IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 29 



the recent Coniferse, Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. of Plate I. In every thing 

 else, the accordance is perfect. 



In November 1830, a magnificent Fossil stem was discovered in the same 

 quarry, which, in geological position, is situated in the Mountain Limestone 

 group, and lies considerably below the great coal basins of the Lothians. 

 Its elevation above the medium level of the sea, by barometrical measure- 

 ment, is 75 feet. In the part of the quarry in which the fossil was situated, 

 the strata inclined to the NNE. 1 foot in 4^. This part of the quarry 

 assumed a trough-like shape, the one side dipping at an angle of 20° to the 

 south, and the other at an angle of 20° to the north. At the bottom of the 

 basil] lay the base of this splendid trunk. The general direction of the tree 

 which is represented in Plate V., was 20° west by north ; and the dips were as 

 Mows :— A B. at an angle of 20° ; B C 44° 5' ; C D B 39° 35' ; F 28° ; 

 G28°. 



The length of the stem, from the base to the top, was 47 feet. It pre- 

 sented the appearance of a large branchless trunk, in some parts greatly 

 flattened, so as to form an elliptical section. The diameters were nearly 

 as follows, and will best show the places and proportions of such flatten- 

 ings : — 



Ft. In. Ft. In. 



(PI. V.) A ... 5 long diameter, and 2 short diameter. 

 B C . . . 2 8 15 



D E . . . 2 7 10 



F .... 1 10 13 



G ... 1 7 14 



On the edges of the latter diameter it was not more than 7 inches. 



From the diameter of the highest part mentioned, it appears quite evi- 

 dent, that many feet of the top part of the stem must have been taken 

 away unobserved ere it attracted the notice of the public, leaving fair ground 

 to conclude, that, when it waved in the winds which whistled through its 

 branches, it stood at least 60 feet in height. Judging from the unworked 

 rock near where the stem lay, the superincumbent mass must have been 

 above 100 feet in depth. The stem tapered gradually, and was marked at 



