Problamatical fossil of psilophytalean aspect from the upper Pennsylvanian of Eastern Kansas

Abstract

Naked, regularly dichotomizing axes have been found in abundance as compressions in Upper Pennsylvanian shales of north-eastern Kansas associated with such typically Pennsylvanian plant remains as Pecopteris feminaeformis, Pecopteris arborescens, Neuropteris scheuchzeri, Alethopteris sp, Lepidophylloides sp. and Cordaites sp. Specimens up to 14 cm. in length showing up to 5 very regular dichotomies, all in one plane, present a psilophytalean aspect which would unhesitatingly be identified as aerial stems if found in Devonian rocks. The specimens are assigned to the form genus, Hostinella (Hostimella) as a new species, H. pennsylvanica and reasons are discussed for the probable survival of Devonian plants into the Pennsylvanian Period.