File:The Quarterly journal of the Geological Society of London (12981465584).jpg

1859..
DAWSON DEVONIAN PLANTS.
483
I have noticed above the resemblance of flattened specimens of
Psilophyton to ferns of the genus Trichomanites (Goeppert). To this
genus, indeed, I was disposed to refer the specimens, until I found
that the internal structure was lycopodiaceous, and that the branching
filaments are true branchlets covered with minute leaves. A com-
parison of the plants above described with Trichomanites Beinertii
of Goeppert, and S^henophyllum .T.) hijidum of Lindley and Hutton,
will show at a glance the strong resemblance that subsists; and,
since the specimens on which these species are founded do not appear
to have exhibited either internal structure or venation, I think it
still admits of a doubt whether they are really ferns. By way of
further caution on this point, I may remark that in flattened stems,
either of Psilotum or of its ancient relative, the slender woody axis
may leave a mark resembling the nervure of a leaf, and thus com-
plete the resemblance to a frond of Trichomanes.
Since writing the above, Professor G. S. Newberry has kindly
pointed out to me the close resemblance between the first species
above described and Haliserites Dechenianus of Goeppert (* Flora der
Uebergangsgebirges,* p. 88). I can scarcely doubt that this so-called
fucoid is in reality a plant of the genus above described, but in such
a state of compression that the stem appears like a narrow frond,
and the woody axis as a midrib. As this plant is said to occur very
abundantly at certain levels in the Devonian Series of the Ehine, if
my suspicions as to its nature be correct, further examination might
disclose its rhizomes, leaves, or fructification*.
2. Lepidodendkon. (Fig. 3.)
A single species of this genus is found rather plentifully in the
beds containing the plants just described, and is distinct from any
that I have observed in the Coal-formation. The specimens observed
were all of small size and fragmentary, nor was their state of preser-
Fig. 3 a.
Fig. 3 b.
Fig. 3 c.
Fig. 3 d.
Fig. 3. Lepidodendron Gaspianum. a, decorticated stem and leaves ; b, areoles ;
c, small branch and leaves ; d, decorticated branch and leaves.
vation very good, though most of them were accompanied by the
leaves. In specimens about two inches in diameter, the areoles are

• It is possible that some of the fragments, from the Devonian of the Thiirin-
  

gerwald, included by Prof. Unger in his order BJiacMopteridea mo^j he &mQ& to