Abstract: A dispersed cuticle from the coal of Taiyuan Formation, Xuzhou Coalfield, Jiangsu Province, North China was described. It was considered as the cuticle of Cordaites because of its epidermal structures and other features evidenced by optical and scanning electronic microscopic study. Compared with the known cuticles of other species of Cordaites, it was clear that the specimen under discussion was a new type of cuticle of Cordaites. Stomata were few in number on the upper cuticle, and usually arranged in a lengthwise and intermittent file, seperated by nonstomatal cell rows. Stomatal apparatus haplocheillic nearly square in shape, 30--50 μm long and 35--55 μm wide in size and consisted of a pair of slightly sunken guard cells surrounded by 2 lateral and 2 polar subsidiary cells, orientation longitudinal and regular. Numerous stomatal apparatus on the lower cuticle were arranged mostly in a defenite file seperated by nonstomatic band with 1--10 (often 3--5) rectangular cell rows. Usually small papillae were situated on the outer periclinal wall. The guard cell was reniform and bean-shaped, 10--14 μm long and 3--5 μm wide in size. The lateral subsidiary cell was more or less rectangular or elliptical in shape, 40--125 μm long and 17—25 μm wide in size, and with papillae on the outer periclinal wall. The polar subsidiary cell was some what round, short-elliptical or some rhomboid in shape and usually shared by adjacent stomatal apparatus in the same file.

Key words: Taiyuan Formation, Coal, Dispersed cuticle, Cordaites