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Digitized by the Internet Archive —
in 2012 with funding from
Biodiversity Heritage Library

http://www.archive.org/details/internalstructurOOwith

THE

INTERNAL STRUCTURE

OF

FOSSIL VEGETABLES

FOUND IN THE

CARBONIFEROUS AND OOLITIC DEPOSITS
OF GREAT BRITAIN,

DESCRIBED AND ILLUSTRATED.

BY

of
HENRY T. M. WITHAM OF LARTINGTON,

F.G.S., F.R.S.E,, &.

19603

EDINBURGH:
ADAM & CHARLES BLACK;
AND LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN & LONGMAN, LONDON.
MDCCCXXXIIL

1

AMAATY

me

” i

“Odthe MA gia! v 5 AM ie ih ‘ ay oe

TO

WILLIAM HUTTON, ESQ.

My Dear Sir,

To none can I with more propriety dedicate the following observations
on the Structure of Fossil Plants, than to one who has occupied so large a portion of
his time in procuring materials, destined to form the foundation of a collection of
vegetable remains, which it may reasonably be expected will become one of the most
extensive and important in this or any other country. The use which you have
already made, in conjunction with our learned friend Professor LinpitEy, of the
opportunities of examining these objects afforded by your avocations, is sufficiently
manifested in the “ Fossil Flora of Great Britain,” while your unwearied zeal and
perseverance have greatly tended to keep in activity any humble powers I may pos-
sess. To Jend my aid in bringing from their obscure repositories the ancient records
of a former state of things, with the view of disclosing the early and mysterious ope-
rations of the Great Author of all created things, will ever be to me a source of un-

alloyed pleasure.

I am,
My Dear Sir,

Most sincerely yours,

HENRY T. M. WITHAM.

Epinpukeu, lst June 1833.

INTERNAL STRUCTURE

OF

FOSSIL VEGETABLES.

INTRODUCTION.

THE interesting subject of Fossil Vegetation has at length attracted
the attention of many of the most ingenious and learned botanists of
Europe, whose investigations have thrown considerable light on the nature
of those remains of the ancient flora of our globe, which, but a few years
ago, seemed destined to remain for ever in obscurity. To me it has always
presented peculiar charms, and my efforts to elucidate those objects which
fell under my observation have been so far successful, as to induce me to
continue them with unremitted diligence. Some of the results of my la-
bours were published in 1831, in a work entitled Observations on Fossil
Vegetables ; others have been communicated to the public in the Transac-
tions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and those of the Newcastle Natural
History Society. Those which I have since obtained, I have judged it ex-
pedient to add to the former, and I now present the whole in connection to
my friends, and such persons as may feel an interest in the subject.

My pretensions to botanical knowledge are indeed very limited ; nor do I
presume to rank myself among the cultivators of a science to which so many
eminent individuals have devoted themselves in this country. The only
object I have always steadily kept in view, is to direct their attention to a
department of botany which has hitherto been too much neglected ; for, al-
though the study of the external forms of the stems, leaves, and fructifica-

A

g INTRODUCTION.

tion, of recent vegetables, has elicited much knowledge respecting the na-
ture of the former, little has been effected by an application to their in-
ternal composition, in which decided and characteristic differences are never-
theless to be found.

It is by the recently discovered method of cutting and polishing the
stems of fossil plants, that we are enabled to obtain an insight into their
structure. I had the pleasure, some years ago, of recommending this
method to the York and Newcastle Philosophical and Natural History
Societies. It was afterwards fully described in my Observations on Fossil
Vegetables; and, in the present work, a detailed account of it will be found
in the Appendix.

From the numerous discoveries which have thrown such a volume of
new light on the different departments of physical science ; from the uni-
versal desire of extending our knowledge to a degree of refinement hitherto
unattained ; from the wide-spread conviction that much may be done in
many a yet untrodden waste, I feel confident that the numerous members
of the different classes of plants, which beautified the first and succeeding
surfaces of our sedimentary deposits, will now obtain that share of atten-
tion to which they are so fully entitled.

The conflicting opinions which have been so long entertained by the
most learned men, who have directed their attention to this peculiar depart-
ment, and the many discoveries which have recently been made in the deep
and dark depositories of fossil vegetation, proving the existence of tribes of
plants before conceived to have been called into existence only at a much
more recent period, demand our particular attention. Deeply impressed
with this idea, I feel most anxious to convince those who are desirous of
cultivating this difficult and much neglected department of science, of the
necessity of minute examinations, and repeated comparisons, of the internal
structure of fossil stems. In some they will find it retaining all its ori-
ginal beauty; while in others, owing to the different states of decomposi-
tion, they will perceive numerous and violent distortions. In many stems
they will perceive a mere remnant of structure, the other parts being filled up
by extraneous matter, often, however, arranged so beautifully and so symme-

INTRODUCTION. 3

trically, as at first sight to induce a belief that the original organization re-
mains unimpaired. In such cases, the observer will require to repeat his
observations and extend his comparisons, before he can arrive at any safe or
satisfactory conclusions. When he has become acquainted with a few gene-
ral arrangements, by which Nature has characterized the groups into which
she has thrown her productions, the observer finds the cloud which before
darkened his understanding suddenly dispelled. But this result can only
be obtained by the most minute and often repeated microscopic observa-
tions and comparisons, not only of fossil plants with each other, but of fossil
and recent species together.

My principal object in presenting this work to the public, is to impress
upon geologists the advantage of attending more particularly to the inti-
mate organization of fossil plants; and should I succeed in directing their
efforts towards the elucidation of this obscure subject, I shall feel a degree
of satisfaction which will amply repay my labour. The pleasure which I
have derived from my investigations, will be heightened by the reflection,
that I have communicated their results to my fellow labourers. At the
same time, I trust that the representation of the organic structure of recent
and fossil vegetables, which I now offer, will tend to throw some light on
the nature of plants hitherto seen but in a very obscure manner.

If the attention lately paid to the study of fossil conchology has been
so highly instrumental in clearing up the many doubts respecting the diffe-
rent sedimentary formations; if the works of Cuvirr, BuckLaND, and
others, have afforded us so many interesting proofs of successive creations,
from those of the early inhabitants of the deep, up to the more complicated
structure of the bird and the quadruped ;—may we not expect equal plea-
sure and instruction from an application to the study of these ancient vege-
table remains, which, when once properly examined, will facilitate our know-
ledge of the forms, characters, and qualities peculiar to each epoch, and of
the degree of temperature and humidity which must have existed during
each period ?

These ancient fossils are the medals of our globe, recording changes
which it has undergone, and placing before our eyes innumerable specimens

4 INTRODUCTION.

of Nature’s early productions. The study of the wonders of creative power,
so profusely scattered wherever we cast our eyes, is calculated to improve
the tone of public feeling, by turning into channels of useful inquiry the
natural activity of the human mind, to elevate and enlarge our conceptions,
and to soften and improve our affections. The study of fossils in particular
carries back our thoughts to a time when the British Isles had no place, in
their present form, on the map of the world, and when land and sea, moun-
tains and valleys, rivers and plains, continents and oceans, must have been
arranged in a way entirely different from what we now behold. While
their extreme antiquity commands our veneration, their immense numbers
and inconceivable variety and beauty impress us with sentiments of wonder
and gratitude, at so great and so marvellous a design.

In the following pages, I propose, 1st, To offer some general remarks
on fossil vegetation, from the earliest sedimentary deposits up to the period
of the deposition of the chalks, and on the nature and origin of coal; 2dly,
‘Yo exhibit the distinctive characters of the different tribes of plants in gene-
ral, and of the Conifer in particular ; 3dly, To describe the fossil stems
retaining organic structure, which have been found in the strata of the Car-
boniferous series ; and to endeavour to illustrate the nature of coal, by pre-
senting the traces of organization, which I have discovered in certain varie-
ties of that substance; 4thly, To describe the structure of certain fossil
stems found in the Lias and Oolite ; 5thly, ‘lo conclude with some general
remarks on the plants described, and with an arrangment of them into ge-
nera and species, so far as it may be considered practicable. All the objects
described will be illustrated by numerous engravings ; and a brief description
of the mode of preparing recent and fossil plants for microscopic examina-
tion will be given in an appendix.

To Mr Macci.Luivray, for his unremitted attention and assiduity in
the difficult task of executing the beautiful drawings from which the en-
gravings have been made, and for his kind assistance in the minute botani-
cal descriptions of the various plants here presented to the publie, I beg to
acknowledge my sincere obligation.

SECTION I.

REMARKS ON THE VEGETABLE REMAINS OCCURRING IN THE VARIOUS
STRATA FROM THE OLD RED SANDSTONE UP TO THE CHALKS, AND
ON THE NATURE AND ORIGIN OF COAL.

FRoM investigations made by the most active and experienced botani-
cal geologists, we find reason to conclude that the first appearance of an
extensive vegetation occurred in the carboniferous series ; and from a recent
examination of the mountain-limestone groups and coal-fields of Scotland,
and the north of England, we learn that these early vegetable productions,
so far from being simple in their structure, as had been supposed, are as
complicated as the phanerogamic plants of the present day. This discovery
necessarily tends to destroy the once favourite idea, that, from the oldest to
the most recent strata, there has been a progressive development of vege-
table and animal forms, from the simplest to the most complex.

Such investigations have been rendered easy by our now being able to
reduce the hardest and most opaque vegetable fossils hitherto found in these
repositories, to a state fitting them for microscopical inspection; so that
even by means of a common lens, we can satisfactorily examine the entire
organization of these beautiful objects. It is a subject of congratulation to
think that, by a comparison of existing vegetable stems, containing woody
texture, with the fossil trunks, we may entertain a well-grounded hope, that
we shall be able to refer the latter to analogous families or genera of the
present vegetation of the globe.

From what has already been done, we are led to believe that the sur-
faces of the earth, as they successively existed, were adorned in these re-
mote periods, with trees containing woody cellular tissue, differing entirely

6 REMARKS ON THE VEGETABLE REMAINS

from that presented by the vascular cryptogamic plants, such as the Equi-
setacee, Lycopodiacee, and Filices.

Many fossil vegetables having lately been found, particularly in the
mountain-limestone series and coal-fields, belonging either to the Conifer,
or toa family closely allied to them, I am induced to believe that those
geologists who maintain that the vascular cryptogamic plants “ almost en-
tirely composed the flora of that first period,” labour under a misapprehen-
sion, entirely owing to the want of means, at the time when they formed
such a conclusion, of examining the numerous stems containing remains of
original structure, which lay buried in the early sedimentary deposits.

I willingly admit that at that period there existed Equisetacee ten feet
high, monocotyledonous plants and tree-ferns from fifty to sixty feet high.
and arborescent Lycopodiacez from sixty to seventy feet high ; but I must
contend that there also existed coniferous trees, or such as contained a
complicated woody structure, in great abundance, and many of them of a
height equal to the loftiest of those just mentioned.

That the preponderance of vascular cryptogamic plants was consider-
able, I do not wish to question. Many of the shale strata accompanying
the combustible beds of the coal-fields, contain innumerable impressions of
Filices, Equisetaces, and Lycopodiacex ; but that the beds, particularly at
the bottom of the coal-fields, also contain numberless specimens of gymno-
spermous phanerogamic plants, or of trees analogous to them, is now esta-
blished beyond dispute. From the frequent occurrence, therefore, of trees
possessing an exogenous structure, I cannot help suspecting the correctness
of the assertion, that “ the class which almost of itself composed the flora
of this period, is that of the vascular cryptogamic plants, and in fact, that of
260 species discovered in this formation, 220 belong to that class.”

In a space not exceeding two hundred yards in length, in the quarry of
Craigleith near Edinburgh, have been found immense vegetable fossils be-
tween forty and fifty feet long, with a diameter of at least five feet in their
lower parts, besides several fragments of trees of similar structure, which, if
not Conifer, are decidedly as perfect in structure, as will at once be
perceived on inspecting the representations of their transverse and lon-

OCCURRING IN THE VARIOUS STRATA. vf

gitudinal sections, which will be found among the plates of the present
work.

At Lennel Braes in Berwickshire, fossil vegetables containing woody
cellular structure are to be met with in the greatest abundance. Many of
these plants appear to me to differ materially from the true Conifere, some
containing pith of much greater extent than is to be observed in either the
stems or branches of any recent species of pine; and although, in the hori-
zontal section, presenting a regular system of apertures similar to those of
pines, yet, in their longitudinal sections, exhibiting appearances differing in
several essential respects.

Numerous beautiful remains of stems of similar plants are found at
Tweed Mill, on the north bank of that river. At High Heworth, Fel-
lon, Gateshead, and Wideopen, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, large trunks
have also been found. One discovered at the last-named place measured
seventy-two feet in length.

At Allen Bank in Berwickshire, we find shale exposed, containing large
quantities of stems of fossil trees, many of which seem to have decayed,
and to have subsequently been filled with fragments of various vegetables.

To the west of the city of Durham, in a place which I have lately had
an opportunity of examining, many plants resembling Conifer are found
in great profusion, not only zz sétw, but lying scattered about in the fields,
and in the various streams and rills that intersect this portion of the coun-
try. The quarry which has afforded the greatest number of these fossils,
is situated near Ushaw College, five miles west of Durham, and lies near
the Brass Thill seam mentioned by Mr BuppELL, in the Transactions for
1831 of the Newcastle Natural History Society.

In the roof of the Bensham coal-seam at Jarrow Colliery, upon the
river Tyne, many specimens are found having an appearance very similar
to that of the young shoots of the genus Pinus, and which M. A. Brone-
NIART names Lepidostrobus ornatus, considering them as cones, the scales
of which are terminated by rhomboidal disks imbricated from above down-
wards.

If, therefore, the argument that the combustible beds of our coal-fields

8 REMARKS ON THE VEGETABLE REMAINS

are composed of vascular cryptogamic plants, rests upon the numerous im-
pressions of the scattered remains of the leaves and stems of that class,
why should the many magnificent members of the phanerogamic class be
allowed to lie speechless in their early graves, instead of proclaiming the
antiquity of their origin, and the usefulness of their order ?

It may perhaps be objected, that until lately these phanerogamic plants
have never been noticed or discovered in any quantity so low in the series.
This I admit, but owing to the recent introduction of the method of slicing
these opaque bodies, and reducing them to sufficient thinness, we are now
enabled to examine their structure as satisfactorily as we could examine
that of a recent tree. Before the introduction of this method, owing to the
darkness in which they were enveloped, they lay unobserved and neglected ;
and when one was accidentally discovered, we were unable to assign it a
name or a class.

The very effective aid afforded by the microscope in the examination of
these fossil stems, has induced me to spend much time in searching for
varieties of them in the older deposits; and the success which has attended
my efforts in so small a portion of so large a field, and in so short a period,
inclines me to believe, that by the united exertions of Foreign and British
botanists, the number of gymnospermous phanerogamic plants. in these
early formations, will ultimately be found greatly to exceed what those
who have hitherto written on the subject could in the then existing cir-
cumstances expect.

Now, with regard to the number and variety of vascular cryptogamic
plants, I cannot help admitting that in many beds of the Newcastle, Dur-
ham, and Yorkshire coal-fields, and I doubt not in many others, that the
seams are accompanied with various impressions of cryptogamic plants ; yet
in the Edinburgh or Lothian basins, there are thirty-three beds or seams
of coal, and there the impressions of ferns are so rare as to be reckoned
curiosities. The same may be said of the other coal-basins in Scotland.
Although the leaves and branches of these vasculo-cellular plants, in the
above named English coal-fields, are found scattered about in irregular

profusion ; yet from the beautiful manner in which they are preserved, we

OCCURRING IN THE VARIOUS STRATA. 9

find it difficult to trace the operation of any sweeping current. By at-
tending to the manner in which the leaves and branches in recent planta-
tions or forests are found annually at the fall of the leaf, lying indiscri-
minately in every direction, much of the difficutly arising from the alleged
confusion may be got over, as it can be accounted for by the simple opera-
tion of violent winds.

If we take it for granted that the coal-seams are formed by the deposi-
tion of vegetable matter, produced either on the spot where it is now found,
or brought from a distance, we can easily offer an explanation for the dif-
ferences found to exist between the coal-fields of England above alluded
to and the Scotch basins, in regard to the occurrence of fossil vascular
cryptogamic plants, and their impressions. In a flat country, like North-
umberland, Durham, and Yorkshire, surrounded by mountains of no great
elevation, from which a supply of more perfect wood could have been ob-
tained, the vast mass of carbonaceous matter deposited must have resulted
from vegetables growing on the spot, and this may have had its origin in
a great measure from the vascular cryptogamic plants, which a marshy
country, such as it might have been, would have produced in great abun-
dance, and with a luxuriance of which we can now have but little concep-
tion, unless we contemplate the profuse vegetation of the Tropics.

The Scotch coal-basins on the contrary, seem to have been formed in
large inland lakes or hollows, produced by the expansion of immense bodies
of water. In these lakes or hollows, the produce of vast forests, which
may have existed in the valleys of the high regions, may have been car-
ried down by eddies and currents. As these trees had grown at great ele-
vations, most of those carried along hy the great rivers and their tribu-
tary streams may have consisted of Conifere, or plants possessing a struc-
ture closely allied to that of our present pines.

In coal-fields, in which the carbonaceous strata were formed from such
materials, it is not at all surprising that fossils of a vascular cryptogamic
character should be considered as rarities; and although, as stated above,
many beds of the Newcastle, Durham, and Yorkshire fields are accompa-
nied by varieties of these impressions, yet I believe a considerable number

B

10 REMARKS ON THE VEGETABLE REMAINS

even of these beds, with their accompanying shales, possess them sparing-
ly, and some not at all.

If, therefore, we only find these impressions of vascular cryptogamic
plants partially distributed, what particular reason have we for maintaining
the almost exclusive production of coal from ferns, equisetacez, and other
plants of that family, when we find so many phanerogamic plants abound-
ing in these early sedimentary deposits ?

