Notes. 
716 
The integument springs from the upper surface of the sporophyll- 
pedicel; it does not consist of the incurved margin of the pedicel, for, 
in the more distal region, the margin of the latter projects considerably 
beyond the insertion of the integument. 
From the frequency of detached specimens in the Cardiocarpon 
condition, it appears that in nature the sporophyll, bearing the integu- 
mented megasporangium, was shed as a whole, though parts of the 
sporophyll-lamina no doubt perished, only so much being persistent 
as was necessary to form a complete envelope to the ‘seed/ 
In a strobilus associated with the seed-like specimens, and bearing 
microsporangia, it was found that the latter, like the megasporangia of 
the female cone, are provided with integuments. This specimen was 
figured by Mr. Maslen as a variety of Lepidostrohus Oldhamius 1 , though 
possibly deserving specific rank, a determination with which I agreed 
at the time. There is every reason, however, to suppose that this 
strobilus was a male fructification of the same species, the female of 
which bears the integumented seed-like megasporangia above de¬ 
scribed. The microsporangial integument is more widely open than 
that of the megasporangium. 
The Burntisland specimens, which from their horizon are pre¬ 
sumably of a distinct species, are at' present only known in the 
isolated, Cardiocarpon condition. They are of interest for two 
reasons: in one specimen the ligule is clearly shown, enclosed by the 
integument, the only example of this organ, so far observed, in the 
mature, seed-like stage of the fructification. 
Another of the Burntisland specimens is the only one as yet observed 
in which the prothallus is present 2 . It fills a great part of the 
functional megaspore, which is almost co-extensive with the sporangial 
cavity, and consists of a large-celled tissue, resembling the prothallus 
of Isoetes or Selaginella. The peripheral prothallial cells are smaller 
than the rest, but no archegonia could be detected. 
The bodies described in this note resemble true seeds in the 
possession of a testa or integument, and in the fact that one megaspore 
or embryo-sac alone came to perfection; the seed-like organ was 
likewise shed entire, and appears to have been indehiscent. In many 
1 Maslen, Structure of Lepidostrohus , p. 371, Plate 37, Fig. 21. 
2 I have since examined a section, cut by Mr. Lomax from one of the Coal- 
measure specimens, in which the prothallus is even better preserved.— Note, added 
October 9, 1900. 
