THE 
AMERICAN GEOLOGIST. 
Vol. XXIV. OCTOBER, 1899. No. 4 
POSSIBLE NEW COAL PLANTS IN COAL. 
By W. S. Gresley, F. G. S., F. G. S. A., Erie. Pa. 
(Plates VII, VIII, IX, and X.) 
In "Side-Light upon Coal Formation" in the February 
(1899) number of the American Geologist, the very common 
occurrence in coal-beds, of coal bodies resembling rods, was 
enlarged upon and illustrated (plate ii). It is now my desire to 
present evidence obtained from studying coal — anthracite in 
particular — showing the organic connection between the rods 
and the enclosing or surrounding tissues, evidence in fact 
enough to make it probable that the plant to which these rods, 
or some of them, belong, is now revealed, and is apparently 
one whose description has not hitherto been published. 
Figs. I to 16, plate VII, show portions of rods somewhat 
similar to those figured in this magazine as above referred to. 
Now, in fig. 17, pi. VII, we see rods, differing in structure from 
one another, organically connected to a zone or laver com- 
posed of dense cells of small diameter and of considerable 
length. Herein is also evidence of the organic contact of the 
cellular material separating the rods, with the denser laver; in 
fact both the rods and the inter-rodular material are seen to 
merge into the same compact fribro-cellular layer or "rind." I 
call this layer or zone the rind, for the reason that in all the very 
numerous specimens I have examined, I have never detected 
the semblance of anything indicating growth or extensions be- 
yond it, if the exception in fig. 21, pi VIII, where this dense 
