Palynological Studies of the Coals 

of the Princess Reserve District 

in N ortheastem Kentucky 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 839 

Work done in cooperation with the 

Kentucky Geological Survey 

Palynological Studies of the Coals 

of the Princess Reserve District 

in Northeastern Kentucky 

By ROBERT M. KOSANKE 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 839 

Work done in cooperation with the 

Kentucky Geological Survey 

A discussion of the spore and pollen assemblages, 

range zones, and coal correlations 

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON: 1973 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

ROGERS C. B. MORTON, Secretary 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

V. E. McKelvey, Director 

Library of Congress catalog-card No. 73-600287 

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office 

Washington, D.C. 20402 -Price $1.00 (paper cover) 

Stock Number 2401-02460 
CONTENTS 

Page Page 

Ab~rnct ------------------------------------ Palynologic assemblages of the Princess coals - Continued 

Introduction ---------------------------------

Previous work -----------------------------

Acknowledgments ---------------------------

Princess No. 8 (?) coal ----------------------- 10 

Princess No. 9(?) coal ------------------------ 10 

Brush Creek(?) coal__________________________ 10 

Sample localities and preparation-------------------- 1 Zosterosporites, n. gen. -------------------------- 10 

Correlation of the Princess coals -------------------- 12 

Interregional coal correlations---------------------- 17 

Summary ----------------------------------- 19 

References cited ------------------------------- 19 

Palynologic assemblages of the Princess coals____________ 3 

Princess No. 5 coal__________________________ 3 

Princess No. 5A coaL________________________ 5 

Princess No. 5B coal_________________________ 6 

Princess No. 6 coal__________________________ 7 Ind~-------------------------------------- 21 

Princess No. 7 coal__________________________ 10 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

[Plate follows index] 

Page 

PLATE 1. Zosterosporites triangularis, n. gen., n. sp., and selected taxa. 

FIGURE 1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Location map of the Princess reserve district --------------------------

Coal logs of the Webbville 1 core hole and two outcrop samples ______________ _ 

Chart showing stratigraphic distribution of genera and species ______________ _ 

Diagram showing abundance of selected genera and species observed in the Princess 

No. 5 through No. 7 coals----------------------------------

Diagrammatic reconstruction of Zosterosporites triangularis, n. gen., n. sp. ______ _ 

Diagram showing range zones of selected taxa -------------------------

TABLES 

2 

4 

4 

7 

12 

18 

TABLES 1 - 9. Percentage of genera of small spores in: Page 

1. Princess No. 5 coal___________________________________ 3 

2. Princess No. 5A coal --------------------------------- 6 

3. Princess No. 5B coal__________________________________ 8 

4. Princess No. 6 coal (from drill core) ----------------------- 8 

5. Princess No. 6 coal (from roadcut) ------------------------ 9 

6. Princess No. 7 coal (from drill core) ----------------------·- 11 

7. Princess No. 7 coal (from roadcut) ------------------------ 11 

8. Lower bench Richardson coal at the type locality, Milo quadrangle, 

Kentucky -------------------------------------- 13 

9. Skyline coal from the type locality------------------------- 14 

III 

PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE COALS OF THE 

PRINCESS RESERVE DISTRICT IN NORTHEASTERN KENTUCKY 

By RoBERT M. KosANKE 

ABSTRACT 

Palynological studies of Pennsylvanian coals and associated strata from 

eastern Kentucky have resulted in establishing of range zones of numerous 

taxa. Some of these taxa have restricted range zones that are useful in correlation studies of coals in the Princess reserve district. The coal 

nomenclature is, in part, peculiar to this district, corresponding neither to 

that used to the north and east in Ohio and West Virginia nor to that of 

other coal reserve districts in eastern Kentucky. Correlations of some of 

these coals with those in other areas have been proposed by several authors. 

These correlations are, for the most part, based on stratigraphic intervals 

measured from marker horizons or are based on geologic mapping. 

The coals under consideration are the Princess No. 5 through the Brush 

Creek(?) coal. This interval extends from the upper Breathitt Formation to 

the lower Conemaugh Formation. Samples of the Princess Nos. 5-7 coals 

were obtained from a diamond-drill core. Outcrop samples of the Princess 

No.6 through the Brush Creek(?) coals were also used. Within the interval 

of the Princess No. 5 through the Brush Creek(?) coals, several major 

palynological events occur. These include the diminution and extinction of 

Densosporites, the peak occurrence of Torispora, and the entire range 

zones of Laevigatosporites pseudothiessenii and Schopfites dimorphus. 

Zosterosporites is a new fossil spore genus and is described from seat-rock 

samples of the Princess No. 5B coal. 

The Princess No. 5 coal from the Webbville 1 core hole is less than 10 

inches thick, but, palynologically, it is similar in part to the Richardson and 

Skyline coals. The Princess Nos. 6 and 7 coals of northeastern Kentucky 

are correlated with the Lower and Middle Kittanning coals of Ohio and . 

Pennsylvania. The Lower Kittanning- Princess No. 6 coal is similar 

palynologically to the Colchester (No. 2) coal of Illinois. The Middle Kittanning-Princess No. 7 coal may be as old as the Springfield (No. 5) coal 

or may be somewhat younger and related to the Briar Hill (No. 5A) coal of 

Illinois, if differences in abundance ratios are not regarded as important. 

INTRODUCTION 

The Princess reserve district, as reported by Ferm (1963), 

is located in the northern part of the eastern Kentucky coal 

field within the highly dissected Kanawha section of the Appalachian Plateau province. This district is bordered by 

Ohio to the north and by West Virginia to the east, and 

Grayson, Ky., is near the middle of the district. Boyd, 

Carter, Greenup, and Lawrence Counties and the eastern 

part of Lewis County are within the district, an area of 

about 1,350 square miles (fig. 1). The district name comes 

from the small mining community of Princess, in 

northwestern Boyd County. 

Samples for this investigation were obtained from the 

Webbville 1 diamond-drill hole,. which is near the center of 

Webbville quadrangle, southeast of Grayson in Lawrence 

County, about 3 miles east of Webbville, Ky. The 

·stratigraphic position of these samples with respect to each 

other is thus assured, and they are utilized as a reference set 

of samples. The samples investigated are from the Princess 

Nos. 5, 5A, 5B, 6, and 7 coals, together' with those from the 

associated roof and seat rock. A second set of samples was 

collected from the south side of the roadcut of Interstate 64 

in Rush quadrangle about 2,000 feet south of Coalton, or 

just 2V2 miles north-northeast of Rush, Ky. The roadcut 

samples include the Princess Nos. 6 and 7 coals, together 

with three badly weathered younger coals. 

PREVIOUS WORK 

Palynological investigations of the coals of the 

stratigraphic interval under consideration have been intensively studied in the United States by several individuals. A 

few of these people are Schopf(1938), Kosanke (1947, 1950, 

1964), Schemel (1951), Guennel (1952, 1958), Winslow 

(1959), Habib (1966), Gray (1967), Gray and Taylor (1967), 

and Peppers (1970). Because of these investigations very few 

new taxa remain to be described, although the usual emendations and new combinations are to be expected. One new 

taxon, Zosterosporites triangularis is described in this 

report. Z. triangularis is known from the roof rock of the 

Princess No. 5 coal and from the seat rock of the Princess 

No. 5B coal in the Princess reserve district of Kentucky. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

Don E. Wolcott assisted in the collection of the Princess 

samples, W. F. Outerbridge and E. C. Jenkins collected the 

Richardson coal samples, Charles L. Rice collected the 

·Skyline coal samples, Norma L. Noble prepared the 

samples, and Wendell A. Martz took some of the 

photomicrographs used in this paper. This help is gratefully 

acknowledged. 

SAMPLE LOCALITIES AND PREPARATION 

Sixty-two samples of coal, roof rock, partings, and seat 

rock were collected and prepared for palynological investigation. All samples were collected in as similar a 

manner as possible. Core samples were cut with a carborundum saw so that a continuous ribbon of coal was obtained 

for maceration. Similarly, all outcrop samples were 
2 PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF COALS, PRINCESS RESERVE DISTRICT, KENTUCKY 

RUSH 

WEBBVILLE 

0 

WEBBVILLE 1 

DRILL HOLE 

D4599A-E 

~ 

_/a~ 

MAP LOCATION 

OH I 0 

0 10 

0 10 

WEST VIRGINIA 

20 30 40 MILES 

20 30 40 KILOMETERS 

FIGURE 1. - The Princess reserve district (patterned) of northeastern Kentucky in the eastern Kentucky coal field. Locations of 

roadcut and diamond-drill samples in the Rush and Webbville quadrangles are shown in insert. Positions of the Milo (M) 

quadrangle from which samples of the Richardson coal were obtained and the Tiptop (TT) quadrangle from which samples of the 

Skyline coal were obtained are shown in outline. 

collected as chiseled cubes to obtain as uniform and 

representative samples as possible. 

Thirty samples were collected from the Webbville 1 

diamond-drill hole. This diamond-drill hole is located as 

shown by Carlson ( 1971 ), on Little Cat Branch west of 

Baker School, 24,200 feet FNL X 16,500 feet FEL of 

Webbville quadrangle, Lawrence County, Ky. Five coals 

and associated strata were assigned U.S. Geological Survey 

Paleobotanical locality numbers D4599-A-E and 

laboratory maceration numbers 238-A-CC, as follows: 

Princess No. 5 coal, D4599-A (interval, 312ft 3 in.-313 ft lP/s in.), 

macerations 238-Y -CC; 
PALYNOLOGIC ASSEMBLAGES OF THE PRINCESS COALS 3 

Princess No. SA coal, 04599-B (interval, 292ft 43

/ 16 in. -294ft 911/ 16 in.), 

macerations 238-P-X; 

Princess No. 5B coal, 04599-C (interval, 281 ft 6% in.-284 ft 6?/s in.), 

macerations 238-J-0; 

Princess No. 6 coal, 04599-0 (interval, 226 ft ?Is in.-229 ft 9 in.), 

macerations 238-E-I; and 

Princess No. 7 coal, 04599-E (interval, 190 ft-192 ft 5?/s in.), 

macerations 238-A-0. 

Thirty-two samples were collected from roadcut exposures on the south side in Interstate 64 in Rush 

quadrangle, Boyd County, Ky. These samples consist of the 

Princess Nos. 6, 7, 8(?), and 9(?) and the Brush Creek(?) 

coals. The following U.S. Geological Survey Paleobotanical 

locality and maceration numbers were assigned to these 

coals: 

Princess No. 6 coal, 04600 (3,600 ft FEL X 3,200 ft FNL), macerations 

161-A-J; 

Princess No. 7 coal, 04601 (1,800 ft FEL X 2,900 ft FNL), macerations 

160-A-G; 

Princess No.8(?) coal, 04602 (1,200 ft FEL X 2,700 ft FNL), macerations 

162-A-C; 

Princess No.9(?) coal, 04603 (1,200 ft FEL X 2,700 ft FNL), macerations 

163-A-H; and 

Brush Creek(?) coal, 04604 (1,100 ft FEL X 2,700 ft FNL), macerations 

164-A-0. 

The coal samples were prepared according to the 

procedures described by Kosanke (1950), but with minor 

modifications, to achieve the most satisfactory 

preparations. The roof, seat-rock, and parting samples were 

prepared in the standard way for noncoal samples - that is, 

treatment with HCl, HF, HN03+ KCl03 and KOH and ultimately specific gravity separation with zinc bromide. 

Mounting of all maceration residues was made with Canada 

balsam. Precise preparation methods used for each maceration are recorded in maceration books 4 and 6. 

Abundance counts were made by uniform procedure. 

Two hundred fifty specimens were counted from each sample, and all taxa not observed in the count were then 

recorded. Five to 10 slides were examined for each maceration. 

PALYNOLOGIC ASSEMBLAGES OF THE PRINCESS 

COALS 

PRINCESS NO.5 COAL 

The coal between 312 feet 6 inches and 313 feet 8¥s inches 

in the Webbville 1 core hole is considered to be the No. 5 

coal. Figure 2A graphically illustrates the interval from 312 

feet 3 inches through 313 feet 11 3

/s inches. The total coal 

thickness is 93fs inches (238-Z, 238-BB); in this coal the 

following genera are numerically significant: 

Princess No. 5 coal 

Genus 

Laevigatosporites __________ _ 

Lycospora ______________ _ 

Torispora ______________ _ 

Triquitrites ______________ _ 

Endosporites ____________ _ 

Granulatisporites __________ _ 

Total _____________ _ 

Percent of 

total count 

27.3 

23.7 

15.3 

8.6 

6.3 

4.3 

85.5 

TABLE l.-Percentage of genera of small spores in the Princess No.5 coal 

[At a depth of 312ft 3 in. to 313ft I P/s in, Webbville I core, on Little Cat Branch about 1.4 miles 

west of Baker School, 24,200 ft FNL X 16,500 ft FEL, Webbville quadrangle, Lawrence County, Ky. Paleobotanicalloc. No. 04599-A. 750 specimens counted. +,present but not observed in 

statistical count, or statistical count not attempted] 

Genus 

Maceration No. __ _ 

Ahrensisporites __ _ 

Calamospora ___ _ 

Cirratriradites __ _ 

Crassispora ____ _ 

Cristatisporites __ _ 

Densosporites ___ _ 

Endosporites ___ _ 

Florinites _____ _ 

Granulatisporites _ 

Laevigatosporites _ 

Lycospora _____ _ 

Murospora ____ _ 

Punctatisporites __ 

Raistrickia ____ _ 

Reinschospora __ _ 

Savitrisporites __ _ 

Simozonotriletes __ 

Torispora _____ _ 

Triquitrites ____ _ 

Vestispora _____ _ 

Wi/sonites _____ _ 

Zosterosporites __ _ 

Monosaccates ----

All other taxa ___ _ 

Total ____ _ 

238-Y 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

238-Z 

+ 

2.8 

2.4 

3.6 

3.2 

6.8 

28.0 

6.0 

1.6 

3.2 

.4 

23.2 

13.6 

+ 

1.2 

4.0 

+ 

100.0 

Percent 

238-AA 238-BB 238-CC 

0.8 0.8 + 

.8 .4 + 

.8 + 

+ 

+ 

1.6 

4.8 

29.6 

30.8 

1.6 

.4 

.4 

23.6 

3.2 

+ 

.8 

.8 

100.0 

.8 

10.4 

.8 

.8 

26.4 

50.4 

2.8 

3.6 

1.2 

1.6 

100.0 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL IN MACERATIONS 

238-Y-CC, 203/s inches siltstone, shale, coal, and seat rock. 

238-Y, 3 inches light-gray siltstone and medium-gray shale. 

238-Z, 55/s inches coal. 

