Weiss[594] first figured this species from drawings supplied by Goldenberg at whose suggestion the name _C. microstachys_ was adopted. The type-specimen consists of a slender axis bearing numerous narrow linear leaves and a few imperfect fertile axillary shoots. A specimen is figured by Kidston[595] from the Upper Coal Measures of Radstock: it is a rare type in Britain. The species is readily distinguished from _C. principalis_ and similar forms by the narrow lamina which varies considerably in length, rarely as long as 30 cm. and not exceeding 1 cm. in breadth. The apex is obtuse and the ribs are either equal in strength or 1–2 finer striae may alternate with the stronger ribs. The base of the lamina is 3–4 mm. wide and the leaf-scars have a slightly arched upper margin and an almost straight lower edge[596]. The foliage of this species, generally regarded as identical with _C. linearis_ Grand’Eury, bears a close resemblance to that of the Mesozoic genus _Phoenicopsis_ from which it is distinguished by the occurrence of the leaves in bunches. _C. gracilis_ Lesq.[597] is a similar type. The shoot on which Lesquereux founded his genus _Desmiophyllum_[598] may perhaps be an example of _Poa-Cordaites_. _Poa-Cordaites tenuifolius_ Schmal.[599] from the Permian of Russia may be identical with _C. microstachys_. As examples of other forms of leaf referred to _Cordaites_, though as in other cases without any proof of connexion with branches having the anatomical features of the genus, reference may be made to _Cordaites circularis_ Grand’Eury[600] from Gard (fig. 468, B) and a smaller leaf from the same locality compared with _C. Lacoei_ (fig. 468, C) Lesq. _Cordaites circularis_ is characterised by the almost orbicular lamina traversed by slightly spreading veins; it recalls some of the larger _Cyclopteris_ pinnules of Pteridosperm fronds and is indistinguishable from some leaves assigned to the genus _Dolerophyllum_[601]. [Illustration: Fig. 468. A, _Cordaites_ root-system (_Rhizo-Cordaites_); B, _Cordaites circularis_ leaf; C, _Cordaites_ sp., cf. _Cordaites Lacoei_; D, _Cordaites crassifolius_, upper and lower surface of leaf. (After Grand’Eury.)] The species _C. Lacoei_ was founded by Lesquereux[602] on some detached specimens 3–12 cm. long and 1·5–5 cm. broad; it is by no means certain that a specimen referred by Grand’Eury[603] with some hesitation to this species is Cordaitean.