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Abstract

The external appearance
somewhat resembles that of the fossil wood often found
in the upper members of our Permo-Carboniferous
series, but in this case the woody structure has not been
silicified, and the attempts which I have had made to
polish sections for closer examination have not been
successful.
There is much variety in the outer portions
of exposed fragments .of the tree. Iron sulphides replacing
the organic tissues and becoming subsequently
oxidised seem to have been the petrifying agents, and
there are traces here and there of white iron pyrites
(marcasite), or arsenical pyrites (mispickel) still unaltered.
The latter is very abundant in the coal measures
of the Mersey district.
Judging from the arrangement of the
stumps of branches, the form of the tree must have resembled
that of a pine, and faint indications of markings
like the "pits" which are the distinguishing
feature of coniferous wood may be seen here and there,
but no definite conclusion can be come to under this
head until after careful microscopical examination.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Stephens, Thomas
Keywords:	Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title:	Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
ISSN:	0080-4703
Collections:	Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:	In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.
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