OF THE FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE COAL-MEASUBES. 
699 
finding some traces of similar stems. The only thing of the kind which I have dis- 
covered is the central vascular axis of a stem, a transverse section of which is repre- 
sented in Plate LVIII. fig. 51. This axis is surrounded by a quantity of disorganized 
cellular structure, which doubtless represents the cortical tissues, but their disorganized 
condition obscures their true nature. The axis thus transversely divided consists of 
five crescentic masses (a) of irregularly arranged vessels, enclosing a pentagonal area (£), 
the angles of which are prolonged into five long radiating arms. This area is occupied 
by parenchymatous cellular tissue. The maximum diameter of the entire vascular axis 
is about T25. In many respects this axis approaches very closely to that of a plant 
described by M. Renault ( loc . cit. p. 172, pi. 10), and which that observer has referred 
to Cord a’s genus Anachoropteris*. This example is too incomplete tc enable me to 
determine its exact relationships ; but it is interesting to find specimens of this type at 
Oldham associated with Zygopteris , because it is an additional example illustrating the 
remarkable resemblances that exist between types which we have discovered associated 
in the Lancashire deposits, and those found by M. Renault similarly associated at Autun. 
That the type just described is very distinct from any of those described in my previous 
Memoirs is unquestionable. This plant appears to approach so near to the Anacho- 
ropteris Decaisnii of Renault that it will not be necessary to give it a separate name. 
Since there are other fern-petioles from the Oldham beds yet to be considered, I will 
not make any general observations upon those now described, since that can be better 
done when the entire series of objects which appear to have belonged to that group of 
plants have been investigated. These remarks are especially applicable to a fine series 
of examples of the Palmacites carbonigerus of Corda. The plant has recently been 
described from specimens found at Autun by Professor Renault (Comptes Rendus), 
who has arrived at exactly the same conclusions respecting it as those which I had 
previously announced at the Bradford Meeting of the British Association for the 
advancement of Science in September last. I there expressed my conviction that the 
plant was not, as had been supposed, an endogenous stem, but a fern allied to the 
Marattiaceae. Without being aware of this determination M. Renault has arrived at a 
precisely similar conclusion. 
I have again to acknowledge my indebtedness to the cabinets of my friends Mr. 
Butterworth of Shaw, Mr. Nield and Mr. J. Whittaker of Oldham. Mr. Grieve’s 
specimens from Burntisland have again proved of the utmost value to me, whilst Pro- 
fessor Renault has laid me under great obligations by kindly sending me specimens of 
several of his Autun fossils for the purpose of comparison with my British ones. Last, 
but not least, I have to thank my old friend and fellow worker in our common field, 
Mr. Carruthers. He has not only thrown open his cabinets for my inspection in the 
freest manner, but as Director of the Botanical Department of the British Museum his 
official aid has always been afforded to me in whatever way I sought his assistance. 
* Hr. Butney has recorded the discovery of similar specimens in the lower Coal-measures of Lancashire. 
See ‘ Proceedings of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester,’ Jan. 21, 1873. 
MDCCCLXXIV. 5 B 
