693 
of Edinburgh, Session 1871 - 72 . 
of Cardiocarpa along with the steins of Sigillaria as corroborative 
of the theory of the conifer or cycad character of Sigillaria. 
He says, “ Some botanists, conspicuous among whom is Brongniart, 
hold that Sigillaria were gymnospermous plants allied to Cycadaceae. 
Others are disposed to regard them as Acrogens, and as closely 
allied to Lycopodiacese. . . . . In favour of the former 
view we may adduce the exogenous structure of the stem of 
Sigillaria , and the obvious affinity of its tissues to these of conifers 
and cycads, as well as the constant association with trees of this 
genus of the evidently phanerogamous fruits, known as Trigono- 
carpum and Cardiocarpum.” And he adds, <( The higher Sigillaria 
unquestionably resemble cycads in the structure of their stems. 
Their long, rigid, narrow leaves may be compared to single pinnae 
of the leaves of cycads. Their cord-like rootlets, as I have 
ascertained by actual comparison, are similar to those of cycads. 
If their fruit was of the nature of Cardiocarpon or Trigonocarpum , 
this would also correspond.” (See Quarterly Journal of the Geo¬ 
logical Society , May 1871.) This assumes throughout that palaeo- 
botanists are agreed as to the nature of these fossil fruits, which is 
far from being the case. 
In August 1870, Mr C. W. Peach, to whom Scottish natural 
science is so much indebted, found specimens of Cardiocarpon 
organically united with a plant long known by the name, Antholites 
Pitcairnice. The specimens were obtained from carboniferous 
shale at Cleuch, near Falkirk. Specimen No. 16, on the table, is 
Antholites Pitcairnice , from shale near Bathgate. By the kindness 
of Mr Peach, I am able to show the Society an example of Antho¬ 
lites with the fruit organically attached. The importance of this 
discovery is at once recognised. In a department where facts are 
the letters, and their association the words by which we read the 
history of creative manifestation, every worker will acknowledge 
the value of an observation like that referred to, even though he 
may not see his way to accept views implying generic identity 
between the fruit now associated with Antholites and Cardiocarpon. 
On the assumption of this identity, Mr Carruthers has recently 
limited the term Antholites to the place, or rather the use assigned 
to it by Brongniart—“ Les especes indeterminable sont generale- 
ment designees sous Is nom d’Antholites.”— Prod. p. 149. In- 
4 z 
VOL. VII. 