If from various specimens of jet and Bovey coal, which are in the pos-
session of many of my friends and in my own, no doubt can be entertained
that they were originally stems of plants, possessing a ligneous structure,
the concentric rings and fibrous tissue being sufficient evidence to the
naked eye that such was the case; and if notwithstanding, from un-
known causes, cut them as thin as you like, no true structure can be fairly
traced in them; are we on that account warranted to doubt their being
dicotyledonous or coniferous, or of a structure allied to the latter ?

If, then, many coals, as well as fossil plants from the mountain lime-
stone groups, and true coal-fields, on being cut into thin slices, present a
similar appearance, where is the impropriety in assuming the belief that
these combustible beds were masses of vascular and cellular cryptoga-
mic plants, mixed with gymnospermous phanerogamic trees, or others of a
closely allied structure ?

Except in a few instances, I have ineffectually tried, with the aid of
the microscope, to obtain some insight into the structure of coal. Owing
to its great opacity, which is probably due to mechanical pressure, the
action of chemical affinity, and the percolation of acidulous waters, all
traces of organization appear to have been obliterated. After frequent
trials, however, I have at length been gratified by the discovery of a regular
and beautiful texture in the centre of a piece of coal from the mountain
limestone group. This in many respects indicates woody tissue, and un-
doubtedly leaves scope for our most sanguine expectations. By the ap-
pearance presented by many varieties of coal, particularly that of Berwick-
on-T'weed, and that of the Scotch basins, after having been subjected to
a certain degree of heat, when it splits and separates in layers almost of

‘

OCCURRING IN THE VARIOUS STRATA. Hal

equal thickness, not unlike the concentric rings of a recent coniferous or
dicotyledonous tree, a person might be induced to believe that a portion
of these carbonaceous deposits may have indeed been composed of plants
belonging to the phanerogamice class.

In the deposits included in the second period of BRonGNiart, which
extends from the magnesian limestone, to the keuper sandstone, and thus
includes the red or Exeter conglomerate, the magnesian limestone or zech-
stein, the new red sandstone or grés bigarré, the muschelkalk or calcaire con-
chylien, and the red or variegated marl or keuper, no great variety of fossil
vegetable remains have been yet discovered. Those which have occurred,
appear to be principally composed of agamic and vascular cryptogamic
plants, such as Fuci, Kquisetacee, Lycopodiacee, Filices, &c.

In the oolitic fields, or the third period of BRoNGNIART, the vegeta-
tion appears to have assumed a more peculiar character. The occurrence
in these deposits of so many fragments retaining externally the characters
of dicotyledonous woods, naturally induced those who have so long and so
assiduously laboured in these repositories, at once to assign to them the pe-
culiar character of possessing those plants. Cycadex, Ferns, Equisetacex,
and Conifer, almost entirely compose the flora of this period.

Among the numerous stems found in the various strata on the eastern
coast of Yorkshire, and in other parts of England, which I have had the
opportunity of examining, I have hitherto met with none presenting the
texture of a true dicotyledonous tree. All that have yet been examined,
appear to have belonged to the gymnospermous phanerogamic class. When,
however, as much time and trouble have been bestowed upon the fossil
vegetables of this period, as upon those lower in the series, plants not sup-
posed to have been brought into existence till after the period of the chalk
deposits, may perhaps be unexpectedly brought into view.

In these lias and oolitic deposits, we observe, as above stated, vascular
cryptogamic and gymnospermous phanerogamic plants deposited together.
Now, the more recent vegetable deposits, such as that of Bovey, and the
extensive beds on the Rhine, so ably described by Dr HrBBErt, are evident-
ly composed chiefly of plants possessing woody texture arranged in con-

12 REMARKS ON THE VEGETABLE REMAINS, &c.

centric layers. ‘The pine forests also at present in existence in many parts
of both continents, and on a small scale in this country itself, are accom-
panied by numerous species of ferns, as well as occasionally Equisetacee
and Lycopodiacee. The latter vegetables in ancient times had been as-
sisted by the heat and moisture which must have invigorated the plants of
the islands, from which the early coal-fields were probably formed, when
our globe was almost entirely covered by the ocean; and with the gigantic
development which they thus acquired, they would have greatly contri-
buted to form those combustible beds, composed of plants belonging to the
vascular cryptogamic and phanerogamic classes, having simultaneously pe-
rished by some convulsion of nature.

Whilst, therefore, the strength of the argument in favour of the com-
bustible beds of the coal-fields being composed of vascular cryptogamic
plants, rests upon the occurrence of the impressions of the latter in great
quantity and variety, it appears to me, for the reasons above assigned, that
it would not be forcing the argument too far, to claim a large share of the
production and consequent composition of these coal-beds, in favour of the
gymnospermous phanerogamic class, and of a tribe of vegetables differing
little from them in their external appearance, and in their internal texture
merely presenting a different disposition of the pores on the walls of the
elongated cells constituting the woody fibre, together with frequently the
absence of lines marking the union of the woody layers.

(crise)

SECTION II.

REMARKS ON THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS OF THE DIFFERENT TRIBES
OF PLANTS IN GENERAL, AND OF THE CONIFERZ IN PARTICULAR.

ALTHOUGH the organization of vegetables is sufficiently known, in so
far as regards the distinctions by which the larger groups are defined, the
more peculiar features which the families and genera present, have not yet
received that degree of attention which they require. ‘The less perceptible
modifications of structure exhibited by species of the same genus are neces-
sarily still less known; and, indeed, when we find that the anatomist is
unable to define the species of animals by characters derived from their in-
ternal structure, we need not wonder that the botanist should fail in distin-
guishing those of the vegetable kingdom by similar indications. When I
commenced my inquiries into the structure of fossil plants, I was not aware
that even the families of recent vegetables had received anatomical investi-
gation, in such a degree at least as to afford any essential aid to the geolo-
gist. The assistance which I then received, I acknowledged in the work
published by me in 1831; but I have since found that the peculiar charac-
ters of the different kinds of woody stems have been more minutely given
by Dr Kieser, in his Mémoire sur lOrganisation des Plantes, of the in-
formation conveyed by which I have therefore availed myself. Labouring
under these disadvantages, it will readily be understood how difficult a task
it was to me to arrive at any satisfactory results in my investigation of fossil
vegetables. I had before me an unknown region, in which I could per-
ceive no footsteps of any previous adventurer; but I hoped at least to open
up a path which others might extend. Nor, although I may have erred
in confining my investigation to the structure as exhibited by transverse
sections alone, have my labours been without benefit. In their Fossil Flora

14 REMARKS ON THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS

of Great Britain, Professor LiNDLEY and Mr Hutton have shewn that
attention to the structure as presented by longitudinal sections, is not less
necessary. The extension of my own observations, and the progress of in-
vestigation, have enabled me to come to more satisfactory conclusions, which
I now proceed to expose.

The vegetable kingdom has been variously arranged. It is not, how-
ever, my intention to speak of the differences of opinion among botanists,
with respect to the grouping of plants. M. ADOLPHE BRONGNIART pro-
poses a distribution of vegetables into six great classes, as follows:

I. AGAMIC PLANTS.

These plants have an organization consisting entirely of cellular tissue,
or intersecting tubular filaments, are entirely destitute of leaves, and have
only, as organs of reproduction, very minute seminula, which appear to be
developed without fecundation, and which are contained immediately in
membranous conceptacles, similar to the filaments or cellules of the general
tissue of the plants.

To this class belong the d/ge, Fungi, and Lichens.

II, CELLULAR CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS.

The plants of this class have an entirely cellular organization, but they
possess leaves having a structure and functions similar to those of the more
perfect vegetables. There are sexual organs, and the seminula are con-
tained in conceptacles of a very complex organization.

This class contains the Hepatice and Musct.

III. VASCULAR CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS.

The cellular tissue, which is diversiform, almost always contains distinct
vessels, most commonly trachez or false trachee ; the leaves are highly de-

veloped, and furnished with cortical pores; the stems are often very large

OF THE DIFFERENT TRIBES OF PLANTS. 15

and aborescent, bearing some resemblance in their structure to those of the
Monocotyledones ; and the organs of reproduction appear always to consist
of two distinct sexes, which produce seminula contained in conceptacles of
complex organization.

This class contains the Hquisetacee, Filices, Lycopodiacee, Marsi-
hacee, and Characee.

IV. GYMNOSPERMOUS PHANEROGAMIC PLANTS.

To this class belong the very remarkable families of Cycadee and Co-
nifere, which cannot be referred to any of the other classes, as their seeds,
which are destitute of capsules, receive directly the action of the fecundating
substance, and their stems differ in many respects from those of the true

Dicotyledones.

V. MONOCOTYLEDONOUS PHANEROGAMIC PLANTS.

In this class, the female organs of reproduction consist of ovules con-
tained in an ovarium, which transmits to them the influence of the fecun-
dating fluid; the embryo has only a single cotyledon; the stem is herba-
ceous, bulbiform or arborescent, is formed of fibre-vascular fasciculi, is de-
veloped by its central part, and is destitute of concentric rings or distinct
bark.

To this class belong the Gramineae, Juncee, Cyperacee, Liliacee,
Paims, &c.

Vi. DICOTYLEDONOUS PHANEROGAMIC PLANTS.

The female organs of reproduction are of similar structure to those of
the last class; the embryo has two cotyledons; the stem is herbaceous or
woody, and, in the latter case, is formed of concentric layers, and receives
its development from the exterior.

This class contains the greater part of the more ordinary vegetation of

the present epoch.

16 REMARKS ON THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS

Of the fossil plants which I have examined with reference to their in-
ternal organization, none belong to the first two classes; nor is it likely that
the delicate and fragile texture of Algz and Mosses could be preserved in a
petrified state. Those which I shall describe in the present work belong to
the third and fourth classes.

At the date of the publication of my Observations on. Fossil. Vege-
tables, the attention of geologists had been exclusively confined to the ex-
ternal forms of fossil plants; and these forms, illustrated by reference to
living species, and to vegetable anatomy, have afforded characters by which
numerous species and genera may be distinguished with accuracy. But the
supposed destruction of the internal structure of most fossil plants, and the
difficulty of applying the microscope to those which evidently retain it,
had prevented our becoming acquainted with the organization of these plants.
Many fossil vegetables are converted into a mass of carbonaceous matter ;
others are filled up with sand and other substances, the external or cortical
part alone remaining ; but it has been found that not a few retain their
original structure, the interstices being filled up by calcareous or siliceous
erystallizations. Plants which have been preserved in this manner, fre-
quently disclose their organization as plainly as recent vegetables of like
families ; but it is more difficult to prepare them for examination.

It will be sufficient here to describe this method very briefly. A thin
slice is first cut from the fossil wood, in a direction parallel or perpendicu-
lar to the fibres. It is ground fiat and polished on one side, which is at-
tached, by means of Canada balsam, to a piece of plate-glass, after which it
is ground down to the necessary degree of thinness, and polished. By this
means, the internal structure may frequently be as distinctly seen as in the
slice of a recent vegetable.

As might be supposed, the remains of the internal organization thus
displayed, are frequently distorted and disrupted in various ways, crushed
into confused masses, or widely distended and separated. In examining
them, therefore, caution is required, lest the regular be confounded with
that which has been modified by various causes. The crystallization of the

infiltrated substance has operated powerfully, among other causes, in pro-

OF THE DIFFERENT TRIBES OF PLANTS. 17

ducing these modifications. In general, the calcareous matter has crystal-
lized in divergent prisms, and has thus given rise to a kind of cellular ap-
pearance, very readily distinguishable from the true, but which a novice
might be apt to consider as the regular texture of a cellular or agamic
plant ; while the siliceous or calcedonic has arranged itself in parallel un-
dulations or series of curves. The appearances produced by the two modes
of erystallization are very distinct, insomuch that a person might, in many
cases, pronounce with accuracy as to the infiltrated substance, without using
any other means of detecting it than ocular inspection.

The regularity of structure displayed by many fossils is truly astonish-
ing. Many of them exhibit an internal texture as perfect as can be ob-
tained from the most delicate sections of a recent plant. The structure
thus disclosed often corresponds so precisely with that of recent stems, that
one can scarcely hesitate to refer the one and the other to the same genus,
although the differences exhibited by recent species of a genus are often so
slight, that there appears little hope of our being able to distinguish fossil
species by their internal structure, without including other characters.

The remarks which I have now to offer respecting the characters pre-
sented by the woody stems of plants, are illustrated by figures, which will
be found in the first and second plates.

PLATE I.

Tuts Plate contains representations of the internal structure of Recent
Plants belonging to the Gymnospermous Phanerogamic, Monocotyledonous
Phanerogamic, and Dicotyledonous Phanerogamic Classes, to which we re-
quire more particularly to attend, in attempting to determine the organiza-
tion of the fossil plants to be described. ‘The portions represented are of
very thin transverse or horizontal slices, viewed by transmitted light, and
magnified about fifty times.

Fig. 1. represents the Monocotyledonous stem, being copied from a por-
c

18 REMARKS ON THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS

tion of a transverse slice of the stipe of Rhapis flabelliformis, extending
from the centre to the circumference. It exhibits a uniform parenchymatous
tissue, in which are interspersed bundles of elongated cells, presenting an oval
form in their transverse section, and in each of which are seen the apertures
of one or more large vessels. There is no pith properly so called, nor does
the bark differ materially in structure from the rest of the stem.

Fig. 2. represents the Gymnospermous Phanerogamic stem, and is taken
from a portion of a transverse slice of a twig of Pinus balsamea, extending
from side to side. This figure exhibits, in the centre, the pith or medulla,
composed of large circular or subhexagonal cells, a; two annual woody
layers or rings, 6, 6; a portion of a third woody layer, c; the bark, d; and
the epidermis, e. The dark lines proceeding like radii from the outer mar-.
gin of the pith to the inner margin of the bark are the medullary rays.
The series of small cellules between these rays are formed by the apertures
of the elongated cells of the woody tissue; and the irregular apertures in
the bark are those of the vasa propria, or vessels containing the resinous
secretions of the plant.

Fig. 3. represents the Dicotyledonous Phanerogamic stem, being taken
from a portion of a transverse slice of a twig of the Common Ash, F'raxi-
nus eacelsior, extending from side to side. It exhibits, in the centre, the
pith, a, composed of large circular or subhexagonal cells ; four annual woody
layers, b, b, b, b; the bark in several layers, c; and the epidermis, e. In
these circumstances it resembles Fig. 2, as well as in the medullary rays,
the reticular woody tissue, and the vasa propria; but a remarkable diffe-
rence is presented by the irregular series of large oval apertures, placed in
the proximal portion of each woody layer. These are the mouths of the
spiral vessels.

The appearances exhibited by the transverse sections of these three tribes
of plants are such, that the most careless observer could scarcely confound
them ; but as a botanical description of all the distinctive peculiarities of
their structure forms no part of my plan, I proceed to the detail of those
which more directly refer to the object in view; and as the Gymnospermous
Phanerogamic plants, or Conifere, are those to which our observation is to

OF THE DIFFERENT TRIBES OF PLANTS. - 19

be more particularly directed, I shall, in the first place, mention a few more
particulars respecting the appearance which they present in the transverse
section.

Fig. 4. American Fir. Shews two complete annual or concentric lay-
ers, and portions of other two.

Fig. 5. Scotch Fir, Pinus sylvestris. One concentric layer, with part
of other two. ;

Fig. 6. Norway Fir, Pinus Abies. A concentric layer, and portions
of other two. ‘

Now, in these it will be observed, that the apertures of the elongated
cells are generally contracted, sometimes entirely closed, towards the outer
or distal margin of each annual layer; that the medullary rays are placed
at irregular distances, and vary in breadth; and that a few large rounded
apertures occur, which are those of vessels or lacune. The latter, however,
are always few and irregularly scattered in the Conifer, and in these re-
spects bear no resemblance to those of the other Dicotyledonous stems.

Fig. 7. Common Yew, Taxus baceata. Part of four layers.

Fig. 8. American Cedar, from Mobile. Part of two layers. In these
trees I have not observed any circular apertures.

Fig. 9. Cycas revoluta. ‘Transverse section of a small portion near the
centre of a young stem. ‘The cellular tissue is very irregular. A portion
of the double circle of fibres is seen, as well as three great spiral vessels,
which are filled with cellules, and part of a fasciculus of vessels proceeding
toa leaf. The Cycadexe belong to the same class as the Conifere ; but I
have not succeeded in procuring proper specimens for examination.

Fig. 10. Mahogany, Swietenia Mahogani. The annual layers here are
not well defined, a circumstance frequently observable in trees which grow
in warm climates.

Fig. 11. Common Oak, Quercus Robur. Part of three layers, which
are well defined, and marked towards one of their margins by a denser tex-
ture.

Fig. 12. Grey Poplar, Populus canescens. Part of two layers. In
this figure the apertures of the cellules are open; but in the others, in

20 REMARKS ON THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS

which, however, the structure is the same, they are partly open, and partly
obstructed. There are seen in all, the medullary rays, and the oval aper-
tures of the great and smaller spiral vessels. These three sections are of
Dicotyledonous woods, similar to Fig. 3.

Fig. 13. Sandal, or Sander Wood. This approaches in its characters
to the last three, but is remarkably compact in its texture, and has its layers
united, without any appearance of the lines of separation so apparent in
most of the rest.

Fig. 14. Sugar Cane, Saccharum officinarum. Section of a portion
of the stem, shewing opaque spots of an oval form, being fasciculi of vessels,
generally presenting three apertures of larger spiral vessels ; the whole con-
tained in a uniform mass of cellular tissue or parenchyma.

Fig. 15. Section of part of the stem of a species of Calamus, exhibiting
a similar arrangement.

PLATE II.

