LEPIDOSTROBUS. 



55 



§ 6. Specimen No. 26 ; Lepidostrobus Hibbertianus, sp. nov. PI. X, figs. 2, 2a, 2b. 



Specimen No. 26 (PI. X, fig. 2, natural size) represents another compressed Cone, 

 nearly perfect, six inches in length, and nine tenths of an inch in breadth, with an axis one 

 tenth of an inch across. A portion of the apex is wanting, but the greater part of the base 

 is left, so that this Cone is in a more perfect condition than those previously described. 

 For the greater part it exhibits a surface of broad, rhomboidal, and imbricated Scales 

 (ends of Bracts), arranged spirally ; but for about an inch of the lower portion stout 

 Bracts are seen springing from the column at right angles, and bearing long-oval Sporangia, 

 full of Macrospores, one twenty-eighth of an inch in diameter. 



In its external character this specimen is not to be distinguished from Lepidostrobus 

 ornatus, and most collectors would class it in that species. The only remarkable features 

 it possesses are the Sporangia containing Macrospores. 



This Cone is imbedded in Burdiehouse Limestone, from near Edinburgh, and not in 

 Blackband Ironstone, as the five preceding specimens are ; bat the Column and Bracts 

 are converted into coal, and the coriaceous covering of the Macrospores is of a yellowish 

 matter, like crude paraffine, as in those other specimens. This fossil, from the Collection 

 of the late Dr. Hibbert, of Edinburgh, was purchased by me at the sale of his museum. 



Fig. 2a (magnified 5 diameters) represents a portion of the cent^-al Column and two 

 well-defined Scales or Bracts, running at right angles from the Column, afterwards turning 

 upwards nearly parallel to it, and supporting two long-oval Sporangia, full of Macrospores. 

 In each Sporangium there are seen sixteen Macrospores, seven in the upper and eight 

 in the lower series, with a terminal one. 



Fig. 2 b (magnified five diameters) represents four of the rhomboidal scales on the 

 upper part of the specimen. 



This Cone^ is named after that well-known geologist. Dr. Hibbert, of Edinburgh, in 

 whose collection it was found. 



§ 7. Specimen No. 27 ; Lepidostrobus (?) ambiguus. PI. XI, figs. I, \a, 13. 



Specimen No. 27, Plate XI, fig. I (natural sizej, represents the stem and the lower 

 part of a compressed Cone, the upper portion of which is wanting. Exclusive of the Stem 

 it is one and one tenth of an inch in length, and four tenths of an inch in breadth. The 

 leaves connected with the Stem, and the remaining Bracts of the Cones appear to have been 



' It is desirable that the upper portion of this Cone should be carefully ground down, in order to 

 ascertain whether or not it contains Sporangia, full of Microspores, similar to tho^ found in the specimen 

 last described. It appears to me that this could be done with some little trouble. 



