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STATE OF ILLINOIS
DEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION
Palynology and Petrography
of a Middle Devonian Coal
in Illinois
R. A. Peppers
H. H. Damberger
CIRCULAR 445
1969
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
URBANA, ILLINOIS 61801
John C. Frye, Chief
URBANA
,LLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
3 3051 00003 8012
AiM*
PALYNOLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY OF A
MIDDLE DEVONIAN COAL IN ILLINOIS
R. A. Peppers and H. H. Damberger
ABSTRACT
Samples of a carbonaceous sediment, varying from
coal to coaly shale and less than 1 to 2 inches thick, were
obtained from three diamond drill cores of the Wapsipini-
con Limestone in McLean and northern DeWitt Counties ,
Illinois. This is the only known occurrence of Devonian
coal in Illinois.
Microscopic examination of polished samples in
reflected light reveals that the coal is only partly lamina-
ted. The nonlaminated, less coaly portion may represent
reworked material. Spores account for about 12 percent of
the laminated coal and only 3 percent of the nonlaminated
portion. The rest of the coal consists of the maceral vit-
rinite. Mineral matter includes pyrite, limestone, quartz,
dolomite, calcite, and very fine-grained argillaceous car-
bonates.
The macerated coal constituents consist of small,
irregularly shaped plant fragments, unornamented circular
bodies that are perhaps algal in origin, and plant spores.
Of the 28 species and 13 genera of small spores that were
identified, 6 species are named and described as new. The
most frequently encountered spore genera, in decreasing a -
bundance, are Apicu lat a s porite s , Retusotriletes, Spino-
zonotriletes, Ac anthotrilete s , Lycospora, Emphanispor-
ites, and Rhabdosporites . Plant microfossils of marine ori-
gin— Tasmanites, Leiosphaeridia, and Veryhachium — were
also observed in the macerations. The spore assemblage
does not resemble any previously described Devonian as-
semblage.
The coal was deposited along the northern flank of
the Sangamon Arch, which was essentially standing above
sea level during most of the Devonian Period. Most of the
1
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 445
organic constituents were probably derived from small hy-
drophilous land plants. The marine plant microfossils that
were incorporated in the coal probably came from near the
environment of deposition, which was favorable for the
growth of marine organisms. Fine lamination of the coal
indicates that the plant material, clay, and lime mud were
deposited in calm water, but some reworking took place.
A reducing environment of deposition is suggested by the
presence of a large proportion of syngenetic fine-grained
pyrite aggregates and the absence of fusinite and other in-
ertinite macerals. The presence of rounded and well sort-
ed quartz grains throughout the coal and especially in the
adjacent limestone (up to 50 percent) suggests a nearshore
environment.
INTRODUCTION
Samples of a thin coal and coaly shale of Middle Devonian age (early Give-
tian of Europe) were recovered from three diamond drill cores from central Illinois.
This is the first published report of a Devonian coal found in Illinois and is the
second (Sanders, 1967) published report in the United States that describes in de-
tail the palynology of a Devonian coal. The samples were also submitted for pet-
rographic and chemical analyses.
The investigation was undertaken first to describe the spores so that a com-
parison might be made between the Illinois assemblage and Middle Devonian assem
blages from other parts of the world. An added incentive for describing the Illinois
assemblage is that the age of the Illinois stratum is well substantiated by other
paleontologic and stratigraphic data, whereas this has not been true for some of
the other described Devonian spore floras. In addition, it was hoped that a pal-
eoecological interpretation could be made, based on available data.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to Dr. D. C. McGregor, Geological Survey of Canada, who
made useful suggestions concerning the descriptive palynology. We also wish to
acknowledge two members of the Illinois State Geological Survey, Dr. Donald
Dickerson, of the Chemical Group, for the chemical analysis of the coal, and
Dr. Harold Gluskoter, of the Coal Section, for the analysis of the mineral-matter
residue obtained from the sample by low-temperature ashing.
STRATIGRAPHY AND PETROGRAPHY
The carbonaceous stratum was found in two cores drilled in McLean County
and one drilled in DeWitt County (text figs. 1 and 2, and table 1). The coal and
coaly shale were deposited as part of the Davenport Limestone Member, the upper-
most member of the Middle Devonian Wapsipinicon Limestone. In 1895, Norton
named the Wapsipinicon Limestone for the strata between the Cedar Valley Lime-
stone and the Silurian System along the Wapsipinicon River in east-central Iowa.
The names Lower and Upper Davenport were proposed also by Norton (1894) for
MIDDLE DEVONIAN COAL IN ILLINOIS
50 MILES
a dense, light to dark gray limestone
near Davenport, Iowa. The Upper
Davenport was later included in the
Cedar Valley Limestone, whereas the
Lower Davenport was changed to simply
the Davenport Limestone Member.
In a comprehensive discussion
of the stratigraphic relationships, no-
menclature, and paleontology of the
Devonian rocks in the north-central
United States, Collinson et al. (1967)
stated that the Wapsipinicon Limestone
extends from Iowa into northwestern Illi-
nois where it wedges out onto the Sanga-
mon Arch. They tentatively correlated
the Wapsipinicon with the lower Lingle
and Grand Tower Formations of central
Illinois. James (1968) and Collinson
and James (1968), in a more detailed
stratigraphic and paleontological in-
vestigation of the Middle Devonian car-
bonates, traced the Wapsipinicon as far
as DeWitt County, into the area of the
coal occurrence where it overlaps onto
the Sangamon Arch. James (1968, pi. 3)
constructed a paleoecological map of
the top of the Wapsipinicon in Illinois
that shows the distribution of various
lithologies, including the coal and
coaly shale.
Text fig. 1 - Locations of samples 1, 2,
and 3 and their positions relative to
the Sangamon Arch during the deposi-
tion of the Devonian coal in Illinois.
PETROGRAPHIC DESCRIPTION
OF THE SAMPLES
The microstructure of the coal is
characterized by different degrees of pre-
ferred particle orientation. Some horizons
are well laminated, whereas others lack any preferred particle orientation. The
percentage of spores and other organic matter increases with the degree of orienta-
tion. The well stratified portions contain between 40 and 75 volume percent organic
matter (pi. 1, fig. 2). The layers that lack internal orientation of the particles
contain only about 30 volume percent coaly material, which is made up almost
entirely of vitrinite.
Sample no. 1 (text figs. 1 and 2, and table 1) represents the best develop-
ment of coal in the three cored sections (pi. 1, fig. 1). It occurs 14 feet (4.3 m)
below the top of the Wapsipinicon Limestone. The coal, which is a little more
than one-half inch thick, is dull, fine grained, fractures conchoidally, and has a
somewhat canneloid appearance. It is cut by several highly polished and slicken-
sided horizontal and high-angle planes. The contact with the limestone is irregular
and in part almost vertical (pi. 1, fig. 1). The limestone is medium to dark gray,
4 ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 445
Depth
(ft)
0
200-
400-
600
800
1000
I200-1
I 1 I I
TTTT
Shoal Creek Ls
No. 7 Coal - _ _
No. 6 Coal- ______
No. 5 Coal ---___
No. 4 Coal
Lowel I Coal
No. 2 Coal---- _______
IT)
Ld
Q_
MISSISSIPPIAN
UPPER
DEVONIAN
MIDDLE
Chouteau Ls. Fm. /'
New Albany Group
Wapsipinicon Ls. Fm.
Text fig. 2 - Stratigraphic sections of boreholes in which Devonian coal was
found (sample numbers refer to table 1 and text figure 1).
dense, fine grained, and contains up to almost 50 percent fine quartz sand. The
sand grains are rounded and well sorted as they are in many of the lower Paleozoic
sandstones of the Illinois Basin.
A few small pieces of coal were taken from this sample, embedded in an
epoxy pellet, and polished for microscopic examination.