TRANSVERSE sections of Conifere, although in themselves affording
very decided characters, by which trees of that family may be distinguished
from those of any other the structure of which has been examined, are yet
insufficient as objects of comparison with those of fossil stems, for establish -
ing a generic identity in the two cases. A segment of the stem or branch
of a tree belonging to this family, presents the following structure. There
is a central cylinder of medullary cellules, which are of a roundish or irre-
gularly angular form. This cylinder is incased in a tube of woody or fi-
brous tissue, composed of cellules greatly elongated in a direction parallel to
the axis of the stem, and terminated by acute extremities. These cellules
are arranged in regular series, radiating from the medulla tqwards the cir-
cumference. Between them are interposed, at irregular intervals, series of
cellules, elongated in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the stem, and
forming thin plates parallel to the same axis. In a transverse section of the

stem, the elongated cellules of this woody tissue are seen to present series of

OF THE DIFFERENT TRIBES OF PLANTS. 91

squarish or subhexagonal apertures, and the other cellules being seen on the
edge of their plane, present the appearance of opaque lines. The latter are
the medullary rays, which proceed from the medulla or pith, and run out in
the direction of the bark. There may be more cylinders of woody tissue
inclosing each other, the last being inclosed by the bark,.of which it is un-
necessary to describe the structure.

In the transverse section, the medullary rays of the ring next the pith,
are usually seen to run out to the bark, through all the successive rings,
but the second ring is observed to contain a number of medullary rays ori-
ginating at its inner margin, and running out through the others. The
same is the case with all the successive layers. The only vessels seen in
many species are placed on the outer margin of the pith ; but in others
there are also large vessels or lacune scattered in the woody layers.

We must now examine the appearances presented by the elongated cel-
lules of the woody tissue in the longitudinal sections of the stem.

Fig. 1. Exhibits a transverse section of part of a woody layer of a trunk
of Pinus sylvestris. Part of the outer margin of the preceding layer is
also represented. Several medullary rays are seen.

Fig. 2. Represents a very thin slice, cut parallel to the medullary
rays, in the direction of the length of the stem. The form of the elonga-
ted cellules is exposed, and between them are seen the intercellular canals.
The lines running across the elongated cellules are portions of the me-
dullary rays. On the walls of the cellules are disposed, in a single series,
at a greater or less distance from each other, circular substances or vacuities,
which some suppose to be glands, and others to be pores. They usually
present the appearance of a double circle.

Fig. 3. If we obtain a very thin slice, by cutting parallel to the bark,
in the direction of the length of the stem, we observe the same general ar-
rangement as in Fig. 2. Here, however, the medullary rays have been cut
across, and present a different appearance. Four of them are seen in the
figure. The walls of the elongated cellular tissue are also found to be en-
tirely destitute of pores.

Figs. 4, 5, 6. Represent similar sections of the Spruce Fir.

29, REMARKS ON THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS OF PLANTS.

Figs. 7, 8, 9. Also represent similar sections of the Weymouth Pine.

On examining other species of Coniferze, we find the same general ap-
pearances, with slight modifications. It is therefore an essential character
of these trees, that the walls of the elongated cellules, when viewed on the
sides next to the medullary rays, should present a single series of globules
or circular pores, and that the other sides of these cellules, or those facing
the bark, and the pith should be compact and uniform.

The Cycadez are said to be the only plants known to resemble the
Coniferz in these respects; but as I have not been able to procure speci-
mens of them for examination, I am unable to say any thing of importance

respecting their structure.

( 23)

SECTION III.

DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED IN THE STRATA OF THE
CARBONIFEROUS SERIES.

I. Fosst1 VEGETABLES FOUND AT LENNEL BRAES, NEAR COLDSTREAM, ON THE

BANKS OF THE RIVER TWEED, IN BERWICKSHIRE.

In the neighbourhood of Coldstream, on the banks of the Tweed, nu-
merous fossil vegetables occur imbedded in shale. It has long been disputed
to what class of rocks the deposits of this district ought to be referred.
Some are of opinion that they are members of the old red sandstone series,
while others think that they are to be classed with a much more recent de-
posit, the new red sandstone. ‘The following facts, which have been ob-
served by my intelligent friend Mr Francis Forster and myself, will, I
trust, set that question at rest.

Immediately below the bridge at Coldstream, at its south end, you per-
ceive a bed of shale, belonging to the mountain limestone series. It may
be seen rising to the north-west, at an angle of about 14. Above the
bridge, on the north side, beds of sandstone, bituminous shale, and iron-
stone, form the cliff, rising 8° to the west.

Between the bridge at Coldstream and Lennel Braes, a distance of ra-
ther more than two miles, a great variety of shale and grit beds, evidently
belonging to the mountain limestone series, may be seen rising to the south
and south-south-west, but irregular in their inclinations.

Lennel Braes being exposed to the waters of the Tweed, these ancient
fossils are to be obtained there in the greatest abundance. Both banks
of the river are occupied by alternating beds of sandstone and shale, from
Lennel Braes down to a very fine sandstone cliff, about three fourths of a
mile above Sir Davip MiLnz’s house.

24 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

This sandstone has many characteristic marks of the new red sandstone
formation ; but there is reason to believe that it belongs to the mountain
limestone series. It is about forty-five feet in height, and nearly 120
yards in length. It dips at an angle of 9°, in the direction of north 35°
east, and is underlaid at its western point by a bed of shale, containing re-
mains of vegetables, and dipping north 37° east, at an angle of 16°.

At Tweed Mill, lower down the river, we find an abundant supply of
these singular plants.

On the north side of the river, at Twizell grounds, a similar sandstone
is quarried. The position of this sandstone is altered near the bank, being
bent down towards the river. It dips here 8° to the north-east, but in the
western part of the quarry it appears to take a more regular course, and
dips to the south at the rate of 8°. Farther down the river, a bed of shale
is seen abutting against this sandstone, evidently thrown up by a fault.
This quarry possesses all the characters of the new red sandstone. There
is also a bed of sandstone quarried in the burn side close to Milnegraden.
It is of a grey colour, and close-grained, affording a very fine building
stone. It dips at an angle of 5 to the south-south-east.

Again, a few hundred yards to the north of Coldstream, is a thick bed
of very fine sandstone, belonging to the mountain limestone group, dipping
to the south-east. It rests upon a bed of soft bituminous shale, of un-
known thickness, and the beds of sandstone are streaked and irregularly
marked with the same substance.

It is unnecessary here to describe the various appearances presented in
the neighbouring districts, in which shales and sandstones of similar charac-
ter prevail, all of which lie below the great mountain limestone, as de-
scribed by me in the Transactions of the Natural History Society of New-
castle-upon-Tyne. I shall therefore proceed to display the internal struc-
ture of the fossil stems, which occur so abundantly in these deposits.

Their contorted and flattened shape is worthy of remark. Probably
their present forms may have been caused by extreme pressure, when these
vegetables were in a state of decomposition. It is impossible to ascertain
their height, as they have been fractured and dislocated. The longest stem

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 25

I have been able to obtain, is not much more than four feet, and the lowest
part of it is about six feet in circumference.

In Plate III. is represented a transverse section, viewed by reflected light,
and diminished one-half, of a portion of one of these fossil vegetables, found
in the lowest exposed bed of shale at Lennel Braes, on the Tweed.

These stems, as already mentioned, are generally distorted and flattened.
They are invested with a coat of carbonized matter, in all respects resem-
bling the purer kinds of common coal. No two stems or portions of stems,
possess the woody appearances in their interior alike, some retaining them
in the centre, others having them distributed in various parts. The ex-
terior is irregularly grooved in the longitudinal direction. No indication
of branches was observed. The nature of the interior will be best under-
stood by referring to the figure.

Within an external layer of carbonaceous matter, fff, is exhibited an ir-
regularly oval surface, presenting various modifications of colour and texture.

b, Is the centre, converted into calcareous spar, of which substance all
the white rays and veins consist.

a, a, a, Portions retaining organic texture, and arranged in a radiating
manner, from the centre 6, towards the circumference, but losing them-
selves in the apparently cellular mass of which the greater portion of the
stem is composed.

c, €, c, Portions of the same nature as a, a, a, dispersed irregularly, and
presenting in the transverse section an oval or oblong figure, but running
continuously through the mass, in its longitudinal direction.

d, d, d, The mass in which the organic portions are imbedded. It con-
sists of crystallizations of calcareous spar, surrounded by carbonaceous and
clayey matter, and presents somewhat of a cellular appearance, but is not
organic.

e, e, Indurated argillaceous matter.

This much is shewn of the external forms and internal arrangement of
these remarkable stems, as seen by the naked eye. What the microscope
discloses, I now proceed to describe.

D

20 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

The following is the analysis of a portion of one of these fossils, weigh-
ing 20 grains:

Carbonatelof lime jie) cle) er LGLes
Carbone te eter ee ee oO
iiront(@Peroxide) ea p-ee-we- ie eehie! Ea OLOS
Gye CaM: bo on a or eae Lp eae MUST

20.00 grains.

In Plate 1V., the organic texture of these trees is exhibited as seen in
transverse slices, viewed by transmitted light. Figs. 1. and 2. are of the
natural size; Figs, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. are magnified in various degrees.

Fig. 1. Transverse section of one of the fragments of a fossil tree found
at Lennel Braes, of the natural size, shewing the organic parts @, a, imbed-
ded in the apparently cellular mass 4, 6, b, disorganized by crystallizations
of caleareous spar. ‘The white lines, longitudinal and transverse, are veins
of calcareous spar.

Fig. 2. One of the organic parts, from another portion, represented of
the natural size.

Fig. 3. Part of one of these portions of organic texture, magnified about
thirty-five times.

Fig. 4. Portion of the same more highly magnified, shewing a regular
woody texture, and medullary rays.

Fig. 5. Portion of the apparently cellular part 6, 6, of Fig. 1. magnified.
The divergent crystallization of the calcareous spar is here distinctly seen.

Fig. 6. Portion shewing a medullary ray, and the adjacent parts, high-
ly magnified. The former is distinctly seen to be composed of irregular
elongated cellules in several series.

Fig. 7. Portion of the same organic texture, shewing part of a small
intersecting vein of calcareous spar.

From these figures, it will be seen, that the general arrangement is si-
milar to that of the Conifere, as exhibited in Plate I., there being regular
series of cellules, forming the woody texture, together with distinct medul-

~

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 24

lary rays. In these two circumstances, the texture is alike in the fossil
plants here represented, and the recent plants; but in the former, there is
no appearance of the concentric lines by which the woody layers of the lat-
ter are separated.

The portions represented are chiefly calcareous ; but in some fragments
in which the cavities have been filled with siliceous matter, there is some
appearance of these concentric lines. Whether the want of them in the
calcareous portion be owing to a more advanced state of decomposition,
or to any other cause, must be merely conjectural; and it is not my wish
to force the conclusion. In all, however, the resemblance to the Conifers
is so striking, that unless the longitudinal sections present decided diffe-
rences, one could hardly hesitate to refer the fossil in question to the Gym-
nospermous Phanerogamic class.

It is seldom that the central part of these stems is found entire ; but in
one specimen I have succeeded in detecting it of its natural form. It pre-
sents the appearance of a distinct medullary cylinder about two inches in
diameter. Externally of the pith is a broad zone of woody tissue, similar
to that of the Conifer, but with the medullary rays more or less flexuous,
which, however, may be owing to distortion produced. by various causes.

No recent coniferous plant has a pith approaching in any degree to this
magnitude; but whether this circumstance ought to induce us to eject the
Lennel Braes fossil from the class in question, seems a little doubtful.

In this fine specimen, I cannot discover any decided traces of vessels,
although some of the apertures differ in form from the rest.

The examination of the longitudinal sections may be deferred, owing
to the arrangement of the plates, until we have examined the structure of

some analogous species.

FOSSIL TREES FOUND IN CRAIGLEITH QUARRY, NEAR EDINBURGH.

In the year 1826, an enormous trunk was exposed in the lowest bed of
Craigleith Quarry, near Edinburgh, at a depth of upwards of 136 feet. The

28 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

length of this trunk was 36 feet, and its diameter at the base 3 feet. It lay
in a nearly horizontal position, corresponding with that of the stratum of
hard white sandstone, in which it was imbedded. Externally, it was marked
with irregular longitudinal grooves and prominences, and was encased in a
layer of coaly matter, being probably the altered remains of the bark. No
branches were observed. Internally, it exhibited in some places an irregu-
lar fibrous or fascicular structure, of a dark grey colour, with reticulations of
carbonaceous matter. The cracks and fissures were filled with calcareous
spar, and the irregular cavities which it presented were lined by crystals of
pearl-spar.
An analysis of a portion of this plant afforded the following result ;

Carbonatelonlime:i cele cies ane GO
Oxiderot tron. "ae, 2. Sh ee ee LS
JAaminaiys ee Ree. ests We EO
Carbonaceous matter, OP Ora oO ana 9
TOSS i rtey acts.) eek eam casa sal te: RSPR RE EN CO SS

100

In Plate IV. are seen representations of portions of transverse slices of
this stem.

Fig. 8. Portion of the Craigleith tree of 1826, shewing the regular
woody texture, separated by medullary rays; magnified about forty-five
times.

Fig. 9. Another portion of the same, magnified in the same degree, in
which the woody texture and medullary rays are more or less distorted.

Fig. 10. A portion of the same tree, magnified about fifty-five times,
very regular in its texture, and shewing a medullary ray irregularly lace-
rated.

Figs. 11. and 12. Portions of the same, shewing various degrees of se-
paration of the woody texture or indurated or elongated cellules, their walls
being very thin in Fig. 11. and very thick in Fig. 12.

The absence of lines of separation of the woody layers, is the only cir-
cumstance in which these figures differ from those of transverse sections of

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 29

the recent Conifere, Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. of Plate I. In every thing
else, the accordance is perfect.

In November 1830, a magnificent Fossil stem was discovered in the same
quarry, which, in geological position, is situated in the Mountain Limestone
group, and lies considerably below the great coal basins of the Lothians.
Its elevation above the medium level of the sea, by barometrical measure-
ment, is 75 feet. In the part of the quarry in which the fossil was situated,
the strata inclined to the NNE. 1 foot in 43. This part of the quarry
assumed a trough-like shape, the one side dipping at an angle of 20° to the
south, and the other at an angle of 20° to the north. At the bottom of the
basin lay the base of this splendid trunk. The general direction of the tree
which is represented in Plate V., was 20° west by north ; and the dips were as
follows :—A B. at an angle of 20°; BC 44° 5’; C D E 39° 35’; F 28°;
G 28°.

The length of the stem, from the base to the top, was 47 feet. It pre-
sented the appearance of a large branchless trunk, in some parts greatly
flattened, so as to form an elliptical section. 'The diameters were nearly
as follows, and will best show the places and proportions of such flatten-

ings :—
Ft. In. Ft. In.
(Pl. V.) A 5 0 long diameter, and 2 0 short diameter.
BC. 2 8 Wye)
DB ere 17 1 0
Be. 1 10 Ihe)
G. 7 1 4

On the edges of the latter diameter it was not more than 7 inches.

From the diameter of the highest part mentioned, it appears quite evi-
dent, that many feet of the top part of the stem must have been taken
away unobserved ere it attracted the notice of the public, leaving fair ground
to conclude, that, when it waved in the winds which whistled through its
branches, it stood at least 60 feet in height. Judging from the unworked
rock near where the stem lay, the superincumbent mass must have been
above 100 feet in depth. The stem tapered gradually, and was marked at

30 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

irregular intervals with a kind of transverse ruge or irregular prominences.
The bark was converted into coal, and presented indistinct longitudinal
markings, with very small transverse ridges. At some of the prominences
the rugz were contorted, so as to exhibit the appearances which the bark of
some recent trees present, at the coming off of the branches.

That the forms of fossil trees are frequently much altered prior to their
consolidation, or during the process of petrifaction, there can be no doubt.
The shapes themselves, and the circumstances in which the fossils are dis-
covered, often sufficiently bear evidence to the fact, that pressure and other
agents have been at work. But recourse has often been had to this mode
of explanation in cases where it could not apply, and when one much more
easy was at hand. It is by no means uncommon to find amongst recent
trees forms similar to those of fossil plants, which have been ascribed to
pressure and other external causes. The flattening of this fossil tree is only
similar to what exists in living nature, although, for various reasons, I am
unwilling to believe that to be the case in this splendid specimen of primeval
vegetation.

The usual way of accounting for such flattenings is by pressure, al-
though, in the present case, where the tree is not parallel to the strata, it is
rather difficult to suppose its form to be owing to that cause. The pressure
by loose sand, or by sand mixed with water, would act all round the stem,
and so would not flatten it ; but, if we suppose that the tree, in its recent
state, was carried along by a torrent of water and sand, and left sticking,
as the latter consolidated, it would afterwards begin to decay, when the
hardened strata would necessarily press down upon it, and so produce the
flattening ; and those parts of the stem which decomposed rapidly, would
naturally shew the effect of pressure most,—and such, I believe to have been
the case with the stem under consideration.

Several scientific gentlemen having stated as their opinion that this fos-
sil is a Lycopodium, I may here mention the reasons why I have come to a
different conclusion. There is no appearance of insertions of leaves on any
part of it, nor any markings similar to those of the scales of palms or ferns,
or the imbricated leaves of the Lycopodia. Judging from external appear-

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 31

ances alone, the probability is that it is a stem of a Dicotyledonous or Gym-
nospermous Phanerogamic plant.

Representations of portions of transverse slices of it may be seen in
Figs. 1. and 2. of Plate VI. These figures shew it to be similar in all re-
spects to the great trunk found in the same quarry in 1826.

Fig. 1. exhibits the usual structure of the Conifer: but the appear-
ances of the margins of concentric woody layers are very slight, and not
such as would induce us to infer with certainty that they actually existed.

Fig. 2. represents a portion, in part of which the texture is destroyed
by fissures filled with calcareous spar and carbonaceous matter.