238-AA, 5112 inches dark-gray to black shale and vitrain. 

238- BB, 3'4 inches coal. 

238-CC, 3 inches seat rock - clay-shale. 

Table 1 records the presence only or the abundance in the 

Princess No. 5 coal of 22 genera, including Simozonotriletes 

and Savitrisporites, which have not been observed in 

younger coals examined in this study. Comparison of the 

percentages of the numerically significant genera shown in 

table 1 for 238-Z-BB shows that Laevigatosporites is present at a uniform rate of 26.4 to 29.6 percent whereas 

Lycospora varies from 6 to 50.4 percent in this same interval. Laevigatosporites and Lycospora are of nearly equal 

abundance and represent more than half the spore-pollen 

population. Torispora averages 15.3 percent of the spore 

population of the Princess No. 5 coal samples. This occurrence represents the maximum abundance for the genus 

recorded so far from eastern Kentucky coals. Torispora and 

Triquitrites decrease in abundance from 238-Z to 

238-BB. Triquitrites and Endosporites, occurring at the 

rate of more than 8 and 6 percent respectively, help 

characterize this coal. All the species identified from the 
4 

238-Y 

238-Z 

238-AA 

238-BB 

238-CC 

238-E 

238-F 

238-G 

238-H 

238-1 

A 

F 

PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF COALS, PRINCESS RESERVE DISTRICT, KENTUCKY 

238-P 

238-Q 

238-R 

238-S 

238-T 

238-U 

238-V 

238-W 

238-X 

B 

G 

FEET 

2 

0 

c 

EXPLANATION 

[J Sandstone 

ESJ Siltstone 

g=3J Shale 

~ Carbonaceous 

~ shale 

.Coal 

i~~ Clay 

D 

E 

FIGURE 2.- Coal logs of samples prepared from the Webbville 1 diamond-drill hole (A -C. F, G) and two outcrop samples (D, E). The 

sample maceration numbers are given at the left of each coal log except for a thin lens of shale in 238-H which was macerated 

separately and designated "238-H shale." 

TAXA 

COALS 52 53 50 56 23 4 2 21 58 43 3 24 25 55 68 8 10 54 57 62 63 66 42 47 71 40 64 60 73 14 35 1 37 38 7 

Brush Creek (?) 

Princess No.9(?) I 

Princess No.7 I I I I 

Princess No.6 I I I I I I I 

Princess No. 58 I I I I I I 

Princess No. 5 A I I I I I 

I I I 

I I I 

I I 

Princess No.5 I I I I I I I FIGURE 3.- The stratigraphic distribution of genera and species 
PALYNOLOGIC ASSEMBLAGES OF THE PRINCESS COALS 5 

Princess No. S coal are plotted in figure 3. Zosterosporites 

triangularis is present in 238-Y which is the roof rock of 

the coal. Savistrisporites nux is present in 238-AA which is 

a shale parting, whereas Reinschospora, Simozonotriletes, 

and Cristatisporites are all restricted to the seat-rock sample 238-CC. 

The spore-pollen assemblage under consideration in this 

and younger coals contains several species of the genus 

Laevigatosporites which constitute a significant proportion 

of these assemblages. Four of these species are L. punctatus, 

L. globosus, L. minutus, and L. pseudothiessenii = 

Thymospora pseudothiessenii. Laevigatosporites punctatus 

reasons I have already expressed (Kosanke, 1969, p. 23S), 

use of both binomials seems permissible. The specimens 

without this unusual thickening are classified as Laevigato- . 

sptJrites punctatus and constitute 8.1 percent of the 

assemblage of the coal samples. L. globosus and L. minutus 

(pl. 1, figs. 7, 9) collectively occur as 4.6 percent of the total 

spore count in the coal samples. L. pseudothiessenii (pl. 1, 

fig. 8) has not been observed in either the Princess No. S or 

the Princess No. SA coals. So far as is known the range zone 

of this species starts with the Princess No. SB coal. 

PRINCESS NO. 5A COAL 

(pl. 1, fig. 11) is thought to be conspecific with Torispora The No. SA coal occurs between 292 feet 73

/ 16 inches and 

securis except for the unusual thickenings diagnostic of 294 feet 73

/ 16 inches in the Webbville 1 core hole and conTorispora. A. H. V. Smith examined the individual tains 143

/ 4 inches coal and three shale partings. These shale 

photomicrographs of specimens shown in figures 10 and 12 partings have a total thickness of 45

/ 8 inches; some coal or 

of plate 1, and he (written commun., Mar. 10, 1972) also shale, however, was lost in drilling. Figure 2B graphically itconsidered them to be conspecific with Torispora securis. lustrates this interval and the prepared samples 

There is every reason to believe that Laevigatosporites (macerations 238-P-X). Both 238-P and Q contained 

punctatus is related to Torispora securis, but, for the abundant fibrous opaque matter and poorly preserved 

LIST OF TAXA SHOWN IN DIAGRAM 

1. A hrensisporites spp. 20. Granulatisporites granularis 38. L. pseudoannulata 56. Simozonotriletes sp. 

2. Alatisporites hexalatus 21. G. gibbosus 39. L. punctata 57. Spackmanites ellipticus 

3. A. trialatus 22. G. levis 40. L. sp. 58. Tantillus triquetrus 

4. A. sp. 23. G. pallidus 41. Murospora kosankei 59. Torispora securis 

5. Calamospora breviradiata 24. G. spinosus 42. Parasporites maccabei 60. Triquitrites additus 

6. C. hartungiana 25. G. verrucosus 43. Potonieisporites sp. 61. T. arculatus 

7. C. spp. 26. G. spp. 44. Punctatisporites obliquus 62. T. exiguus 

8. Cadiospora sp. 27. Laevigatosporites desmoinensis 45. P. sulcatus 63. T. inusitatus 

9. Cirratriradites annulatus 28. L. g/obosus 46. P. spp. 64. T. protensus 

10. C. sp. 29. L. latus 47. Raistrickia crinita 65. T. pulvinatus 

11. Convolutispora sp. 30. L. medius 48. R. crocea 66. T. spinosus 

12. Crassispora kosankei 31. L. minutus 49. R. spp. 67. T. spp. 

13. Cristatisporites sp. 32. L. ova/is 50. Reinschospora sp. 68. Vesicaspora wilsonii 

14. Densosporites triangularis 33. L. pseudothiessenii 51. Reticulatisporites sp. 69. Vestispora fenestrata 

15. D. sp. 34. L. punctatus 52. Savitrisporites nux 70. V. sp. 

16. Endosporites ornatus 35. L. vulgaris 53. S. sp. 71. Wilsonites delicatus 

17. E. sp. 36. Lycospora granulata 54. Schopfites dimorphus 72. W. spp. 

18. Florinites antiquus 37. L. micropapillata 55. S. sp. 73. Zosterosporites triangularis 

19. F. sp. 

TAXA 

13 46 5 16 20 22 29 36 41 45 48 69 6 9 12 28 30 59 65 72 18 31 32 34 67 61 51 70 27 15 11 49 26 33 39 17 19 44 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I I I 

I 

I 

identified from the Princess No.5 through the Brush Creek(?) coal. 
6 PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF COALS, PRINCESS RESERVE DISTRICT, KENTUCKY 

TABLE 2.- Percentage of genera of small spores in the Princess No. 5A coal 

[At a depth of 292ft 4'/,6 in. to 294ft 9"/} 6 in., Webbville I core, on Little Cat Branch, about 1.4 miles west of Baker School, 24,200 ft FNL X 16,500 ft FEL, Webbville quaarangle, Lawrence County, Ky. Paleobotanicalloc. No. D4599-B. 1.250 specimens counted. +. ;>resent but not observed in statistical count or count not a•ternpted] 

Genus 

Maceration No. _____ _ 

Alatisporites _____ _ 

Calamospora _____ _ 

Cirratriradites ____ _ 

Convolutispora ____ _ 

Crassispora ______ _ 

Densosporites _____ _ 

Endosporites _____ _ 

Florinites _______ _ 

Granulatisporites 

Laevigatosporites __ _ 

Lycospora _______ _ 

Punctatisporites ___ _ 

Raistrickia ______ _ 

Reticulatisporites __ _ 

Torispora _______ _ 

Triquitrites ______ _ 

Vestispora _______ _ 

1¥ilsonites _______ _ 

Monosaccates _____ _ 

Total ______ _ 

238-P 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

D8-Q 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

238-R 

+ 

3.6 

+ 

1.2 

.8 

4.4 

75.6 

+ 

+ 

9.2 

1.6 

3.6 

100.0 

238-S 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

Percent 

238-T 

0.8 

.4 

.4 

1.6 

.8 

2.4 

14.4 

71.2 

.8 

+ 

+ 

4.0 

2.0 

1.2 

100.0 

238-U 238-V 

2.0 1.2 

+ + 

1.6 

.4 .4 

.4 22.4 

.8 .4 

1.2 2.4 

27.6 8.0 

54.4 54.8 

1.2 

.4 .4 

+ 

2.8 1.2 

5.6 5.2 

2.4 + 

+ .8 

2.0 

100.0 100.0 

238-W 

1.2 

+ 

1.6 

15.6 

+ 

.4 

24.4 

43.6 

+ 

.8 

4.4 

3.2 

2.8 

2.0 

100.0 

238-X 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL IN MACERATIONS 

238-P-X, 24'/8 inches shale, coal, and seat rock. 238- P, 3 inches medium to light-gray. silty shale. 238 -Q, I v. inches coal. 238-R, Jl/2 inches dark-gray shale. 238-S, 23

4 inches coal. 

spores and pollen. Poor preservation was also noted· in 

238-S and in the seat-rock sample 238-X. Although 

preservation was poor and abundance counts could not be 

made in 238-X, Torispora securis was seen to be fairly 

abundant. 

The following genera are of numerical importance in the 

productive coal samples (238-U and W): 

Princess No. 5A coal 

Genus 

Lycospora ______________ _ 

Laevigatosporites __________ _ 

Endosporites -------------

Triquitrites ---------------

Total _____________ _ 

Percent of 

total count 

45.9 

22.4 

12.0 

3.7 

84.0 

Eighteen genera (table 2) have been identified from the 

samples of the Princess No. 5A coal and associated strata. 

A generic comparison of the 5A coal and the No. 5 coal 

(tables 1, 2) reveals a close similarity in many respects. 

These similarities include 15 genera common to both sets of 

samples, and the generic differences that do exist concern 

generic abundance and genera that are not of numerical importance. Lycospora and Endosporites are more abundant 

in the No. 5A coal than in the No. 5 coal, and Torispora is 

much less abundant. The maximum abundance of Torispora 

238-T, 1'18 inches light- to medium-gray shale. 238-U, 2\12 inches coal. 238-V, I \12 inches medium-gray shale and vitrain. 238-W, 81

4 inches coal. 238-X, 21

/2 inches seat rock - dark-gray shale and vitrain. 

in any single sample is only 4.4 percent. Associated with the 

drop in abundance of Torispora securis is a similar drop in 

abundance of Laevigatosporites punctatus. The relationship 

of these two species has already been discussed. 

PRINCESS NO. 5B COAL 

The coal between 281 feet 9¥8 inches and 284 feet 3¥8 

inches in the Webbville 1 core hole is the Princess No. 5B 

coal. The roof shale of this sampled sequence contained 

abundant spores and pollen but so extremely thin and corroded that abundance counts were not made. The coal 

samples and seat rock yielded an excellent assemblage. The 

shale parting 1% inches thick is shown diagrammatically in 

figure 2C; the sample from this parting (238-M) yielded 

abundant but thin specimens for which a count was possible. 

The total coal thickness is 28 1

/z inches; in this interval the 

following genera are numerically important: 

Princess No. 5B coal 

Genus 

Laevigatosporites __________ _ 

Lycospora --------------- Endosporites ____________ _ 

Densosporites ____________ _ 

Triquitrites ______________ _ 

Total _____________ _ 

Percent of 

total count 

46.8 

32.9 

5.5 

3.4 

3.0 

91.6 
PALYNOLOGIC ASSEMBLAGES OF THE PRINCESS COALS 7 

C/) 

....J 

6 

<( 58 

0 

() 

SA 

L YCOSPORA, IN PERCENT 

10 20 30 40 50 60 

LAEVIGATOSPORITES, IN PERCENT 

FIGURE 4.- Abundance of selected genera and species observed in the Princess Nos. 5-7 coals from the Princess reserve district of 

northeastern Kentucky. Abundance of Laevigatosporites increases from the Princess No.5 through the Princess No.7 coal largely 

as the result of the increase of L. pseudothiessenii. More than 90 percent of the assemblage of the Princess No. 7 coal belongs to 

either Laevigatosporites or Lycospora. 

Seven species of Laevigatosporites occur in both the 

Princess Nos. 5A and 5B coals, and the species are much 

more abundant in the 5B coal, as shown in figure 4. L. 

globosus and L. minutus account for 16.4 percent of the 

'pore-pollen assemblage of the coal samples (238- K, L, N), 

.iS contrasted to only 3.8 percent of the assemblage of the 

5A coal. These two species continue to increase in both the 

Princess No. 6 and the Princess No. 7 coals. L. pseudothiessenii is present in the seat-rock samples of the 5B coal 

(238-0) and may be represented in the coal samples by 

several poor specimens that were not identified to the 

specific level. The range zone of L. pseudothiessenii is from 

the Princess No. 5B coal through the Princess No. 9(?) coal 

which is represented by maceration series 163. This would 

be a range zone of less than 200 feet in the northern part of 

the Princess reserve district to slightly more than 200 feet in 

the southern part of the district. A complete list of identified 

species is shown in figure 3. 

Twenty-three genera (table 3) have been identified from 

the 5B coal. Zosterosporites triangularis, Potonieisporites 

sp., and Tantillus triquetrus have been observed only in the 

seat-rock sample (238-0). Both Alatisporites trialatus and 

A. hexalatus are present, and this is not unexpected at this 

stratigraphic position of the Princess No. 6 coal should be 

correlative with the Illinois Colchester (No. 2) coal. 

Torispora securis occurs at the rate of 11 percent in the seatrock sample and averages less than 1 percent in the coal 

samples. 

PRINCESS NO. 6 COAL 

The coal at 226 feet 5 inches to 229 feet 5 inches in the 

Webbville 1 core hole is considered to be the Princess No. 6 

coal. A diagrammatic log is shown in figure 2F. The top 

sample, 238-E, is a mixture of black shale, a thin coal 

layer, and mottled gray shale. The main coal sample, 

238-F-H, is without major partings as contrasted to a 

second sample collected from the south side of Interstate 64 

in Rush quadrangle (3,600 ft FEL X 2,900 ft FNL), Boyd 

County, Ky. This set of samples is maceration series 

161-A-1, and a diagrammatic log is shown in figure 2£. It 

is apparent that coal deposition was interrupted twice. All 

samples (238-E-1) from the diamond-drill hole yielded 

abundant spores; pollen and generic occurrence and abundance are reported in table 4. The outcrop samples of the 

Princess No. 6 coal (161-A-1) yielded abundant spores 

and polen grains, except for the two noncoal samples 

(161-C, D). Generic occurrence and abundance are 

presented in table 5. 