The microlamination of the purer coal bands is mainly displayed by the ori-
entation of vitrinite lenses (pi. 1, fig. 2). These generally range from 10 to 500 [i
in length and comprise 23 volume percent of the coaly material. Two-thirds of
MIDDLE DEVONIAN COAL IN ILLINOIS
TABLE 1 - NAMES AND LOCATIONS OF DIAMOND DRILL CORES SAMPLED FOR STUDY
Sample no.
Description
1
Maceration 1510, petrographic sample A-1014, chemical analysis
C-15776 - E. M. Self, Walden No. 1; SW% mk SE£ Sec. 24, T. 21 N.,
R. 3 E., DeWitt County; coal at 1254 feet (382.2 m) depth; Illinois
State Geological Survey file no. 53810.
2
Maceration 1548, petrographic sample A-1275 - Earl P. Pinney Com-
pany, Berenz-Hanover Farm Trust No. 1; 330 feet N line, 330 feet
W line, NW% Sec. 25, T. 23 N. , R. 3 E. , McLean County; coal at
945 feet (288.0 m) depth; Illinois State Geological Survey file
no. C-4556.
3
Maceration 1589 - John P. Potsch Company, Hines No. l^A; 330 feet
S line, 330 feet W line, mk Sec. 20, T. 23 N., R. 3 E. , McLean
County; coal at 828 feet (252.4 m) depth; Illinois State Geologi-
cal Survey file no. C-4475.
the coaly material in the relatively pure coal occurs as fairly round or lenticular
vitrinite particles, approximately 10 \± or less in diameter.
About half of the vitrinite in the thin nonlaminated layers is irregularly
shaped, apparently corroded, and larger than 10 \± (pi. 1, fig. 3). The other
half is made up of fragments that are often rounded and mostly smaller than 10 \x
(pi. 1, fig. 4). The vitrinite appears to have broken down along discrete irregu-
lar lines of weakness, which may coincide with former cell boundaries (pi. 1, fig. 5)
Most of the vitrinite is free from mineral inclusions. However, disseminated py-
rite occasionally occurs along what may have been vascular strands (pi. 1, fig. 6),
and large spherical pyrite grains may occupy a portion of a vitrinite particle.
Exinite, which consists mainly of sporinite, is found mostly in the more
pure and laminated parts of the coal. Ornamented and unornamented spores can
be distinguished in polished sections. About half of them are larger than 150 (a.
Large, usually very dark brown-gray spores, as shown in plate 2, figure 1, would
probably be assigned to Tasmanites or Leiosphaeridia, as these are the only unorna-
mented spores of this size range that have been observed in the macerated residue
(pi. 5, figs. 9-11). Most of the small spores are probably those referred to as
algae (?) in the palynological section (pi. 5, figs. 13-14). The rest of the exinite
is made up of very finely fragmented material whose composition could not be de-
termined but which probably includes broken spores and possibly thin cuticles.
No resinite or waxes were observed, nor was fusinite or other inertinite
recognized.
Pyrite is predominantly syngenetic, occuring as finely disseminated crys-
tals of only a few microns in diameter that in places form aggregates of larger py-
rite spheres, about 2 0 \± in diameter (pi. 2, fig. 2). Only a few pyrite grains as
large as 1 mm were found. Pyrite makes up 8 to 9 volume percent of Sample no. 1.
Some small crystals of sphalerite were also observed in this sample.
Single or occasionally twinned quartz crystals that occur in the coal are
fairly well rounded and are up to 2 0 \± in diameter (pi. 2, fig. 3). The quartz
makes up about 5 percent by volume of the coaly material and is distributed
throughout. It is similar to the quartz in the sandy limestone in which the coal
was found.
6 ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 445
Lenses of fine-grained limestone are interbedded with the coal. Calcitic
shell fragments are also common.
The very fine-grained groundmass, which makes up 40 to 60 volume per-
cent of the coal of Sample no. 1, is mainly composed of argillaceous limestone
but contains an estimated 2 0 to 40 volume percent of very finely dispersed coaly
material.
Sample no. 2 (text figs. 1 and 2, and table 1) is from a 3 -inch "dark car-
bonaceous shale" (driller1 s report). Only 0.8 inches (2.0 cm) of it had been
collected during routine sampling, and no orientation was noted.
A band about 0.4 inches thick is darker, brighter, better laminated, and
contains more vitrinite than the rest of the coaly material (pi. 2, fig. 4). This
band is similar in composition to that of the laminated coal of Sample no. 1, but
the microstratification is not quite as well developed. The vitrinite lenses show
a higher degree of degradation. The spores are often broken. Less pyrite, mostly
as subhedral crystals rather than fine syngenetic grains, and a larger proportion
of fine-grained groundmass than in Sample no. 1 are characteristic of Sample no. 2.
The amount of coal in the limestone decreases away from the coaly layer
in Sample no. 2. A thin transitional zone is composed mainly of closely packed
angular dolomite grains, limestone lenses, and many shell fragments. In the
interstices between these particles, coal and a fine-grained groundmass of coal,
pyrite, and limestone occur. The transition zone may represent reworking of
earlier deposited sediments (pi. 2, fig. 5).
The brownish gray limestone in this coal is silty and contains scattered
pyrite grains and broken fossil fragments up to 4 mm long that are irregularly dis-
persed in a fine-grained calcitic matrix. A few thin carbonaceous partings occur
near the contact of the coal. Micros tylolites are very common along these partings
(pi. 2, fig. 6). The limestone is composed of fairly angular calcitic grains of a med-
ium to fine sand size. The grain boundaries are usually not sharp, and many of them
show secondary growth.
Sample no. 3 is similar to Sample no. 2. The coaly layer, 0.75 inch
(1.9 cm) thick, is sharply delineated from the underlying and overlying light
gray to brown limestone. Shell fragments, which can be seen with the unaided
eye, are more common than in the first two samples. The silty, mainly fine-grained
limestone contains thin carbonaceous partings.
COALIFICATION AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
The rank of an Illinois coal is normally determined by analysis of its moist
but mineral matter-free calorific value expressed in Btu per pound. A high ash con-
tent, as in this Devonian coal, decreases the reliability of the mineral matter-free
calculated calorific value. Also, the coal has undergone considerable drying before
the analysis was made, so that the 0.9 percent moisture (table 2) may not represent
the true bedrock value needed to determine rank according to ASTM Standard D 388-66
One parameter of coalification, which is widely used among coal petrographers and
is applicable to this particular coal, is the reflectance as measured in oil immer-
sion (Rq) on a highly polished surface. Because vitrinite is the principal and most
homogeneous constituent of most bituminous coals, it is normally used for reflec-
tance measurements to determine the level of coalification. The reflectance of
vitrinite, in general, increases gradually with increasing rank of a coal.
MIDDLE DEVONIAN COAL IN ILLINOIS
TABLE 2 - CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF PORTION OF SAMPLE NO. 1
(Lab No. C. - 15 776)
As
received
Moisture
free
Moisture
and
ash free
Proximate analysis
Moisture
Ash
.9
32.0
32.3
Ultimate analysis
Total
Hydrogen
Carbon
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Sulfur
Ash
4.0
51.7
.8
4.3
7.2
32.0
100.0
4.0
52.2
.8
3.6
7.2
32.2
100.0
5.9
77.0
1.2
5.2
10.7
100.0
Low— temperature
ashing
Mineral
matter
43.0
The reflectance of vitrinite grains in oil immersion from Sample no. 1 var-
ies between 0.60 and 0.85 percent. The larger vitrinite lenses of more than approxi-
mately 100 |jl in diameter have a 0.04 to 0.06 percent higher reflectance than the
smaller ones. The average reflectance of all vitrinite macerals measured was cal-
culated at Ro=0.74 percent, which corresponds to vitrinite reflectance from coal
with 14,000 to 14,700 Btu/lb on a moist, mineral matter-free basis (Illinois State
Geological Survey unpublished data — high volatile A coal).
All Pennsylvanian coals in central Illinois have a somewhat lower rank
(high volatile C). The gradients of increase of calorific or reflectance values
by depth, however, cannot be determined with satisfactory accuracy because of the
lack of other samples in the area of these three boreholes.