Figs. 3. and 4. represent portions in which the medullary rays and gene-
ral texture are more perfect.

It has, however, decided medullary rays and woody tissue, and there-
fore it cannot be a Lycopodium.

It may here be mentioned, that the concentric rings, so very apparent in
plants belonging to the Lias and Oolite, are not by any means so conspi-
cuous in those found in the Mountain Limestone series and coal-fields. Yet,
from the examination of the few slices of this fine trunk that have been cut,
I should be inclined to expect that they may yet be found in some part of
it.

The following is the analysis of this fossil tree :—

Carbonateroflimes, 75). «oe 62
Garbonatelofirony =). 2 ee oo
Canborse meal son kh ae ay gD

100

Specific Gravity, 2.87.

A fragment of a third fossil stem with a branch, was found, in 1831, in
the same quarry, on its southern side, between the site of the trunk of 1826
and that of the one last described. It is represented by Fig. I. of Plate V!
This fragment and branch were imbedded in one of those indurated parts of
the rock, called by the workmen “ Kettle-bottoms.” The rock being so
hard, it became necessary to blast it, which probably detached the branch

32 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

from the fragment of the stem. The latter has been sliced, and shews
the concentric rings in a perfection almost approaching to the fossils of the
Lias.

Fig. 5. represents a thin transverse slice, viewed by transmitted light,
and of the natural size. ‘The pith is seen to be very large, and there are
decided indications of five concentric layers.

Fig. 6. represents the pith highly magnified. Besides the large aper-
tures of the circular cells, there are others of much smaller size, presenting
somewhat of the appearance of vessels.

Fig. 7. represents a portion of a transverse slice, in which are seen the
margin of the pith, several medullary rays proceeding from it, and the ordi-
nary reticulated appearance of the elongated cellules.

Fig. 8. represents the breadth of the two inner woody layers, with part
of the third. ‘The lines of separation are distinct ; and the medullary rays,
together with the series of cellules, are flexuous, probably from accidental
distortion.

The texture is much better preserved, in the branch of which the above
figures are representations, than in either of the great stems; but in all it
is similar.

The analysis of the fragment and branch is as follows :—

Times co, ca ieheere a ees OED
Peroxide of Iron, . . . . . 24.2
Coall i= view ab Gl ae Ls ea oa

99.8

It is singular that the composition of these stems should differ so much
from that of the enclosing rock. When we find in beds of sandstone and
shale, vegetable trunks transmuted into substances of a similar nature, the
presence of the sand or mud, and the decay of the vegetable matter, afford
an easy explanation of the manner in which the transmutation has been ef-
fected; but when the petrifying substance is different in nature from that
forming the matrix of the fossil, difficulties occur. Yet, if we take the

whole mass or group of substances constituting a formation, we may find

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 33

meaiis of accounting for the fact. For instance, large fossil trees are found
in the mountain limestone groups. In this series, we have abundance of
lime, and the reason why the sandstone contains less lime than the fossil,
appears to be, that before the strata were consolidated, the sand being more
incoherent than the wood, the lime found a more easy passage through it,
and was not therefore retained in so great quantity as in the fossil, the
vacuities left by the decay of which it gradually filled up.

Dr Grecory, who has been kind enough to examine the Craigleith
fossil, has favoured me with the following remarks upon it. “ The iron
exists in the state of peroxide in the mineral. If reduced to protoxide, it
would amount to 21.8 per cent., and the loss would be 2.4 per cent. of which
a part is water. The coaly matter is, like ordinary coal, partly volatile,
yielding inflammable gas and bituminous matter by heat. The residue is
nearly pure charcoal about 14.3 per cent. The mineral contains very mi-
nute traces of silica and alumina. The other fragments have a similar
composition, only the lime is more abundant, from the presence of some
crystals of calcareous spar, which it is impossible to separate completely.”

It will be seen afterwards, that the composition of the fossil stems of
the coal formation, differs essentially from that of the trunks occurring in
this series of rocks, some of the former having as much as 95 per cent. of
silica.

Having described the external appearance of the Craigleith trunks, and
examined their transverse sections with the microscope, we now proceed to
inspect their longitudinal sections.

In Plate VII., are represented thin slices as viewed by the microscope.

Fig. 1. Represents a small portion of a slice cut longitudinally parallel
to the medullary rays, taken from the fossil tree of 1826. The texture of
this stem was very much altered and distorted, so that it was difficult to
obtain characteristic specimens. In the minute portion represented, as well
as in several other specimens, there were seen distinct appearances of elou-
gated cellules similar to those of the Conifere ; but, as is observed in the
figure, the walls of these cellules, instead of presenting a single series of se-
parated circular glands or pores, were marked with series of parallel long1-

EK

34 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

tudinal circular or hexagonal apertures. In general, the number of these
series seems to be three, sometimes two, and in other instances four or five.
Indications of medullary rays occur in these sections, although there hap-
pened to be none in the portion figured.

Fig. 2. Isa small portion of a slice cut longitudinally parallel to the
bark. Viewed in this direction, the texture is equally confused, the elon-
gated cellules being much distorted. Their walls seem, however, to be
continuous, and entirely destitute of markings. A portion of the trans-
verse section of a medullary ray is seen, presenting three irregular rows of
cellules.

‘The great fossil tree found in the same quarry in 1830, retains its
structure in a more perfect state, although it also is much disorganized.
Two sections of it are represented in Plate VII.

Fig. 3. Is a section similar to Fig. 2, that is, longitudinal and parallel
to the bark. The elongated cellules of the woody tissue are distinctly
seen, together with two medullary rays, one of which has two, the other
three series of cellules. Sometimes, however, four series are observed.

Fig. 4. Represents a longitudinal section, parallel to the medullary
rays, and exhibits the elongated cellules in a perfect state of preservation.
These cellules are seen covered with series of hexagonal apertures, generally
three or two in number, sometimes four. The transverse lines are indica-
tions of a medullary ray.

There is nothing in the appearance of the sections of these two great
trunks of 1826 and 1830, to indicate that they may be of different species ;
but it is distinctly seen that they are not Conifer, or at least not in all
respects similar to the Conifere of the present day.

In their transverse sections, the tissue is precisely similar to that of the
recent Conifer, as represented in Plates I. and II., in respect to the elon-
gated cellules or woody fibres, and the medullary rays; but no decided ap-
pearances of concentric circles have been observed. In the longitudinal sec-
tions, the two walls of the cells facing the medullary rays, are covered with
longitudinal series of hexagonal markings, while the walls next to the me-
dullary rays are destitute of markings, being apparently continuous.

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES, 35

Messrs LINDLEY and HuTrown, in the first volume of their Fossz/
Flora, p. 9, Plate II, have described and figured sections of the trunk of
1826. Observing that the structure differs in the respects indicated above
from the recent Conifere, but acknowledging an affinity to that family,
they have referred it to a genus instituted by themselves, under the name
of Pinites, and have honoured me by giving it the specific name of Withamz.
I see no reason for supposing the great tree of 1830 to be of a different
species.

The fragment described above as having occurred in the early part of
1831, is precisely similar in its transverse sections to the two great trunks.

Fig. 5. Represents a longitudinal section of the elongated cellules
parallel to the medullary rays; and

Fig. 6. A longitudinal section, in which one of the rays is cut across,
and exhibits four series of cellules.

These sections differ in no essential respects from those already pre-
sented. It is therefore probable that the fragment of 1831, was a portion
of a tree of the same species.

Lastly, the branch which occurred in 1831, and of which transverse
sections are given in Plate VI. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, remains to be de-
scribed.

The authors of the Fossil Flora have described and figured transverse
sections of it. Finding the pith to be “ four times greater in diameter
than the first zone of wood that surrounds it,” they have considered this
circumstance as affording a specific character. Having seen no longitudi-
nal section, but observing that in the transverse section, the appearance
of the tissue is “as nearly as possible that of the tree” of 1826, they have
referred it to the same genus, and named it Pinites medullaris.

Fig. 7. Represents a longitudinal section parallel to the medullary rays,
in which the tissue is seen to be precisely similar to analogous sections of
the two great trunks.

Fig. 8. Represents a longitudinal section parallel to the bark, and is
very similar to Fig. 6. of the same plate, which is a section of the fragment
of 1831.

36 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

The only differences to be observed between the texture of the branch
in question, and the other fossils of the same quarry, is, that, in the trans-
verse sections, there are distinct traces of concentric lines, and in the sec-
tions parallel to the bark, the medullary rays are more numerous, and more
uniformly of about four series of cellules. As to the pith, I am unable to
say what its size may be in the great trunks. The branch of 1831 is there-
fore probably of the same species as the rest, although it may be allowed to
retain the name imposed upon it, and be considered as a doubtful species,
until the examination of the pith of the other fossils decide the question.

We now return to the fossils found at Lennel Braes, on the Tweed,
which have been partially described. In addition to the transverse sections
of these plants figured in Plate IV, it is necessary to present other two,
which will be seen in Plate VII.

Fig. 11. Represents, of the natural size, the pith, as mentioned at p. 27,
of extraordinary magnitude, encircled by the woody tissue, in which are seen
medullary rays radiating in the usual manner. he central part of the pith
is broken up by erystallizations of calcareous spar, and the woody tissue by
fissures filled with the same substance. ‘This plant is obviously more de-
serving of the name of medullaris than the Craigleith branch just de-
seribed.

Fig. 12. Is a highly magnified portion of the same section, not far
from the margin of the pith. Two medullary rays are seen, together with
a few apertures of the elongated cellules. It seems somewhat remarkable
that the tissue intervening between these cellules, and even the interior of
the cellules themselves, in some parts, are filled with very minute reticula-
tions. In other respects, however, the tissue resembles that of the Coni-
feree, and of the Craigleith fossils.

Fig. 9. Is a longitudinal section parallel to the medullary rays. In
this direction, the tissue is much broken up and confused, so that only in
one minute space I have been able to detect its real nature. The elon-
gated cells are there seen, as represented to contain two series of roundish

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 37

or subhexagonal markings, similar to those of Figs. 1, 4, 5, and 7 of the
same plate; but separated from each other to a considerable distance. In
the same figure (9.) are dark spots resembling the single pores of the recent
Conifer ; but, in general, the walls of the cellules are confusedly marked,
as if the reticulations had been obliterated by decomposition or crystalliza-
tion.

Fig. 10. Is a longitudinal section parallel to the bark, in which is re-
presented a medullary ray of four or five series of cellules, and several of the
cellules of the woody fibre.

Excepting in the circumstances of having the medullary rays usually
somewhat broader, and the areole of the cellules separated, this plant is si-
milar to those of Craigleith. These circumstances, however, indicate a
generic difference, but as they exist in greater perfection in other fossils,
the remarks which I have to offer respecting it, may be deferred until we
have examined the tissue of another tree from a different locality, of the
same deposit, which appears to me to belong to the same species. I shall
merely state here that I propose giving to the Lennel Braes’ plants the
name of Pitus antiqua.

FOSSIL PLANTS FOUND AT TWEED MILL, ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER TWEED,

IN BERWICKSHIRE.

THE remains of ancient vegetation which are found at Tweed Mill,
about a mile below Lennel Braes, resemble those of the latter locality in
their external appearance ; and it is probable that they belong to the same
deposit, or even the same stratum. I have obtained several very beautiful
sections of portions of these plants, which are represented in Plate VIII.

Fig. 1. Represents part of a transverse section of a fossil stem found at
Tweed Mill. It is remarkable among the plants of the lower deposits for
the beautiful regularity of its tissue, which resembles that of the Conifere,
presenting the usual hexagonal apertures of the elongated cellules, and very

38 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

distinct medullary rays, of considerable breadth. No appearances of con-
centric circles have been observed.

Fig. 2. Represents part of a longitudinal section of the same plant
parallel to the medullary rays. Viewed in this direction, the tissue is also
very regular, consisting of elongated cellules, which are quite straight, with
walls marked generally with three or two series of circular bodies, always
placed at some distance, usually about a semidiameter from each other, and
seldom or never occupying the whole breadth of the cellules. The me-
dullary rays are distinctly seen.

Fig. 3. Represents part of a longitudinal section perpendicular to the
medullary rays. ‘lhe tissue is composed of elongated cellules, very regular
and parallel. Their walls, viewed in this direction, are continuous, and des-
titute of markings. The medullary rays have a breadth usually of four, or
from three to five series of cellules.

The separation of the circular markings of the walls of the elongated
cellules renders this plant different from the genus Pinites, in which the re-
ticulations are contiguous, and occupy the whole breadth of the cellules. In
the genus Pinus, and in other recent Conifers, the cireular bodies or pores
occur in a single series. The plants in question cannot therefore be, with
strict propriety, referred to the order, although they, as well as the species
of Pinites, must have been very closely allied, and the former even more so
than the latter. As no fossil plant exactly resembling this has been de-
scribed by authors, I propose instituting for its reception a genus bearing
the name of Pitws, which is a Greek noun analogous to Pius. ‘The plant
of which Figs. 1, 2, and 3. of Plate VIII. are representations, is evidently
of the same species as the Lennel Braes fosssil, figured in Plates III., 1V.,
and VII., and affords a much more characteristic specimen of it. The P-
tus antiqua, then, is the first species of this new genus. A second has been
found in the same place.

Fig. 4. Represents part of a transverse section of another fossil found at
Tweed Mill, in which the ordinary structure of the recent Coniferee and the
fossil Pinites is distinctly seen. This species is very remarkable for the

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 39

great breadth of the medullary rays, which are in some instances nearly
equal in diameter to the intervening series of cellules.

Fig. 5. Is part of a longitudinal section parallel to the medullary rays.
The elongated cellules of the woody tissue are less regular than in the last
species. Their walls, however, are marked precisely in the same manner.
The great breadth and regularity of the medullary rays are especially re-
markable, and give the tissue, when viewed in this direction, a very peculiar
aspect, which is rendered more remarkable by the frequent appearance of
transverse dissepiments in the cellules of the woody fibre.

Fig. 6. Represents part of a longitudinal section parallel to the bark.
The tissue is composed of elongated cellules, more or less waved, with trans-
verse dessepiments, continuous walls, and intervening medullary rays of
great breadth. I have counted as many as fifteen series of cellules in these
rays, and the lowest number seems to be eight, but as sections of this kind
may be more or less oblique, the number may sometimes seem more than it
really is.

To this species I propose giving the name of Pitus primeva.

The genus is very closely allied to Pinites, and I should not be very
much disposed to censure those who might unite them, provided they kept
the Piti asa section. At the same time, it presents a very different appear-
ance from any species of that genus which I have examined.

FOSSIL PLANTS FOUND AT ALLENBANK, IN BERWICKSHIRE.

Tuis locality is about seven miles from Lennel Braes, and is near the
junction of the Whitadder and Blackadder. It affords a considerable va-
riety of fossil vegetables: Sigillaria, Lepidodendra, and fronds of Ferns.
Among these also occur large masses of fossilized remains of vegetation, of
irregular forms, ge»erally flattened, and seldom exceeding two or three feet
in length. These masses are invested with an irregular coat of carbona-.
ceous and clayey matter, in which are inserted small fragments of stems,
shewing that it is not the true bark carbonized, but a confused assemblage

40 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

of vegetable remains. They are evidently composed of portions of plants,
of very different diameters and textures, compacted in a mass of decayed
vegetable substances, broken up by crystallizations of calcareous spar; and
present each, if I may so say, a whole magazine of species.

At present I intend to describe only one of these fossil bodies, of which
I have been able to determine the structure with sufficient minuteness. It
consists of a somewhat conical body, compressed, so as to have one diameter
about a half greater than the other. When removed from the inclosing
mass, it presented the appearance of natural joints, at the distance of about
two inches; but I am not certain that these joints are not merely transverse
cracks, for there is no enlargement or depression at the places where they
occur. The extremity is rounded, and much compressed. At the lower
part the larger diameter was upwards of two inches, and at the extremity
one diameter is about half an inch, the other nearly a fourth. The surface
is slightly striated in the longitudinal direction, and the coating consists of
crystals of gypsum and calcareous spar.

Fig. 7. Plate VIII. Represents a transverse slice of a confused mass of
organic remains, exhibiting the appearance offered by the fossil above ad-
verted to, in its transverse direction. The central part of this fossil was
composed of a distinct medullary cylinder, of which the tissue was for the
most part destroyed. This was surrounded by a circle of exceedingly regu-
lar tissue, radiating in series of hexagonal apertures, but apparently desti-
tute of medullary rays and vessels. ‘The outer or marginal part is also
composed of the same tissue, with an inner margin waved by the erystalliza-
tion of siliceous matter ; and the intervening space presents numerous round-
ed portions of precisely the same appearance, in all of which the lines of
cellules preserve the same centro-marginal direction. ‘The surrounding dark
portion represented in the figure, consists of numerous diversiform vege-
table bodies, compacted in a confused mass, interspersed with veins and
fissures filled with transparent infiltrated matter.

Fig. 8. Represents a small portion highly magnified, of the tissue sur-

rounding the pith, as seen in the transverse section. It consists of very

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 41

regular series of hexagonal cellules, separated at intervals by narrow spaces,
resembling separations of the walls of two contiguous series of cellules.

Fig. 9. Represents a portion, magnified in the same degree, of the mar-
ginal part of the tissue, in which the same appearances are seen. The dark
lines are not medullary rays. There are no concentric lines to be seen.

Fig. 10. Is part of a longitudinal section, more highly magnified, of the
same portion as that represented by Fig. 8. The cellules here also are very
regular, straight, and parallel. At first sight they might be taken for spiral
vessels, on account of their beautifully regular transverse linear markings ;
but, as it is found that the whole tissue of the plant presents the same ap-
pearance, and that these transverse lines are in fact delineated on the walls
of those tubes, of which the transverse sections are presented in Figures 8.
and 9 ; we must admit that the elongated cellules of the woody fibre of this
plant, instead of being marked with reticulations, as in the genus Pinites,
or with series of more or less separated areole, as in the genus Pitus, are
characterized by very regular transverse lines. Some of these transverse
lines are connected by lines placed at right angles, but this reticulated ap-
pearance is of rare occurrence.

