THE EVOLUTION OF PLANTS 
593 
After investigations extending over nearly 90 years, "we 
are now in position to draw a fairly complete picture of 
the plant as it must have appeared when living. 
"It was in effect a little tree-fern, with long, slender, 
FIG. 415. Lyginodcndron oldhamium. Pinna of a microsporophyll, 
found in an ironstone nodule. Before its identity was established this 
specimen was named Crossotheca Hoeninghausi. The somewhat pellate 
fertile pinules on the ultimate branches, bear each a fringe of micro- 
sporangia about 3 mm. long. The appearance has been likened to that 
of a fringed epaulet. (After Scott, from a photo by Kidston.) 
sometimes branched, stem, 4 centimeters or less in diame- 
ter, and provided with spines by means of which it 
probably climbed on its neighbors. The foliage was dis- 
posed spirally and consisted of relatively very large, finely 
38 