The samples ot the Princess No. 6 coal examined contained partings and this feature is present in a sample of the 

Lower Kittanning coal from Lawrence County, Ohio, as 

reported by Gray (1967). The rest of Gray's samples from 

the Lower Kittanning coal did not possess shale partings, 

and Habib ( 1966) did not indicate the presence of partings in 

the 15 samples of the Lower Kittanning coal he examined 

from Pennsylvania. 

The numerically important genera from the two samples 

of the Princess No. 6 coal examined are as follows: 
8 PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF COALS, PRINCESS RESERVE DISTRICT, KENTUCKY 

Princess No. 6 coal 

Genus 

Calamospora ____________ _ 

Densosporites ------------- Endosporites ____________ _ 

Florinites ______________ _ 

Laevigatosporites _________ _ 

Lycospora ______________ _ 

Punctatisporites __________ _ 

Triquitrites _____________ _ 

Total __ ___________ _ 

( 1 ) Less than l percent. 

238-F-H 

2.2 

7.2 

1.8 

3.3 

52.8 

20.8 

1.0 

2.6 

91.7 

Percent of total count 

161-A-1 

2.0 

1.1 

3.9 

C) 

39.2 

38.2 

1.6 

4.7 

90.7 

Composite 

2.1 

4.1 

2.8 

1.6 

46.0 

29.5 

1.3 

3.6 

91.0 

TABLE 3.- Percentage of genera of small spores in the Princess No. 5B 

coal 

[At a depth of 281 ft 65/s in. to 284ft 6Y's in., Webbville I core on Little Cat Branch about 1.4 milee west of Baker School, 24,000 ft FNL X 16,500 ft FEL, Webbville quadrangel, Lawrence County 

Ky. Paleobotanicalloc. No. D4599-C. 1,250 specimens counted. +,present but not observed ir 

statistical count, or no count attempted) 

Genus 

Maceration No. _ 

Ahrensisporites _ 

Alatisporites __ 

Calamospora __ 

Cirratriradites _ 

Convolutispora _ 

Crassispora __ _ 

Cristatisporites(?) 

Densosporites __ 

Endosporites __ 

Florinites ___ _ 

Granulatisporites 

Laevigatosporites 

Lycospora ___ _ 

Potonieisporites 

Punctatisporites 

Raistrickia __ _ 

Reticulatisporites 

Tantillus ____ _ 

Torispora ___ _ 

Triquitrites __ _ 

Vestisporc ___ _ 

Wilsonites ___ _ 

Zosterosporites _ 

Monosaccates __ 

All other taxa __ 

Total __ _ 

238-J 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

238-K 

3.6 

+ 

7.6 

+ 

3.2 

52.4 

22.8 

1.6 

+ 

.8 

4.8 

+ 

+ 

3.2 

100.0 

Percent 

238-L ,238-M 

+ 

+ 

0.8 0.8 

.4 

5.2 

.4 

.8 

30.0 

42.8 

3.2 

+ 

.4 

1.2 

12.0 

.8 

2.0 

+ 

100.0 

+ 

5.2 

1.6 

72.0 

5.2 

1.6 

+ 

.4 

1.2 

2.0 

10.0 

100.0 

238-N 

+ 

0.4 

.8 

.8 

+ 

+ 

.4 

8.4 

4.0 

.4 

3.6 

37.2 

J3.2 

2.4 

.4 

1.2 

3.2 

.4 

3.2 

100.0 

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIALS IN MACERATIONS 

238-J-0, 3614 inches shale, coal, and seat rock. 238-J, 3 inches hard finely micaceous shale and 1

/2 inch vitrain. 238-K, 9 inches coal. 238-L, 9 inches coal. 238-M, 1'4 inches black shale. 238-N, 10!14 inches coal. 238-0, 3!14 inches seat rock- dark-gray to black clay. 

238-v 

1.2 

.4 

+ 

.8 

+ 

1.2 

16.4 

36.4 

6.8 

+ 

1.6 

+ 

.4 

+ 

11.2 

14.0 

.8 

2.4 

3.2 

3.2 

+ 

100.0 

TABLE 4.- Percentage of genera of small spores in the Princess No.6 coal 

[At a depth of 226 ft :Is in. to 229ft 8 in .• Webbvile I core, on Little Cat Branch about 1.4 miles west of Baker School, 24,000 ft FNL X 16,500 ft FEL, Webbville quadrangle, Lawrence County, Ky. Paleobotanical loc. No. D4599-D. 1,500 specimens counted. +, present but not observed in 

statistical count) 

Percent 

Genus 

Maceration No. _ 238-E 238-F 238-G 238-H 238-H' 

Ahrensisporites _ 

Calamospora __ 

Cirratriradites _ 

Convolutispora _ 

+ 0.8 

.4 

1.6 4.4 6.4 

.8 2.8 1.2 

Crassispora __ _ 

Densosporites __ 

Endosporites __ 

Florinites ___ _ 

Granulatisporites 

Laevigatosporites 

Lycospora ___ _ 

Murospora __ _ 

Punctatisporites 

Raistrickia __ _ 

Schopfites ___ _ 

Spackmanites __ 

Torispora ___ _ 

Triquitrites __ _ 

Vestispora ___ _ 

Wilsonites ___ _ 

Monosaccates _ 

All other taxa __ 

TotaL __ 

6.8 

.4 

3.2 

72.4 

11.2 

.4 

.4 

+ 

1.6 

2.0 

+ 

.8 

.8 

100.0 

16.8 

+ 

.8 

64.0 

7.6 

1.6 

.8 

1.6 

2.4 

3.2 

100.0 

8.4 

.4 

56.8 

24.8 

.8 

+ 

2.8 

.8 

+ 

2.8 

+ 

100.0 

'A very thin shale parting less than 1/s inch thick. 

+ 

4.8 

5.6 

1.6 

.8 

37.6 

30.0 

.4 

.8 

.8 

.4 

+ 

4.8 

.8 

4.4 

100.0 

.8 

1.2 

2.8 

17.6 

60.4 

.4 

.4 

5.2 

3.2 

.4 

100.0 

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL IN MACERATIONS 

238- E-I, 43 1/s inches shale, coal, and seat rock. 238- E, 41

/s inches black, mottled gray shale and coal. 238- F, 12 inches coal. 238-G, 12 inches coal. 238-H, 12 inches coal. 238-I, 3 inches seat rock - dark-gray to black slickensided clay. 

238-1 

+ 

3.6 

.4 

+ 

.4 

.4 

2.0 

4.8 

20.8 

47.2 

.8 

.8 

.4 

6.4 

.8 

3.2 

7.6 

.4 

100.0 

The same genera and species, with minor exceptions, are 

present in both sets of samples. The primary difference is in 

the abundance of numerically significant genera. Such 

differences can be attributed to differences in thickness of 

samples being compared, differences in environmental conditions at the time of deposition, or both. 

Taxa identified from the Princess No. 6 coal samples 

(238-E-1 and 161-A-1) are shown in figure 3. There 

are numerous ranges that appear to originate in, to terminate in, or to be confined to, the Princess No. 6 coal, as 

shown. Additional information will be required to more accurately assess the authenticity of these range zones. 

Schopfites is present in the Princess No. 6 coal, and, so far 

as is known, this occurrence is the start of the range zone of 

this genus in the Appalachians. I did not observe this genus 

in either the Princess 5A or the Princess 5B coals below the 

Vanport Limestone Member of the Breathitt Formation, 
PALYNOLOGIC ASSEMBLAGES OF THE PRINCESS COALS 9 

TABLE 5.- Percentage of genera of small spores in the Princess No.6 coal 

[From a roadcut on the south side of Interstate 64, 3,600 ft FEL X 3,200 ft FNL, Rush quadrangle, Boyd County, Ky. Paleobotanical loc. No. D4600. 1,500 specimens counted. +, present but not observed in statistical count, or count not attempted] 

Genus Percent 

Maceration No. _____ _ 

Ahrensisporites ____ _ 

Alatisporites _____ _ 

Calamospora _____ _ 

Cadiospora ______ _ 

Cirratriradites ____ _ 

Convolutispora ____ _ 

Crassispora ______ _ 

Cristatisporites ____ _ 

Densosporites _____ _ 

Endosporites _____ _ 

Florinites _______ _ 

Granulatisporites __ _ 

Laevigatosporites __ _ 

Lycospora _______ _ 

Punctatisporites ___ _ 

Raistrickia ______ _ 

Reticulatisporites __ _ 

Schopfites _______ _ 

Spackmanites _____ _ 

Torispora _______ _ 

Triquitrites ______ _ 

Vesicaspora -------

Vestispora _______ _ 

Wilsonites _______ _ 

Monosaccates _____ _ 

All other taxa _____ _ 

Total ______ _ 

161-A 

6.8 

2.0 

1.2 

6.0 

+ 

2.8 

34.4 

26.4 

2.0 

.8 

9.6 

.4 

3.2 

4.4 

100.0 

161-B 

2.0 

.4 

.8 

10.8 

4.0 

28.8 

31.2 

2.4 

.8 

2.0 

+ 

8.4 

.8 

7.6 

100.0 

161-C 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

161-D 

+ 

+ 

+ 

(?) 

+ 

161-E 

0.4 

.4 

1.6 

7.2 

1.2 

25.6 

52.4 

4.0 

.4 

1.2 

+ 

.4 

.8 

4.4 

100.0 

161-F 

0.8 

.4 

.8 

.4 

71.6 

10.8 

1.6 

2.8 

.4(?) 

9.6 

.8 

100.0 

161-H 

+ 

0.4 

+ 

+ 

4.4 

+ 

+ 

.4 

20.0 

71.6 

1.2 

.4 

.4 

+ 

.8 

.4 

+ 

100.0 

161-I 

+ 

+ 

0.8 

+ 

+ 

+ 

1.6 

+ 

3.6 

65.6 

23.6 

1.2 

+ 

+ 

.8 

.8 

+ 

.8 

1.2 

+ 

100.0 

DESCRIPTIONS OF MATERIALS IN MACERATIONS 

161-A-1, 673/• inches roof rock- coal, clay-shale-siltstone partings. and seat rock. 161 -A, 91

/z inches coal. 161 - B, 91

/z inches coal. 

161 -C, II inches medium- to dark-gray shale, transitional to 53-inch clay unit with ironstone con- cretions in lower half of unit. 161- D, 5 inches medium-gray carbonaceous clay. 161 - E, 21/z inches coal. 

and Gray (1967) did not report the genus from the Lawrence 

coal of Ohio which occurs above the Vanport Limestone 

Member and below the Lower Kittanning coal. 

Spackmanites ellipticus was described from the Lower Kit--

tanning coal of Pennsylvania by Habib (1966). Gray (1967) 

reported the presence of some spore types that he did not 

name, and three of these are most assuredly congeneric with 

Spackmanites. Gray's report probably was in press before 

Habib's was published. In any event, from Gray's publication it is obvious that Spackmanites was observed from the 

Lawrence through the Middle Kittanning coal. I have 

observed S. ellipticus in both the Princess No. 6 and the 

Princess No. 7 coals but not in the Princess No. 5, 5A, or 5B 

coals, although a few specimens assignable to this genus 

have been observed as low as the Francis coal from eastern 

Kentucky. Peppers (1970) reported Spackmanites present in 

161-F, 5\4 inch unit black shale; I inch gray clay 2% inch black semiflint. 161-G, I inch gray, very micaceous, carbonaceous, badly weathered siltstone. This unit was barren 

of spores and pollen. 161-H, 13 inches coal. 161 -I, I 0 inches coal with I inch bone at top. 

161-J, I inch seat rock, ganisterlike, iron stain, barren of spores and pollen. 

the Colchester (No. 2) coal of Illinois through the Herrin 

(No. 6) coal of Illinois. The genus has not been reported as 

occurring abundantly, but it is readily recognized and, as 

such, may prove of value for correlation purposes. 

The range zone of Densosporites triangularis terminates 

with the Princess No. 6 coal, although two specimens 

assignable to Densosporites hav.e been observed in the 

Princess No. 7 coal. Gray ( 1967) indicated this species present in the Lower Kittanning coal of Ohio and Pennsylvania 

but absent from the Strasburg and Middle Kittanning coals 

above; he found two specimens assignable to Densosporites 

in the Middle Kittanning coal. Peppers (1970) recorded D. 

triangularis from the Colchester (No. 2) coal and possibly as 

high as the next coal above, the Lowell coal, which he 

reported as the termination of the generic range zone. 

Laevigatosporites pseudothiessenii is consistently present, 
10 PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF COALS, PRINCESS RESERVE DISTRICT, KENTUCKY 

ranging from 1 to 6 percent of the spore population. L. 

punctatus represents less than 2 percent of the spore population, but L. globosus and L. minutus combined represent 

26-40 percent of the total assemblage. 

PRINCESS NO. 7 COAL 

The coal at 190 feet 5% inches to 192 feet 2% inches in the 

Webbville 1 core hole is the Princess No.7 coal. A diagrammatic log of the coal is shown in figure 2G. The coal is 21 

inches thick and has a shale roof and a clay seat rock. A second sample was collected from the south side of Interstate 

64 in Rush quadrangle {1,800 ft FEL X 2,900 ft FNL), Boyd 

County, Ky. The set of samples is maceration series 

160-A-G; a diagrammatic log is shown in figure 2D. The 

main part of the coal is 45 inches thick with a 2-inch clay 

parting separating it from the top 3% inches of coal. All 

samples from the diamond-drill core (238-A-D) yielded 

abundant spores and pollen grains; generic occurrence and 

abundance are reported in table 6. The outcrop samples of 

the Princess No. 7 coal (160-A-G) yielded abundant 

spores and pollen grains in all coal samples and the seat 

rock. The roof shale (160-A) and the clay parting (160-C) 

did not yield either abundant or well-preserved spores or 

pollen grains. Generic occurrence and abundance are 

reported in table 7. 

The numerically important genera from the two samples 

of the Princess No. 7 coal are as follows: 

Princess No. 7 coal 

Percent of total count 

Genus 238-B, C 160-B, D-G Composite 

Laevigatosporites __________ 81.8 77.6 79.7 

Lycospora _______________ 14.2 13.0 13.6 

Punctatisporites ___________ .8 4.1 2.4 

Triquitrites ______________ 1.8 2.1 1.9 

Tota/______________ 98.6 96.8 97.6 

The correspondence between the two sets of samples is 

considered to be very close despite the great differences 

between the two in thickness and partings. 