Fig. 11. Represents part of a longitudinal section, magnified in the
same high degree as Fig. 10, of the portion represented in its transverse sec-
tion by Fig. 9. It exhibits precisely the same appearance. Figs. 10. and
11. are from slices cut parallel to the medullary rays, and therefore present
the markings of those sides of the elongated cellules, which are opposite to
the intercellular spaces, seen in Figs. 8. and 9.

Fig. 12. Shews the appearance of the walls of the cellules facing the
pith on the one hand, and the surface of the plant on the other. These
walls are marked in precisely the same manner. ‘he section of a medullary
ray is also seen in this figure. The medullary rays of this plant are so
small, and placed at such distances from each other, that one might be very
apt to overlook them, and transverse sections of considerable extent might be
made without any of them occurring in it. However, I have fully satisfied
myself that they exist.

49, DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

We are now enabled to describe the tissue of this singular plant.

The portion which I possess consists of a compressed, tapering body,
several inches in length, rounded at the extremity, and resembling the ter-
mination of a stem or branch. It is slightly striated longitudinally, has no
appearance of processes or the insertion of leaves, and is transversely fissured
at intervals, so as to bear considerable resemblance to a calamite ; but whether
these fissures are indications of articulations, I am unable to say. There is
a regular pith. The tissue between the pith and the surface is composed
of elongated cellules or woody fibre, remarkable for their extreme regularity,
being disposed precisely like those of our recent Conifere, but without indi-
eations of concentric circles. There are medullary rays, which are ex-
tremely sparse, and remarkable for their small size. Their transverse sec-
tion presents an elliptical form. Lastly, the walls of the elongated cellules
are marked all round with very regular, close, horizontal lines.

This is the first instance detected of a fossil plant affording such a tex-
ture. Whatever, therefore, may be the family to which the plant in ques-
tion may be ultimately referred, it is necessary to institute a provisory
genus for its reception. The transverse lines of the elongated cellules
affording the most remarkable character under the microscope, the generic
name Anabathra (signifying the steps of a ladder) may be selected; and
the plant being distinguished for the great beauty and regularity of its
tissue, the specific name pulcherrima may answer as well as any other.

We have now examined the following species of fossil plants :

Pinites Withami, LINDL. and Hutt., with which

Pinites medullaris of the same authors seems to be identical ;
Pitus antiqua,

Pitus primeva, and

Anabathra pulcherrima.

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. AZ

FOSSIL PLANTS FOUND IN THE COAL-FIELDS OF THE NORTH OF ENGLAND.

WIDEOPEN FOSSIL TREE.

A GREAT fossil tree was found in 1829 at Wideopen, near Gosforth,
in a quarry upon the estate of the Reverend R. H. BraNpDLING, on the
eastern side of the great north road, and about five miles north of Newcastle-
upon-Tyne. It occurred in the grindstone or firestone bed, commonly known
by the name of “ Grindstone Post.” This bed is considered one of the
highest members of the coal-formation of that district, and has its name |
from being extensively quarried for grindstones, as well as for glass-houses
and iron-furnaces, the stone being of a loosely aggregated texture, porous,
and not liable to crack under the action of heat. The length of the fossil
was 72 feet. It had no branches, but was rather abundantly marked with
knots, indicating the places at which they had shot out. Its distance from
the surface was 40 feet, of which 10 were clay, the rest sandstone.

In Plate IX. are represented transverse slices of this plant, magnified
about fifty-five times.

Fig. 1. Represents a portion of a transverse slice, from one of the most
regular parts. It may here be observed, that, in some portions of sections
made in this direction, a tendency to the concentric arrangement seems to
exist, but without any decided appearance of woody layers.

Fig. 2. A portion of the same. The appearance here presented is that
usually seen, the regularity of the series of elongated cellules being altered
by fissures filled with carbonaceous matter.

Fig. 3. Representation of a portion of one of the more regular parts, ex-
hibiting the same general arrangement.

Fig. 4. From a more confused portion. The distortions produced by
the partial decay and alteration of the tissue are here distinctly seen.

This plant was partially described by me in my “ Observations on Fossil
Vegetables ;” but as I had there confined myself to transverse sections of
the tissue, Messrs LINDLEY and HuTTON instituted a further investigation

44 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

of it, in the course of which they found the longitudinal sections to pre-
sent the peculiar markings which they consider essential to the genus Pini-
tes. They have named it Pinites Brandlingi, in honour of the proprietor
of the estate on which it was found.—See Fossil Flora, Plate I. p. 1.

In Plate X. will be seen additional delineations of the tissue of this
plant.

Fig. 1. Represents part of a transverse slice, similar to those of Plate
IX., but more highly magnified.

Fig. 2. Represents part of a slice taken longitudinally and parallel to
the medullary rays. The reticular markings are similar to those already
described as characteristic of the genus Pinites.

Fig. 3. Represents part of a slice taken in the longitudinal direction,
and parallel to the bark. Several sections of medullary rays are seen; and
it is remarkable that almost all of these processes in this plant consist of
single series of cellules, and resemble those of the recent Conifere.

FRAGMENT OF FOSSIL TREE FOUND AT HILL-TOP NEAR USHAW.

Tuis fossil, which is in almost every respect precisely similar to the last,
was found among the refuse of a quarry situated at Hill-Top near Ushaw,
about four miles north-west of Durham. This quarry is in a bed of sandstone
belonging to the upper part of the coal formation. Several fragments were
found, probably of different species, and of which one has been figured and
described in the * Fossil Flora” (Pl. XXIII, XXIV.) under the name of
Peuce Withami. 'The fragment here represented must be essentially dif-
ferent, for it presents the most decided characters of a true Pinites.

Plate X. Fig. 4. Represents a portion of a transverse slice, which
differs in nothing essential from the Wideopen fossil tree.

Fig. 5. Is taken from a very regular portion of a longitudinal slice
parallel to the medullary rays. The acute terminations of the elongated

cellules are seen; and the walls are beautifully reticulated in two, three, or
sometimes four series.

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 45

Fig. 6. Represents a portion of a similar slice, in which the reticular
markings are more or less obliterated or distorted. The longitudinal sec-
tions parallel to the bark are similar to those of the Wideopen tree; and as
I am unable to perceive any specific distinction, I cannot avoid referring
this fragment to the same species.

FOSSIL TREE FOUND AT HIGH HEWORTH.

A LARGE fossil tree was found at High Heworth, near Gateshead, in
the county of Durham. It was met with in the grindstone bed, which is
the same stratum as that in which the great Wideopen, tree already de-
scribed and figured occurred, and was described by Mr WINCH in a letter
to the Geological Society, dated 7th October 1817. The trunk was 28 or
30 feet long, compressed and broken, lying in the regular dip of the sand-
stone, declining south. Where small interstices occurred, crystals of quartz
were formed. It was otherwise fine-grained in texture, and in structure
somewhat lamellar, apparently from the fibre of the wood. The general
colour was pale brown, but parts of it were tinged black, probably by carbo-
naceous matter. The bark or outer part was converted into coal.

Plate IX. Fig. 7, represents one of the most regular portions of a
transverse section, and exhibits an arrangement similar to Figs. 1. and 2. of
the same plate.

Fig. 8. Represents another portion of the same, exhibiting the ordinary
appearance of the fossil, it being greatly distorted, and in some places in-
tersected by earthy and carbonaceous veins. ‘This so much resembles Fig.
2, and the texture of the fossil generally is so like that of the Wideopen
tree, that the two might be supposed to belong to the same species.

Plate X. Fig. 7, represents a portion of a transverse section more
highly magnified.

Fig. 8. Represents part of a section parallel to the medullary rays.
The tissue of the plant generally, as has already been remarked, is much
distorted. In the Wideopen and Ushaw fossils above described, the elon-

46 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

gated cellules are usually very regular in their direction. Here, however,
the case is different, their walls being more or less tortuous. ‘This cireum-
stance will account for the separation of the areole on their walls, in which
respect there is often produced an appearance corresponding to that peculiar
to the genus Peuce, instituted by the learned authors of the Fossil Flora,
for a plant found in the same place as that delineated in Figs. 4, 5, and 6,
of the present plate. Is it possible that these figures, and those represent-
ing the Peuce Withami, are taken from the same plant, of which the tis-
sue has been perfectly preserved in the former, and much distorted in the
latter case? I am convinced, however, that notwithstanding the different
appearances exhibited by Fig. 8. of Plate X., in which the areole are
sometimes separated, and arranged in one or two rows, the plant is very
nearly allied to those found at Wideopen and Ushaw, if indeed it be not of
the same species, for in some parts the regular reticulated tissue is distinct-
ly seen to be disposed in two or three series, as characteristic of Pinites.
Fig. 9. In the longitudinal section parallel to the bark, the tissue is al-
so distorted. The medullary rays, however, are generally shorter, and al-
though many of them are in single rows, many also consist of two or three
series of cellules ; for which reason, I am inclined to consider the species as
distinct. The areole of the reticulated walls of the elongated cellules are
also somewhat larger than those of the Wideopen and Ushaw fossils. Up-
on the whole, this may be considered as a distinct species, to which I pro-

pose giving the name of Pinites ambiguus.

FOSSIL PLANTS FOUND IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COAL-FIELD.

Plate IX. Fig. 5. Represents a portion of a transverse slice of a fossil
vegetable, which was found in the neighbourhood of Newbiggin, on the
coast of Northumberland, where similar stems are frequently exposed to
view by the action of the waters. This fossil presents a very indistinct ap-
pearance of the concentric layers. The black line in the figure, however, is

apparently merely a fissure.

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. AT

Fig. 6. The portion of the same fossil here represented, is that border-
ing upon an irregular vein of carbonaceous or earthy matter. The dark
transverse lines in this figure, like that in the last, are not truly the lines of
separation of concentric layers, although some of them may occupy the space
formed by the disruption of two of these layers.

This fossil seems to be of the same species as the Wideopen tree, which
is also the case with another found at Westgate near Newcastle, and a
specimen sent to me by Mr Puixuies of York, which was found in the
West Riding coal-field, together with several others from the north-eastern
parts of England.

The tissue of a Pinites is readily distinguishable in a fossil plant, but
although there may be many species of the genus, I am not aware of any
infallible characters by which we can point them out, seeing we are confined
to the organic tissue alone. Many recent pines are so similar in texture,
that although a person who has dissected and compared their tissues,
might be able to distinguish many of them at sight, it would yet be quite
impossible to characterize them in words; and there seems no great hope
of our being able to distinguish the fossil species of a genus by tissue alone,
since it is so liable to be altered in its appearance, that even from the same
trunk specimens might be obtained, differing so much from each other as to
induce a person not aware of their common origin to consider them as dis-
tinct.

In concluding my observations on the fossils retaining organic structure,
which I have found in the carboniferous series, I consider it of importance
to advert to a difference in chemical composition exhibited between those of
the mountain limestone series, and those of the coal formation properly so
called.

As illustrative of this’ subject, I may present the following remarks,
which were kindly transmitted to me by Mr James JoHNnston, Porto-
bello, upon the Wideopen Fossil, and that of High Heworth.

« The fragments of the two fossils have the same external characters.
Both are of a dark brown, from the presence of peroxide of iron, in a very

48 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

insoluble state. About one-half of the mass of both consists of silica in a
crystallized state (common quartz crystals), presenting jn the cavities beau-
tiful groups of crystals of the common form. ‘The cavities in the High
Heworth tree are more frequent and regular, forming parallel fissures, sepa-
rated by thin walls of a more compact body, running in the direction of
the fibres of the original wood. Under the microscope, the more compact
part, portions of which occur here and there of considerable size, is seen to
be composed of similar crystals, embedded in a brown amorphous substance.
This brown substance prevails more in some parts of the fossil than in
others; a difference due probably to the manner in which the decay of the
wood took place, but shewing that any two portions of the fossil taken with-
out selection, must vary considerably in composition. With acids, this so-
lid portion exhibits no effervescence, nor is it dissolved by long digestion ;
the lime only, and a small quantity of iron, being taken up by this treat-
ment. Reduced to a state of coarse powder, which contained necessarily
many fragments of the crystallized quartz, a portion of the Wideopen fos-
sil gave one per cent., and of the High Heworth fossil one-half per cent. of
carbonate of lime. The rest consisted of silica, a variable portion of alumina,
and two or three per cent., probably, of peroxide of iron. As the whole fossil
is a mixture only of these different substances, of which silica is the predo-
minant ingredient, forming perhaps four-fifths of the whole mass; and as it
would be nearly impossible to obtain any part of the compound or amor-
phous portion free from erystallized quartz, any analytical attempt to esti-
mate the relative proportions of these ingredients would be useful only in
regard to the fragment actually reduced to powder and analyzed ; any other
portion would be likely to give very different results. I have, therefore,
considered it sufficient to determine that the lime forms a very small, and
the siliceous matter a very great, proportion of the whole substance.”

It has been shewn that the composition of the fossil-trees found in the
mountain limestone series, differs essentially from the above, lime instead
of silica being the predominating ingredient. This circumstance, besides
its interest in a strictly scientific point of view, might be rendered useful to
the practical investigator, it being obvious, that, in a sandstone deposit, of

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 49

which the fossils contain much siliceous matter, the probability would be,
that the deposit in question must be part of the mountain-limestone group,
subjacent to the coal formation properly so called, and that, therefore, any
search for extensive beds of combustible matter would prove unsuccessful.

Having now completed my investigation of the fossil vegetables retaining
organic tissue, that have been found in the shale and sandstone beds of the
carboniferous series, I may remark generally, that exogenous trees, or those of
the Dicotyledonous Class, so far from being excluded from that series, exist
in an abundance which farther examination will probably shew to be still
greater than we are at present aware of. These fossil trees all present a
texture very intimately allied to that of our present Conifer; but, as has
been shewn, differing in certain respects, namely, in most instances the
want of concentric circles, and in all cases in having reticulations or areole,
in two or three series, on two opposite walls of the elongated cellules. In
one or two instances, the areole approach very closely to those of our pines.
It is, however, certain, that hitherto no structure precisely resembling that
of the Coniferz in every respect, has been found in the mountain limestone
series or in the coal formation; but the alleged absence of phanerogamic
trunks in these deposits has been fully, and, I trust, most satisfactorily,
refuted.

REMAINS OF ORGANIC TEXTURE DISCOVERED IN COAL.

THE vegetable origin of coal has, in the more perfectly fossilized varie-
ties, been rather inferred than demonstrated. Peat, we know, from actual
observation, to consist of decayed vegetables. The process is going on un-
der our eyes; we can watch its progress, distinguish its degrees, and observe
its results. The lignites of the upper deposits are so analogous to peat, and
so decidedly present traces of woody tissue, that we can have no reasonable
doubts respecting their origin. Thus Bovey Coal, of which a fragment is
represented in Plate XI. Fig. 1, is evidently dicotyledonous wood partially
altered. In the coal beds of the lower formations, however, we cease to re-

G

50 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

cognise decided appearances of vegetable matter, and in several varieties the
texture is so compact or crystalline, that were analogy inapplicable, they
could not be considered as organic. This is more especially the case with
glance-coal, as also with the variety called pitch-coal. That coals are in
general of vegetable origin, is therefore a proposition made out by analogi-
cal reasoning. I have, however, been so fortunate as to discover certain
most decided traces of organic tissue, in one or two varieties of the more
compact and mineralized coals. ‘The observations which I have to offer on
this subject will be best illustrated by direct reference to Plate XI.

Fig. 1. Represents, of the natural size, a fragment of Bovey Coal. This
variety is evidently dicotyledonous or gymnospermous phanerogamic, for it
presents all the external characters of stems belonging to that class. It is
somewhat strange, however, that the sections, however carefully made, do
not present very decided characters under the microscope.

Fig. 2. Represents a portion of a transverse slice, in which are seen in-
dications of a tissue resembling that of the Conifer; but I have not suc-
ceeded in obtaining more decided appearances.

Fig. 3. Represents two portions of a piece of jet. The upper dark portion
is part of a longitudinal section, of the natural size, in which the woody
layers are distinctly seen. ‘The lower is part of a transverse slice, viewed
with the microscope. Indications of the woody layers are observed, but in
other respects the tissue is completely obliterated.

In some species of Cannel Coal from Lancashire, I have certainly found
decided traces of organization; but to what family they may have belonged
I am unable to say.

Fig. 4. Represents a transverse slice of one of these specimens.

Fig. 5. Is the representation of a longitudinal slice.

The appearances, however, are so undecided, that, although I should be
inclined to consider them indicative of a monocotyledonous plant, I shall
not venture upon any conjecture respecting them.

Many varieties of Coal, from Berwick-on-Tweed, and the Scotch basins,
on being subjected to heat, split into pretty regular layers, like those of an
exogenous tree; but I have found no traces of tissue in them. I am in.

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 51

clined to think that one of the most remarkable results of my investigations,
at least it was that which struck myself most,—is the discovery of very
regular texture in a variety of coal, found in the roof of a seam of that
combustible in the mountain limestone group in Northumberland.

Figs. 6. and 7. Represent portions of transverse slices of this coal
viewed under the microscope. The tissue is seen only in patches, but it
exactly resembles that of the recent Conifers, and of the fossil genera Pini-
tes and Pitus. There are regular series of roundish or subhexagonal
cellules, separated by opaque spaces, which seem to be obliterated medullary
rays.

Fig. 8. Represents a portion of a longitudinal section parallel to the
medullary rays. ‘The elongated cellules are very distinctly seen ; but their
walls are so obscure, that only in one or two places have I been able to
trace reticulated appearances resembling those of the genus Pinites.

