8G 
from the Newcastle beds; the true nature of it is, however, not yet made 
out satisfactorily. 
The first figure of it was given by Hoyle {loo. cit.), from specimens 
Avliich came from the Indian coal beds, lie named the genus, as well as two 
species, viz., Vertebraria indica and Verlehraria radiata , which, however, 
certainly represent only one plant, the one being a longitudinal, the other 
a cross section. 
Prom Australia it was first made known by Prof. I'd ‘Coy, but from a 
small specimen, which showed the fossil in cross section. M‘Coy called it 
Vertebraria australis, and compared it to a Sphenophyllum with closely set 
leaf-whorls. M'Coy’s original figure is reproduced on Pl. XIV, Pig. G ; it 
clearly shows that it can bo no Sphenophyllum. To some extent it resembles 
♦ 
Hoyle’s figure of V. radiata. 
In 1850 this species was placed by Prof. Unger in the genus Spheno - 
phyllmn, with the same specific name, upon the authority of Prof. M‘Coy. 
Shortly before Unger’s mentioned work appeared there was described by 
Prof. Dana {loo. cit.) another plant from Australia, under the name of Cl as ter ia 
australis. But from a closer comparison wc find that this Clasteria of Dana 
agrees well with Bnyle’s genus Vertebraria, that it represents the longi- 
tudinal section, while II ‘Coy’s figure has to be considered as a cross section 
of the same. I have reproduced two of Prof. Dana’s figures on PI. XV, 
Pigs. 2, 3. 
We nave thus a plant which within four years has been described by 
three different names — Vertebraria, M‘Coy (1847); Clasteria, Dana (1849) ; 
and Sphenophyllum, Unger (1850). 
The Vertebraria in India and Australia appear to be closely related, 
but this relation lias rather a doubtful importance, in so far as we do not 
know the true nature of the plant ; at the same time, it is to be mentioned 
that in Australia the plant is not so common as in India. 
A very thorough description of this plant from India was given by 
Sir Charles Bunbury {loo. cit., 18G1), and I have discussed the same subject at 
length iu my paper on some Haniganj Plants {loc. cit., 1876). There I have, 
starting from Sir C. B unbury’ s observations, tried to show that Vertebraria 
most probably represents the rhizoma and rootlets of certain equisetaceous 
