FOREST OF WYRE AND TITTERSTONE CLEE HILL COAL FIELDS. L063 



Description. — Seeds oval or sub-circular, 4 to 6 mm. in greatest diameter, rounded 

 at base and sometimes bluntly pointed at apex. Outer surface showing an irregular 

 reticulation formed of meshes caused by a series of ridges on the outer surface of 

 the pericarp. 



Remarks. — A small slab containing some seeds is given on PI. V, fig. 1, and a few 

 individuals are seen enlarged two times at fig. la. As in Carpolithes membranaceus 

 their form varies somewhat. They have occasionally a rounded base and blunt- 

 pointed apex as seen in fig. 1, and especially in the specimen at -the upper left-hand 

 corner of the enlargement, but at other times they are more oval and blunt at both 

 ends. The chief character which separates this species from Carpolithes mem- 

 branaceus is the mesh-like reticulation of its outer surface. These meshes are 

 formed by a crumpling of the pericarp, which results in a series of ridges that divide 

 it into irregular mesh-like reticulations. The meshes are roughly hexagonal, some- 

 times longer than broad or of almost equal length and breadth, but frequently of 

 varying size. Originally I thought that the reticulations might be formed by a 

 sclerenchymatous network, but further knowledge of the seeds has compelled me 

 to abandon this view and regard them as mere ridge-like foldings of the pericarp. 



It has been suggested by Boulay # and Zeiller t that Carpolithes areolatus 

 Boulay sp. may be the seeds of Cordaites borassifolius Sternb. sp., but this appears 

 to me scarcely probable, and that the association of the seeds with the leaves of that 

 plant was merely accidental. 



I possess three specimens of Sporocystis planus Lesqx. which I received from the 

 late Mr R. D. Lacoe } that do not differ in any essential character from Carpolithes 

 areolatus Boulay sp. Lesqueretjx supposed that his fossils were sporangia and that 

 the irregular mesh-work they exhibited was caused by the impress of contained flat 

 spores. He further states that the meshes are " marked with very small central 

 mamillse." This is shown on his enlargement, fig. 15a, but not on his fig. 15, 

 which is similar to the specimens in my possession. There does not appear to 

 be any character by which Sporocystis planus can be separated from Carpolithes 

 areolatus. 



Locality. — Highley Colliery, Highley, Shropshire. 



Horizon. — Shales associated with Brooch Coal. Westphalian Series. Natural 

 size. (Rh. 3607.) (PI. V, figs. 1, la.) 



Locality. — -Dowles Brook, small cliff on S. side of stream where small stream joins 

 the main stream, 250 yards W.S.W. of Cooper's Mill. 



Horizon. — Same horizon as beds at Cooper's Mill. Westphalian Series. 



Locality. — Kinlet Colliery, 1 mile S.W. of Highley, Shropshire. 



Horizon. — Shales associated with Brooch Coal. 



* Boulay, Rech. d. pale'ont. vegit. d. terr. houil. du Nord, p. 34, 1879. 



t Zeiller, Flore foss. bassin houil. d. Valen., p. 647, 1888. % K/1373-1375. 



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