A FOSSIL TREE AT CLAYTON, YORKSHIRE. 
231 
circumstance lias enabled the owners to so successfully-expose 
its entire form without destroying any of its substance, 
excepting, of course, the rootlets which came away with the 
shale surrounding it. One of two of the roots overlap one 
another, which is interesting, and there seems to be another 
specimen of Stigma via intruding itself amongst the roots of 
the “fossil tree.” It is unfortunate that sufficient of the 
stem has not been preserved so that its species could have 
been determined with certainty, and also that none of the 
actual terminals of the roots are exposed to view or preserved. 
I suppose the fossil may be termed an all but perfect cast of 
the base of a tree with its whole system of roots intact, for I 
question if any internal structure exists beyond the usual 
central (?) pith ring-mark so characteristic of the fossil 
Stigmarice. 
I regret my inability to describe this strange and unique 
fossil in correct botanical phraseology. My chief object has 
been to help to make it known. 
It has been examined by several eminent geologists and 
botanists, including Prof. Williamson, of Manchester, whose 
monograph upon the Stigmciria, illustrated by a very exquisite 
series of plates (which by his kindness I have had the good 
fortune to look over) for the forthcoming volume of the 
Palasontograpliical Society, in which no doubt he will refer 
to the Clayton find, will be very anxiously awaited. I may say 
that the price of each annual volume of this most beautifully 
got-up work is only a sovereign. One large quarto volume is 
issued yearly. 
Enquiries for this book should be addressed to the 
Rev. Thomas Wiltshire, M.A., E.G.S., 25, Granville Park, 
Lewisham, S.E. Photographs of the “ Fossd Tree ” have been 
taken by two people, namely, for Mr. Davis, F.G.S., of 
Chevinedge, near Halifax, by E. Wormald, Great George 
Street, Leeds; and by J. Exley, of Southfield Lane, Great 
Horton, near Bradford, of whom the following can be 
purchased:— 
(a.) Fossil Tree from edge of quarry, size about 14" x 12". 
Price 3s. 6d. each. 
(b.) Fossil Tree, same view, cabinet size, at Is. each. 
(c.) Fossil Tree, nearly same view, with a root partly 
displaced before restoring to natural position, 
cabinet size, Is. each. 
( d .) Fossil Tree and general view of quarry and sur¬ 
roundings, cabinet size, Is. each. 
I need scarcely add that to see the fossil in its freshly 
exposed state, and whilst it is still in its natural position, a 
visit to Clayton should not be delayed. 