Laevigatosporites is clearly dominant in the Princess No. 7 

coal, inasmuch as the genus represents more than 75 percent 

of the total population. This is a significant increase in the 

abundance of Laevigatosporites because the genus 

represents less than half of the population of the Princess 

No. 6 coal. Laevigatosporites and Lycospora together are 

more than 90 percent of the spore-pollen assemblage of the 

Princess No. 7 coal. This content is illustrated in figure 4, 

and it is also possible from this illustration to see that the 

cause for this increase in abundance of Laevigatosporites is 

partly the increase in L. pseudothiessenii. 

Twenty genera are present in the Princess No. 7 coal 

(tables 6, 7), and 15 of these genera are common to both the 

238 and 160 maceration series. So far as is known, the range 

zones of Schopfites, Densosporites, and Murospora terminate with the Princess No. 7 coal. I have observed Densosporites from younger rocks elsewhere in the United 

States, but these occurrences have always been from noncoal samples. Although other differences between the 

Princess No. 7 and younger coals can be cited, it seems wise 

to defer such action pending additional information. A complete list of all species identified from the Princess No. 7 

coal is shown in figure 3. 

PRINCESS NO. 8(?) COAL 

Three samples were collected about 30 feet above the 

Princess No. 7 coal in a road cut on the south side of 

Interstate 64, 1,200 feet FEL X 2, 700 feet FNL, Rush 

quadrangle, Boyd County, Ky. These samples were completely barren of identifiable spores or pollen grains. No 

coal is present at this locality, but a black shale 3 inches 

thick and somewhat transitional to bone coal is present 

above a ganisterlike seat rock, which has a clay roof. 

PRINCESS NO. 9(?) COAL 

Nine samples of this coal were collected about 30 feet 

above the previous sample in a roadcut on the south side of 

Interstate 64, 1,100 feet FEL X 2,700 feet FNL, Rush 

quadrangle, Boyd County, Ky. These samples represent a 

series of shale, coal, clay, coal, and seat rock and have been 

assigned maceration numbers 163-A-1. All these samples 

were weathered; nevertheless, representatives of 13 genera 

were identified. Taxa identified are shown in figure 3. 

Inasmuch as Lycospora is present, we are still within the 

range zone of this genus. Torispora securis, 

Laevigatosporites punctatus, and L. pseudothiessenii are 

also taxa of this assemblage. 

BRUSH CREEK(?) COAL 

A coal near the top of the roadcut on the south side of 

Interstate 64, 1,000 feet FEL X 2,750 feet FNL, Rush 

quadrangle, Boyd County, Ky., is thought to be the Brush 

Creek coal. Unfortunately, the entire l6V2 inches of coal 

was very badly weathered as were the seat-rock and roof 

samples. Pollen and spore recovery and preservation are 

very poor. Taxa identified are shown in figure 3. 

Because recovery and preservation are poor, some doubt 

exists as to whether Lycospora, Laevigatosporites 

pseudothiessenii, and Torispora securis are absent because 

of their lack of preservation or because the samples were 

taken above the range zone of these taxa. If the samples are, 

in fact, that of the Brush Creek coal, as suspected, we would 

be above the range zones of these taxa. 

ZOSTEROSPORITES, n. gen. 

Type species. - Zosterosporites triangularis, n. sp. 

Diagnosis. - Spores radial, trilete with rays long, more 

than three-fourths the distance to the spore margin, fairly 

straight, and lips narrow but distinct. Aperture often torn 
PALYNOLOGIC ASSEMBLAGES OF THE PRINCESS COALS 11 

TABLE 6.- Percentage of genera of small spores in the Princess No.7 coal 

[At a depth of 190ft 0 in. to 192ft 614 in., Webbville 1 core, on Little Cat Branch about 1.4 miles 

west of Baker School. 24,200 ft FNL X 16,500 ft FEL, Webbville quadrangle, Lawrence County, 

Ky. Paleobotanicalloc. No. D4599-E. 1,000 specimens counted.+, present but not observed in statistical count] 

Genus 

Maceration No. ___ _ 

Calamospora __ 

Cirratriradites __ 

Crassispora __ _ 

Densosporites __ 

Endosporites __ 

Florinites ___ _ 

Granulatisporites 

Laevigatorsporites 

Lycospora ___ _ 

Murospora __ _ 

Punctatisporites 

Raistrickia __ _ 

Schopfites ___ _ 

Spackmanites __ 

Torispora ___ _ 

Triquitrites __ _ 

Vestispora ___ _ 

Wilsonites ___ _ 

Monosaccates __ 

All other taxa __ 

TotaL __ 

238-A 

2.0 

+ 

.8 

1.6 

75.6 

.8 

3.2 

.4 

.4 

14.4 

.8 

100.0 

Percent 

238-B 

+ 

+ 

+ 

0.4 

94.4 

1.2 

1.2 

+ 

+ 

+ 

2.4 

.4 

100.0 

-c 

1.6 

+ 

+ 

+ 

.4 

69.2 

27.2 

.4 

+ 

+ 

+ 

1.2 

100.0 

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL IN MACERATIONS 

238-A-D, 30\4 inches shale, coal, and seat rock. 238- A, 53

4 inches shale, black and gray-green slickensided units. 238- B, l0 1

/2 inches coal. 238-C, JOif, inches coal. 

238- D, 31/, inches seat rock - medium -gray fractured slip clay. 

-D 

0.4 

2.0 

1.2 

(?) 

1.2 

.4 

6.0 

23.2 

26.8 

+ 

20.0 

.8 

2.0 

8.8 

+ 

+ 

5.2 

2.0 

100.0 

open leaving triangular opening of the proximal surface. 

Outline in proximo-distal view triangular with interradial 

margins smooth or slightly crenulate and overall concave, 

straight, or slightly convex. In longitudinal section spores 

flattened elliptical. The spore coat is levigate, thin, light 

yellow except for a thickened belt or band at or near the 

equator which encircles the body forming the rounded 

bulbous corners. Beltlike thickening a darker color and 3J.l 

to 5J.l (microns) thick. Folding of body wall adjacent to belt 

common. Overall size small, ranging from 25J.l to 34J.l based 

on measurements of 29 specimens from one slide. 

Etymology. - The name is selected because of the 

beltlike thickening (Gr. zoster, belt or girdle). 

Zosterosporites triangularis, n. sp. 

Diagnosis. - Monotypic, same as for genus. 

Etymology. - Reference is made to typical triangular 

outline in proximo-distal view. 

Affinity. - Unknown, but general morphology is similar 

to that found among some ferns. 

Discussion. - There are two obvious comparisons that 

TABLE 7.- Percentage of genera of small spores in the Princess No.7 coal 

[From a roadcut on the south side of Interstate 64, 1,800 ft FEL X 2,900 ft FNL, Rush quadrangle, 

Boyd County, Ky. Paleobotanical loc. No. D460 1. 1,250 specimens counted. +, present but not observed in statistical count, or count not attempted.] 

Genus Percent 

Maceration No. _ 160-A 160-B 160-C 160-D 160-E 160-F 160-G 

Calamospora __ 

Cirratriradites _ 

Convolutispora _ 

Crassispora __ _ 

Florinites ___ _ 

Granulatisporites 

Laevigatosporites 

Lycospora ___ _ 

Parasporites __ _ 

Punctatisporites 

Raistrickia __ _ 

Schopfites ___ _ 

Spackmanites __ 

Torispora ___ _ 

Triquitrites __ _ 

Vestispora ___ _ 

Wi/sonites ___ _ 

0.4 + 0.4 

.4 

+ 

+ 

+ ---- + 

.4 ---- .4 

+ 89.2 + 94.4 

.8 ---- 1.2 

------------ + 

7.6 ---- 2.4 

+ ---- .4 

+ 1.2 ---- ----

.4 ---- ----

+ 

0.4 1.2 1.6 

.4 + 1.6 

+ + 

+ ---- .8 

---- ---- ----

2.0 .8 .4 

83.2 78.8 44.0 

10.0 14.0 43.6 

---- ---- ----

.8 

+ 

+ 

2.4 + 

+ ----

+ .4 

+ ---- ----

2.0 ---- ----

1.2 2.4 7.6 

+ + ---- ---- ---- ---- + + 

Monosaccates _ .4 ----

All other taxa __ + ---- ---- .4 ----

+ ----

Total __ _ 100.0 ---- 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL IN MACERATIONS 

160-A-G, 59% inches clay, coal, and seat rock. 160-A, 3 inches, weathered, silty, carbonaceous, micaceous clay. 

160-B, 33,~ inches coal. 160-C, 2 inches medium-gray, carbonaceous clay. 

160-D, 12V2 inches coal. 160-E, 12 1

/2 inches coal. 160-F, 10 inches coal. 

160-G, 10 inches coal. 160-H, 6 inches seat rock- medium- to dark-gray soft clay. 

should be made. One is with Triquitrites because of the 

small size, the shape, and the bulbous corners. However, 

these bulbous corners are not analogous to the arcuate 

thickenings so characteristic of species of Triquitrites (fig. 

5). The beltlike thickening at or near the equator is 

somewhat similar to the spore coat of Savitrisporites. 

Occurrence. - Zosterosporites triangularis has been 

observed in the roof rock of the Princess No. 5 coal, the seat 

rock of the Princess No. 5B coal, the Richardson coal, and 

the Skyline coal of eastern Kentucky. These occurrences are 

all within the Breathitt Formation of Kentucky. 

Holotype. - Plate 1, figures 1, 2, Princess No. 5B coal, 

USGS Paleobotanical locality D4599-C, maceration series 

238-0, single-grain mount 1, 108.9 X 14.5. Negative 

numbers are 1969 for figure 1 and 1792 for figure 2. 

Paratypes. - All from USGS Paleobotanical locality 

D4599-C and maceration series 238-0. Figure 3, slide 2, 

103.1 X 11, and negative number 1752. Figure 4, slide 5, 

109.7 X 7.7, and negative number 1973. Figure 5, slide3, 

111.9 X 12.0, and negative number 1771. Figure 6, slide 5, 

109.4 X 8.3, and negative number 1793. 
12 PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF COALS, PRINCESS RESERVE DISTRICT, KENTUCKY 

A B c 

FIGURE 5. - Diagrammatic drawings of Zosterosporites triangularis, n. gen., n. sp. A, Proximal view; B, longitudinal section; C, 

distal view. Not to scale. 

Repository. - All type specimens are preserved in the 1,010 feet at the base of the coal, Milo quadrangle, Kenpaleobotanical collections of the U.S. Geological Survey, tucky. 

Denver, Colo. 

CORRELATION OF THE PRINCESS COALS 

The Princess No. 5 coal has been correlated by Huddle, 

Lyons, and Ferm (1963, p. 28) with the Richardson coal of 

the Licking River and Big Sandy reserve districts and with 

the Skyline coal of the Hazard reserve 4istrict. 

Palynological comparisons of the available samples of the 

Princess No. 5, Richardson, and Skyline coals are difficult 

because total coal thickness varies from 93/s inches in the 

Princess No. 5 coal to more than 170 inches in the Skyline 

coal. Further, important changes in assemblage composition occur in the thick Skyline coal that are only partly 

represented in the Richardson coal and that are absent in 

the Princess No. 5 coal. 

The assemblage reported earlier for the Princess No. 5 

coal (table 1; fig. 3) is similar to that of the Richardson coal 

in that 20 of the 22 genera of the Princess No.5 coal are present in the Richardson coal. Both Cristatisporites and 

Reinschospora are very rare and occur only in the seat rock 

of the Princess No. 5 coal. The seat rock of the Richardson 

coal at the type locality in the Milo quadrangle is reported 

to be a ganister and was not sampled by W. F. Outerbridge 

and E. C. Jenkins (written commun., Mar. 10, 1964). They 

reported the Richardson coal to consist of two benches, and 

they collected 12 samples to which maceration numbers 73 

and 74 were assigned. 

Macerations '/3-A-C (D4605) contains coal and clay 

from the upper bench Richardson coal at the type locality 

located south-southwest of the gap labeled 1030 at lat 

37°58'08.7" N., long 82°37'54.8" W., at an elevation of 

73-A, 0.5 foot clay, semiflint; 

73-B, 1.4 feet coal; 

73-C, 0.3 foot seat rock, clay. 

Macerations 74-A-1 (D4606) contain coal and clay 

from the lower bench Richardson coal at the type locality 

located east-southeast of the gap labeled 1030 at lat 

37°58'11.3" N., long 82°36'01.2" W., at an elevation of 

975 feet at the base of the coal, Milo quadrangle, Kentucky. 

See table 8 for data on sampled units. 

All three samples of the upper bench of the Richardson 

coal, maceration series 73, failed to yield either abundant or 

well-preserved spores. Twenty-six genera have been identified from macerations 73-A-C, but abundance counts 

have not been made because of poor yield and preservation. 

The same 26 genera are present in the lower bench of the 

Richardson coal (table 8), maceration series 74. In addition 

to the genera reported for the Princess No. 5 coal, the 

following genera are present in the Richardson coal: 

Alatisporites Dictyotriletes Radiizonates 

Convolutispora Knoxisporites Reticulatisporites 

A direct comparison of abundance between the Princess 

No. 5 coal and the lower bench Richardson coal is difficult 

at best because the Richardson coal is 8 times the thickness 

of the Princess No. 5. The Richardson coal at the type 

locality is basically a series of alternating coal and clay partings. Thus, we are comparing more than 88 inches of coal 

and clay from the lower bench Richardson coal with 93/s 

inches of coal from the Princess No. 5 coal. Despite this 

difference in thickness, a comparison with the numerically 

important genera of the Princess No. 5 can be made. The 

composited percentages for the seven coal-bearing samples 
CORRELATION OF THE PRINCESS COALS 13 

TABLE 8. - Percentage of genera of small spores in the lower bench Richardson coal at the type locality, Milo quadrangle, Kentucky 

Percent 

Genus 

Maceration No. _____ _ 

Ahrensisporites ____ _ 

Alatisporites _____ _ 

Ca/amospora _____ _ 

Cirratriradites ____ _ 

Convolutispora ____ _ 

Crassispora --.w----

Densosporites _____ _ 

Dictyotriletes _____ _ 

Endosporites _____ _ 

Florinites _______ _ 

Granulatisporites __ _ 

Knoxisporites _____ _ 

Laevigatosporites __ _ 

Lycospora _______ _ 

Murospora ______ _ 

Punctatisporites ___ _ 

Radiizonates _____ _ 

Raistrickia ______ _ 

Reticulatisporites __ _ 

Savitrisporites ____ _ 

Simozonotriletes ___ _ 

Torispora _______ _ 

Triquitrites ______ _ 

Vestispora _______ _ 

Wilsonites _______ _ 

Zosterosporites ____ _ 

Monosaccates ------ All other taxa _____ _ 

Total ______ _ 

74-A 

0.4 

.4 

1.2 

8.8 

.4 

15.2 

69.6 

+ 

+ 

3.6 

.4 

+ 

100.0 

74-B 

0.8 

+ 

+ 

2.0 

.8 

+ 

80.4 

4.8 

2.0 

.4 

+ 

.4 

5.6 

.8 

+ 

2.0 

+ 

100.0 

74-C 

+ 

0.4 

.8 

+ 

+ 

2.0 

2.8 

28.0 

50.0 

1.2 

13.2 

1.6 

100.0 

74-D 

2.8 

.8 

+ 

4.8 

+ 

6.0 

9.6 

+ 

38.0 

22.0 

+ 

1.6 

.8 

.4 

+ 

1.6 

9.2 

.8 

1.2 

.4 

100.0 

74-E 

0.4 

.4 

(?) 

