240 GLOSSOPTERIS AND ITS ALLIES, 



Balfour, whilst our example more nearly accords with the latter 

 portion of Moore's diagnosis. On the whole, therefore, we see no 

 reason to doubt that we are dealing with a true Glossopteris, 

 irrespective of the question of fructification. 



As to the specific identity of the Mudgee fossil we ofier no 

 decided opinion, beyond the fact that it undoubtedly comes near 

 to G. linearis, McCoy, in the general habit of the leaves, and G. 

 Clarkei, Feist., in the venation. A further remark will also be 

 found on this subject at the end of Section 6 (SagenopterisJ. 



5. Relation op Glossopteris to Gangamopteris. 



Gangamopteris, although proposed by Sir F. McCoy as a generic 

 term in I860,* was described in 18751 and is chai^acterised by 

 a simple, or impari-pinnate frond, the pinnules, or leaflets, varying 

 from obliqne-ovate to trigonal, spathulate, or flabelliform. The 

 base is petiolate or oblique and adherent, or wide and embracing, 

 but McCoy says never auriculate. There is no mid-rib, but the 

 principal veins, at first parallel with one another and thick, are 

 united by small more or less horizontal cross veins that alternately 

 evanesce into the general substance of a frond. Many of the 

 secondary veins arise direct from the base, others fi'om the primary 

 veins in the usual way, and after dichotomisation towards the 

 margin, anastomose to form an irregular network or mesh. 



The mode of attachment of the fronds to the caudex is not 

 known, but McCoy considered that by their varied obliquity the 

 plant was probably impari-pinnate. 



The chief difference relied on to distinguish Gangamopteris from 

 Glossopteris is the character of the mid-rib, " the place of which [in 

 the former] is occupied by numerous dichotomous nerves."! No 

 doubt, in thoroughly typical species of both genera this distinction 

 holds good, such as Glossopteris h-owniana on the one hand and 



* Trans. R. Soc. Vict, for 1860 [1861], p. 207, note. 



i Prod. Pal. Vict. Dec ii. 1875, p. 11. 



J Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1847, xx. p. 149. 



