IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 31 



ances alone, the probability is that it is a stem of a Dicotyledonous or Gym- 

 nospermous Phanerogamic plant. 



Representations of portions of transverse slices of it may be seen in 

 Figs. 1. and 2. of Plate VI. These figures shew it to be similar in all re- 

 spects to the great trunk found in the same quarry in 1826. 



Fig. 1. exhibits the usual structure of the Coniferae ; but the appear- 

 ances of the margins of concentric woody layers are very slight, and not 

 such as would induce us to infer with certainty that they actually existed. 



Fig. 2. represents a portion, in part of which the texture is destroyed 

 by fissures filled with calcareous spar and carbonaceous matter. 



Figs. 3. and 4. represent portions in which the medullary rays and gene- 

 ral texture are more perfect. 



It has, however, decided medullary rays and woody tissue, and there- 

 fore it cannot be a Lycopodium. 



It may here be mentioned, that the concentric rings, so very apparent in 

 plants belonging to the Lias and Oolite, are not by any means so conspi- 

 cuous in those found in the Mountain Limestone series and coal-fields. Yet, 

 from the examination of the few slices of this fine trunk that have been cut, 

 I should be inclined to expect that they may yet be found in some part of 

 it. 



The following is the analysis of this fossil tree : — 



Carbonate of Lime, ....... 62 



Carbonate of Iron 33 



Carbon, 5 



100 

 Specific Gravity, 2.87. 



A fragment of a third fossil stem with a branch, was found, in 1831, in 

 the same quarry, on its southern side, between the site of the trunk of 1826 

 and that of the one last described. It is represented by Fig. I. of Plate V. 

 This fragment and branch were imbedded in one of those indurated parts of 

 the rock, called by the workmen " Kettle-bottoms." The rock being so 

 hard, it became necessary to blast it, which probably detached the branch 