1.2 

1.2 

5.6 

44.4 

18.0 

1.6 

+ 

.4 

10.4 

14.8 

.8 

100.0 

74-F 

0.4 

.4 

.4 

.8 

1.6 

+ 

1.6 

.8 

36.4 

37.2 

3.6 

1.2 

.4 

+ 

9.6 

2.8 

.4 

2.4 

+ 

100.0 

74-G 

0.4 

+ 

+ 

.4 

.4 

14.0 

.4 

+ 

.4 

4.0 

22.4 

52.4 

.8 

1.2 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

1.2 

.4 

.4 

+ 

1.2 

+ 

100.0 

74-H 

+ 

2.8 

+ 

+ 

.8 

5.2 

30.4 

54.0 

.8 

2.0 

.4 

2.8 

T 

+ 

.8 

+ 

100.0 

74-I 

+ 

+ 

2.0 

.4 

+ 

3.6 

6.4 

2.0 

4.4 

32.8 

38.4 

4.4 

+ 

.4 

.8 

3.2 

+ 

+ 

.8 

.4 

100.0 

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL IN MACERATIONS 

74-A, 0.4 ft coal and clay. 74-B, 0.1 ft clay, roof of coal. 74-C, 0.8 ft coal, 0.4 ft clay. 

74-D, 0.15 ft coal, 0.1 ft clay. 

74-E, 0.9 ft coal, 0.1 ft clay. 

of the lower bench Richardson coal below, can be compared 

with the percentages for same genera of the Princess No. 5 

coal (p. 3). 

Lower bench Richardson coal 

Genus 

Lycospora --------------- Laevigatosporites __________ _ 

Torispora ---------------

Triquitrites --------------- Granulatisporites __________ _ 

Endosporites -------------

Total--------------

Percent of 

Iota/count 

39.7 

31.2 

6.7 

5.2 

3.6 

1.0 

87.4 

Clearly, Lycospora and Laevigatosporites are the most 

abundant genera in the Richardson coal, as in the Princess 

No. 5 coal, but their order of abundance is reversed. 

Laevigatosporites punctatus constitutes 5.2 percent and 

74- F, 0.5 ft coal, 0.6 ft clay. 

74-G, 1.35 ft sandy roof clay. 74-H, 1.2 ft coal. 74-I, 0.8 ft coal 

L. globosus- L. minutus represent 8.4 percent of the total 

assemblage. This is in the same range as their occurrence in 

the Princess No. 5 coal. For the most part, the species present in the Princess No. 5 coal are present in the Richardson 

coal. Several additional species occur in the Richardson 

coal, but perhaps their occurrence can be accounted for by 

the thickness of samples and the fact that most of the 

Richardson samples are a mixture of coal and clay. The 

sample of the Princess No. 5 coal could easily represent a 

part of the Richardson coal. 

The type Skyline coal was collected by C. L. Rice and W. 

F. Outerbridge and submitted for analysis by Rice (Aug. 13, 

1965). These samples were from 18,130 feet west and 21,070 

feet north of the southeast corner of Tiptop quadrangle in 

eastern Kentucky. These samples were assigned maceration 
14 PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF COALS, PRINCESS RESERVE DISTRICT, KENTUCKY 

numbers 85-A-R (D4607). The total thickness of the 

samples is more than 200 inches, and 14 of the 18 samples 

contain coal that has an aggregate thickness of more than 

170 inches. There are fewer partings in the Skyline coal than 

in the Richardson coal, and the samples were collected 

largely as single lithologic units. See table 9 for data on 

sampled units. 

Laevigatosporites and Lycospora are the most abundant 

genera of the Skyline coal. For comparison with the 

Princess No. 5 and Richardson coals, the abundance of the 

following genera is recorded. 

Skyline coal 

Genera 

Laevigatosporites __________ _ 

Lycospora ______________ _ 

Torispora ______________ _ 

Granulatisporites __________ _ 

Triquitrites ______________ _ 

Endosporites ____________ _ 

Total _____________ _ 

Percent of 

total coulll 

29.0 

27.5 

9.4 

2.3 

1.1 

1.1 

70.4 

Neither Densosporites nor Radiizonates is numerically 

important as a member of the palynological assemblage of 

the Princess No. 5 coal or of the Richardson coal; however, 

these two genera represent 8 and 7 percent, respectively, of 

the total count in the Skyline coal. The occurrence of 

Radiizonates in the Skyline coal is very irregular. It may be 

abundant in one sample and totally absent in the next two or 

three samples. Twenty-five genera have been identified from 

samples of the Skyline coal (table 9), and all of these except 

Renisporites occur in either or both the Princess No. 5 coal 

and (or) Richardson coal. Renisporites occurs very sparsely 

in two Skyline samples. 

Laevigatosporites punctatus is present as 3 percent of the 

total count in the Skyline coal samples. L. globosus-L. 

minutus constitute 9 percent in these samples. These abun1 dance figures are compatible with those obtained from both 

I the Princess No. 5 and the Richardson coals. Most of the 

I 

significant species reported for the Princess No. 5 coal are 

present in the Skyline coal samples. Additional species ocTABLE 9. -Percentage of genera of small spores in the Skyline coal from the type locality 

Percent 

Genus 

Maceration No.___ 85-A 85-B 85-C 85-D 85-E 85-F 85-G 85-H 85-1 85-J 115-K 85-L 85-M 85-N 85-0 85-P 85-Q 85-R 

Ahrensisporites ____ ____ ____ + ____________ -----·· ______________ -------- + ________ ---- Alatisporites _ _ 0.4 ___ _ 0.4 + _ ___ __ __ ____ + + + + ___ _ ___ _ ____ _ ___ + _______ _ 

Calamospora _ + 1.6 + _ _ _ _ 0.4 0.8 0.4 1.2 1.6 0.8 0.8 0.8 + _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 0.4 1.6 1.6 

Cirratriradites _ .4 1.2 1.6 .8 + .4 .8 + .8 + .8 1.2 1.2 + + 1.6 + 

Convolutispora _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .4 .4 + _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ + _ _ _ _ + + + 

Crassispora _ _ .4 4.8 .4 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6.8 .4 + 4.8 1.6 .4 .8 0.4 1.6 1.2 .4 

Densosporites _ 5.2 1.2 2.8 32.0 32.0 3.6 2.4 .4 1.2 2.8 + 1.6 24.0 30.0 10.4 2.0 _ _ _ _ + 

Dictyotri/etes _ + ____ + + + .8 .4 ____ + ____ .4 ____ 1.6 ____ .4 + _______ _ 

Endosporites _ .4 1.6 .8 + _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2.0 .4 .4 + .4 5.2 + 2.4 .4 _ _ _ _ + ___ _ 

Florinites _ _ _ + 2.0 + .4 + _ _ _ _ 1.6 .8 1.2 _ _ _ _ 1.2 4.8 .8 2.4 + .4 .4 .4 

Granulatisporites 2.4 1.6 .8 1.6 1.2 3.6 1.6 1.6 4.0 6.0 4.4 .8 1.2 4.0 1.6 2.0 2.0 2.0 

Laevigatosporites 5.6 30.8 14.8 26.0 32.4 30.4 31.2 15.6 31.2 15.2 13.6 30.4 23.2 22.8 48.0 27.6 20.0 29.2 

Lycospora _ _ _ 80.4 41.6 38.8 7.2 + 3.2 35.2 67.6 49.2 40.4 50.0 50.8 5.6 16.0 24.8 54.0 67.6 62.4 

Punctatisporites + 2.4 2.0 3.6 .8 2.0 2.0 1.2 2.8 2.4 2.4 .8 1.6 .8 1.2 2.0 .8 .4 

Radiizonates _ .8 ____ 18.4 ____ ____ 45.2 21.6 ____ 1.6 ____ ____ ____ 25.6 13.6 .4 2.8 .4 + 

Raistrickia __ .8 + .4 ____ ____ + + + .4 .4 .4 + ____ .4 + + 

Reinschospora ___ _ __ _ _ ____ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ ____ (?) _______________________________________ _ 

Renisporites __ ____ ____ + ____ ____ ____ ____ + -------------------------------- ____ ---- Reticulatisporites ____ ____ .4 .4 + + + .4 + ____ ____ ____ + ____ + + + + 

Savitrisporites _ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ________ 3.2 .4 .4 _______________________ _ 

Torispora _ _ _ 2.0 6.0 18.0 22.0 27.6 9.6 + _ _ _ _ 2.0 5.6 + .4 13.2 5.6 12.0 4.8 2.0 .8 

Triquitrites _ _ .8 3.2 + + .8 + .8 .8 2.4 18.4 12.4 .8 + _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .4 1.2 2.4 

Vestispora ___ + .8 ____ 2.0 ____ ____ + .4 1.6 + 3.2 .8 + .4 + 1.2 1.2 + 

Wilsonites _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ + 1.2 _ _ _ _ + .4 _ _ _ _ 1.2 2.0 _ _ _ _ + _ _ _ _ .4 .4 _ _ _ _ + 

Zosterosporites ____ ____ ____ ____ + ___________________________________________________ _ 

Monosaccates _ 1.6 1.2 .4 2.0 2.4 .4 _ _ _ _ 1.6 .4 2.8 3.6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .4 

All other taxa _ + _ _ _ _ .8 .8 .4 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ + _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ + _ _ _ _ 1.2 _ _ _ _ + ___________ _ 

Total _ _ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL IN MACERATIONS 

85-A, 14 inches silty carbonaceous shale. 85-B. 16 1

/.! inches coal, bone at base. 85-C, 8 inches carbonaceous shale. 85-D, 17 1/2 inches coal. 85-E, 11 inches coal and shale. 85- F, 15'14 inches coal. 85-G, lO inches coal. 85- H. 3% inches coal-shale-coal. 85-I, 12 inches coal. 

85-J, 6 inches silty shale. 85-K, 4 1/.! inches coal with 1

12 inch clay. 

85-L, 18% inches coal. 85- M, 13 inches coal. 85-N, 11 inches coal. 85-0, 13 1

12 inches coal. 85-P, 15 inches coal. 85 -Q. 9 inches coal. 85- R, 3 inches underclay. 
PALYNOLOGIC ASSEMBLAGES OF THE PRINCESS COALS 15 

cur in the Skyline coal, and this is not unexpected when 

difference in thickness is considered: 93fs inches coal 

(Princess No. 5) and more than 170 inches of coal (Skyline). 

The lower bench Richardson coal could very easily correlate with part of the Skyline coal, and Princess No. 5 coal 

already discussed could correlate with part of the Richardson coal. Certainly, the palynological evidence indicates a 

proximity in time. 

Two coals occurring between the Princess No. 5 coal and 

the Van port Limestone Member are the Princess Nos. SA 

and 5B coals. These have been discussed by Ferm (1963, p. 

48). Coals of equivalent age elsewhere in eastern Kentucky 

are unknown. Whether correlatives of the Nos. SA and 5B 

coals exist in adjacent States is not known. 

The palynological assemblage of the two thin samples of 

the Lawrence coal is dominated by Lycospora, according to 

Gray (1967). Gray's composite abundance figures for these 

two coal samples show that 65 percent of the assemblage is 

Lycospora, 16.2 percent is Laevigatosporites, and 5.7 percent is Punctatisporites. Laevigatosporites globosus 

represents 9 percent of the assemblage, or more than half 

the total for that genus. L. minutus and L. punctatus are 

present in minor amounts. No L. pseudothiessenii was 

reported in the Lawrence coal. 

The Lawrence coal, occurring between the Vanport 

Limestone Member, below, and the Lower Kittanning coal, 

above, does not correlate with the Princess No. 6 coal. Actual interpretation of the palynological information is difficult because of the limited information available. In the 

Princess reserve district there is a marked tendency for the 

abundance of Lycospora to decline, starting with the 

Princess 5B coal, and for the abundance of 

Laevigatosporites to increase. Initially, Laevigatosporites 

globosus- L. minutus increase in abundance as Lycospora 

declines, and this is followed by a significant increase in 

(1963) correlated the Princess Nos. 6 and 7 coals of 

northeastern Kentucky with the Lower and Middle Kittanning coals of eastern Ohio, and questionably assigned the 

Princess No. 8 coal to the Lower Freeport coal. 

A comparison of the palynological analyses of the 

Princess No. 6 coal from eastern Kentucky with those of the 

Lower Kittanning coal by Gray (1967) from eastern Ohio 

and western Pennsylvania suggests a relationship in generic 

and specific content and, to a somewhat lesser extent, in 

abundance. Schopfites dimorphus, Laevigatosporites 

pseudothiessenii or Thymospora pseudothiessenii, 

Vesicaspora wilsonii, and Spackmanites ellipticus are all a 

part of the Lower Kittanning-Princess No. 6 assemblage. 

Furthermore, Laevigatosporites and Lycospora are the 

most abundant members of the assemblage. 

Laevigatosporites globosus- L. minutus compose 28 percent according to Gray (1967). Gray examined eight collections of the Lower Kittanning coal, including samples from 

the type area. These percentages are similar to the composite percentages of the Princess No. 6 coal. Examination 

of text figures 5 and 6 of Gray (1967) shows extreme variation in the abundance ratios of Laevigatosporites, 

Lycospora, and Densosporites in the Lower Kittanning 

coal. Samples from the type area in Armstrong County, Pa. 