The spores in this Devonian coal are very dark. Two kinds could be dis-
tinguished: the brownish gray, very dark large spores that have a reflectance (R0)
between 0.07 and 0.13 percent (average of 0.11 percent) and the somewhat lighter
and usually smaller spores with R between 0.20 and 0.27 percent (average of 0.24
percent). The difference of 0.5 to 0.6 percent between the spores and the vitri-
nite of this coal is typical for high volatile bituminous coals. In medium and low
volatile bituminous coals, spores have only a slightly lower reflectance than vitri-
nite s .
Several small pieces of coal (a total of 9 . 8 g) that had broken off the core
of Sample no. 1 were analyzed and submitted for low-temperature ashing to de-
termine the minerals in the coal (H. J. Gluskoter, 1965) (table 2).
Of the 7.2 percent sulphur, probably 5 to 6 percent is pyritic sulphur (py-
rite equivalent 9 to 1 1 percent), which must be added to the ash for total mineral
matter value. The difference between the approximately 38 percent mineral matter
thus calculated and the 43 percent mineral matter measured by low -temperature
ashing is primarily due to the loss of CO2 (carbonates.) and SO2 (pyrite) during the
8 ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 445
normal high -temperature ashing, which converts most of the minerals to oxides.
Some weight is regained through oxidation of iron to Fe^Oo. The 8 to 9 volume
percent of pyrite determined from the petrographic analysis corresponds to approxi-
mately 20 weight percent pyrite, which is somewhat higher than the chemical anal-
ysis indicates. However, rather impure pyrite -rich layers of coal were included
in the petrographic analysis, whereas the pieces that were submitted for chemi-
cal analysis had less pyrite.
The unusually low 5.2 percent oxygen on the moisture- and ash-free basis,
which would normally be found in a medium volatile bituminous coal, indicates
that the results of the ultimate analysis are not necessarily representative for the
pure organic matter of this coal.
V. Ec Dow (1960, p. 255) described similar properties for a thin, slightly
younger coal in the Cedar Valley Limestone from three outcrops in Johnson County,
Iowa: thinly laminated, abundant carbonaceous material (40 to 50 percent in one
sample), pyrite that had been altered to limonite, and a large amount of ash (25
percent, as calculated on the same basis as the Illinois coal). Dow observed
85 to 90 percent spore exines in one thin section parallel to the bedding. The pro-
portion of exinite observed in a polished section of a sample of the weathered Iowa
coal that we prepared is more than that of the Illinois coal but is well below Dow' s
value. Dow also mentioned "some yellow-orange bodies of what appears to be
resin" in one of his thin sections, and "fish remains (plates, teeth, etc.)."
PALYNOLOGY
Although published investigations of Devonian palynology have increased
considerably in the last few years, this report is only the second concerning De-
vonian land plant spores in Illinois. Guennel in 1963 described Devonian spores
from a Silurian reef cored by a diamond drill in southern Illinois. The spores,
many of which were described as new, were from cavity fillings of strata younger
than the reef. Other publications on Devonian-dispersed land plant spores in the
United States are almost as scarce as those in Illinois. A monographic work on the
plant spores and other microfossils from Upper Devonian and Lower Mississippian
rocks of Ohio was prepared by Winslow in 1962. Kosanke (1964, p. 78-79), in
a discussion of applied Paleozoic palynology, briefly mentioned the presence of
spores in a coal from the Cedar Valley Limestone of Johnson County, Iowa. San-
ders (1967) described in detail the spores from this coal. This is the only other
known report of spores from a Devonian coal in the United States.
The Solon Limestone Member of the Cedar Valley Limestone has provided
an extensive spore assemblage (Norton, 1967) and a new spore genus (Urban, 1968)
McGregor (1960, 1961, 1964, and 1967) and McGregor and Owens (1966) have con-
tributed a large amount of significant data on the Devonian spores of Canada. Nu-
merous major contributions to the knowledge of Devonian palynology come from
other parts of the world, but no attempt is made to review them here.
Maceration Technique
Samples no. 1 and 2 (macerations 1510 and 1548) were treated for about 4
hours with 10 percent solution of hydrochloric acid to remove the carbonate min-
erals, and after decanting several times, hydrofluoric acid was added to remove
most of the silicate minerals. These steps were omitted for Sample no. 3 (macer-
ation 1589).
MIDDLE DEVONIAN COAL IN ILLINOIS 9
Following oxidation of the three samples in Schulze' s solution (1 part
saturated potassium chlorate solution to 2 parts concentrated nitric acid) for about
5 days, the liquid was neutralized by repeated changes of water. Treatment with
5 percent solution of potassium hydroxide for about 10 minutes was used to free
the spores from the other constituents.
When the humic matter had been completely removed, the residue was sieved
through a 65 -mesh Tyler screen with openings of 210 \± to remove the coarse frag-
ments. A portion of the fine fraction was dehydrated in alcohol and a 50 percent
alcohol -5 0 percent xylol solution and mounted with liquid Canada balsam on mi-
croscope slides for examination. A Spencer Microstar microscope (serial no. 417297)
was used for locating by coordinates the individual spores on the slides. All
slides are deposited in the Illinois State Geological Survey paleobotany collection.
DESCRIPTIVE PALYNOLOGY
Plant Spores
Genus PUNCTATISPO RITES (Ibrahim) Potonie and Kremp, 1954
Type species. — P. punctatus (Ibrahim) Potonie and Kremp, 1954.
Punctatisporites solidus Hacquebard, 1957
Plate 3, figure 1
Discussion. — Except for the slightly more circular outline of the two speci-
mens observed in this investigation, they conform to the description and illustra-
tion of this species given by Hacquebard.
Punctatisporites glaber (Naumova) Playford, 1962
Plate 3, figure 2
Punctatisporites cf. irrasus Hacquebard, 1957
Plate 3, figure 3
Discussion. — Hacquebard (1957, p. 308) reported a size range of 67 to 83 \±
for P. irrasus, but Sullivan (1964, p. 1251) and Doubinger and Rauscher (1966,
p. 366) included spores with a minimum size limit of 56 and 52 [x, respectively.
The maximum dimension of the Illinois specimen is 61.8 \±.
Punctatisporites aerarius Butterworth and Williams, 1958
Plate 3, figure 4
Punctatisporites sp.
Plate 3, figure 5
10 ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 445
Description. — The spores are radial, trilete, and circular to subcircular
in outline. The rays are distinct, straight, and extend about two-thirds the length
of the spore radius. The well developed area contagionis is thicker and darker
than the rest of the exine, which is about 3 (jl thick. The spore wall is very finely
scabrate to punctate. Maximum diameter of spores (2 specimens) is 100 and 90.4 jx,
Comparison. — Except for the prominent area contagionis, this species is
very similar to P. aerarius Butterworth and Williams, 19 58.
Genus CALAMOSPORA Schopf, Wilson, and Bentall, 1944
Type species. — C. hartungiana Schopf (in Schopf, Wilson, and Bentall,
1944). ~~
Calamospora atava (Naumova) McGregor, 1964
Plate 3, figure 6
Genus RETUSOTRILETES (Naumova) Streel, 1964
Type species. — R.. simplex Naumova, 1953.
Retusotriletes cf. simplex Naumova, 1953
Plate 3, figure 7
Discussion. — The maximum size of R. simplex of 35 \x, given by Naumova
(1953), was extended upward to 61 and 65 jji by de Jersey (1966) and Schultz (1968),
respectively. The spore illustrated in this report is also considerably larger (64 \±)
and thinner than the spores described by Naumova. Until more data become avail-
able, this larger form, which may represent a different species, is only compared
with R. simplex.
Retusotriletes obscurus Peppers sp. nov.
Plate 3, figures 8-9
Description. — The spores are radial, trilete, and circular to subcircular in
outline. The rays are distinct, often sinuous, and extend one -half to two -thirds
the distance to the spore margin. The raised lips are about 3 |jl wide and are dark-
er and thicker than the rest of the spore coat. The curvaturae are visible but not
conspicuous. The exine is laevigate and infra -punctate . The exine is 3.5 to
6 \x thick. Size range (20 specimens): 83.5 to 126.8 |jl; median, 102 jo. .