Fig. 9. Represents another portion of a similar section, the elongated
cellules are sufficiently obvious; but their walls are as obscure as in the last
figure.

This fossil plant, therefore, appears to me to belong to the genus Pini-
tes, and may be named Pinites carbonaceus.

By the success which has attended my limited attempts at tracing or-
ganic texture in coal, I trust that others will be induced to pursue the in-
quiry. The result, I have little doubt, will bring many curious cireum-
stances to light, and will tend to complete our knowledge of the nature of
those important deposits, which have so materially contributed to the un-

rivalled prosperity of our island.

DESCRIPTION OF A LEPIDODENDRON OF THE COAL FORMATION, RETAINING
ITS ORIGINAL TEXTURE.

In the month of January 1832, Mr Puivvirs of York having sent me
a fragment of a Lepidodendron, which had been presented to him by the
Reverend C.G. V. Vernon Harcourt, Rector of Rothbury, I examined

52 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

it in the usual manner, and was delighted to find that it presented traces of
its original structure. In March of the same year, I had the honour of
reading to the Natural History Society of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, an account
of my discovery, which was published in their Transactions.

I was the more gratified by the discovery of a texture in the interior of
this fossil, as it afforded me an opportunity of corroborating the opinion of
so distinguished a botanist as M. A. BRonGNniart, who had inferred from
their external characters that the Lepidondendra were Lycopodiaceous plants.
To ascertain the correctness of his views, it became necessary for me to
examine the tissue of some recent species of that family, of which, however,
I could at the time procure only a single species. In so far as I have dis-
covered, the structure of that plant is analogous in most respects to that of
the stem presented by Mr PHILuips.

The specimens of the fossil plant in question seen by me, consist of sub-
cylindrical or slightly compressed dichotomous stems. The surface is cover-
ed by a thick envelope of carbonaceous matter, presenting indistinct pro-
tuberances, arranged in spiral series, and beneath which are observed pa-
pille of an elliptical form, higher than broad. Plate XII. Fig. 1. repre-
sents a portion of one of the stems, denuded of its carbonaceous covering,
and of the natural size.

Viewed in relation to its structure, the stem presents a central axis or
pith, which may be seen in the transverse section, Fig. 1, a, Plate XIII.,
and in the longitudinal section Fig. 2. Plate XII. ; in the latter of which
it is entirely filled by calcareous spar, and a tube of carbonaceous matter.
This axis consists of a central portion, which, in the transverse section, pre-
sents rather an irregular cellular tissue, around which is a layer of cellular
tissue, of larger irregular polygonal cells; and, lastly, a layer with very
small meshes. ‘These appearances are seen in Plate XIII. Fig. 2, of which
a, b, b, represents the pith or central part; and in Fig. 4. of the same plate,
where the tissue is better preserved.

From the central column or axis, emanate on all sides, cylindrical pro-
cesses, consisting of cellular tissue, with central fasciculi of vessels. They

proceed obliquely upwards and outwards, as seen in Fig. 2, b, b, of Plate
2

o

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 53

XII, and terminate in the papillary eminences of the surface of the stem.
They are seen cut obliquely in the transverse section of the stem, repre-
sented by Fig. 3. of Plate XII., where they constitute the white oblong
markings dispersed in the brown parenchymatous tissue.

‘Fig. 4. Plate XII. Represents a longitudinal section of the stem, in
which these bodies are seen, as regularly arranged as the papille of the sur-
face to which they proceed.

These processes from the central axis or pith, are embedded in cellular
tissue, constituting the great mass of the stem. In the transverse section
of the stem, this cellular tissue presents the appearance of pretty regular
meshes, assuming more or less of a polygonal form, as seen in Fig. 5, b.
Plate XII. The cellular tissue is more condensed towards the surface of
the stem, as is represented at ¢ in the same figure, which also shews at a,
the appearance of one of the processes, in which the cellular tissue and ves-
sels have been thrust aside, and the cavity filled by calcareous spar.

The meshes of the general mass of cellular tissue are somewhat elon-
gated in the longitudinal direction of the stem, but present the same gene-
ral appearance, as may be seen in Fig. 7. Plate XII., in which there is al-
so one of the processes partially filled by calcareous spar.

The cellular and vascular nature of these processes is pretty distinctly
seen in a transverse section of one of them, Fig. 6. Plate XIII., which,
though considerably altered, shews the appearance of vessels in the centre,
and cellular tissue in the other parts. In the surrounding dark portion,
the tissue is obliterated. The oblique section, Fig. 7. Plate XIII., shews
one of these processes near its insertion into the leaf, and bears a consider-
able resemblance to one of Lycopodium clavatum, Fig. 9. Plate XII.
Fig. 6. Plate XII. represents an oblique section, in which the meshes are
more entire than usual.

From certain indications presented by some of the transverse sections
of the stem, it would seem that bundles of vessels exist round the axis or
pith, as seen in Fig. 4, a.a, and Fig. 2, e, of Plate XIII.

The above is the ordinary structure of the stems, as usually observed
in specimens ; but in a stem of somewhat greater diameter, of which a trans-

54 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

verse section is represented by Fig. 1. Plate XIIL., (much altered), the cel-
lular or parenchymatous tissue is, at the surface of the stem, surrounded by a
very thin layer of tissue, which assumes a remarkable degree of regularity,
and of which some remaining portions are represented by the black curved
line at 6, 6,6. Itis seen magnified in Fig. 2, d,d, of Plate XIII., which is a
portion of a transverse section, including the pith, 6, b, and the other parts
to the surface. Fig. 3. of the same plate, shews it more highly magnified.
The tissue of the superficial layer has a striking resemblance to that of the
woody tissue of the Conifere, the cellules being disposed in regular series,
and of a form approaching the hexagonal, but without indications of me-
dullary rays. In this more regular portion of the cellular tissue, circular
vacuities are observed, resembling the lacune of the Conifere, or the aper-
tures of vasa propria.

The Lepidodendra are generally supposed to be Lycopodia, or plants
allied to them, and there is nothing in the structure of the present species
that might tend to invalidate this opinion. A transverse section of Lyco-
podium clavatum is represented by Fig. 8. Plate XII.; but as I have had
no opportunity of examining the structure of any large recent species, and as
I have seen no figures, it does not become me to institute any comparison.
Whatever light may be thrown on the nature of the Lepidodendra by the
anatomy of the present species, I must leave to persons better qualified
than myself to point out; but I trust the figures which I have given will
be useful for comparison, should other species occur in which the structure
may be found to have remained. ‘This much is certain, that the plant
above described evidently belongs to the vascular cryptogamic class, and
that in its structure there is nothing to invalidate the opinion derived from
the external configuration of the Lepidodendra, that they are Lycopo-
diacez.

The zeal and activity of the gentleman from whom the first specimen
of this fossil was obtained, have induced me to name the species Lepzdo-
dendron Harcourti.

IN THE STRATA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES. 55

References to Plates XII. and XIII. illustrative of Lepidodendron.

PLATE XII.

Fic.

—

. External appearance of the Fossil. Natural size.
2. Longitudinal section, through the centre, not including the whole
breadth. Natural size.

3. Transverse section. Natural size.
4. Longitudinal section, not through the centre. Natural size.
5. Transverse section of a part towards the circumference, shewing the

parenchymatous tissue, and an oblique section of one of the processes.
Enlarged.

6. Transverse section, shewing an oblique section of one of the processes
more perfect than usual. Enlarged.

7. Part of a longitudinal section, shewing the parenchymatous tissue,
and one of the processes. Enlarged.

8. Transverse section of Lycopodium clavatum. Enlarged.

9. Portion of a longitudinal section of the same plant. Enlarged.

PLATE XIII.

Fic. 1. Transverse section of another portion of the same fossil stem. Natural
size.
2. Portion of a transverse section, from the axis a, 6, to the surface. En-
larged.
3. Portion of the same towards the surface, more highly magnified.
4. Portion of a transverse section, shewing part of the pith. Enlarged.
Portion of a similar section.

Transverse section of one of the processes. Enlarged.

Ro g

Oblique section of one of the processes. Enlarged.

Having now completed my examination of the fossil vegetables of the
Carboniferous Deposits, I proceed to the investigation of those of the Lias.
It may be useful, however, here to enumerate the results of our examina-

56 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES OF THE CARBONIFEROUS SERIES.

tion of the carboniferous strata. Four distinct genera and nine species
have been found in these deposits.

Gen. I. 1. Pinites Withami. Craigleith Quarry.
2. Pinites medullaris. Craigleith Quarry.
3. Pinites Brandlingi. Wideopen, Ushaw, Newbiggin.
4. Pinites ambiguus. High Heworth.
5. Pinites carbonaceus. Nether Witton.

Gen. II. 1. Pitus antiqua. Lennel Braes and Tweed Mill.
2. Pitus primeva. 'Tweed Mill.

Gen. III. 1. Anabathra pulcherrima. Allen Bank.
Gen. IV. 1. Lepidodendron Harcourtit. North of England.

SECTION IV.

DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED IN THE STRATA OF THE
LIAS AND OOLITIC SERIES.

FOSSIL VEGETABLES FOUND NEAR WHITBY.

In the Carboniferous series of England and Scotland, we have seen that
several species retaining organic tissue, and referrible to four distinct genera,
have been found. I am not aware that any have been discovered in the mag-
nesian limestone, the new red sandstone, or the strata associated with them.
We now enter upon the examination of the lias. Hitherto no species
of Coniferous tree exactly resembling in every respect those of the present
day, has occurred to me in these lower deposits. The fossil from Ushaw,
which Messrs LINDLEY and HurTon have described and figured as a true
Coniferous tree, under the name of Peuce Withami, I am inclined to con-
sider as a species of Pinites, because it seems to me that their examination
was confined to imperfect specimens, altered and distorted, of the same
plant of which I have presented figures taken from a portion retaining its
original tissue in a state of perfect preservation, and which is unquestion-
ably a true Pinites, apparently the same as P. Brandlingi. My anxious
endeavours to discover a true and indisputable pine, have, however, been
crowned with success. '

In the lower half of Plate IX. are representations of a plant of that
family, of which the tissue is in the most perfect state of preservation, and
of extreme beauty.

Fig. 1. Represents a transverse section of a fossil tree found in the up-
per lias, about a mile south of Whitby, by Mr Nicot. ‘The fragment of
which this figure represents a face, is about eight inches long, and has been
split in the longitudinal direction. It has a very distinct concentric ar-

H

58 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

rangement, and presents marks of two branches or twigs. The exterior
is irregularly and longitudinally striated, and was covered by a layer of
coaly matter. The interior is intersected by veins of clayey matter and
caleareous spar. Some of the concentric layers are partially separated
and dislocated by the intrusion of similar substances. The colour is dull
brown, but a slice viewed by transmitted light is bright umber. This
figure is of the natural size. It represents the central pith, the numerous
layers of woody tissue, the interjected foreign matter irregularly tortuous,
or extending between the layers, and the white divergent veins of calcare-
ous spar.

Fig. 2. A portion of a transverse slice magnified about fifty-five times,
shewing the ordinary appearance of the interior. Two of the limits of the
concentric layers are seen, being filled with earthy and carbonaceous mat-
ter, which has in like manner been interposed in the direction of the medul-
lary rays. The structure is still more distinctly seen in the next figure.

Fig. 3. A portion of a transverse slice of the same fossil, magnified
about forty-five times. On comparing this and Fig. 2, with the figures re-
presenting portions of Conifer in Plates I. and II., it will be seen that the
tissue is perfectly similar, consisting of regular series of four-sided or sub-
hexagonal meshes, with medullary rays intervening, the apertures of the
cellules nearest the outer limit of each annual layer being more or less ob-
structed. We have hitherto seen nothing so perfectly resembling the tis-
sue of our recent pines.

Fig. 4. Represents a portion of the same enlarged in the same degree,
exhibiting the texture in its most delicate form.

Fig. 5. This represents the central part or pith, enlarged in the same de-
gree, together with part of the first woody layer, containing medullary rays.
I can find no traces of vessels) While we wonder that so delicate and
regular a texture should have survived the lapse of ages, and the ruin of
worlds, we cannot but feel gratified in being enabled to trace so intimate a
resemblance between plants belonging to epochs so remote from each other.

‘There now remains to be determined the structure of the walls of the
elongated cellules, but as I have examined and caused to be figured several

IN THE STRATA OF THE LIAS AND OOLITIC SERIES. 59

transverse sections of fossils found in the same deposits, I shall first de-
scribe them. ‘They are represented in Plate XIV., and are uniformly en-
larged in the proportion of 55 to 1, excepting Fig. 6, which is of the natu-
ral size.

Fig. 1. Portion of a transverse section of fossil wood from the upper
lias, near Whitby, to the south. This wood is in concentric layers, which,
viewed by transmitted light, are umber-brown. The layers are separated
by calcareous spar, so as to present a broken and confused appearance. The
portion represented is one of the most regular, being from near the margin,
where the layers are occasionally contiguous.

Fig. 2. This figure represents part of five layers near the centre of the
same fossil. The irregular interruptions of the structure are filled with
caleareous spar, and are not lacune, of which there are no traces in the
regular portions. One of the most remarkable differences in the organiza-
tion of this fossil is the great difference in the breadth of the woody layers.
Another is the difference in the texture, Fig. 1. presenting distinct medul-
lary rays; while Fig. 2. wants them, being from a portion in which they
are not observed. Fig. 1. also appears very different from Fig. 2. in the
size and form of the cellules, but this difference arises solely from the cir-
cumstance, that the latter is from a thicker portion of the slice, similar dif-
ferences in thickness producing corresponding differences in appearance, in
the slices of recent plants.

Fig. 3. Portion of a slice of fossil wood from the lias near Whitby. In
this wood the concentric layers are very distinct, although, in some places,
they are variously distorted. This figure represents one of the most regu-
lar portions.

Fig. 4. Represents a distorted portion of the same. There are hardly
any traces of medullary rays in this fossil, which is in general remarkable
for the regularity and little breadth of its concentric layers.

Fig. 5. Portion of a section of fossil wood from the lias near Whitby.
In this wood the concentric layers are very large and regular. It is espe-
cially remarkable for the regularity of the medullary rays, which present
few intersections, but appear like continuous tubes.

60 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

Fig. 6. Transverse slice of a small portion of the most regular part of a
very large mass found in situ, in the upper lias, near Whitby. It is very
much disturbed by the intrusion of calcareous spar, as is represented in the
figure, which is of the natural size.

Fig. 7. Portion of the same, magnified, shewing part of two concentric
layers and their junction. In the unaltered parts the structure is very
regular, but exhibits few traces of medullary rays, and these not continuous.
The meshes are about the size of those of our recent pines.

Fig. 8. Another portion of the same, magnified in the same degree, ex-
hibiting the confused appearance resulting from the intervention of calca-
reous spar.

Fig. 9. Portion of a transverse slice of a fossil tree from the Whitby
Lias, shewing part of two layers. In this tree the medullary rays are
very distinct, as are the concentric layers.

Fig. 10. Portion of a transverse slice of another tree from the Whitby
Lias, exhibiting the same general arrangement, but with much larger
cellules.

Fig. 11. Portion of a transverse slice of a fossil tree, from the grey lime-
stone, near Whitby. ‘The tissue of this fossil is extremely distorted and
altered by the intervention of calcareous spar, the woody fibres being thrust
together in black masses. The portion represented is the most regular,
many of the other parts being perfectly opaque.

Fig. 12. Portion of a transverse slice of another fossil tree from the
Whitby Lias. This also is very much distorted and broken up; but as

little can be learned from the exhibition of black and homogeneous masses,
a portion exhibiting the regular texture of the plant has been selected.

With respect to the fossil trees of the lias generally, I have to observe,
that all of them which I have examined agree in the following characters.
Their tissue in the transverse sections corresponds precisely with that of our
Coniferse, and more especially of the genus Pinus. They have a cellular
axis or pith, distinctly marked layers of woody tissue, and medullary rays.
It is probable enough that several of the trees, of portions of which I have
given representations, may be specifically distinct. In particular, those re-

IN THE STRATA OF THE LIAS AND OOLITIC SERIES. 61

presented by Figs. 6, 7, and 8. of Plate XIV. may be distinct fiom those
represented by the other figures. But any one aware of the great diffe-
rences in aspect presented by different portions of the same fossil stem, will
perceive the difficulty of characterizing species so closely allied as those of
the Whitby Lias, from their internal organization alone. I therefore re-
nounce the attempt, and feel satisfied with describing two well characterized
species, namely, that of the transverse sections of which representations
have been given in the lower half of Plate IX., and that represented in its
transverse section by Fig. 9, of Plate XIV.

The former of these fossils, as already mentioned, was found in the up-
per lias close to Whitby, and presented marks of branches. The transverse
sections, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. of the lower part of Plate LX. shew the
tissue of a pine or coniferous tree in the most perfect state of preservation.
Let us now turn to Plate XV., where there are three figures illustrative of
the same plant.

Fig. 1. Represents, of a larger size, a small portion of the tissue, as
viewed in a transverse slice. ‘The cellules are obstructed towards the outer
margin of the annual layer, and are in general remarkably distinct, each
being bounded by well-defined walls, and completely separated from the
rest.

Fig. 2. Represents part of a longitudinal slice parallel to the medullary
rays, of which traces are seen in the transverse parallel lines that intersect
it. The cellules are very regular, and present generally one, sometimes
two, series of circular glands or areola, which are precisely similar to those
of recent Conifere, figured in Plate II. The only difference presented in
this kind of section is, that, in the latter, the areole are always in single
series, whereas here they are sometimes in double series, as in the fossil
genus Pinites.

Fig. 3. Represents part of a longitudinal slice perpendicular to the me-
dullary rays, four of which are seen. hey consist of single series only, as
in most of the recent Conifer, and in their transverse sections, as seen
here, exhibit from one to eight cellules.

