for the example shown on PL X. fig. 7, and those on PL XIV. 

 figs. 5 and 6, which are figured here to illustrate more fully the structure of the seed, 

 which may possibly belong to one of the Pteridosperms, though one cannot speak 

 with any certainty as to its relationships. 



The South Staffordshire specimens were collected by Mr H. W. Hughes, F.G.S. 



Horizon and Locality. — Ten -foot Ironstone Measures: Clayscroft Openwork, 

 Coseley, near Dudley. 



Carpolithes Schlotheim. 

 Oarpolithes ovoideus G. & B., sp. 



1848. Rhabdocarpus ovoideus, Gopp. and Berger, in Berger, Fruct. et semin., p. 22, pi. i. fig. 17. 



1864. ,, „ Gopp., Foss. Flora d, perm. Form., p. 173, pi. xxvii. figs. 9, 10. 



1871. Rhabdocarpus (?) ovoideus, Weiss, Foss. Flora d. jungst. Stk. u. Rothl., p. 206, pi. xvii. fig. 4, 



pi. xviii. figs. 10-14, 18-21. 



1883. Carpolithus ovoideus, Kidston, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin., vol. xxxiii. p. 404, pi. xxiii. figs. 7, 8. 

 1888. ,, „ Kidston, ibid., vol. xxxv. p, 330, plate, fig. 8. 



1892. Cordaicarpus ovoideus, Zeiller, Flore foss. bassin houil. et perm. d. Brieve, p. 92. 