Holotype . — Plate 3, figure 8; maceration 1510, slide 4, coordinates 141.0
x 42.3; size, 102.1 by 94.3 \im
Paratype. — Plate 3, figure 9; maceration 1510, slide 7, coordinates 127.6
x 52.5; size, 126.8 by 120.3 \x.
MIDDLE DEVONIAN COAL IN ILLINOIS
11
Etymology. — The specific name refers to the rather inconspicuous curva-
turae of this taxon.
Retusotriletes striatus Peppers sp. nov.
Plate 3, figures 10-13; text figure 3
Description. — The spores are radial, trilete, and roundly triangular in out-
line but often folded or partially torn. The indistinct rays are simple, straight,
and extend about two-thirds the distance to the spore margin. The curvaturae are
thin, indistinct, and sometimes visible only with oil immersion objective. The
contact area is laevigate and thinner than the distal and equatorial areas. Mar-
ginal and transverse to the curvaturae are approximately 100 very fine, closely
spaced striations and ridges, 5 to 8 \x long and less than 1 n wide, which may not
be visible when viewed with high dry objective. The ridges gradually merge into
rows of grana, which in turn merge poleward toward a random distribution of grana
that cover the distal and equatorial areas of the exine. The sharply defined grana,
which are circular in plan view, are widely spaced, of about equal size, and less
than 1 \x in diameter. Thickness of the exine is 1 to 2 \i. Size range (18 speci-
mens): 47.8 to 68.6 [i; median, 59 \i.
x 34
Holotype
0; size, 55
—Plate 3, figure 10;
3 by 51.0 |jl.
maceration 1510, slide 11, coordinates 141.2
Paratypes. — Plate 3, figure 11; maceration 1510, slide 12, coordinates
122.8 x 33.3; size, 54.9 by 43.9 |a. Plate 3, figure 12; maceration 1510, slide 16,
coordinates 133.3 x 47.5; size, 60.8 by 45.5 \±. Plate 3, figure 13; same speci-
men as figure 11 but at 1000X magnification to show part of curvaturae.
Text fig. 3 - Portion of Retusotriletes
striatus to show ridges adjacent to
curvatura and ornamentation on distal
surface .
Etymology. — The specific name
refers to the short ridges and striations
around the curvaturae.
Retusotriletes tenerimedium
Chibrikova, 195 9
Plate 3, figure 14
Retusotriletes sp.
Plate 3, figure 15
Description. — The spore is radi-
al, trilete, and subcircular in transverse
plane. The trilete rays are distinct, ex-
tend about two-thirds the length of the
spore radius, and are bordered by ele-
vated, wavy lips. The curvaturae are
conspicuous, thickened, and about 5 ^
wide. The surface of the exine is ver-
miculate and obvermiculate, but in the
area enclosed by the curvaturae, the
12 ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 445
ornamentation is finer. The spore coat is about 2 \x thick. The diameter is 70.5
by 61.8 (jl.
Genus APICULATASPORITES (Ibrahim) Smith and Butterworth, 1967
Type species.— A. spinulistratus (Loose) Ibrahim, 1933.
Apicu lata s porite s wapsipiniconensis Peppers sp
Plate 4, figures 1-2; text figure 4A
nov
Description. — The spores are radial, trilete, and circular to subcircular in
outline but are almost always folded. The distinct rays are somewhat sinuous and
extend about two-thirds the distance to the spore margin. The commissure is bor-
dered by lips up to 2 p. wide. The exine is ornamented with cones or spines that
are one to two times as long as they are wide; the longest are mostly sharply point-
ed and bent but are occasionally broken at the ends. The basal diameter of the
projections and the spacing between them is less than 1 \i; between 120 and 140
can be counted at the spore margin. The spore coat is 1 to 2 n thick. Size range
(15 specimens): 64.7 to 98.8 \±; median, 77 \i,
Holotype. — Plate 4, figure 1; maceration 1548, slide 3, coordinates 140.0
x 51.6; size, 73.8 by 69.9 \x.
Paratype. — Plate 4, figure 2;
maceration 1510, slide 2, coordinates
127.6 x 45.1; size, 71.5 by 61.8 ji.
Comparison. — Apicu lata sporites
wapsipiniconensis compares most close-
ly to A, dilucidus (McGregor) McGregor,
1964, but the latter has a smaller size
range (5 0 to 69 \±) , is seldom folded,
and has fewer (75 to 124) projections at
the margin that are apparently shorter
than those on A. wapsipiniconensis .
McGregor (1964, p. 14-15) discussed
other species that are somewhat similar
to A., dilucidus .
Etymology. — The specific epi-
thet is named for the Wapsipinicon Lime
stone.
Apiculatas porite s davenportensis
Peppers sp. nov.
Plate 4, figures 3-4; text figure 4B
radial
Description. — The spores are
trilete, and elliptical to circular
^X-
O
0 0g0o°g°OoVoO>
o
va;aa/7
10 /x
Text fig. 4 - Portions of spore exine s to
show ornamentation of (A) Apiculata-
s porite s wapsipiniconensis, (B) A.
davenportensis, and (C ) A_. dewitten-
sis.
MIDDLE DEVONIAN COAL IN ILLINOIS 13
in outline but almost always folded. The commissure is indistinct or not visible
because of the ornamentation. The rays are simple, straight, and extend about
one-third the length of the radius. The exine is covered with very small coni that
are about uniform in size and less than 1 \± in height and width. The coni almost
touch at their bases. About 80 extend beyond the spore margin, but even under oil
immersion objective, the number is very difficult to count. The exine is less than
1 fa thick. Size range (10 specimens): 27.6 to 39.3 \x; median, 33.5 (a.
Holotype. — Plate 4, figure 3; maceration 1510, slide 13, coordinates 135.0
x 36.0; size, 31.2 by 28.6 p..
Paratype. — Plate 4, figure 4; maceration 1510, slide 19; coordinates 142.8
x 57.3; size, 33.8 by 31.2 \±.
Etymology. — The species is named for the Davenport Member of the Wapsi-
pinicon Limestone.
Apicu lata s porite s dewittensis Peppers sp. nov.
Plate 4, figures 5-6; text figure 4C
Description. — The spores are radial, trilete, and elliptical to circular in
outline. The commissure is very indistinct and often not visible. The trilete rays
are straight, simple, and extend almost to the equator. The proximal and distal
surfaces are covered with coni, about as high as they are wide, but several coni
may have a length one and one -half times more than their width. The coni are
about 1 fj. in diameter at their bases and are 1 . 5 to 2 \x apart. Between 30 and 40
coni can be counted at the spore margin. The exine is about 1 \i thick. Size
range (10 specimens): 23.1 to 35.1 [±; median, 27.6 \x.
Holotype. — Plate 4, figure 5; maceration 1510, slide 8; coordinates 131.8
x 31.5; size, 28.6 by 26 \±.
Paratype. — Plate 4, figure 6; maceration 1510, slide 27; coordinates 140.4
x49.5; size, 23.1 by 19.5 |jl .
Comparison. — A. dewittensis has larger, more widely spaced coni than A.
davenportensis sp. nov.
Etymology. — This species is named for DeWitt County, Illinois.
Genus ACANTHOTRILETES (Naumova) Potonie and Kremp, 1954
Type species. — A. ciliatus Potonie and Kremp, 1954.
Acanthotriletes uncatus Naumova, 1953
Plate 4, figure 7
Acanthotriletes cf. polyganius Naumova, 1953
Plate 4, figure 8
14 ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 445
Description. — The spores are radial, trilete, circular to subcircular in out-
line, and seldom folded. The commissure and trilete rays are very indistinct due
to the nature of the ornamentation. The rays are straight, lack lips, and extend
about two-thirds the distance to the margin. The exine is covered with spines up
to 3 \i long, but their size varies considerably. They are one to two times as long
as they are wide, and many are curved. They are not evenly distributed but are
generally 2 to 3 n apart. Between 40 and 60 spines are at the spore margin. The
exine has an over-all shaggy appearance and is about 1 |i thick. Size range (10
specimens): 38.7 to 46.5 \±; median, 42.3 |jl.
