590 
Notes. 
distinction between the strand and the substance of the walls is that 
it often yields a dark violet colouration with liquor lodi followed 
by sulphuric acid, while the walls do not. It stains readily with 
haematoxylin (especially the granular parts) and with methyl- or 
aniline-blue. 
It seemed possible that this cellulose-like substance might be 
a reserve-material to be used up in the rapid production of the 
filamentous branches which occurs in this Alga during the summer. 
To test this point I obtained some specimens after the summer growth 
had taken place. For this material I am indebted to Mr. C. Green, 
who gathered it for me on Clare Island, last July. In it not only the 
branches of the coenocyte forming the compact thallus, but also those 
which are prolonged into the filamentous out-growths, frequently 
exhibit the axial strand. 
It may also be interesting to note, that in this material, which was 
fixed in methylated spirit, one stage, at least, of nuclear division could 
be observed. In several instances the chromatin of the minute nuclei 
could be seen divided into two dome-shaped masses, the convexities 
being directed towards the poles of division. The surfaces of the 
chromatin-masses, which lay towards the equator, appeared fimbriated. 
The fimbriations possibly represent the ends of the chromosomes in 
diaster. A strand of more densely stained protoplasm connects the 
two masses. Except for this, I have seen no indications of a spindle. 
However, as only a few stains were tried, and no special care was 
taken in the fixing of the material, it is hardly to be expected that 
these details, which would be very minute in Codtum, could be seen. 
H. H. DIXON, Dublin. 
ON SPENCERI'TES, A NEW GENUS OF LYCOPODI- 
ACEOUS CONES FROM THE COAL-MEASURES h By D. H. 
Scott, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. — The fossils which form the subject of the 
present paper are Cryptogamic strobili, showing evident Lycopodi- 
aceous affinities, but differing in important points from other fructifica- 
tions of that family, so that it appears necessary to establish a new 
genus for their reception. 
Two species are described, one of which ( Stencerites insignis) is 
already known to us from the investigations of Williamson, who named 
1 Abstract of a paper read before the Royal Society, Nov. 18, 1897. 
