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260
bable member of the earliest land-flora. If the specimen is really
a plant, as seems more probable, it is fairly safe to refer it to
Psilophyton Dawson, the well known genus characteristic of the
Lower Devonian. The general habit recalls that of Psilophyton
princeps Daws., as defined somewhat more narrowly by the present
writer’. The Gothland specimen, however, is much smaller, and
differs from Dawson’s species through its appendages which are
recurved and appear less hard and rigid. There can therefore be
no question of specific identity. Our specimen also shows some
resemblance to Thursophyton Milleri (Salter) Nath. but this is more
remote.
Psilophyton princeps has been proved to be a land-plant through
the occurrence of a central strand of tracheids in the stem. Our
fossil in some places shows a black coating as of so me carbonized
organic tissue, but this is very thin, and it did not appear pro-
bable that any tracheids would be preserved even if they had
existed. Portions of the black substance were treated with
ScHULTZE’s mixture but the subsequent examination, as expected,
did not reveal any structural features.
Explanation of plate.
Psilophyton (?) Hedei n. sp.
Fig. 1, natural size. Fig. 2, the same specimen, x 3. Fig. 3, part of the right
hand branch, x 7,5. Fig. 4, appendage showing pointed apex, x 15. Fig. 5,
part of axis, with hairs, x 30.
1 J. W. Dawson. 1859. On fossil plants from the Devonian rocks of Canada.
— Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. London, Vol. 15, P. 478; pl. 1, fig. 1a—1d, 1f—1h?
T. G. HALLE. 1916. Lower Devonian plants from Röragen in Norway. — K. Sven-
Ska Vet. Akad. Handl., Bd. 57, N:o 1, P. 14; pl. 1, figs. 21—31; pl. 2, figs. 1—5;
pl. 4, figs. 6—14 b.
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