Comparison. — A comparison between the Illinois spores and the ones studied
by Naumova is difficult because of the brevity of her description. According to the
emendation of Acanthotriletes by Potonie' and Kremp (1954), the spines on these
spores should be at least twice as long as they are wide. However, the spines
on the Illinois specimens are seldom that long, and Naumova (1953) did not state
the dimensions of the spines on her spores.
Genus EMPHANISPORITES McGregor, 1961
Type species. — E_. rotatus McGregor, 1961
Emphanisporites rotatus McGregor, 1961
Plate 4, figure 9
Genus LYCOSPORA (Schopf, Wilson, and Bentall) Potonie' and Kremp, 1954
Type species. — L^. micropapillata (Wilson and Coe) Schopf, Wilson, and
Bentall, 1944.
Lycospora pseudomagnifica Peppers sp. nov.
Plate 4, figures 10-12
Description. — The spores are radial, trilete, and roundly triangular when
viewed in proximal -distal orientation. They are rarely folded, but the proximal
spore surface is sometimes torn. The margin is straight to irregularly undulating.
The commissure is visible, and the trilete rays are simple, occasionally undula-
ting, and extend to the inner margin of the cingulum. A prominent, continuous flange
or cingulum extends from the proximal surface just poleward of the equator. The
cingulum is 5 to 9 |jl wide and is unornamented. The proximal surface of the spore
is laevigate, but the distal surface is covered with low, elongated verrucae that
are closely spaced and in places are joined or partly joined to form short ridges.
The verrucae are 3 to 5 (jl in diameter and extend about 2 [ji above the spore surface.
Spines and grana are absent. The proximal surface is about 2.5 \± thick, and the
distal surface is about 4 \± thick. Size range (14 specimens): 5 8.5 to 83.2 \±, in-
cluding cingulum; median, 67.3 (jl.
Holotype. — Plate 4, figure 10; maceration 1510, slide 21, coordinates
138.6 x 37.5; size, 69.9 by 58.5 [l.
MIDDLE DEVONIAN COAL IN ILLINOIS 15
Paratype. — Plate 4, figure 11; maceration 1510, slide 22, coordinates
128.5 x 38.3; size, 63.4 by 52.0 \l.
Tetrad. — Plate 4, figure 12; maceration 1510, slide 23, coordinates 143.3
x 49.5; size, 82.9 by 80.3 \±.
Comparison. — L. pseudomagnifica has an over-all appearance similar to
that of L± magnifica McGregor, 1960, except that the latter has thickened lips
and small coni and grana, and its surface is scabrate to finely punctate-vermicu-
late.
Etymology. — The specific name of this species suggests its resemblance to
Lycospora magnifica McGregor, 1960.
Lycospora sp.
Plate 4, figure 13
Description. — The spore is radial, trilete, and roundly triangular in outline
The commissure is indistinct, and the simple rays extend to the inner margin of
the cingulum. The well developed cingulum is about 6.5 [x wide and extends from
the proximal surface. The exine is finely punctate; the punctations are up to 1 [i
in diameter and 2 jjl apart. The proximal side is 2.6 \i thick, and the distal side
is 3.3 \i thick. The size is 66.6 by 50.4 \± (including cingulum).
Genus SPELAEOTRILETES Neves and Owens, 1966
Type species. — _S_. triangulus Neves and Owens, 1966.
Spelaeotriletes sp.
Plate 4, figures 14-16
Description. — The spores are radial, trilete, and roundly triangular in out-
line. The spore margin is partly uneven. A commissure is not visible, but the
trilete rays are distinguished by thin folds, about 4 \± wide, that extend almost to
the spore equator. The central portion (intexine) of the spore, whose radius is
about two-thirds the total radius, is well delineated and about the same thickness
as the rest of the spore. The exine is infra -punctate to infra -vermiculate. On the
distal side are rounded, elongated verrucae that gradationally increase in size and
packing toward the pole. The largest verrucae are about 7 \± in diameter, and they
are occasionally joined at their bases. Most verrucae bear thin spines at their
apexes. The sharply pointed spines are strongly curved toward the ends and are up
to 7 \± long. Size range (3 specimens): 91.0 to 122.9 \x.
Genus SPINOZONOTRILETES (Hacquebard) Neves and Owens, 1966
Type species. — S_. uncatus Hacquebard, 1957.
16 ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 445
Spinozonotriletes cf. tuberculatus Neves and Owens, 1966
Plate 5, figure 1
Discussion. — The Illinois spores have a larger size range (110.5 to 183.6 \±
on 20 specimens) than that reported by Neves and Owens (90 to 136 \±) for this
species. However, because our specimens generally conform in other respects to
the British spores, they are assigned to this taxon.
Spinozonotriletes cf. naumovii (Kedo) Richardson, 1965
Plate 5, figure 2
Discussion. — Apparently the principal differences between S_, naumovii and
S. tuberculatus Neves and Owens, 1966, are that the former has a thicker intexine
and smaller spines.
Spinozonotriletes (?) sp.
Plate 5, figure 3
Description. — The spore is radial, trilete, and roundly triangular in outline.
A commissure is not apparent, but the rays that are delineated by prominent lips
or folds extend almost to the spore margin. The exine is in two parts — a thin cen-
tral region that extends to about one -third the spore radius and a thick zona or cingu
lum that gradually tapers in thickness toward the equator. No intexine is visible.
Under oil immersion objective the exine is infra -punctate and presents a spongy
appearance. On the entire distal side are moderately spaced large spines, 16 to
23 \i long and 5 to 8.5 [± wide at their bases. They have tapered to sharply pointed
ends. Approximately 32 of these spines extend beyond the spore periphery. The
diameter is 195 by 177 \±.
Genus ARCHAEOZONOTRILETES (Naumova) Allen, 1965
Type species. — A. variabilis Naumova, 1953.
Archaeozonotriletes cf. purus Naumova, 1953
Plate 5, figure 4
Description. — The spore is radial, trilete, and circular in outline. The
laesurae are distinct, simple, and extend almost to the margin of the central area
or intexine, which is obliquely displaced. The exine is laevigate and infra-punc-
tate. The distal side is only slightly thicker than the proximal size. The over-all
diameter is 54 . 3 by 5 1 . 0 |jl; the intexine is 44.5 by 41.3 \±.
Comparison. — Naumova' s (1953) size range of 30 to 35 \± is quite small
compared with the Illinois spore. However, it is not unreasonable to assume that
the size range could be more than 5 \±.
Archaeozonotriletes sp.
Plate 5, figure 5
MIDDLE DEVONIAN COAL IN ILLINOIS 17
Description. — The spore is radial, trilete, and subcircular in outline. The
straight laesurae possess lips about 2 \± wide and extend about three -fourths the
length of the radius. A patinate layer of uniform thickness covers the distal side
and extends onto the proximal side about one-half the distance to the proximal
pole. The proximal edge of the patina ends abruptly. The exine is infra -punctate.
The diameter is 54.6 by 48.8 \±.
Genus RHABDOSPORITES Richardson, 1960
Type species. — R. langi (Eisenack) Richardson, 1960.
Rhabdosporites langi (Eisenack) Richardson, 1960
Plate 5, figure 6
Genus ANCYROSPORA Richardson, 1960
Type species. — A. grandispinosa Richardson, 1960.
Ancyrospora sp.
Plate 5, figure 7
Description. — The spore is radial, trilete, and possesses a bladder. The
subcircular central body possesses straight rays that extend about three -fourths
the distance to its periphery. The bladder bears numerous appendages that taper
from a wide base to a narrow constriction and then abruptly expand just below the
bifurcated ends. The appendages are 10 to 16 \i long and 3 to 5 (jl wide at their
bases. The spore is at least 130 n in over-all dimension and has a central body
of 71 fi.
