364 KIDSTON : THE FLORA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS PERIOD. 
a transverse row of little points, the cicatrices of the numerous vascular 
strands which entered the leaves. The same character is observable 
on the bases of the shed leaves. (Plate LXIV., fig. 3.) 
The leaves of Cordaites according to their form and shape are 
placed in the three following genera : — 
Cordaites or Eucordaites. Leaves oval-lanceolate, lanceolate, 
or spathulate, with rounded apices (Cordaites principalis 
Germar. sp., Plate LVIL, fig. 2). 
Dory cordaites. Leaves lanceolate with sharp points [Dory- 
cordaites palmoef ormis Goppert sp., Plate LVIL, fig. 3). 
Poacordaites. Leaves long, narrow, and grass-like. (Poacordaites 
microstachys Gold, sp., Plate LXIV., fig. 2.) 
As a type of Cordaites, C. principalis Germar. sp. may be men- 
tioned (Plate LVIL, fig. 2., Plate LXIV., fig. 3). This is extremely 
common in the Middle and Lower Coal Measures. 
Dory cordaites. This is represented by Dorycordaites palmce- 
f ormis Gopp. sp., which, however, is rare. (Plate LVIL, fig. 3.) 
Poacordaites is the most rare in Britain and only occurs in the 
Upper Coal Measures, where Poacordaites microstachys Gold. sp. is 
very sparingly found. (Plate LXIV., fig. 2.) 
In the Lower Carboniferous Cordaites occurs, but is extremely 
rare and represented by diflerent species from those found in Upper 
Carboniferous rocks. 
The male and female flowers are borne on difJerent spikes, and 
the female organs have long been known under the name of Antho- 
lithes PitcairnicB L. and H., though their nature was not at first 
understood. The male flowers form a spike of distichous or spirally- 
arranged flowers consisting of several whorls of bracts, from among 
which, or perhaps springing from their centre, arise a number of 
filaments, bearing three or four tubular anthers. 
The female infloresence generally consists of a spike of distichously 
grouped bracts, from the axils of which spring sessile or more or less 
long-stalked seeds. 
These infloresences, both male and female, are now generally 
included under the name of Cordaianthus Grand 'Eury (Cordaianthus 
with Samaropsis fluitans Dawson, Plate LXV., fig. 5). 
