PLATE 8, 9. 
VEGETABLE REMAINS. ARGILLACEOUS GRITSTONE, 
FIG. I. 
PHYTOLITHUS (sulcatus) Graminis? trunci, cylin- 
drici simplicis : articulis longitudinaliter sulcatis. S. t. 
A fossil vegetable — Original the trunk or culm of a 
grass ? Cylindric (tapering towards the summit) simple, with 
short, longitudinally sulcated or furrowed joints. The 
furrows equal and distant. 
Very common in Derbyshire : it is found in all the upper 
strata productive of coal, particularly near Wmgerworth, 
Chesterfield, Alfreton, &c. It lies in various directions in 
the stone, coal, or shale, and may frequently be traced to 
the length of three or four feel ; though it seldom happens 
that more than a few inches can be got perfect, from the 
surrounding substance. Its usual thickness is about that of 
the specimen represented in the adjoining plate. 
Mr. Whitehurst, in his account of the Derbyshire strata, 
has noticed this fossil as the remains of the Indian Bamboo. 
It probably owes its form to one of the Grasses — perhaps an 
Arundo — but it agrees with no species I have seen. It is 
well known to Botanists, that most of the larger Gramina in 
the Indies have branched culms — The structure of this petri- 
faction is simple, or destitute of branches; and it does not 
appear that the original has, as yet, been discovered. 