Discussion. — This spore and one fragment of another were the only speci-
mens observed that display grapnel-shaped appendages. The fragmented specimen
appeared to be thicker walled and may represent the genus Hystrichosporites McGreg
or, 1960.
Genus RETIALETES Staplin, 1960
Type species. — R. radforthii Staplin, 1960.
Retialetes sp.
Plate 5, figure 8
Discussion. — This species is probably the same taxon described and desig
nated as Retialetes sp. by Allen (1965, p. 741, pi. 106, figs. 3 and 4).
18 ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 445
Miscellaneous Microfossils
Genus LEIOSPHAERIDIA (Eisenack) Downie and Sarjeant, 1963
Type species. — L, baltica Eisenack, 1958.
Leiosphaeridia sp.
Plate 5, figure 9
Description. — The plant microfossils are circular, often split open, usually
partly corroded, and lack ornamentation. They are 18 to 2 3 \± thick. Shallow
circular pits with irregular margins, which may be due to bacterial action, are
common. Size range (10 specimens): 322 to 465 \i.
Genus TASMANITES (Newton) Schopf, Wilson, and Bentall, 1944
Type species. — T. punctatus Newton, 1875.
Tasmanites huronensis (Dawson) Winslow, 1962
Plate 5, figures 10-11
Genus VERYHACHIUM (Deunff) Downie and Sarjeant, 1963
Type species. — V\. trisulcum Deunff, 195 8
Veryhachium octoaster Staplin, 1961
Plate 5, figure 12
Algae (?)
Plate 5, figures 13-14
Description. — The spore-like bodies are circular to subcircular, usually
frequently folded, and often in small clusters of 6 or more individuals. They are
laevigate but usually badly corroded. Generally, they are 1 (j. or less in thickness,
but thickness often varies considerably on the same specimen. Size range is 22
to 45 |jl in diameter.
Discussion. — These spore-like bodies, which were abundant in all three
macerations, are thought to have their affinities with the algae.
Summary
The spores are moderately well preserved, and the ratio of spores to fine
fragments of organic debris is low. Maceration 1510 of Sample no. 1 (table 3)
MIDDLE DEVONIAN COAL IN ILLINOIS
19
TABLE 3 - OCCURRENCE OF PLANT MICROFOSSILS IN THE THREE MACERATIONS
STUDIED AND DISTRIBUTION (IN PERCENT) OF PLANT MICROFOSSILS IN MACERATION 1510.
Spore taxa
Macerations
1510
1548
1589
Punctatisporites solidus
+
+
+
+
7
14
+
8
21
2
13
+
5
10
+
+
16
+
+
+
+
4
+
+
X
X
X
X*
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
+
X
X
X
X
X
P. glaber
P. cf. irrasus
P. aerarius
JP. sp.
Calamospora atava
Retusotriletes cf. simplex
R. tenerimedium
R. obscurus
R. striatus
R.. sp.
Apiculatasporites wapsipiniconensis
A. davenportensis
A. dewittensis
Acanthotriletes cf. polyganius
A. uncatus
Emphanisporites rotatus
Lycospora pseudomagnif ica
Lycospora sp.
Spelaeotriletes sp.
Spinozonotriletes cf. tuberculatus
S. cf. naumovii
S_. sp.
Archaeozonotriletes cf. purus
A_. sp.
Rhabdosporites langi
Ancyrospora sp.
Retialetes sp.
Tasmanites huronensis
Leiosphaeridia
Veryhachium octoaster
algae (?)
+ =
less than .1 percent
percent not determined
yielded the largest diversity, whereas the assemblage with the poorest preserva-
tion and the least number of spores was found in maceration 15 89 of Sample no. 3.
Specimens of Acanthotriletes and Apicu lata s porite s show considerable corrosion
and are sometimes difficult to distinguish from the circular bodies classified as
algae (?). These latter forms were plentiful in all three macerations. A frequency
distribution of the taxa in maceration 1510 reveals that Apiculatasporites, which
accounts for 31 percent of the spore flora, is the dominant genus followed by
Retusotriletes, with 21 percent, and Spinozonotriletes, with 16 percent. Lyco-
spora (10 percent), Emphanisporites (5 percent), and Rhabdosporites (4 percent)
are well represented.
20 ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 445
The value of a comparison between the spore assemblage of the Davenport
Limestone Member and Devonian spore assemblages described from other regions
is diminished by the small number of samples available. This assemblage also
represents a restricted environment extending over a small geographic area during
a geologically short time. A large number of Middle Devonian spore genera com-
monly reported by other workers are apparently lacking in this Illinois coal. These
include Leiotriletes, Cyclogranisporites , Verrucosisporites, Ste nozonotri lete s ,
Densosporites, Geminospora, Aurora spora, Calyptosporites, and Grandispora.
Also missing are many of the genera described in the most recent publications
that may or may not prove to be of widespread occurrence as more data become
available.
The Davenport assemblage is characterized by a predominance of small
species of Apiculatasporites, which is followed in abundance by Retusotriletes
and Spinozonotriletes . The assemblage differs considerably, even from the slight-
ly younger Cedar Valley coal assemblage (Sanders, 1967) and the slightly younger
Solon Member assemblage (Norton, 1967), both from Iowa. The only land plant
spores common to the Cedar Valley and Davenport assemblages are Rhabdosporites
langi, Punctatisporites atavus (Naumova) Sanders, 1967=(?) Punctatisporites sp.,
and possibly a species of Ancyrospora. The Iowa flora contains many more acri-
tarchs (65 percent) than the Illinois flora, but no Tasmanites were observed in the
former. The algal (?) fossils described and illustrated by Sanders (1967, pi. 3,
figs. 1 and 2) are similar to those found in the Davenport coal.
CONCLUSIONS
According to Collinson et al. (1967, p. 936), during Middle Devonian time
normal saline marine water of the Illinois Basin to the south and the very saline
water of the basins in Michigan and Iowa were mostly separated by the Sangamon
and Kankakee Arches. Evaporites and sandy carbonates were laid down in the
Wapsipinicon Limestone to the north. During accumulation of the Davenport Lime-
stone Member, toward the end of Wapsipinicon deposition, the sea had transgressed
to a major extent onto the Sangamon Arch. Considerable evidence for this exists
(James, 1968) and will be presented in another publication by Collinson and James.
Near the strand line, along the northeastern margin of the Sangamon Arch, a di-
verse flora developed. The hydrophilous plants that contributed to the formation
of the coal must have had very thin cuticles, as none could be positively identi-
fied. The plants were apparently small and delicate, as the vitrinite lenses rare-
ly exceed 500 \i in length and 50 jjl in thickness. Assuming a high compaction ratio
of 20 to 1, the thickness of the stems probably did not exceed a few millimeters.
The botanic remains that accumulated in this local environment were trans-
ported a short distance out to sea and were deposited under reducing saprophytic
conditions, as indicated by the abundance of fine-grained syngenetic pyrite aggre-
gates and the absence of oxygen-rich fusinite and other inertinite macerals. The
fine lamination of the coaly bands suggests slow sedimentation in quiet water.
Poorly sorted coal bands point to short periods of reworking and rapid resedimenta-
tion. The energy was sufficient to eliminate most of the spores, either by physical
destruction or by winnowing.
Marine plant microfossils (Tasmanites, Leiosphaeridia, and Veryhachium)
probably were incorporated in the coal as the plant material was floated out to sea
MIDDLE DEVONIAN COAL IN ILLINOIS 21
and deposited in a shallow, nearshore environment suitable for the growth of ma-
rine organisms. Deposition near shore is also indicated by the quartz grains in
the coal, and especially in the limestone, which contains the coal.
Only a small amount of plant debris was disseminated in the overlying and
underlying silty to sandy lime mud. Thus, the coal and coaly shale represent a
short episode in the geologic history of the Middle Devonian of central Illinois.
It provides evidence, however, that a rather diversified flora existed near the beach
in a period that was characterized by limestone deposition.
