1052 DR R. KIDSTON, MR T. C. CANTRILL, AND MR E. E. L. DIXON. 



lower leaf sear. From the sides of the leaf scar above the lateral angles, two furrows 

 extend upwards and terminate within the extremity of the lateral furrows about half 

 way towards the leaf scar next above. 



Within the leaf scar and about ^ from its summit are three cicatricules, the central 

 punctiform, the two lateral elongate, straight, slightly diverging, and extending 

 below the vascular bundle cicatricule. 



Immediately above and resting on the upper margin of the leaf scar is the ligule 

 pit. from which radiate a few delicate short lines ; other portions of the cortex are 

 smooth with the exception of a few faint longitudinal striae which are especially seen 

 on the marginal areas of the ribs. 



Remarks. — Different opinions have been expressed as to the specific value of 

 Sigillaria distans Sauveur. # Boulay believed it to be similar to his Sigillaria 

 nudicaulis,^ while Zeiller refers it to Sigillaria lcevigata.\ 



Whatever may be the true systematic position of Sigillaria distans Sauveur, 1 

 think that there can be no doubt that the plant figured here on PI. IV, fig. 4, and 

 PI. V, fig. 10, is Sauveur's "species." 



The two furrows which extend upwards from the upper margin of the leaf scar, 

 which are less distant from each other than the furrows descending from the lateral 

 angles, and which die out within the extremities of the latter, produce a character 

 which does not appear to be accidental and which is also seen more or less clearly 

 in Sauveur's figure. 



The basal line of the leaf scar of our specimen appears to be slightly more pointed 

 than on some of the leaf scars in Sauveur's illustration, but it is impossible to place 

 any great value on this distinction, as he gives no enlargement of the form of the leaf 

 scar, and on his figure some are more pointed at the base than others. 



There are also a few faint radiating lines which spring from the neighbourhood 

 of the ligule pit on our example, but these are too faint to be seen on the fossil with- 

 out the aid of a lens. 



The leaf scars are somewhat closer on the English than on the Belgian specimen, 

 but this is a character liable to considerable variation, even on the same example. 



Sauveur gives no description of the specimen figured in his work, which makes 

 the identification of his species much more difficult ; but, judging from what data his 

 figure affords, there does not appear to be a single essential point of difference by 

 which the specimen figured here can be distinguished from his Sigillaria distans. 



The next question to be considered is the specific individuality of Sigillaria 

 distans — whether it should be referred to Sigillaria nudicaulis Boulay, as proposed 

 by that author, or to Sigillaria laevigata, as suggested by Zeiller, or be regarded as 

 a true species. 



* The Sigillmia distans, Geinitz, Darstellung d. Flora d. Hainichen Ebersdorfer, etc., p. 61, pi. xiii, figs. 4-(>, 1854, 

 does not belong to Sauveur's species. 



t Le terr. houil. du Nord de la France, p. 42, pi. iii, figs. 4 and 4 bis. 

 \ Flore foss. bassin houil. d. Valen., pp. 521 and 525. 