(Dutcher and others, 1959) contained the following 

numerically significant genera on a composite basis: 

Genus 

Lower Kittanning coal 

Percent of total count 

Composite 

1299-A-C 

Laevigatosporites ___________________ 43.2 60.0 

Lycospora ------------------------ 20.9 3.0 

Punctatisporites -------------------- 9.2 3.5 

Densosporites ---------------------- 6.9 20.0 

Florinites ------------------------ __ 5_.3 ____ 2_.5_ 

Total ______________________ _ 85.5 89.0 

Laevigatosporites pseudothiessenii from the Princess No.6 ------------------------ through No. 7 coals. The composite for the numerically significant genera of 

Wanless (1939) correlated the Nos. 6_ 9 coals of the Lower Kittanning coal from the type area (Gray, 1967, 

northeastern Kentucky with the Lower and Middle Kittan- maceration ser. 1299-A-C) is similar to that of the 

ning coals and Lower and Upper Freeport coals of Penn- Princess No. 6 coal (maceration ser. 238-F-H) described 

sylvania and Ohio. earlier in this report, even to the abundance of DenKentucky Ohio and Pennsylvania 

No.9 coal __________ Upper Freeport coal. 

No. 8 coal __________ Lower Freeport coal. 

No. 7 coal _________ Middle Kittanning coal. 

No. 6 coal _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Lower Kittanning coal. 

In more recent years, because of studies of the coal 

reserves of eastern Kentucky by Huddle, Lyons, and Ferm 

r 1963) and the cooperative mapping project between the 

t<.entucky Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological 

Survey, much more information on the lateral extent of the 

Princess coals is available. The younger Pennsylvanian beds 

from the Princess No. 7 coal and above are exposed in the 

Greenup, Ironton, Argillite, Boltsfork, Rush, Webbville, 

and Fallsburg quadrangles. Dobrovolny, Sharps, and Ferm 

sosporites in the top sample (1299-A). Gray reported on 

seven other collections of the Lower Kittanning coal, and 

only two of these, located 140-160 miles north-northeast of 

Ashland, Ky., will be mentioned to demonstrate the 

variations in abundance ratios. Maceration series 1357 from 

Tuscarawas County, Ohio, apparently lacks representatives 

of Densosporites, and Lycospora is nearly as abundant as 

Laevigatosporites. The coal is reported to be 1 foot 5 inches 

thick without partings. Maceration series 1331 from 

northern Coshocton County, Ohio, contains Lycospora as 

the dominant genus (about 57 percent) followed in abundance by Densosporites (about 15 percent) and 

Laevigatosporites (about 11 percent). The coal at this 

locality is 2 feet 10 inches thick without partings. 
16 PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF COALS, PRINCESS RESERVE DISTRICT, KENTUCKY 

The second set of samples of the Princess No. 6 coal from 

eastern Kentucky (maceration ser. 161-A-I, table 5) has 

already been discussed. Note, however, that Densosporites 

triangularis is present but not abundant in the bottom twocoal samples. There is reasonable evidence to conclude that 

the Princess No. 6 coal and the Lower Kittanning coal are 

related. Palynological differences exist from western Pennsylvania into eastern Kentucky, but these differences are 

minor. The plants, as reflected by their recoverable spores 

and pollen grains, are basically the same. 

Habib's (1966) investigation of the Lower Kittanning coal 

frvm western Pennsylvania was an effort to delineate the 

palynological assemblage or assemblages and relate this information to biological, physical, and chemical properties 

of the coal and adjacent strata. The palynological 

assemblage reported by Habib (1966) and Gray (1967) for 

the Lower Kittanning coal is similar to that of the Princess 

No. 6 coal from eastern Kentucky. Also, Habib recognized 

in his samples plant succession or a changing flora from bottom to top, culminating in. what he termed the "Densosporites oblatus assemblage" in 7 of the 15 sets of 

samples. Habib reported five "assemblages" from the 

Lower Kittanning coal, starting with the Lycospora 

assemblage at the bottom and terminating with the Densosporites oblatus assemblage. These five "assemblages" 

are Densosporites oblatus, Punctatisporites obliquus, 

Thymospora pseudothiessenii, LycosporaGuthoerlisporites, and Lycospora. 

Habib concluded that assemblages characterized by Densosporites oblatus and Punctatisporites obliquus in the top 

part of the Lower Kittanning coal are overlain by marine 

facies. This facies is an unnamed shale unit occurring above 

the coal and is not the Lower Kittanning Shale, which occurs below the Lower Kittanning coal. According to Habib, 

where fresh-water facies are directly over the coal, the 

assemblage is dominated throughout by assemblages rich in 

Lycospora. In essence, if Habib is correct, Densosporites 

oblatus (which is similar if not related to D. triangularis) 

and Punctatisporites obliquus are saline-tolerant plants to 

some degree. Perhaps other plants of these same 

assemblages should also be regarded as saline tolerant if 

they are consistently present. This surely would include 

Laevigatosporites globosus, other species of the genus, and, 

in some samples, even Lycospora. Whether these spores 

were derived from an in situ saline community or were 

carried to this location from a nonsaline environment is not 

known. The occurrence of a marine fauna within the coal 

depositional phase of sedimentation in the United States has 

been demonstrated by Mamay and Yochelson (1953, 1962). 

Regardless of the explanation for the presence of marine invertebrates during the closing stages of peat (coal) deposition, a marine environment may have been present there or 

nearby. It is difficult to measure the influence of a 

transgressive marine environment on coal deposition other 

than postulating cessation of coal deposition or a drastic 

change in flora composition. 

Smith (1962, 1964) and Smith and Butterworth (1967) 

have considered the occurrence and implication of plant 

succession in seat earths, coal, and roof shales in the British 

Isles. Smith (1962) recognized several successive spore 

associations in British coals, which he termed "phases." The 

first phase, occurring at the bottom of the coal, is the 

Lycospore phase, in which the coal is typically bright. Next 

occurs the Transition phase, which is characterized by 

various species of Laevigatosporites and by coal that is intermediate between the bright, Lycospore phase below and 

the dull, Densospore phase above. If peat formation continued beyond the Densospore phase, the Lycospore phase 

returned and occurs adjacent to the roof. A fourth phase, 

the Incursion phase, was recognized, and it may occur at 

any point in the bed. This phase is thought to be partly the 

result of a fresh-water incursion over the peat surface, and 

the species associated with this phase often include those 

common to the Lycospore and Transition phases. 

The environmental conditions which favor the phase 

changes or plant succession were considered to be complex 

by Smith and Butterworth (1967). They believed that the 

conditions favoring the formation of the Densospore phase 

were specialized. A prerequisite for the formation of this 

phase, according to Smith and Butterworth, was peat accumulation of some thickness, together with a subsequent 

reduction in water cover. If subsidence resulted in a fairly 

constant depth of water over the peat, they believed that a 

Lycospore or an Incursion phase was likely to occur. 

Smith, Habib, and their associates agree that Densosporites commonly occurs late in any given coal 

depositional sequence and under special environmental conditions. However, they do not agree as to the cause of the 

development of the Densosporites assemblage or phase. In 

other words plant succession - or the replacement of one 

community with another - is readily recognized, but the 

causal factors are not completely understood. 

The present study on the Princess coals is not especially 

suited to the evaluation of the causal factors of plant succession or the lateral variations in spore-pollen assemblages in 

relation to the roof rock. It does seem worthwhile, though, 

to examine the data in light of the studies by Habib (1966) 

and Gray (1967). The Princess No. 5 coal (maceration ser. 

238-Y -CC) does not contain Densosporites, except for 

scattered occurrences in the lower part of the bed and in the 

seat rock. Torispora securis is abundant in the parting and 

at the top of the coal. Densosporites is present only in the 

seat rock of the Princess No. SA coal (maceration ser. 

238-P-X). The Princess No. 5B coal does contain 8.4 percent Densosporites in the bottom coal sample. Both samples 

of the Princess No. 6 coal (238-E-I, 161-A-I) contain 

Densosporites, largely D. triangularis, as shown in tables 4 

and 5. The abundance and distribution of Densosporites in 
INTERREGIONAL COAL CORRELATIONS 17 

the samples from the Webbville quadrangle is similar to that 

reported by Habib (1966) and Gray (1967) for some of their 

samples. The top sample of coal contains 16.8 percent Densosporites. Evidence that a marine transgression is responsible for the abundance of Densosporites in the top one-third 

of the coal bed is lacking. The roof shale sample, 238-E, is 

only 41/s inches thick, it is noncalcareous, and it contains 

poorly preserved plant megafossils. Plant microfossils are 

abundant, and Laevigatosporites globosus is dominant. 

Carlson ( 1971) reported a shale roof and siltstone, neither of 

which is marine. A thin crystalline limestone is commonly 

present midway between the Princess Nos. 6 and 7 coals. In· 

summary, the presence of Densosporites, constituting 16.8 

percent of the assemblages, in the top coal samples apparently is not associated with a marine roof shale. 

The other sample of the Princess No. 6 coal from Rush 

quadrangle contains only 4.4 percent Densosporites in one 

of the lower segment samples. Carlson (1965) in his report 

on the Rush quadrangle reported that a roof shale and 

siltstone was commonly present, but no data indicate that 

they are marine. He did report that a limestone is present 

midway between the Princess Nos. 6 and 7 coals. The 

limestone contains Spirorbis, a genus of serpulid worms 

known to have a broad range of tolerance, from salt to virtually nonmarine conditions. Densosporites is at the terminus of its coal range zone in the Princess No.7 coal and is 

just barely represented in samples from the Webbville 

quadrangle. 

The Middle Kittanning coal as reported by Gray (1967) 

has Laevigatosporites as the overall dominant genus (59.1 

percent), and Lycospora is next in numerical importance 

(24.8 percent). Laevigatosporites globosus is the most abundant species, constituting 37.1 percent of the assemblage, 

and L. minutus constitutes 4 percent of the assemblage. 

These two species represent 41.1 percent of the assemblage 

of the Middle Kittanning coal. These same two species 

represent 40.5 and 35.8 percent of the assemblage of the 

Princess No. 7 coal (maceration ser. 160 and 238-A-D). 

Laevigatosporites pseudothiessenii represents 14.6 percent 

of the composite spore count of the Middle Kittanning coal, 

according to Gray (1967). This species represents nearly 21 

percent of the assemblage of the Princess No. 7 coal 

(maceration ser. 160) and twice this amount in the thin sample of the Princess No.7 coal (maceration ser. 238-A-D). 

Laevigatosporites clearly is the domin:mt genus in the 

Princess No. 7 coal. The palynologic assemblage of the 

Princess No. 7 coal is similar to that of the Middle Kittanning coal, as reported by Gray ( 1967). The largest difference 

between the assemblage reported for the Middle Kittanning 

coal, by Gray (1967), and the assemblage of the Princess 

No. 7 coal is that Laevigatosporites, although dominant in 

both coals, is more abundant in the Princess No. 7 coal. All 

the numerically important, or abundant, genera and species 

are common to both coals. Parasporites maccabei Schopf is 

present in the Princess No. 7 coal (table 7, 160-D). This 

taxon was described by Schopf (1938) from the Carbondale 

Formation of Illinois, Ferm (1950) reported Parasporites 

from some samples of the Middle(?) Kittanning coal from 

Beaver County, Pa. Mamay and Yochelson (1962) recorded 

Parasporites from the well-known Berryville coal-ball 

locality in Illinois. Winslow ( 1959) reported that 

Parasporites was not abundant and that it was sparsely dispersed in Illinois coals, ranging from the Rock Island (No. 

1) through the "Divide" coals. This interrupted range zone 

would be from the Spoon Formation to the Mattoon Formation (of Kosanke and others, 1960). I have observed 

Paras porites from the Carbondale Formation of western 

Kentucky. There is little doubt about the similarity of the 

assemblages of the Princess No. 7 and the Middle Kittanning coals; as a result, a correlation between these two coals 

seems to be reasonable. 

INTERREGIONAL COAL CORRELATIONS 

Interregional coal correlations between the Appalachian 

and Eastern Interior basins were proposed by Wanless 

(1939), Weller (in Wanless, 1939), and Moore and others 

(1944). Wanless correlated the Middle and Lower Kittanning coals of the Appalachians, respectively, with the Herrin 

(No. 6) and Colchester (No. 2) coals of Illinois, whereas, 

Weller correlated the Upper Freeport and Middle Kittanning coals of the Appalachians with the Herrin (No. 6) and 

Colchester (No. 2) coals of Illinois. Wanless ( 1939) 

reported, "The writer has relied on partings in the Upper 

Delong and Herrin (No. 6) coals in his correlation, but 

neither of these match coals with widespread partings in 

Weller's correlation. Paleontologic and physical evidence 

seem to conflict, paleontologic evidence favoring Weller's 

correlation and physical evidence favoring that of the 

writer." The partings in the Delong coal were compared to 

the partings of the Fire Clay coal of eastern Kentucky even 

though they were not a flint clay. Moore (1944) adopted 

Wanless' correlations for the Middle and Lower Kittanning 

coals. 

In the past, palynologists - including myself ( 194 7) -

have been reluctant to attempt interregional correlations. 

This reluctance is understandable, and the same philosophy 

perhaps should apply at the present time. However, I have 

decided that an appraisal should be made of the facts at 

hand - either to establish correlations or to more clearly 

appreciate the problems. 

The range zone of Schopfites in the Appalachian basin is 

from the Lower through Middle Kittanning coals, according 

to Gray (1967), and I have observed spores of this genus in 

both Princess Nos. 6 and 7 coals of northeastern Kentucky. 

So far as is known, then, the entire range zone covers a span 

of about 50 feet, as shown in figure 6. In Illinois, Peppers 

(1970) reported that Schopfites occurs in two thin coals 

below the Colchester (No. 2) coal through the Briar Hill 
18 PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF COALS, PRINCESS RESERVE DISTRICT, KENTUCKY 

ILLINOIS 

Chapel Hill 

(No.8) 

Herrin 

(No.6) 

t;:; Briar Hill 

~ (No. 5A) 

Q 

g 

Livingston Limestone Member 

of Bond Formation of 

Kosanke and others (1960) 

NORTHEASTERN KENTUCKY 

Brush Creek(?) 

Limestone Member of 

~Conemaugh Formation 

- ..... Brush Creek(?) 

Princess No. 9(?) 

Princess No.8(?) 

Princess No. 7 Colchester 

(No.2) L-----::--::":::::~;;T Princess No. 6 Princess No. 5 B 

Dekoven -Princess No. 5 A 

Davis -Princess No. 5 

FIGURE 6. - The range zones of two spore taxa from Illinois are 

contrasted with the same range zones in northeastern Kentucky, 

together with the base of the range zone of the fusulinid taxon Triticites 

ohioensis, as projected from Ohio into Kentucky. All stratigraphic units 

other than members are coals. The Schopfites range zone used in this 

paper refers to Pennsylvanian occurrences in Illinois and eastern 

United States. For additional discussion, see Kosanke (1969, p. 233). 

