VOL. Iv. ] Recent Literature. 307 
B. RENAULT: The Botryopteridee.* 
The representatives of this family are especially characterized 
by the leaves, which usually are destitute of any blade, and the 
organs of fructification are therefore to be found at the apex of 
the nerves, thus resembling the species of Thyrsopteris and 
Osmunda. The sporangia are large, 2 mm. in length, their 
form varying from oblong to pyriform, or sometimes semilunar, 
circular, or polyédric; their membrane consists of two distinct 
layers of different structure. _The spores are present in large 
number, and show various forms, some being round with smooth 
surface and showing the three radiating lines, which are charac- 
teristic of the macrospores; some others are polyédric, but have 
not the radiating lines. 
These plants seem to have been herbaceous or frutescent, and 
to have grown in the water, sometimes even submersed. They 
resemble Osmunda in regard to their habit, but they seem, 
however, to represent a family, which is well distinguished 
from the ferns. It isa family that existed already in the Permian- 
formation, and the numerous specimens which have been obtained 
were so well preserved as to enable us to establish several genera. 
These genera are based upon the various forms of the mestome- 
bundles of the rachis, considered in transverse sections. Following 
forms are to be distinguished: The ‘‘ sword-shaped ’”’ in Clepsy- 
dropsis, the ‘‘ H-shaped’’ in Zygopteris, the ‘‘ v-shaped’ in 
Botryopteris (showing a form like the Greek letter ), and 
finally the “linear” in Grammopteris. The name ‘‘ Botryop- 
teris ’’ does not indicate the corresponding form of the mestome- 
bundles as in the other genera; the name has been chosen from 
the fact that this genus was the very first one in which were 
observed the large sporangia, united into voluminous masses and 
botryoidally arranged. The author gives, also, a very complete. 
description of these genera and their respective species. 
M. Mosius: Australian fresh-water Alge.t 
This paper is based upon a collection of fresh-water Alge 
which were collected by Mr. Bailey near Brisbane, in Australia; 
(Société d’hist. naturelle 
- *Note sur la famille des Botryoptéridées. 
d’Autun, Vol. 4. p. 349-373-) ‘ 
+ Australische Siisswasseralgen. (Flora, 1892. p. 422-450. 22 figs.) 