In their Fossil Flora, Messrs LINDLEY and HuTToN have proposed

62 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

the name Peuce as the generic title of all fossil wood “ that appears abso-
lutely coniferous.” In describing the species which they have done me the
honour of naming Peuce Witham, and which very closely resembles the
plant which I have named Pinites ambiguus, they have detailed the pecu-
liar characters of the genus, which are precisely those exhibited by the fossil
stem or branch described above. I have reason to think that the Peuce
Withami is in reality a Pinites, and that the figures represented by the
learned authors of the Fossil Flora, were taken from a distorted portion of
the fossil, of which I have presented the regular and perfectly preserved
tissue in Plate X. Figs. 2, 4, 5, and which I conceive to be of the same
species as Pinites Brandlingi. It seems to me to be only when the
cellules of the woody tissue are perfectly straight, that these plants exhibit
unaltered their reticulated or areolar markings. Whatever may be the fate
of Peuce Withami, I trust the characters of the plant above described as
occurring in the Whitby lias, are not liable to misrepresentation. In this
hope, and considering the species less liable to dispute than almost any
which I have examined, I take the liberty, usually acceded to the first de-
scriber of a species, and bestow upon it the name of Peuce Lindleit.

The plant represented by Fig. 9. of Plate XIV, is also represented in
its longitudinal sections by Figs. 4, and 5, of Plate XV, which are from a
fragment possessing similar characters, although not from the same spot.

Fig. 4. Represents portions of five of the woody fibres or elongated
cellules in their most perfect state. The general appearance of sections
made in this direction is confused, the walls appearing as if covered with
minute granules or areolz as in Fig. 5; but in one small portion the ap-
pearance here exhibited was presented. ‘The areole are precisely those of
our recent Conifer; circular, of two concentric lines, transparent in the
centre, a little depressed when close to each other, but generally separated,
sometimes to a great distance. Part of one of the medullary rays is seen
in the figure. This and the next figure are magnified in a higher degree
than the preceding three.

Fig. 5. Is part of a longitudinal slice cut parallel to the bark, and re-
presents several of the elongated cellules, having their walls covered with

IN THE STRATA OF THE LIAS AND OOLITIC SERIES. 63

minute reticulations or granules, and one of the medullary rays. which
have cellules always in a single series, and varying from ten to twenty or
more.

This species I would honour with the name of an esteemed friend. I
therefore propose that it be denominated Peuce Huttonii.

I have already remarked, that it seems to me difficult to characterize
the other species of the Whitby lias; and all the longitudinal sections that
I have seen are so similar in their characters, that I can only say of them
that they all belong to the genus Pewce. Further investigation may elicit
specific distinctions, for it is not likely that all the fossil trees of the lias
of a whole district should be of two species only.

FOSSIL TREE FOUND IN THE OOLITIC DEPOSITS OF THE HEBRIDES.

In Plate XIV. (Figs. 13. and 14.) will be seen representations of two
small portions of a transverse section of a fossil plant found in the island
of Eig, one of the Inner Hebrides, which was briefly described by me in
my “ Observations on Fossil Vegetables,” and afterwards more fully descri-
bed and figured by the authors of the “ Fossil Flora,” under the name of
Pinites eggensis. I shall first advert to the figure and description in the
work last mentioned, and then proceed to my own representation of the plant
in question.

In Plate XXX. of the Fossil Flora is represented part of a transverse
slice magnified 180 diameters, and including portions of four annual layers.
“In structure,” it is said to be “ obviously different from any of the coal
Conifers ; its medullary rays appear to be more numerous, and frequently
are not continued through from one zone of wood to another, but more ge-
nerally terminate at the concentric circles; it abounds in turpentine vessels,
or lacune of various sizes, the sides of which are distinctly defined ; and here
and there, rows of flattened tubes are found among thie ordinary cylindrical
woody tissue. These are distinctly visible in a cross section.”

The fossil in question was found at the base of the magnificent mural

64 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

escarpment named the Scuir of Eig, not however, I believe, in situ, but
among fragments of rocks of the oolitic series. These beds are so similar
to those of Troternish in the Island of Skye, that it is difficult, on minute
comparison, to distinguish them. According to Messrs SrpGEWICK and
Morcuison, the Troternish beds are the upper strata of the great oolitic
series, and resemble the Cornbrash and Forest Marble. The fossils of the
lias generally are of a light brown colour, but this is remarkably dark, be-
ing of a deep black hue when viewed by reflected light, and dark-brown
when seen by transmitted light.

The tissue in a transverse slice viewed with the naked eye, is disposed
in concentric layers, the boundaries of which are very distinctly marked.
The medullary rays are numerous, and in the tissue are scattered oval or
roundish lacune of various sizes. In a slice about three inches in diameter,
and including only part of one side of the stem or branch, I have counted
thirty-three woody layers.

Plate XV. Fig. ©. Represents the entire breadth of three layers and
part of a fourth, as seen in a transverse slice under the microscope, and
magnified in the same degree as the three upper figures of the same
plate. It is seen that the transverse sections of the elongated cellules of
the Hig fossil, are much less in diameter than those of the fossils of the
English lias. Two of the lacune are represented : they exhibit the appear-
ance of large oblong apertures in the woody tissue, generally filled, when
the slice is somewhat thick, with reticulations. ‘The medullary rays, al.--
though very distinct, are frequently not continuous from the centre outwards,
but are interrupted at the outer margin of the woody layers. The tissue
in other respects resembles that of the recent Conifers, and of the fossil
genera Peuce, Pinites, and Pitus.

Fig. 7. Represents a portion of a transverse slice, magnified nearly in
the same degree as the large figure in Plate XXX. of the Fossil Flora,
or about 150 times. Here the tissue is seen to present the same aspect ;
and although several series of cellules differ more or less in appearance
from others, I am unable to see in them any real difference, nor have I
any where found a tissue resembling that represented in the Plate just

IN THE STRATA OF THE LIAS AND OOLITIC SERIES. 65

mentioned. It appears to me simply that differences in the thickness of
slices, or of different parts of the same slice, produce differences in the as-
pect of the cellules, such as we observe, under similar circumstances, in all
the fossil stems hitherto examined. Excepting the lacune, or turpentine
vessels, therefore, I have observed no vessels properly so called in this spe-
cies, any more than in the others which I have examined.

Fig. 8. Represents part of a longitudinal section parallel to the medul-
lary rays. The specimens which I possess are so small, and the markings
in this direction are so obscure, that I have scarcely succeeded in detecting
the real nature of the tissue. However, I have distinctly seen it in one
portion to be as represented in the figure. The elongated cellules are
very regular, and here and there present acute terminations. Their walls
seem covered with minute granules or areolz of different sizes, and not ar-
ranged in regular series. ‘The medullary rays are regular and distinct.
These minute irregular reticulations are similar to those presented by spe-
cimens from the English lias, and may be the ultimate vesicles of the
cellular tissue, or transparent granules of resinous or other matter. In
other species they are co-existent with the large areole characteristic of
Peuce, and as the tissue in every other respect is similar to that of the lias
trees, I am inclined to consider it not as a Pinites, but a Peuce.

Fig. 9. Represents part of a longitudinal section parallel to the bark.
In this section, the structure is more distinctly seen in the specimen which
I possess. The only thing remarkable that it exhibits is the very small
size of the medullary rays, which always consist of one series of cellules, ge-
nerally not more than from two to five cellules being placed above each
other, and frequently a single one forming the ray. The sides of the cel-
lules are also covered with minute areole of different sizes, and irregularly
disposed.

With Peuce eggensis, I conclude my examination of the fossils of the
lias and oolite, any remarks arising from a comparison of the species and
genera described, may be with propriety transferred to the next section.
Previous to entering upon this part of my task, however, it will be proper

I

66 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL TREES DISCOVERED

to offer a brief explanation of the remaining plate, which having been en-
graved for my previous work, as exhibiting several varieties of tissue, I have
judged worthy of being transferred to the present.

Explanation of the Figures of Plate XVI.

Tuis plate contains representations of portions of thin slices of fossil
vegetables of various kinds, viewed by transmitted light, and, with the ex-
ception of Fig. 9, greatly enlarged.

Fig. 1. Part of a transverse slice of fossil wood found near Whitby,
much broken up and distorted. Enlarged about fifty-five times.

Fig. 2. Portion of a longitudinal slice of part of one of the fossil vege-
tables found at Lennel Braes, figured in Plate VIII. It exhibits the trans-
verse section of several medullary rays. Enlarged about fifty-five times.

Fig. 3. Represents a portion of a transverse slice of the Wideopen tree,
figured in Plates IX. and X. The portion here represented is one of the
most regular, and has been enlarged about 100 times.

Fig. 4. Portion of a transverse slice of a large fossil tree from New Hol-
land, in the Museum of the University of Edinburgh.

Fig. 5. Portion of a transverse slice of the Newbiggin tree, represented
by Figs. 5. and 6. of Plate IX., and here enlarged about 100 times.

Fig. 6. Represents a portion of a transverse slice of silicified fossil wood,
the locality of which is unknown. It is enlarged about fifty-five times, and
resembles the Conifers in structure.

Fig. 7. Portion of a transverse slice of Anabathra pulcherrima, figured
in Plate VIII.

Fig. 8. Attached to this plant, as already mentioned at page 40, isan ir-
regular darker-coloured mass, exhibiting regular structure in various places,
and having interspersed in it numerous oval forms, of part of one of which
this figure is a representation. These oval forms resemble the pith of some
dicotyledonous plants, as well as the stipe of various ferns. I have not,
however, satisfied myself as to their real nature.

IN THE STRATA OF THE LIAS AND OOLITIC SERIES. 67

Fig. 9. Represents a portion of the Lennel Braes’ plant figured in Plates
III, IV, VII, and VIII. The fragment of organic structure at the upper
corner is silicified and very regular. It presents the appearance of a line
of junction of two concentric layers. This figure is of the natural size.

Fig. 10. The margin of the fragment indicated above, enlarged about
fifty-five times. This figure displays the beautiful lace-like structure.
broken up at the edge by calcareous spar, of which two divergent crystal-
lizations are seen.

Fig. 11. Fossil silicified dicotyledonous wood, from Antigua, enlarged
about fifty-five times. The structure greatly resembles that of the Maho-
gany, represented in Plate I. Fig. 10.

Fig. 12. Fossil silicified dicotyledonous wood, from Antigua, enlarged
about fifty-five times.

Fig. 13. Fossil silicified dicotyledonous wood, from Antigua, enlarged
about fifty-five times. The calcedonic mode of crystallization is observed
at the lower part of the figure.

Fig. 14. Fossil silicified wood, from Antigua, probably dicotyledonous,
and resembling Fig. 13. of Plate I.

On comparing Figs, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of this plate, with Figs. 10, 11,
12 and 13 of Plate I., it will be seen that the general resemblance is per-
fect.

Figs. 15. and 16. Represent portions of silicified monocotyledonous
wood from Antigua, and may be compared with Figs. 14 and 15 of Plate
I, which exhibit the same structure. They are enlarged about fifty-five

times.
1

( 68 )

SECTION V.

GENERAL REMARKS ON THE FOSSIL PLANTS REPRESENTED AND DESCRIBED
IN THIS WORK; WITH THEIR GENERIC AND SPECIFIC CHARACTERS AS
DERIVED FROM THEIR TISSUE.

THE first general remark which I have to offer respecting the fossil
vegetables figured in the Plates, is, that their concentric layers present the
same irregularity as those of our present trees, some of them being much
broader than others in the same specimen. An inference to be made from
this circumstance is, that the climate which existed at the epochs when
these vegetables grew, resembled ours in the irregularity of its successive
summers. If, at the present day, a warm and moist summer produces a
broader annual layer of wood than a cold or dry one, and if fossil plants ex-
hibit such appearances as we refer in recent plants to a diversity of sum-
mers, then it is reasonable to suppose that a similar diversity formerly pre-
vailed. The remark, however, applies only to the plants of the lias and
oolite.

The Coniferz of the coal formation and mountain-limestone group have
few and slight appearances of the lines by which the annual layers are se-
parated ; which is also frequently the case with the trees of our present tro-
pical regions. It is therefore possible, that, at the epochs of these forma-
tions, the changes of season, as to temperature at least, were not abrupt.

The cells of the fossil Coniferze, are generally much larger than those
of our present trees of the same family. Thus, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, '7 and
8. of Plate IX., which are enlarged in the same degree as Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7
and 8, of Plate I., have much larger meshes than the latter. Our observa-

tions on this subject, however, are not sufficiently numerous or correct, to

GENERAL REMARKS. 69

authorise any inferences as to the comparative vigour of the vegetation of
the different epochs; and in the colder regions of both continents, we have
trees at the present day of much larger dimensions than those of any fossil
trunk hitherto discovered.

The prevailing colour of the fossil vegetables, retaining their organic
texture, which occur in our mountain-limestone series, coal-fields, and lias
deposits, is brown, of various tints, more commonly wood-brown, frequently
umber, and sometimes greyish or blackish brown. ‘Those of the lower of
these deposits are calcareous, as are generally the fossils of the lias, and the
veins by which they are intersected are commonly of calcareous spar. In the
coal-formation, siliceous matter is the principal ingredient. Those fossils,
on the contrary, which, occurring in the same formations, are destitute of
organic texture, have their interior filled with substances of the same na-
ture as the strata in which they have been deposited.

In a former work I concluded my general remarks on the plants which
I had then examined, in the following words: “ Nothwithstanding the
want of well defined concentric layers in those of the coal-formation and
mountain-limestone group, no doubt remains with me of their being Coni-
fere. Should it be shewn, by future investigations, that recent plants of
other classes present a similarity of structure, the case will become different ;
but until then, it will remain established that these fossil plants come
nearer to the structure of the Conifere than that of any other tribe. As
to the fossils of the lias, I presume no doubt can henceforth remain in the
mind of any one who may compare them with recent Conifere, or be satis-
fied with the accuracy of my representations.” After a more extended ex-
amination, I may repeat these words. The genera Peuce, Pitus, and Pi-
nites, are evidently of the same natural family, and although we have not
now trees resembling the two latter, they must necessarily be associated
with the first, which all must allow to be a genus of Conifere.

I now proceed to the generic and specific characters of the plants ex-
amined.

70 GENERIC AND SPECIFIC CHARACTERS

GENUS I. PEUCE.

A medullary axis of ordinary size; woody tissue consisting of elon-
gated cellules; distinct concentric circles; medullary rays; bark. Stems
roundish or compressed, tapering, branched.

Pith of irregular polygonal
cellules. Woody tissue in the transverse section presenting the appear-
ance of regular, parallel, radiating series of four-sided, subhexagonal cellules,
with interspersed narrow medullary rays. In the longitudinal sections,
the cellules are seen to be greatly elongated, with oblique dissepiments
placed at great distances. ‘Two of the walls, those facing the medul-
lary rays, are marked with a single, sometimes a double series, of circular
areol, more or less distant from each other. Those facing the pith and
the surface are continuous, and destitute of markings. 'The medullary rays,
in their transverse sections, usually present a single series of cellules.

This genus is peculiar to the lias and oolite, at least no species have
been found in any anterior deposit.

1 Peuce Lindleiana.
Areolz in one, sometimes in two, series; medullary rays in their transverse
section of 1-8 cellules.
Plate LX., lower half. Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Probably also of Plate XIV.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10,12. Plate XV. Figs. 1, 2, 3.
From various parts of the Whitby Lias.

2. Peuce Huttoniana.
Areole in a single series; medullary rays in their transverse section of
10-20 or more cellules.
Plate XIV. Fig. 9. Plate XV. Figs. 4, 5.
Whitby Lias.

OF THE FOSSIL PLANTS EXAMINED. {fas

3. Peuce eggensis.
Cellules very small; lacunz; areola not determined; medullary rays in
their transverse section very short, of 1-8 superimposed cellules.
Plate XIV. Figs. 13, 14. Plate XV. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9.
Island of Eig.

GENUS If. PITUS.

A medullary axis of very large size; woody tissue consisting of elon-
gated cellules ; concentric circles usually indistinct ; medullary rays; bark.

Stems cylindrical or compressed, tapering, branched. Pith of irregular
polygonal cellules. Woody tissue in the transverse section, presenting the
appearance of regular, parallel, radiating series of four-sided, subhexagonal
cellules, with interspersed medullary rays. In the longitudinal sections the
cellules are seen to be greatly elongated, with oblique or transverse disse-
piments placed at great distances. Two of the walls, those facing the me-
dullary rays, are regularly reticulated with two or three series of roundish
areole, which are separated from each other. The walls facing the pith
and the surface are continuous, and generally destitute of markings. The
medullary rays in their transverse sections present irregular series of cellules,
varying from four to fifteen.

The species of this genus have been found in the mountain limestone

series of deposits, on the banks of the Tweed.

‘1. Pitus antiqua.
Medullary rays of four or five series of cellules.
Plate III. Plate IV. Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. and 7. Plate VII. Figs. 9, 10,
11, 12. Plate VIII. Figs. 1, 2,3. Plate XVI. Figs. 9, 10.
Lennel Braes, and Tweed Mill, Berwickshire.

2. Pitus primeva.
Medullary rays of 10-15 series of cellules.
Plate VIII. Figs. 4, 5, 6. Plate XVI. Fig. 2.
Tweed Mill, Berwickshire.

72 GENERIC AND SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.

GENUS III. PINITES.

A medullary axis of very large size; woody tissue consisting of elon-
gated cellules; medullary rays; bark; concentric circles usually indis-
Pith of ir-
regular polygonal cellules. Woody tissue in the transverse section pre-
senting the appearance of regular, parallel, radiating series of four-sided
subhexagonal cellules, with interspersed medullary rays. In the longitudi-
nal sections the cellules are seen to be greatly elongated, with oblique or
transverse dissepiments placed at great distances. Two of the walls, those

tinct. Stems roundish or compressed, tapering, branched.

facing the medullary rays, are regularly reticulated, with two or three series
of hexagonal areole. Those facing the pith and the surface are continuous,
and generally destitute of markings. ‘The medullary rays in their trans-
verse section present irregular series of cellules, varying from one to five.

