. The Canadian naturalist and geologist. Natural history -- Periodicals. Devonian Plants, 11 With respect to the affinities of the genus, I can only say that the markings on its wood-cells most nearly resemble those of the two genera of fossil Taxine trees above-mentioned, which are, however, found in much more modern geological formations. Among recent trees known to me by specimens or figures of their tissues, Taxus haccata and Torreya taxifolia most nearly resemble the Gaspe fossil. In the meantime, therefore, it may be included in the subfamily Taxinece. I could detect no leaves or fruit l
. The Canadian naturalist and geologist. Natural history -- Periodicals. Devonian Plants, 11 With respect to the affinities of the genus, I can only say that the markings on its wood-cells most nearly resemble those of the two genera of fossil Taxine trees above-mentioned, which are, however, found in much more modern geological formations. Among recent trees known to me by specimens or figures of their tissues, Taxus haccata and Torreya taxifolia most nearly resemble the Gaspe fossil. In the meantime, therefore, it may be included in the subfamily Taxinece. I could detect no leaves or fruit likely to belong to the species; but this is not wonderful, since in the Coal-formation the wood of conifers is very abundant, while their foliage is extremely rare. Before leaving this ancient taxine conifer, it may be useful to notice the deceptive appearances which its wood presents when, imperfectly preserved. In some parts of my second specimen the woody tissue has been entirely obliterated, and is replaced by a kind of oolitic concretionary structure, apparently connected with the presence of iron-pyrites. In other portions the wood seems to have been resolved into a homogeneous paste before silicifica- tion; and this, being moulded on minute granular crystals of quartz, assumes the aspect of a tissue of fine parenchymatous cells—a deceptive appearance very common in badly preserved fossils penetrated by calcareous or silicious matter. In other parts of the specimen the cell-walls remain, but in an opaque coaly condition, which conceals their spiral fibres and discs. I am not quite certain that this last form may not represent the natural state of the heart-wood of the tree. In the first specimen, ob- tained by Sir W. E. Logan, the whole trunk appears to be well preserved, with the exception of the medullary rays-, 4. PoACiTES, Knorria (fig. 5), Carbonized Wood (fig. 6), etc. In addition to the plants above described, the Gaspe sections contain, especially in the beds ne
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