(No. 5A) coal. In other words, the range zone of Schopfites 

in the Eastern Interior basin covers approximately 300 feet, 

as compared with about 50 feet in the Appalachian basin. 

Laevigatosporites pseudothiessenii is present in the Princess 

No. 5B seat-rock sample and in the Princess Nos. 6-9(?) 

coal samples (163 maceration ser.). This would be about 175 

feet in northeastern Kentucky, as shown in figure 6. Gray 

( 1967) reported this species to be not from the Lawrence 

coal but from the Lower Kittanning, Strasburg, and Middle 

Kittanning coals. In Illinois L. pseudothiessenii is present 

from the Davis coal to the Chapel Hill (No. 8) coal, or 

through about 600 feet of section, as shown in figure 6. The 

range zones of these two taxa at this time indicate much 

greater deposition in Illinois than in the Appalachians. In 

Illinois the range zone of Schopfites spans an interva-l of 

some 300 feet that contains as many as seven coals and three 

limestones as contrasted with an interval of less than 50 feet, 

in Ohio, that contains the Middle Kittanning coal, Salem 

Limestone Member, Strasburg coal, Hamden Limestone 

Member, and Lower Kittanning coal - all the Allegheny 

Formation of Stout (1918, 1924). In northeastern Kentucky 

the range zone of Schopfites spans less than 50 feet and contains the Princess Nos. 6 and 7 coals with a limestone 

between the two coals in some areas. The range zones of 

both Schopfites and Laevigatosporites pseudothiessenii 

form a remarkably similar pattern, as shown in figure 6. 

Thompson (1936) described Triticites ohioensis from the 

Brush Creek Limestone Member of the Conemaugh Formation of Ohio. This is the basal unit of the range zone of T. 

ohioensis. Weller, Henbest, and Dunbar (1942) reported this 

species present in the Livingston Limestone Member of the 

Bond Formation in Illinois, which is the lowest known occurrence of this species in Illinois. The Livingston 

Limestone Member is about 325 feet above the Chapel Hill 

(No.8) coal in Illinois and is plotted in figure 6. The base of 

the range zone of T. ohioensis is shown from the Livingston 

Limestone Member in Illinois to the Brush Creek(?) 

Limestone Member in northeastern Kentucky. In figure 6 

the slope of the line connecting the Livingston Limestone 

Member with the Brush Creek(?) Limestone Member is 

similar to, and perhaps slightly more inclined than, the lines 

representing the top of the range zones of Laevigatosporites 

pseudothiessenii and Schopfites. 

From the published works of Habib (1966), Peppers 

(1970), Kosanke (1947, 1950, 1964) and the present investigation, it seems reasonable to correlate the Colchester 

(No. 2) coal of Illinois with the Lower Kittanning coal of 

Pennsylvania and Ohio, together with the Princess No. 6 

coal of northeastern Kentucky. Palynological evidence supports the correlation of Wanless (1939). It is also clear that 

the Princess No. 7 coal is related to the Middle Kittanning 

coal, and, if Wanless (1939) is correct, the assemblage of 

this coal should resemble that of the Herrin (No. 6) coal of 

Illinois. Certainly, there are similarities, both qualitatively 

and quantitatively, along with some exceptions. 

Many genera and species are common to both the Herrin 

(No. 6) coal and the Middle Kittanning-Princess No. 7 

coal. Two exceptions that should be discussed are the occurrence of Schopfites and Densosporites in the Middle Kittanning- Princess No.7 coal. These taxa do not occur in the 

Herrin (No.6) coal of Illinois. Although in the Princess No. 

7 coal these taxa represent significantly less than 1 percent 

of the total assemblage, this discrepancy requires further 

consideration. In Illinois, Kosanke (1950) and Peppers 

(1970) reported that the Schopfites range zone terminates 

with the Briar Hill (No. 5A) coal just below the Herrin (No. 

6) coal. On face value, the Middle Kittanning- Princess No. 

7 coal cannot be younger than the Briar Hill (No. 5A) coal 

and may correlate with the Springfield (No. 5) coal of 

Illinois. Peppers ( 1970) reported that the Middle Kittanning 

coal more closely resembles the Springfield (No. 5) coal 

than it does the Herrin (No. 6) coal. 

Another seemingly anomalous occurrence is the presence 

of Densosporites in the Middle Kittanning-Princess No. 7 

coal, inasmuch as the genus is not known to occur above the 

Lowell coal in Illinois. This could be considered by some to 

be a greater discrepancy than the previous example, but I do 

not consider it as such. I have observed Densosporites in 

non coal samples up to the Des Moinesian- Missourian 

boundary of the midcontinent area; thus, the potential for 

incorporation into a swamp deposition is present. Consideration should be given at this time to the Strasburg coal 

of Ohio, located stratigraphically between the Lower and 
REFERENCES CITED 19 

Middle Kittanning coals. Gray (1967) reported on two 

samples of the Strasburg coal. Qualitatively, the assemblage 

reported by Gray for the Strasburg coal is similar to that of 

both the Lower and the Middle Kittanning coals. Quantitatively, the two samples of the Strasburg coal are vastly 

different. However, one of the two samples is only 3 inches 

thick, so this sample should not be considered for the present, except that it might represent a small portion of the 

Strasburg coal. The other sample of the Strasburg coal 

(maceration ser. 1214) is reported to be 22 inches thick and 

is regarded as being more representative. Quantitatively, it 

more closely resembles the Middle Kittanning coal than it 

does the Lower Kittanning coal, in that Laevigatosporites 

represents 60 percent of the assemblage. Three abundant 

species are L. globosus, L. minutus, and L. pseudothiessenii. 

A comparison of abundance ratios between the Herrin 

(No. 6) coal of Illinois and the Princess No. 7 coal reveals 

little similarity because Laevigatosporites is much more 

abundant in the Princess No. 7 coal. A much closer comparison based on abundance ratios can be made between the 

Springfield (No. 5) coal of Illinois and the Princess No. 7 

coal. However, more samples need to be examined in detail 

to determine the full range of abundance variation of the 

Princess No. 7 coal. Additionally, productive samples of 

both the Princess No. 8 and the Princess No.9 coals are required to be absolutely certain of several important range 

zones. From the information available, it is possible to say 

that the Middle Kittanning-Princess No. 7 coal more than 

likely is not older than the Springfield (No. 5) coal, and it 

might be as young as the Briar Hill (No. 5A) coal of Illinois. 

SUMMARY 

The palynological contents of the Princess No. 5, 5A, 5B, 

6, and 7 coals have been determined. Poor recovery and 

preservation have limited the palynological information obtained from younger coals in the Princess reserve district. 

From the Princess No. 5 to the Princess No. 7 coal the 

Lycospora-Laevigatosporites-dominated assemblage 

changes to an assemblage dominated by Laevigatosporites. 

This change is the result of a significant numerical increase 

in L. globosus and L. pseudothiessenii. The latter species 

has a range zone from the Princess No. 5B coal through the 

Princess No. 9(?) coal, whereas Schopfites apparently is 

restricted to the Princess Nos. 6 and 7 coals. The top of the 

range zone of Densosporites is the Princess No. 7 coal. 

Zosterosporites is a new genus and Z. triangularis is 

reported present in the roof rock of the Princess No. 5 coal 

and the seat rock of the Princess 5B coal. A limited number 

of specimens assignable to this genus have been observed in 

the Fire Clay rider and Francis coals lower in the Breathitt 

Formation. The suggested correlation of the Princess No. 5 

coal with the Richardson and Skyline coals by Huddle, 

Lyons, and Ferm (Huddle and others, 1963) is feasible. The 

correlation of the Princess Nos. 6 and 7 coals with the 

Lower and Middle Kittanning coals is confirmed. Wanless' 

(1939) correlation of the Lower Kittanning- Princess No. 6 

coal with the Colchester (No. 2) of Illinois also seems 

reasonable. The Middle Kittanning- Princess No. 7 coal 

assemblage is similar to that of the Springfield (No.5) coal, 

although it might be as young as the Briar Hill (No. 5A) 

coal of Illinois. 

REFERENCES CITED 

Carlson, J. E., 1965, Geology of the Rush quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. 

Geol. Survey Geol. Quad. Map GQ-408. 

__ 1971, Geologic Map of the Webbville quadrangle, eastern Kentucky: U.S. Geol. Survey Geol. Quad. Map GQ-927. 

Dobrovolny, Ernest, Sharps, J. A., and Ferm, J. C., 1963, Geology of the 

Ashland quadrangle, Kentucky-Ohio, and the Catlettsburg 

quadrangle in Kentucky: U.S. Geol. Survey Geol. Quad. Map 

GQ-196. 

Dutcher, R. R., Ferm, J. C., Flint, N. K., and Williams, E. G., 1959, The 

Pennsylvanian of western Pennsylvania, Field trip 2, in Geol. Soc. 

America, Guidebook for field trips, Pittsburgh meeting, 1959: p. 

61-114. 

Ferm, J. C., 1950, Megaspores of the Middle(?) Kittanning coal in Beaver 

County, Pennsylvania [abs.]: Am. Jour. Botany, v. 37, no. 8, 

p. 672-673. 

__ 1963, Coal beds of the Princess reserve district, in Part 3 of Coal 

reserves of eastern Kentucky, by J. W. Huddle, E. J. Lyons, H. L. 

Smith, and J. C. Ferm: U.S. Geol. Survey Bulletin 1120, p. 32-55. 

Gray, L. R., 1967, Palynology of four Allegheny coals, northern Appalachian coal field: Palaeontographica, ser. B, v. 121, nos. 1-3, p. 

65-86. 

Gray, L. R. and Taylor, T. N., 1967, Palynology of the Schulztown coal in 

western Kentucky: Trans. Am. Microsc, Soc., v. 28, no. 4, p. 

502-506. 

Guennel, G. K., 1952, Fossil spores of the Alleghenian coals in Indiana: Indiana Geol. Survey Rept. Prog. 4, 40 p. 

__ 1958, Miospore analysis of the Pottsville coals of Indiana: Indiana 

Geol. Survey Bull. 13, 101 p. 

Habib, Daniel, 1966, Distribution of spore and pollen assemblages in the 

Lower Kittanning coal of western Pennsylvania: Palaeontology, v. 9, 

pt. 4, p. 629-666. 

Habib, Daniel, and Groth, P. K. H., 1967, Paleoecology of migrating Carboniferous peat environments: Palaeography, Palaeoclimatology, 

Palaeoecology, v. 3, no. 1, p. 185-195. 

Huddle, J. W., Lyons, E. J., and Ferm, J. C., 1963, Geology and geography 

of the eastern Kentucky coal field, Part 2 of Coal reserves of eastern 

Kentucky, by J. W. Huddle, E. J. Lyons, H. L. Smith, and J. C. 

Ferm: U.S. Geol. Survey Bulletin 1120, p. 14-31. 

Kosanke, R. M., 1947, Plant microfossils in the correlation of coal beds 

[Ill.], in Wanless, H. R., Symposium on Pennsylvanian problems: 

Jour. Geology, v. 55, no. 3, pt. 2, p. 280-284. 

__ 1950, Pennsylvanian spores of Illinois and their use in correlation: 

Illinois Geol. Survey Bull. 74, 128 p. 

__ 1964, Applied Paleozoic palynology, in Palynology in oil exploration - A symposium, San Francisco, Calif., 1962: Soc. Econ. 

Paleontologists and Mineralogists Spec. Pub. 11, p. 75-89. 

__ 1969, Mississippian and Pennsylvanian palynology, chap. 12, in 

Tschudy, R. H., and Scott, R. A. eds., Aspects of palynology: WileyInterscience, A division of John Wiley & Sons, New York, p. 

223-269. 

Kosanke, R. M., Simon, J. A., Wanless, H. R., and Willman, H. B., 1960, 

Classification of the Pennsylvanian strata of Illinois: Illinois Geol. 

Survey Rept. Inv. 214, 84 p. 

Mamay, S. H., Y oche1son, E. L., 1953, Floral-faunal associations in 

American coal balls: Science, v. 118, no. 3061, p. 240-241. 
20 PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF COALS, PRINCESS RESERVE DISTRICT, KENTUCKY 

___ 1962, Occurrence and significance of marine animal remains in 

American coal balls; U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 354-1, 

p. 193-224. 

Moore, R. C., chm., and others, 1944, Correlation of Pennsylvanian formations of North America: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 55, p. 

657-706. 

Peppers, R. A., 1970, Correlation and palynology of coals in the Carbondale and Spoon Formations (Pennsylvanian) of the northeastern part 

of the Illinois basin: Illinois Geol. Survey Bull. 93, 173 p. 

Schemel, M. P., 1951, Small spores of the Mystic coal of Iowa: Am. 

Midland Naturalist, v. 46, no. 3, p. 743-750. 

Schopf, J. M., 1938, Spores from the Herrin (No. 6) coal bed in Illinois: 

Illinois Geol. Survey Rept. lnv. 50, 73 p. 

Smitl,, A. H. V., 1962, Paleoecology of Carboniferous peats based on 

miospores and the petrography of bituminous coals: Proc. Yorkshire 

Geol. S:>c., v. 33, p. 423-475. 

___ 1964, Zur Petrologie und Palynologie der Kohlenfloze der Karbons 

und ihrer Begleitschichten: Fortschr. Geologie Rheinland, v. 12, p. 

285-302. 

Smith, A. H. V., and Butterworth, M. A., 1967, Miospores in the coal 

seams of Great Britain: London, Palaeont. Assoc., Palaeontology 

Special Paper 1, 324 p. 

Stout, Wilber, 1918, Geology of Muskingum County [Ohio]: Ohio Geol. 

Survey Bull. 21, 4th ser., 351 p. 

__ 1924, Geology of Columbiana County [Ohio]: Ohio Geol. Survey 

Bull. 28, 4th ser., 408 p. 

Thompson, M. L., 1936, Pennsylvanian Fusulinids from Ohio: Jour. 

Paleontology, v. 10, no. 8, p. 673-683. 

Wanless, H. R., 1939, Pennsylvanian correlations in the Eastern Interior 

and Appalachian coal fields: Geol. Soc. American Spec. Paper 17, 

130 p. 

Weller, J. M., Henbest, L. G., and Dunbar, C. 0., 1942 Stratigraphy of the 

fusuline-bearing beds of Illinois, in Dunbar, C. 0., and Henbest, L. 

G., Pennsylvanian Fusulinidae of Illinois: Illinois Geol. Survey Bull. 

67, p. 9-34. 

Winslow, M. R., 1959, Upper Mississippian and Pennsylvanian 

megaspores and other plant microfossils from Illinois: Illinois Geol. 

