jR. Scott . — On Traquairia. 463 
Fig. 3) which appear to lose themselves in the gelatinous envelope. Some- 
times the threads form a regular network in it. 
The inner capsule, a definite brown membrane, can only be observed 
in the more perfectly preserved specimens. Spores are generally present, 
which appear to produce smaller spores. The Traquairiae occur in groups 
in the decayed wood of Lepidodendron and other plants. 
The first species to be described is that figured by Williamson. 1 
I propose to call it Traquairia Carruthersii after Mr. Carruthers, who was 
the first to describe these organisms. 
Traquairia Carruthersii (PI. XXXIX, Figs. 5, 6, 7 ; PI. XL, Fig. 14 ; 
Text-figs. 1 and 3). 
The form is spherical. 
The spines appear to have been brittle. They are uniformly distri- 
buted over the sphere. They are 
sometimes branched and do not 
taper. At their apparent base they 
give off anastomosing tubes, which 
connect one spine with the other 
and form an elaborate network 
covering the surface of the sphere. 
Each spine has numerous pro- 
jecting tubular pores, generally 
arranged in about six longitudinal 
rows ; from these pores emanate 
threads, which divide and branch, 
eventually losing themselves in 
the gelatinous substance envelop- 
ing the sphere. An inner capsule 
is present. 
There are often large spores, 
which have a delicate membrane. 
Inside these are smaller thick- 
walled spores (see Text-fig. 3, a), 
which in some specimens are found 
coming out of the larger spores. There is an apparent operculum in the outer 
capsule, but it has only been observed in one case (see Text-fig. 3, B). 
Measurements : — 
Diameter of the sphere without spines : from 0*32-0*48 mm. 
Length of spines : about 0*2 mm. 
Width of spines : from 12 /x~i8 //. 
Diameter of large spores : from 36 ^-72 V (average 40//). 
Diameter of small spores : from 16 fx-iS 
Text-fig. 3. Traquairia Carruthersii. A. Inner 
capsule and spores, x 170. S. 1789. B. Oper- 
culum. x 200. W. 1077. 
1 loc. cit. 
