104 
Ohs. — One miglit be easily misled by the striking AspleniumASkenzss 
of the fossils represented by Pigs. 28, 30, and 31, all undoubtedly belonging 
to the same species, and take them for remains of a fern. But it becomes 
evident, on close examination, that they are pliyllodia of a Phyllocladus. 
Their thick, stiff substance, indicated by a comparatively thick stratum of 
coal, to be seen in Pig. 2S, already evokes considerable doubt as to their 
resemblance to an Asplenium. But a close investigation of the racliis of the 
figured specimens casts much light upon their very nature, there being scars 
of branclilets visible, as well as small edges, decurrent from them (Fig. 28), 
and even now and then small scale-like leaves (Pig. 30a, b). It results 
from these facts, that the racliis mentioned is not that of a leaf, but of a 
branchlet, and at once, that the parts to which they belong must be con- 
sidered pliyllodia. But the most important fact proving not only this, but 
also that the described fossil may safely be referred to Phyllocladus, is seen 
in the specimen Pig. 29, showing a Phyllocladus- like fruit connected with 
the base of the phyllodium.* 
At the present time there exist three species of Phyllocladus, all con- 
fined to the Southern Hemisphere, namely, one (P. rhomb oul alls, Bicli.), in 
Tasmania, a second (P. trichomanoides, Don.) in New Zealand, and a third 
(P. hypophylla, Ilook.) in Borneo. Our fossil Phyllocladus, when compared 
with the existing species named, as far as our means of comparison extend, 
unites the principal characters of these species. It shows, firstly, a character 
common to all ; and, secondly, such as are due to the single species. The 
pliyllodia arc distichous, the nervation is flabelli-penniform (Pigs. 30a and 
31a, magnified), with simple or forked secondary and tertiary nerves, 
diverging at very acute angles, the fruit being open on its apex. These 
characters are like those of all Phyllocladi. But the pliyllodia are rhomboidal 
(Fig. 30) like those of P. rhomboidalis, and also narrow, oblong, or lanceolate 
(Pig. 28), like those of P. hypophylla ; they are lobed, or pinnately dissected, 
like those of P. trichomanoides ; the lobes are obtuse, and their borders 
minutely teethed, like those of P. hypophylla ; finally these leaves are like 
those of P. trichomanoides. It is to he stated, that the fossil species differs 
from all the living ones named by their larger primary and secondary 
branclilets. 
It is worthy of remark that as the fossils of Vegetable Creek are very often stained by oxide of iron, 
those of the specimens referred to Phyllocladus asplenioides, being more or less covered with the oxide, 
especially on the nerves (see figs. .30 and 32a), assume a likeness to a fern, for instance, to an Asplenium. bearing 
fructification. Those not acquainted with the fact might erroneously be led to conclude that this sori-like 
coating belongs to Asplenium. 