Survey Bull. 86, 135 p. 
A,B 

Page 

Abstract ---------------------------------- 1 

Abundance counts, taxa in samples ---------------- 3 

additus, Triquitrites --------------------------- 5 

Ahrensisporites ---------------------- 3, 8, 9, 13, 14 

spp ---------------------------------- 5 

Alatisporites -------------------- 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 

hexalatus ------------------------------5, 7 

trialatus ------------------------------3, 7 

sp ----------------------------------- 5 

annulatus, Cirratriradites -----------------------

antiquus, Florinites ---------------------------

arculatus, Triquitrites -------------------------

breviradiata, Calamospora ----------------------

Briar Hill (No. 5A) coal ------------------ 17, 18, 19 Brush Creek(?) coal_ ________________________ 3, 10 

c 

Cadiospora --------------------------------

sp -----------------------------------

Calamospora -------------------3, 6, 8, 9, II, 13, 14 

breviradiata ----------------------------- 5 

hartungiana ----------------------------- 5 

spp ---------------------------------- 5 

Cirratriradites ------------------3, 6, 8, 9, II, 13, 14 

annulatus ------------------------------ 5 

sp ----------------------------------- 5 Coal correlations, interregional ___________________ [7 

Princess coals --------------------------.-12 

Colchester (No. 2) coal ---------------- 7, 9,17,18, 19 

Convolutispora ----------------- 6, 8, 9, II, 12, 13, 14 

sp ----------------------------------- 5 

Correlations, interregional, coal ------------------- 17 Princess coals ___________________________ [] 

Crassispora --------------------3, 6, 8, 9, II, 13, 14 

kosankei ------------------------------- 5 

crinita, Raistrickia" --------------------------- 5 

Cristatisporites ------------------------ 3, 8, 9, 12 

sp ----------------------------------- 5 

crocea, Raistrickia --------------------------- 5 

D 

delicatus, Wilsonites -------------------------- Delong coal ________________________________ 17 

Densosporites __ 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, II, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 

oblatus -------------------------------- 16 

triangularis ------------------------- 5, 9, 16 

desmoinensis, Laevigatosporites ------------------- 5 

Dictyotriletes -------------------------- 12, 13, 14 

dimorphus, Schopfites ----------------------- 5, 15 

District name, origin -------------------------- I 

E, F 

ellipticus, Spackmanites -------------------- 5, 9, 15 

Endosporites -------------------3, 6, 8, 9, II, 13, 14 

ornatus -------------------------------- 5 

sp ----------------------------------- 5 

exiguus, Triquitrites ---------------------------

fenestrata, Vestispora ------------------------- 5 

Fire Clay coal ------------------------------17 

Florinites ---------------------3, 6, 8, 9, II, 13, 14 

ant~uus ------------------------------- 5 

sp ----------------------------------- 5 

INDEX 

[Italic page numbers indicate major references] 

G Page 

gibbosus, Granulatisporites ---------------------- 5 

globosus, Laevigatosporites 5, 7, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19; pl. I 

granularis, Granulatisporites --------------------- 5 

granulata, Lycospora -------------------------- 5 

Granulatisporites ----------------3, 6, 8, 9, II, 13, 14 

gibbosus ------------------------------- 5 

granularis ------------------------------

levis----------------------------------

pallidus --------------------------------

spinosus -------------------------------

verrucosus ------------------------------

spp ----------------------------------

Guthoerlisporites ---------------------------- 16 

H, I, K 

hartungiana, Calamospora ---------------------- Herrin (No. 6) coal ______________________ 9, 17, 18 

hexalatus, Alatisporit~s -----------------------5, 7 

Interregional correlations, coal ___________________ [7 

inusitatus, Triquitrites ------------------------- 5 

Investigations, previous work -------------------- I 

Knoxisporites ---------------------------- 12, 13 

kosankei, Crassispora -·------------------------ 5 

Murospora -----------------------------

L 

Laboratory maceration numbers ------------------

See also specific coal names. 

Laevigatosporites ___ 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, II, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19 

desmoinensis ---------------------------- 5 

globosus ________ 5, 7, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19; pl. I 

~tus --------------------------------- 5 

medius -------------------------------- 5 

minutus ----------- 5, 7, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19; pl. I 

ova/is --------------------------------- 5 

pseudothiessenii ______ 5, 7, 9, 10, 15, 17, 18, 19; pl. I 

punctatus --------------- 5, 6, 10, 13, 14, 15; pl. I 

vulgaris-------------------------------- 5 

Lawrence coal ------------------------------ 15 

levis, Granulatisporites -------------------------

Localities, paleobotanical, numbers-----------------

sample --------------------------------

Location, Princess reserve district -----------------

roadcut where samples were taken ------------ I, 10 

Webbville I diamond-drill hole --------------- I, 2 

Lowell coal -------------------------------- 9 

Lower Freeport coal -------------------------- 15 

Lower Kittanning coal--------------------- 7, 9, 15 

correlation ______________________ 15, 17, 18, 19 

numerically important genera ----------------- 15 

Lycospora -------- 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, II, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19 

granulata ------------------------------ 5 

micropapillata --------------------------- pseudoannulata __________________________ _ 

punctata -------------------------------

sp ------------------ --- ------------

M 

maccabei, Parasporites ----------------------- 5, 17 

Maceration numbers -------------------------2, 3 

Maceration residues, mounting ------------------- 3 

medius, Laevigatosporites ----------------------- micropapillata, Lycospora ______________________ _ 

Page 

Middle Kittanning coal -------------- 9, 15, 17, 18, 19 

minutus, Laevigatosporites __ 5, 7, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19; pl. I 

Punctatisporites ------------------------ pl. I 

Monosaccates ------------------3, 6, 8, 9, II, 13, 14 

Murospora ----------------------- 3, 8, 10, II, 13 

kosankei ------------------------------ 5 

N,O 

nux, Savitrisporites ---------------------------

oblatus, Densosporites ------------------------- 16 

obliquus, Punctatisporites --------------------- 5, 16 

ohioensis, Triticites --------------------------- 18 

ornatus, Endosporites ------------------------- 5 

ova/is, Laevigatosporites ------------------------ 5 

p 

Paleobotanical locality numbers------------------ 2, 3 

pallidus, Granulatisporites ---------------------- 5 

Palynologic assemblages, Princess coals-------------- 3 

See also specific coal names. 

Parasporites ----------------------------- II, 17 maccabei _____________________________ 5, 17 

Percentage of genera of small spores, Princess No. 5 coaL_ 3 

Princess No. 5A coaL _____________________ _ 

Princess No. 58 coal ______________________ _ 

Princess No. 6 coal (drill core) ----------------

Princess No. 6 coal (roadcut) ----------------- Princess No. 7 coal ________________________ II 

Richardson coal -------------------------- 13 Skyline coal _____________________________ 14 

Potonieisporites ----------------------------- 8 

sp ----------------------------------5,7 

Preparation, mounting of maceration residues __________ 3 

~m~~ ------------------------------L2 Princess coals, correlation _______________________ [] 

Princess No. 5 coal ______________________ I, 2, 3, 5 

correlation--------------------------- 12, 15 

generic comparison with Richardson coaL _________ 13 

generic comparison with Skyline coal ------------ 14 

generic comparison with 5A coal -------------- 6, 9 

numerically important genera ----------------- 3 

Zosterosporites triangularis------------------- II 

Princess No. 5A coal_ ________________________ I, 5 

correlation--------------------------- 15, 19 

generic comparison ------------------ 7, 8, 9, 16 

numerically important genera ----------------- 6 

Princess No. 58 coal--------------------- I, 3, 6, 7 

correlation------------------------- 15, 16, 18 

numerically important genera ----------------- 6 

percentage of genera of small spores _____________ S 

Zosterosporites triangularis------------------- II Princess No. 6 coal ________________________ I, 3, 7 

correlation ____________________ l5, 16, 17, \8, 19 

numerically important genera ----------------- 8 

percentage of genera of small spores------------- 8 

Princess No. 7 coal ____________________ I, 3, 7, 9, 10 

correlation ______________________ 15, 17, 18, 19 

numerically important genera ----------------- 10 

percentage of genera of small spores------------- II 

Princess No. 8(?) coal ------------------ 3, 10, 15, 19 

Princess No. 9(?) coal ---------------- 3, 7, 10, 15, 19 

protensus, Triquitrites ------------------------- 5 

pseudoannulata, Lycospora ----------~-----------

21 
22 

Page 

pseudothiessenii. Laevigatosporites 5, 7, 9, 10, 15, 17, 18, 19; pl. I 

Thymospora ------------------- 5, 15, 16; pl. I 

pulvinatus, Triquitrites ------------------------- 5 

INDEX 

Page Page 

Savitrisporites ------------------------- 3, 13, 14 Triquitrites ----------------- 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, II, 13, 14 

nux ---------------------------------- 5 additus -------------------------------- 5 

sp ----------------------------------- 5 arculatus -------------------------------

Punctatisporites ____________ 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, II, 13, 14, 15 

m~~~ ----------------------------- pl. I 

obliquus ----------------------------- 5, 16 

sulcatus ------------------------------- 5 

spp ---------------------------------- 5 

Schopfites ------------------- 8, 9, 10, II, 17, 18, 19 exiguus --------------------------------

1 

dimorphus --- 5, 15 inusitatus ------------------------------

~~;~;.~;:.:~=~~~===~~~~====~~~~~~.~~~~~,-:,: :::::_:============================= punctata, Lycospora -------------------------- 5 

puncta/lis, Laevigatosporites ______ 5, 6, 10, 13, 14, 15; pl. I 

R 

Radiizonates -------------------------- 12, 13, 14 

Raistrickia --------------------3, 6, 8, 9, II, 13, 14 

crinita -------------------------------- 5 

crocro -------------------------------- 5 

spp ---------------------------------- 5 

Reinschospora ------------------------- 3, 12, 14 

~ ----------------------------------- 5 

Reticulatisporites ----------------- 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 

sp ----------------------------------- 5 

Richardson coal --------------------- II, 12, 14, 15 

sp ----------------------------------- 5 spp ---------------------------------- Skyline coaL __________________________ 12, 13, 14 Triticites ohioensis --------------------------- 18 

numerically important genera ----------------- 14 

Zosterosporites triangularis------------------- II 

Spackmanites --------------------------- 8, 9, II 

U,V 

ellipticus --------------------------- 5, 9, 15 Upper Freeport coal ----------------------- 15, 17 

spinosus, Granulatisporites ---------------------- 5 

Triquitrites ----------------------------- 5 

Spirobis ---------------------------------- 17 

Springfield (No. 5) coal--------------------- 18, 19 

Strasburg coal --------------------------- 18, 19 

sulcatus, Punctatisporites ----------------------- 5 

T 

verrucosus, Granulatisporites --------------------- 5 

Vesicaspora -------------------------------- 9 

wilsonii ------------------------------ 5, 15 

Vestispora ---------------------3, 6, 8, 9, II. 13, 14 

fenestrata ------------------------------ 5 

sp -----------------------------------

vulgaris, Laevigatosporites 

numerically important genera -------------- 12, 13 Tantillus ---------------------------------- w.z 

Zosterosporites triangularis------------------- II 

s 

Samples, localities ___________________________ _ 

preparation ____________________________ /, 2 

Webbville I diamond-drill hole ---------------- 2 

triquetrus ----------------------------- 5' 7 Webbville I diamond-drill hole ------------- I, 2, 6, 10 

Thymospora pseudothiessenii ------------ 5, 15, 16; pl. I wilsonii, Vesicaspora ------------------------ 5, 15 

Torispora --------------------- 3, 6, 8, 9, II, 13, 14 Wilsonites --------------------- 3, 6, 8, 9, II. 13, 14 securis -------------------- 5, 6, 7, 10, 16; pl. I 

trialatus, Alatisporites ------------------------ 5, 7 

triangularis, Densosporites ---------------------- 5 

delicatus ------------------------------- 5 

spp ---------------------------------- 5 

Zosterosporites ------------ ___ I. 5, 7, 11, 19; pl. I Zosterosporites -------------------3, 8, 10. 13, 14, 19 

triquetrus. Tantillus __________________________ 5, 7 triangularis ----------------- I, 5, 7, 11, 19; pl. I 

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1974 0-527-762 
PLATE 1 

[Contact photograph of the plate in this report is available, at cost, from the U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library, Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225] 
PLATE 1 

FIGURES 1-6. Zosterosporites triangularis, n. gen., n. sp. USGS paleobotanicalloc. 04599-C. 

l. Holotype, maceration 238-0, single grain mount 1,108.9 X 14.5, proximal focus, maximum diameter 29.7 

microns and negative number 1969. 

2. Holotype, distal focus and negative number 1792. 

3. Para type, maceration 238-0, slide 2, 103.1 X 11.0, proximal focus, maximum diameter 29.7 microns and 

negative number 1752. 

4. Paratype, maceration 238-0, slide 5, 109.7 X 7.7, proximal focus, maximum diameter 31 microns and 

negative number 1973. · 

5. Paratype, maceration 238-0, slide 3, 111.9 X 12.0 distal focus, maximum diameter 27.0 microns and 

negative number 1771. 

6. Paratype, maceration 238-0, slide 5, 109.4 X 8.3, distal focus, maximum diameter 32.4 microns and 

negative number 1793. 

7. Laevigatosporites globosus Schemel, 04600, maceration 161-F, 121.3 X 9 .8, proximal focus from distal side, maximum diameter 27 microns and negative number 1803. 

8. Laevigatosporites pseudothiessenii Kosanke = Thymospora pseudothiessenii (Kosanke) emend. Wilson and 

Venkatachala, 04601, maceration 160-E, slide 11, 112.3 X 6.0, oblique proximal view, maximum diameter 

40.5 and negative number 1808. 

9. Laevigatosporites minutus (Ibrahim) S. W. & B. = Punctatosporites minutus Ibrahim, 03302, maceration 5-B, 

slide 18, 107.0 X 0.0, oblique proximal view, maximum diameter 25.0 microns and negative numberr 1807. 

10, 12. Torispora securis Balme. 

10. 04599-C, maceration 238-0, slide 6, 102.6 X 17.5, oblique proximal view, maximum diameter 40.5, 

microns and negative number 1759. 

12. 04599-A, maceration 238-Z, slide 4, 112.4 X 7.2, oblique proximal view, maximum diameter 41.8 

microns and negative n~mber 1773. 

11. Laevigatosporites puncwtus Kosanke, 04599-C, maceration 238-0, single grain mount 6, 119.9 X 9.7, proximal 

view, maximum diameter 40.5 microns and negative number 1759. 
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

7 

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 839 PLATE I 

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ZOSTEROSPORJTES, LAEVIGATOSPORITES, AND TORISPORA 

10 

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20 

I 

MICRONS 

30 

I