The species of this genus have been found in the mountain-limestone
series, and in the coal-formation.

1. Pinites Withami. Linpury and Hutton.

(Pith undetermined). Concentric circles obsolete, walls of the elongated
cellules, with 2, 3, or 4 series of contiguous areola, medullary rays of 2, 3,
or 4 series of ceJlules.

Plate TV. Figs. 8, 9, 10; 11, 12. Plate V. Plate VI- Figs. 1; 2,3, 4:

Plate VII. Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Craigleith Quarry, near Edinburgh, in sandstone of the mountain-limestone

series.

9, Pinites medullaris. LiNDLEY and Hutton.

(Pith large). Concentric circles distinct, walls of the elongated cellules re-
ticulated with 2, 3, or 4 series of contiguous areole, medullary rays of 2-5 series
of cellules.

Plate VI. Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8. Plate VII. Figs. 7, 8.

Craigleith Quarry, in sandstone.

OF THE FOSSIL PLANTS EXAMINED. 73

3. Pinites Brandling?. LINDLEY and Hurton. Fossil Flora, vol. I.
Poel
Walls of the elongated cellules reticulated with 2, 3, or 4 series of contigu-
ous aroleze. Medullary rays of one series of cellules.
Plate IX. Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6. Plate X. Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6. Plate
XVI. Fig: 3.
Wideopen near Gosforth, five miles from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Hill Top,

near Ushaw. Newbiggin, Northumberland. Westgate, near Newcastle, &c.

4. Pinites ambiguus.

Walls of the elongated cellules reticulated with 2 or 3 series of contiguous
areole (in imperfect specimens, the areole separated, and disposed in one or
two series). Medullary rays of 1-3 series of cellules.

Plate IX. Figs. 7, 8. Plate X. Figs. 7, 8, 9.
High Heworth near Gateshead, county of Durham.

This species in the distorted parts resembles Peuce, but it is only when
the cellules are straight and the areolz in one or two (never more) series,
that the fossil can be referred to that genus.

5. Pinites carbonaceus.
Characters not distinct, obtained from pieces of coal found in the mountain-
limestone series.

Plate XI. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9.

These genera, namely Peuce, Pitus, and Pinites, evidently pass into each
other by a regular gradation, and therefore, in all probability, belong to the
same natural family. Peuce is obviously a Conifera, and the others differ
only in circumstances which do not seem to be very important. ‘Thus
Peuce has the woody tissue very distinctly divided by concentric circles,
while in the other genera these circles are occasionally present, but more
frequently absent. In Peuce the pith is not larger than in our recent Co-
nifere, but in Pinites it is at least four times the size. The walls of the

K

74 GENERIC AND SPECIFIC CHARACTERS

woody tissue of our recent pines are marked with single series of separated
areole, seldom occupying their whole breadth; those of Peuce are also
marked with single series of precisely similar areola, but some of them have
also double series. In Pétus the areole are always in double or triple
series, although still separated and usually roundish. In Pinites the areole
are hexagonal, contiguous, and arranged in two or more series. Connecting
species will probably be found, when more attention is paid to the subject ;
and, in fact, a single trunk often presents appearances characteristic of two
genera, according to the state of its parts. Thus a Pinites regularly reti-
culated in its unaltered and straight cellules, becomes in some degree a
Peuce, when the cellules are curved and distorted.

The question as to the real nature of the areole I leave to those whose
examinations of recent plants have been more extensive than mine. In the
fossil species they would seem to me to be rather pores than glands, al-
though even in them “ much might be said on both sides.”

GENUS IV. ANABATHRA.

A medullary axis; woody tissue consisting of elongated cellules ; me-
dullary rays scattered at great distances. Stems roundish or compressed,
tapering.—Pith of irregular polygonal cellules. Woody tissue in the trans-
verse section presenting the appearance of regular, parallel, radiating series
of four-sided or subhexagonal cellules, with radiating tubular ducts inter-
posed at intervals. In the longitudinal sections the cellules have all their
walls very regularly marked with parallel transverse straight lines or ridges.
The medullary rays in their transverse section are of an elliptical form, and

composed of irregular reticulations.

1. Anabathra pulcherrima.
Plate VIII. Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12. Plate XVI. Fig. 7.

Found at Allenbank, in Berwickshire, in the mountain-limestone series.

OF THE FOSSIL PLANTS EXAMINED. 75

GENUS V. LEPIDODENDRON.

Stems simple or dichotomous, subcylindrical or compressed, the surface
covered with prominences of an elliptical form, arranged in spiral series. A
central axis or pith of irregular polygonal cellules, which are smaller to-
wards the margin. The great mass of the stem composed of uniform pa-
renchymatous tissue. Cylindrical processes of cellular tissue, with a central
fasciculus of vessels proceeding from the pith to the papille on the surface.

These plants resemble Lycopodium in structure and in external ap-

pearance.

1. Lepidodendron Harcourtit.
Plates XII. and XIII.
Coal-formation of the north of England.

The result of my labours, as has been seen, is the description of twelve
species of fossil plants, viewed with reference to their organic texture. The
benefit which may be derived from my humble efforts may not be of great
importance; but I shall enjoy the pleasure of having solicited the attention
of geologists to the internal structure of fossil plants generally, and of
having shewn the way to the accurate investigation of them. One great
object which I had in view, when I published my imperfect views of the
subject, two years ago, namely, that of directing to it “ the attention of some
of the many eminent botanists and geologists of which our country can
boast,” has already been in some measure accomplished ; and any assistance
which I can afford, I shall always be ready to accord to those who may feel
interested in the subject.

76 MODE OF PREPARING PLANTS FOR EXAMINATION.

APPENDIX, CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THE MODE OF PREPARING
RECENT AND FOSSIL PLANTS FOR MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION.

Slices of recent woods of all kinds are easily made, but it requires con-
siderable dexterity to obtain them free of distortion, and of the necessary
tenuity. A little practice, however, will enable any person, who can guide
his hand steadily, to succeed to his satisfaction. When the slices are ob-
tained of the necessary thinness, they ought to be placed between two small
plates of glass, which are kept together by applying gum, sealing-wax, or
any adhesive substance round their edges. The best instrument is a broad
knife, thin in the back, with a straight and very sharp edge.

In preparing fossil woods, the following directions may be of use. Let
a thin slice be cut off in the direction required, that is, transversely or lon-
gitudinally. It is to be ground flat, and then polished. The smooth sur-
face thus obtained is to be cemented to a piece of plate-glass, by means of
Canada balsam, of which a thin layer is to be applied to the slice of fossil
wood, and another to the glass. They are then placed on a plate of metal,
and gradually heated over a slow fire, so as to inspissate the balsam, care
being taken not to raise the heat so high as to produce air-bubbles in the
fluid. The slice and the glass are then removed, and placed upon each
other; the superfluous part of the balsam being squeezed out by a slight
degree of pressure, accompanied with a sliding motion. When the prepa-
ration has cooled, the portion of balsam adhering to the edges of the slice is
to be removed with a pen-knife, and the slice is ground down to the requi-
site degree of thinness, and polished.

It is proper to add, that considerable labour and time must be em-
ployed in the grinding and polishing; and those who may not be disposed
to apply much of either to a merely mechanical operation, may be supplied
with perfect specimens of all the plants figured in the present work, by Mr

SANDERSON, Lapidary, St Andrew's Square, Edinburgh, who has brought
the art to great perfection.

Fie. 1.

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HEFT)

INDEX TO THE PLATES.

PLATE I. Transverse Sections oF Recent VEGETABLES.

. Monocotyledonous stem. Rhapis flabelliformis. Magnified 55 diameters.
. Gymnospermous Phanerogamic stem. Pinus balsamea. 55.

. Dicotyledonous Phanerogamic stem. Fraxinus excelsior. 55.

. American Fir. 55.

. Seotch Fir, Pinus sylvestris. 55.

. Norway Fir, Pinus Abies. 55.

Common Yew, Taxus baccata. 55.

. American Cedar. 55.

. Cycas revoluta. 55.

. Mahogany, Swietenia Mahogani. 55.

. Common Oak, Quercus Robur. 55.

. Grey Poplar, Populus canescens. 55,

. Sanders Wood. 55.

. Sugar Cane, Saccharum officinarum. 55.
. Calamus. 55.

PLATE II. Sections or Recent Pines.

Pinus sylvestris. Transverse section. 100.
Longitudinal section parallel to the medullary rays. 100.
Longitudinal section parallel to the bark. 100.

. Spruce Fir. Transverse section. 100.

Longitudinal, parallel to the medullary rays. 100.
Longitudinal, parallel to the bark. 100.

. Weymouth Pine. Transverse section. 100.

Longitudinal, parallel to the medullary rays. 100.
—————— Longitudinal, parallel to the bark. 100.

78

INDEX TO THE PLATES.

PLATE IIL Lenwet Brats’ Tren, Pitus antiqua.

Transverse section diminished one half.

SJ: f;f- Uayer of carbonaceous matter.

6. Centre.

ad, a, a. Portions retaining organic tissue.

c, ¢, c. Portions of the same nature as a, a, a.
d,d,d. Disorganized mass.

e, e. Indurated argillaceous matter.

PLATE IV. Fossiz VecetTasies or LENNEL Braks AND CRAIGLEITH.
Lennel Braes Tree, Pitus antiqua.
Fic. 1. Transverse section of a fragment: a, a, organic portions. Natural size.

2. One of the organic portions. Natural size.

3. Part of one of the organic portions. Transverse section. 35.

4. Portion of the same. 55.

5. Portion of inorganic part. 35.
6. Part of transverse section. 100.

7. Part of transverse section. 100.

Craigleith Tree of 1826, Pitus Withami.

8. Transverse section. 4.

9. Transverse section. 45.

10. Transverse section. 55.

. and 12. Portions of the same. 45.

Fie.

Fic.

INDEX TO THE PLATES. 79

PLATE V. Crareiertu TREE or 1830.

PLATE VI. CrarteuritH Fosstt TREE or 1830, Pinites Withami; AND

Oo =

-

or

Brancu or 1831, Pitus medullaris.

. Transverse section of Tree of 1830. 100.

. Transverse section of the same, 100.

Transverse section. The tissue more perfect 100.

Transverse section. The tissue diversiform. 100.

. Transverse section of a branch found in 1831, shewing the pith and woody

layers. Natural size.

}. Transverse section of the pith. 55.

-

io)

Or

. Portion of a transverse slice, shewing the pith and woody tissue. 100.

. Transverse section, shewing part of three woody layers. 100.

PLATE VII. Foss Trees or CRAIGLEITH AND LENNEL Brass.

Craigleith Fossils, Pinites Withami and P. medullaris.

. Longitudinal section, parallel to the medullary rays, of the tree of 1826.

100.

. Longitudinal section, parallel to the bark. 100.
. Longitudinal section, parallel to the medullary rays, of the tree of 1830.

100.

. Longitudinal section, parallel to the bark, of the tree of 1830. 100.
. Longitudinal section, parallel to the medullary rays of the fragment found

- in 1831. 100.

. Longitudinal section, parallel to the bark, of the fragment found in 1831.

100.

. Longitudinal section, parallel to the medullary rays, of the branch of 1831.

100.

. Longitudinal section parallel to the bark. 100.

80 INDEX TO THE PLATES.

Lennel Braes Tree, Pitus antiqua.

9. Longitudinal section parallel to the bark. 100.
10. Longitudinal section, parallel to the bark. 100.
11. Transverse section shewing the pith, and part of the woody tissue. Natu-
ral size.

12. Transverse section. 150.

PLATE VIII. Fosstzr VEGETABLES or ALLENBANK AND TWEED- MILL.

Tweed- Mill Fossil, Pitus antiqua.

Fic. 1. Transverse section. 100.
2. Longitudinal section, parallel to the medullary rays. 100.
3. Longitudinal section, parallel to the bark. 100.

Tweed-Mill Fossil, Pitus primeva.

4, Transverse section. 100.
Longitudinal section, parallel to the medullary rays. 100.

or

6. Longitudinal section, parallel to the bark. 100.

Allenbank Fossil, Anabathra pulcherrima.

7. Transverse section. Natural size.
8. Transverse section of the tissue surrounding the pith. 100.
9. Transverse section of the marginal portion. 100.
10. Longitudinal section, parallel to the medullary rays. 100.
11. Longitudinal section of the same kind. 100.

12, Longitudinal section, parallel to the bark. 100.

PLATE IX. Fossin VrecrraBLes oF THE CoaL ForMATION AND LIAS.

Fossils of the Coal Formation.

Fic. 1. Transverse section of Wideopen Tree, Pinites Brandlingi. 55.
2. Transverse section of the same. 55.

3, 4. Sections of the same. 55.

Fic.

Fie.

PLATE X. Fossit Trees or WipEoPEN, UsHaw, anp HicuH Heworru.

Fic.

Fic.

INDEX TO THE PLATES.

5, 6. Transverse sections of Newbiggin Tree, Pinites Brandlingi. 55
7, 8. Transverse section of High Heworth Tree, Pinites ambiguus. 5

Fossil Vegetables of the Lias.

a

81

1. Transverse section of a fossil tree found near Whitby, Peuce Lindleiana.

Natural size.

i)

. Transverse section of the same. 55.
. Transverse section. 45,
. Transverse section. 45.

. Transverse section, shewing part of the pith. 45.

09

or

1. Transverse section of Pinites Brandlingi, from Wideopen. 100.

~

Longitudinal section, parallel to the medullary rays. 100.
Longitudinal section, parallel to the bark. 100.

= 0

. Transverse section of Pinites Brandlingi, from Ushaw. 100.
Longitudinal section, parallel to the medullary rays. 100.

A similar section. The tissue confused. 100.

SS

=e

Longitudinal section parallel to the medullary rays. 100.

ow

. Longitudinal section, perpendicular to the medullary rays. 100,

PLATE. XI. Srrucrure or Coat.

—

. Bovey Coal. Natural size.

wo

. Bovey Coal. Transverse. 100.

3. Jet. Natural size.

4, Cannel Coal, from Lancashire. Transverse. 100.
5. Longitudinal section of the same. 100.

6. Transverse section of Coal, Pinites carbonaceus. 100.
7. Transverse section of the same. 100.

. Longitudinal section of the same, parallel to the medullary rays.

oOo

. Longitudinal section. 100.
L

Transverse section of Pinites ambiguus, from High Heworth. 100.

100.

ines I.

. Longitudinal section, through the centre, not including the whole breadth.

Fic.

Fic.

INDEX TO THE PLATES.

PLATE XII. Leripopenpron Harcourt.

External appearance of the Fossil. Natural size.

Natural size.

. Transverse section. Natural size.

4. Longitudinal section, not through the centre. Natural size.

Transverse section of a part towards the circumference, shewing the pa-
renchymatous tissue, and an oblique section of one of the processes. 55.
Transverse section, shewing an oblique section of one of the processes

more perfect than usual. 55.

. Part of a longitudinal section, shewing the parenchymatous tissue, and

one of the processes. 55.

8. Transverse section of Lycopodium clavatum. 55.

9. Portion of a longitudinal section of the same plant. 35.

PLATE XIII. Lrepinopenpron Harcourtii.

. Transverse section of another portion of the same fossil stem. Natural

size.
Portion of a transverse section, from the axis a, 6, to the surface. 12.
Portion of the same towards the surface. 55.

Portion of a transverse section, shewing part of the pith. 55.

. Portion of a similar section.
. Transverse section of one of the processes. 55.

. Oblique section of one of the processes. 55.

PLATE XIV. Fossit VEGETABLES OF THE Lias.

. Transverse section of fossil wood, from the upper lias, near Whitby. 55.
. Transverse section of the same. 55.
. Transverse section of fossil wood, from the lias, near Whitby. 55.

. Distorted portion of the same. Transverse. 55.

Fic.

Fie. 1.

Fie.

wo

oDetERr oO Se WwW

Oe fF WW ww

INDEX TO THE PLATES. $3

. Transverse section of another portion of fossil wood, from the Whitby

lias. 55.

Transverse section of a small portion from a large mass of fossil wood,
found in the upper lias, near Whitby. Natural size.

8. Transverse sections of the same. 55.

Transverse section of a fossil tree from the Whitby lias. 55.

. Transverse section of another fossil tree, from the Whitby lias. 55.

. Transverse section of a fossil tree, from the grey-limestone, near Whit-

by. 55.
Transverse section of another fossil tree, from Whitby lias. 55.

14. Transverse sections of a fossil tree from the Island of Eig. 55.

PLATE XV. Fossitt VEGETABLES OF THE Lias.

Transverse section of the Whitby tree, figured in Plate [X., Peuce Lin-
dleiana. 100.
Longitudinal section, parallel to the medullary rays. 100.

. Longitudinal section, parallel to the bark, 100.

. Longitudinal section of Peuce Huttoniana. 150.

. Longitudinal section of the same, parallel to the bark. 150.
. Transverse section of Peuce eggensis. 100.

. Transverse section. 150.

. Longitudinal section, parallel to the medullary rays. 150.

. Longitudinal section, parallel to the bark. 150.

PLATE XVI.

. Transverse section of fossil wood, found near Whitby. 55.

. Longitudinal section, parallel to the bark, of the Lennel Braes’ tree. 55.
. Transverse section of Wideopen tree. 100.

. Transverse section of a fossil tree from New Holland. 55.

. Transverse slice of the Newbiggin tree. 100.

. Transverse slice of silicified fossil wood. 55.

10. Ganceer sectio :
i ably ‘Transverse = of Siicitied dicotyledonous wood from Anti
12, 13, 14. Transverse sections of silicified oor wood,

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