94 ON THE FOSSIL FLORA OF THE COAL DEPOSITS OF AUSTRALIA, 



In one respect the fossil now to be described does not correspond, 

 and that is that the median nerve is scarcely to be distinguished 

 from the others. 



Sphenopteris (Anemiioides) JlabeTlifolia n.s.. Frond delicate, 

 small, bi-pinnate, rachis terete, somewhat thick, pinna?, oblong 

 cuneate, contracted at the base to a delicate petiole, lower 

 edge entire, upper divided into linear cuneate lobes of varying 

 width, the edges straight or rounded, some of the pinnae much 

 elongated ; costa inconspicuous ; veins fine, close, numerous, 

 straight, radiating. 



This remarkable fossil, which has strong resemblance to Archce- 

 opteris occurs abundantly in a blue shale on the Burnett River, 

 Queensland, about half-way between Bundaberg and five coal 

 seams which abut on the river. It probably belongs to the same 

 coal formation, but whether the shale is an upper or lower member 

 of it I am unable to say. 



Sphenopteris (pi. 2. fig. 2) (Aneimioides ) Jlabellifolia, var. 

 erecta. — On the same stone as the foregoing, Ferns are found of 

 smaller size and regularly pinnate, the pinnae lobed or segmented 

 symmetrically at both sides. It seems a very different form, but 

 on looking closely the venation and general shape of the lobes is 

 seen to be the same. 



Sphenopteris (?) glosso])hylla, n.s., pi. 4, fig. 4. Frond very 

 small, with a somewhat thick rachis, repeatedly forking and bearing 

 small, entire, alternate ovate leaves on which the venation cannot 

 be seen. One specimen at the Talbragar mines, near Dnbbo, 

 N.S.W., where it is associated with Triassic (?) conifers. 



I know of nothing either living or fossil to which this singular 

 little fern ' v ?) can be compared. I have given it a name for the 

 convenience of reference. 



SUB-GENUS TRICHOMANIDES. 



Frond simple or divided, bi or tri-pinnate, primary rachis narrow, 

 or terete. Pinnules very delicate, dichotomously divided, lobes 

 narrowly linear or filiform, simple or forked. Sori unknown, but 

 doubtless as in all the Trichomanidew (Hymenophyllum, Tricho- 

 manes, cl'c.) indusiate at the extremity of the elongated lobes. 



