[108] Figures of Lepidodendra in _Wond._ p. 718. Pict. Atlas, pl. i. iii. ix. xxvi. xxvii. xxxiii. The fruit of the Club-mosses is an oval or cylindrical cone, which in some species is situated at the extremity of the branches, and constitutes an imbricated spike. Now associated with the stems of the Lepidodendra, and very often in masses of their foliage, and in some instances attached to the extremities of the branches, are numerous oblong, or sub-cylindrical, scaly cones, garnished with leaves. These have received the names of _Lepidostrobi_ (scaly-cones), and are unquestionably the fruit of the trees with which they are imbedded. [Sidenote: LEPIDOSTROBUS.] Lepidostrobus. _Lign. 40._--A cylindrical strobilus or cone, imbricated from above downwards, composed of winged scales, terminating in rhomboidal discs: the axis traversed by a longitudinal cavity or receptacle. These fossils have long been known to collectors, and are figured by Martin (_Petrif._ _Derbiensia_), Parkinson (_Org. Rem._ vol. i. pl. ix.), and others. They are cylindrical imbricated bodies, rounded at both extremities, from two to six or seven inches in length, and one or two inches in circumference. When broken asunder, a cylindrical cavity is exposed, which is sometimes hollow, but commonly filled with mineral matter; and when specimens are found imbedded in shale, the cone is fringed with linear-lanceolate bracteæ, as in _Lign. 40, fig. 3_. These fruits, like the fronds of ferns, often form the nuclei of ironstone nodules, and the leaves are frequently replaced either by a white hydrate of alumine, or by the mineral called galena, or sulphuret of lead, and the receptacles filled with the same substances. The specimens from Coalbrook Dale are generally in this state of mineralization, and possess great brilliancy; they are interesting examples of the electro-chemical changes which these fruits of the carboniferous forests have undergone.[109] [109] These fossil cones are not liable to decompose, like the pyritous fruits from the Isle of Sheppey; they require no preparation for the cabinet; washing injures their lustre; a soft brush will safely remove any extraneous matter. There is a fine collection of Lepidostrobi in the British Museum; see Petrifactions, p. 42. [Illustration: Lign. 40. Lepidostrobi, the fruit of Lepidodendra; _nat._ _Coalbrook Dale._ Fig. 1.--A portion of a cone, showing the imbricated structure and internal cavity. 2.--The upper part of a cone, displaying the imbricated surface. 3.--A young specimen attached to the extremity of a branch. ]