28 T. G. HALLE, LOWER DEVONIAN PLANTS FROM RÖRAGEN IN NORWAY. 



Description of specimens. 



The fossil is represented in the collection by a fairly great number of specimens in 

 various states of preservation. The more important specimens will here be described 

 separately. 



The specimen which is represented in pl. 3, fig. 10, and in magnification in fig. 11, 

 is preserved only as a comjjletely flattened impression, without any carbonized remains 

 of the tissne. It consists of stalk, which is at least 50 mm. long and 0,5 mm. broad on 

 the impression, and a capsule which is elongatedly obovate on the impression, measuring 

 6 mm. in length and 2,5 mm. in breadth in the broadest part. The stalk is faintly striated 

 longitndinally. The capsule is not very sharply set off from the stalk, but widens 

 gradually from the top of the stalk towards the broadest part, which is about 7 3 from 

 the apex. The basal tapering part of the capsule shows a distinct striation in the shape 

 of fine furrows; the number of these furrows is 4 to 5 on the impression, but it is probable 

 that they were as many as 12 on the whole circumference. These furrows are continuous 

 with the fine striation in the upper part of the stalk. About half way between the base 

 and the apex of the capsule there is a distinct break in the surface of the impression, 

 evidently caused by pressure at the fossilization. As a consequence of this deformation, 

 the surface structure of the middle part of the capsule is obliterated. The upper part 

 of the capsule is rounded, but with a little break in the contour at the very apex. 



The specimen shown in pl. 3, figs. 12 and 13, is also an impression without any 

 trace of the original tissue or of the contents. It is of a somewhat different form, being 

 short pear-shaped with the capsule passing över so gradually into the stalk that it is 

 impossible to decide where the limit is. The basal tapering part of the capsule shows a 

 striation similar to that in the specimen first described, and this striation continues 

 down into the upper part of the stalk. About the middle of the capsule there are some 

 coarser markings consisting of 4 — 5 short longitudinal ridges. 



The specimens now described have been spöken of as consisting of stalked capsules 

 despite the fact that these supposed capsules are only represented by flattened impres- 

 sions. The two specimens, each represented by two counter-impressions, which are shown 

 in figs. 14 — 17 of pl. 3, confirm the belief that the upper part of the specimens consists 

 of a solid body. Both these specimens retain something of the original shape. In the one 

 in figs. 14 and 15, the tissue is preserved in a carbonized state; in the one shown in figs. 

 16 and 17, the original tissue is partly replaced by some ferruginous substance. Both 

 specimens agree closely in shape with those already described, but the capsule is still 

 much less distinctly set off from the stalk, the latter widening gradually in its upper part 

 towards the capsule. As a consequence of this the upper part of the stalk is thicker than 

 in the specimen in figs. 10 and 11. Of the surface markings of the capsule only the basal 

 striation is preserved, and this continues downwards into the upper part of the stalk. 

 It was the specimen in fig. 16 just described which ga ve the first clue to the real 

 nature of these fossils. In its upper part there was founcl a greenish brown mäss which 

 on examination with a low power objective under the microscope presented a granular 

 appearance. Small lumps of this brown mäss were treated first with fluoric acid to re- 



