126 



A. — This is the plaster cast of a fossil stem from Camerton Colliery, 

 in Somersetshire, where the specimen was, I believe, found in the year 

 1800. It was, I think, in the possession of the late C. J. Harford, Esq., 

 a friend of the late Rev. J. Townsend, of Pewsey (author of a well-known 

 geological work embodying many of Mr. Wm. Smith's early views), and 



of the late Rev. — Benjamin, of Farley, in whose collection 



It was given to me by . . . . [A large portion of the letter is here 

 cut out, and no drawing corresponding to this description can be found.] 



B. — Also from the Somersetshire coal-field. I have never seen another 

 specimen. This is in the collection of Thomas Meade, Esq., of Chatley 

 Lodge, near Bath. The plant lies in the centre of a large flattened 

 round module of ironstone, and is represented as to substance by a thin 

 scaly bituminous coal. The structure was copied faithfully, but it is sup- 

 posed that more of the fiue venation of the leaves might have been dis- 

 covered by longer examination. Each leaf has a midrib of great regularity 

 and parallel fine veins. The leaves appear to have been verticillate in two 

 rows, like a double flower, and to have supported in the centre a tumid 

 portion, giving the notion of a convex receptacle, of which the surface is 

 granulated, or rather marked with many curved lines. [The drawing 

 thus described is fortunately preserved. Here the portion of the letter 

 already mentioned as being cut out again interferes with the sequence.] 



C. — Is the internal portion, rather flattened, with articulations at un- 

 equal distances, furrows of slight depth, the intervening spaces slightly 

 convex, and no ramuscular impressions. The verticillar belt of cicatrices 

 of branches presents oblong approximate concave impressions, with some 

 dubious traces of central structure. 



D. — Is the external impression, with the cicatrices of branches convex, 

 and the longitudinal sulci, less distinct, near them. [0 and D refer to 

 Catamites verticittatus, the drawing marked C being figured as Plate 

 CXXXIX. of the "Fossil Flora," at p. 159 (Vol. II.), of which will be 

 found quoted the missing passage in this letter. The drawing D is pre- 

 served, but has not been published. It is dated April 13, 1828.] 



I may take this opportunity of noticing that the occurrence of Cala- 

 mites, Sigillaria, and Lepidodendra in sandstone rocks is common in the 

 Yorkshire coal-field, through most parts of the series ; that is to say, 

 through a thickness of 1,000 yards. It does not appear at present that 

 the different species can be assigned to different parts of the series, but 

 on this subject we have much to learn. Some of the species occur in the 

 sedimentary rocks associated with the Mountain Limestone, as do also 

 Stigmaria, Sternbergia, and several Lepidodendra. 