22 ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 445
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MIDDLE DEVONIAN COAL IN ILLINOIS 23
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Survey Re pt. Inv. 91, 73 p.
Schultz, G., 1968, Eine unterdevonische Mikroflora aus den Klerfer Schichten der
Eifel (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge) : Palaeontographica, Bd. 123 B, p. 5-42.
24 ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 445
Smith, A. H. V., and M. A. Butterworth, 1967, Miospores in the coal seams of the
Carboniferous of Great Britain: Special Papers in Palaeontology: Palaeon-
tol. Assoc. London, no. 1, 324 p.
Staplin, F. L., 196 0, Upper Mississippian plant spores from the Golata Formation,
Alberta, Canada: Palaeontographica, Bd. 107 B, no. 1-3, p. 1-40.
Staplin, F. L., 1961, Reef-controlled distribution of Devonian microplankton in
Alberta: Palaeontology, v. 4, pt. 3, p. 394-424.
Streel, M., 1964, Une association de spores du Givetien inferieur de la Vesdre,
a Goe' (Belgigue): Ann. Soc . Geol. de Belgique, v. 87, no. 7, p. 1-29.
Sullivan, H. J., 1964, Miospores from the Lower Limestone shales (Tournaisian)
of the Forest of Dean basin Gloucestershire: Compte Rendu, Cinquieme
Congres International de Stratigraphie et de Geologie du Carbonifere,
Tome III, p. 1249-1260.
Urban, J. B., 1968, Dibrochosporites, a new sporomorph from the Middle Devon-
ian of Iowa: Micropaleontology, v. 14, no. 3, 371-375.
Winslow, M. R., 1962, Plant spores and other microfossils from Upper Devonian
and Lower Mississippian rocks of Ohio: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper
364, 93 p.
PLATES
AND
EXPLANATIONS
26
PLATE 1
Reflected plane polarized light, Ortholux Petrographic Microscope
Polished surface of Sample No. 1
Figure
1. Portion of core containing Sample no. 1. Contact between coal and lime-
stone is contorted and in part vertical. Slumping or squeezing in an ear-
ly stage of diagenesis is indicated. Coal is interbedded with limestone
lenses and shell fragments (light streaks in coal). Actual size.
2. Vitrinite lenses (V), up to 60 \x thick and over 300 \x long, embedded in
a fine-grained groundmass. Exinite (E) is represented by small spores
and probably fragments of larger spores, not over 2 0 \x long. Pyrite (P)
is disseminated throughout the coal mainly as fine grains of a few mi-
crons in diameter and a few aggregates up to 15 [x in diameter. One large
quartz grain (Q) is in extinct position. Smaller quartz grains (extinct
position black, nonextinct gray) occur throughout the coal but cannot be
easily distinguished from coal or exinite. The fine-grained groundmass
is composed of argillaceous limestone and finely disseminated coal.
25X oil immersion objective. Magnification: 250X.
3. The vitrinite (V) of this specimen without interior preferred orientation of
the particles has an irregular and corroded appearance. No large spores
are present, as in the internally laminated bands (pi. 2, figs. 1 and 2).
Some small exinite fragments are among the black dots, but most of them
are calcite grains in extinct position. Pyrite (P) is somewhat less abun-
dant than in the other photographs. One quartz grain (Q), 30 to 40 \± in
diameter, is seen. 25X oil immersion objective . Magnification: 250X.
4. The vitrinite (V) of this coal without internal orientation occurs predomi-
nantly as round, small grains, less than 10 [j. in diameter. They were
probably derived from larger pieces of vitrinite that disintegrated along
such planes of weakness as shown in plate 1, figure 5. 105X oil immer-
sion objective. Magnification: 1000X.
5. Part of a vitrinite lens with irregular cell (?) structure. The vitrinite grains
tend to disintegrate along such planes of weakness into small vitrinite
bodies less than 10 ^ across (pi. 1, fig. 4). 105X oil immersion objective.
Magnification: 1000X.
6. Fine-grained pyrite is disseminated in vitrinite along what probably were
former vascular strands. Besides much fine-grained pyrite in the ground-
mass, one large pyrite grain is shown around which the laminae are bent.
6 OX oil immersion objective. Magnification: 6 00X.
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
CIRCULAR 445, PLATE 1
PEPPERS AND DAMBERGER DEVONIAN COAL
28
PLATE 2
Reflected plane polarized light, Ortholux Petrographic Microscope
Polished surfaces of Samples no. 1 (figs. 1-3) and 2 (figs. 4-6)
Figure
1. Large, dark brown-gray spore, 300 \i long and 22 [i thick, and small vit-
rinite lenses (V) embedded in fine-grained groundmass. This spore is
probably Tasmanites or Leiosphaeridia. Smaller spores also can be seen
in this figure. 25X oil immersion objective. Magnification: 250X.
2. Microstratified coal containing a large amount of pyrite (P) that occurs both
as single grains of a few microns in diameter and as aggregates up to 20 \±.
The large spore (SP), 9 0 |a long, is medium gray with a somewhat higher re-
flectance than the spore in figure 1, plate 2. 60X oil immersion objective.
Magnification: 600X.
3. Several quartz grains (Q) in different positions of extinction. Most of the
grains are single crystals; twinning, where present, is irregular. 12. 5X
oil immersion objective . Magnification: 120X.
4. Polished surface showing stratified black coal (Sample no. 2), brown
transitional layer (fig. 5), and the limestone that contains quartz grains,
shell fragments, and a few thin carbonaceous partings near the coaly lay-
er. Actual size.
5. Transitional layer between the coal and the limestone. The angular grains
are dolomite and some calcite (X-ray analysis, thin section). Coal occurs
only in the interstices. 25X oil immersion objective. Magnification: 250X,
6. Limestone adjacent to coal Sample no. 2. Microstylolites interrupt a thin
carbonaceous parting. 25X oil immersion objective. Magnification: 250X.
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 445, PLATE 2
•/ ~ ■ w*>»&
2**
ft
Q
ijE
h*V£3
PEPPERS AND DAMBERGER DEVONIAN COAL
30
PLATE 3
All figures 500X unless designated differently
Figure
1. Punctatisporites solidus Hacquebard, 1957; negative 7964; maceration
1510, slide 6, coordinates 13 0.5 x 40. 1; size, 49.4 by 47.8 m-^P- 9.
2. Punctatisporites glaber (Naumova) Playford, 1962; negative 7972; macer-
ation 1510, slide 5, coordinates 144.2 x 52.0; size, 61.8 by 60.5 \±; p. 9.
3. Punctatisporites cf. irrasus Hacquebard, 1957; negative 7973; macera-
tion 1510, slide 5, coordinates 137.4 x 38.0; size, 61.1 by 53.6 \±; p. 9.
4. Punctatisporites aerarius Butterworth and Williams, 1958; negative 7952;
maceration 1548, slide 7, coordinates 126.5 x 39.1; size, 87.4 by 67.3 jx;
P. 9.
5. Punctatisporites sp.; negative 7951; maceration 1548, slide 1, coordi-
nates 128.7 x 50.2; size, 101.1 by 91.7 \±; p. 9.
6. Calamospora atava (Naumova) McGregor, 1964; negative 7967; macera-
tion 1510, slide 15, coordinates 132.9 x 47.3; size, 59.2 by 51.7 \±;
p. 10.
7. Retusotriletes cf. simplex Naumova, 1953; negative 7960; maceration 1510,
slide 10, coordinates 128.6 x 47.0; size, 65.3 by 62.4 \i; p. 10.
8. Retusotriletes obscurus Peppers sp. nov.; holotype; negative 8008; macer-
ation 1510, slide 4, coordinates 141.0 x 42.3; size, 102.1 by 94.3 jjl;
p. 10.
9. Retusotriletes obscurus Peppers sp. nov.; paratype; negative 8295; macer-
ation 1510, slide 7, coordinates 127.6 x 52.5; size, 126.8 by 120.3 |x;
p. 10.
10. Retusotriletes striatus Peppers sp. nov.; holotype; negative 8002; macer-
ation 1510, slide 11, coordinates 141.2 x 34.0; size, 55.3 by 51.0 p.;
P. 11.
11. Retusotriletes striatus Peppers sp. nov.; paratype; negative 7977; macera-
tion 1510, slide 12, coordinates 122.8 x 33.3; size, 54.9 by 43.9 \±;
P. 11.
12. Retusotriletes striatus Peppers sp. nov.; paratype; negative 8263; macera-
tion 1510, slide 16, coordinates 133.3 x 47.5; size, 60.8 by 45.5 \x;
P. 11.
13. Retusotriletes striatus Peppers sp. nov.; paratype; negative 8282; portion
of same spore illustrated in figure 11, oil immersion objective, magni-
fied 1000X; p. 11.
14. Retusotriletes tenerimedium Chibrikova, 1959; negative 8262; maceration
1548, slide 6, coordinates 130.5 x 42.0; size, 44.9 by 42.6 \±; p. 11.
15. Retusotriletes sp.; negative 7982; maceration 1510, slide 17, coordinates
126.3 x 37.4; size, 70.5 by 61.8 p.; p. 11.
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
CIRCULAR 445, PLATE 3
W?v
PEPPERS AND DAMBERGER DEVONIAN SPORES
32
PLATE 4
All figures 500X unless designated differently
Figure
1. Apiculatasporites wapsipiniconensis Peppers sp. nov.; holotype; nega-
tive 7953; maceration 1548, slide 3, coordinates 140.0 x 51.6; size,
73.8 by 69.9 \l; p. 12.
2. Apiculatasporites wapsipiniconensis Peppers sp. nov.; paratype; nega-
tive 8 264; maceration 1510, slide 2, coordinates 127.6x45.1; size,
71.5 by 61.8 p; p. 12.
3. Apicu latas porite s davenportensis Peppers sp. nov.; holotype; negative
8283; maceration 1510, slide 13, coordinates 135.0 x 36.0; size, 31.2
by 28.6 [i; oil immersion objective, magnified 1000X; p. 12.
4. Apicu latas porite s davenportensis Peppers sp. nov.; paratype; negative
8288; maceration 1510, slide 19, coordinates 142.8 x 57.3; size, 33.8
by 31.2 n; p. 12.
5. Apiculatasporites dewittensis Peppers sp. nov.; holotype; negative 8284;
maceration 1510, slide 8, coordinates 131.8 x 31.5; size, 28.6 by 26.0 \x;
oil immersion objective, magnified 1000X; p. 13.
6. Apiculatasporites dewittensis Peppers sp. nov.; paratype; negative 8286;
maceration 1510, slide 27, coordinates 140.0 x 49.5; size, 23.1 by
19.5 \x; oil immersion objective, magnified 1000X; p. 13.
7. Acanthotriletes uncatus Naumova, 1953; negative 7963; maceration 1510,
slide 6, coordinates 132.6 x 48.7; size, 54.6 by 52.7 |jl, including orna-
mentation; p. 13.
8. Acanthotriletes cf. polyganius Naumova, 1953; negative 8290; maceration
1510, slide 18, coordinates 141.3 x 40.0; size, 42.3 by 41.0 \x; p. 13.
9. Emphanisporites rotatus McGregor, 1961; negative 8266; maceration 1548,
slide 12, coordinates 142.3 x 36.0; size, 44.9 by 45.5 \±; p. 14.
10. Lycospora pseudomagnifica Peppers sp. nov.; holotype; negative 8001;
maceration 1510, slide 21, coordinates 13 8.6 x 37.5; size, 69.9 by
58.5 n; p. 14.
11. Lycospora pseudomagnifica Peppers sp. nov.; paratype; negative 8000;
maceration 1510, slide 22, coordinates 128.5 x 38.3; size, 63.4 by
52.0 \x; p. 14.
12. Lycospora pseudomagnifica Peppers sp. nov.; tetrad; negative 8274; mac-
eration 1510, slide 23, coordinates 143.3 x 49.5; size, 82.9 by 80.3 jjl;
P. 14.
13. Lycospora sp.; negative 8267; maceration 1510, slide 4, coordinates
137.6 x 50.4; size, 62.8 by 50.7 \x; p. 15.
14. Spelaeotriletes sp.; negative 8280; maceration 1548, slide 14, coordinates
122.9 x 35.5; over-all size, 122.9 by 118.6 \i; intexine, 86.1 by 82.9 [±;
focus on proximal surface; p. 15.
15. Spelaeotriletes sp.; negative 8281; same specimen as illustrated in figure
14 but focus on distal surface; p. 15.
16. Spelaeotriletes sp.; negative 8289; maceration 1510, slide 9, coordinates
129.9 x 44.2; over-all size, 91.0 by 86.1 ^; intexine, 64.0 by 55.3 [±;
P. 15.
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
CIRCULAR 445, PLATE 4
PEPPERS AND DAMBERGER DEVONIAN SPORES
34
Figure
PLATE 5
All figures 500X unless designated differently
1. Spinozonotriletes cf. tuberculatus Neves and Owens, 1966; negative
8292; maceration 1510, slide 19, coordinates 138.1 x 55.0; size, 148.2
by 133.9 fx; magnified 300X; p. 16.
2. Spinozonotriletes cf. naumovii (Kedo) Richardson, 1965; negative 8012;
maceration 1510, slide 8, coordinates 131.7 x 45.3; size, 177 by 169 (jl;
magnified 300X; p. 16.
3. Spinozonotriletes (?) sp.; negative 8011; maceration 1510, slide 9, co-
ordi nates 127.4 x 40.0; size, 195 by 187 |i; magnified 300X; p. 16.
4. Arc haeozonotrile te s cf. purus Naumova, 1953; negative 7987; maceration
1510, slide 24, coordinates 144.1 x 32.3; size, 54.3 by 52 |jl; p. 16.
5. Arc haeozonotrile tes sp.; negative 8271; maceration 1510, slide 25, co-
ordinates 135.0 x 39.3; size, 54.0 by 48.4 \±; p. 16.
6. Rhabdosporites langi (Eisenack) Richardson, 1960; negative 8019; macer-
ation 1510, slide 1, coordinates 145.0 x 41.5; size, 130.0 by 104.3 \x;
magnified 300X; p. 17.
7. Ancyrospora sp.; negative 8294; maceration 1510, slide 26, coordinates
142.5 x 46.8; maximum diameter 127 |jl; magnified 300X; p. 17.
8. Retialetes sp.; negative 7966; maceration 1510, slide 15, coordinates
140.0 x 50.7; size, 52.0 by 43.9 \i; p. 17.
9. Leiosphaeridia sp.; negative 8291; maceration 1510; large spore slide,
coordinates 127.9 x 36.2; size, 374 by 332 \±; magnified 100X; p. 18.
10. Tasmanites huronensis (Dawson) Winslow, 1962; negative 8018; macera-
tion 1510, large spore slide, coordinates 128.9 x 36,1; size, 371 by
310 [i; magnified 100X; p. 18.
11. Tasmanites huronensis (Dawson) Winslow, 1962; negative 8285; portion
of spore illustrated in figure 10; magnified 1000X; p. 18.
12. Veryhachium octoaster Staplin, 1961; negative 8272; maceration 1548,
slide 2, coordinates 128.5 x 42; maximum dimension 63.4 |jl; p. 18
13. Algae (?); negative 7968; maceration 1510; slide 15, coordinates 133.0
x 31.1; size, 41.6 by 39.0 \±; p. 18.
14. Algae (?), cluster; negative 7959; maceration 1510, slide 10, coordinates
144.7 x 46; length of cluster 73.8 p; p. 18.
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
CIRCULAR 445, PLATE 5
1
12
13
PEPPERS AND DAMBERGER DEVONIAN SPORES
Illinois State Geological Survey Circular 445
36 p., 5 pis., 4 text figs., 3 tables, 2500 cop., 1969
Printed by Authority of State of Illinois, Ch . 127, IRS, Par. 58.25.
CIRCULAR 445
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
URBANA 61801
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