BY THE REV. J. E. TENIS0N-W00DS, F.G.S., F.L.S. 115 



emerging at an acute angle but immediately becoming horizontal 

 or oblique ; simple and dichotomous. Sori transversely oblong, 

 submarginal, or rounded and scattered over all the lower part of 

 the surface or in series along the venules. 



This order is founded entirely on the neuration and would 

 include amongst living Ferns the Marattiacece, the Aspidiacece, 

 and probably the Acrostichiacece (Schimper). The fructification 

 is certainly that of Marattia in some cases, and that of Acrosti- 

 chum in others, except that in the latter the sori are distributed 

 over the terminal under surface of the frond, as we see in our 

 common Stag's-horn Fern (Platy cerium) and the equally common 

 Queensland swamp Fern Acrostichum aureum. 



It has already been stated what great importance was attached 

 to one species of Toeniopteris from the fact that it was chosen as 

 the typical fossil of certain coal deposits in Australia. The late 

 Mr. Daintree stated that Toeniopteris and Glossopieris were 

 characteristic fossils of different formations in Australia, and were 

 never found associated in the same beds. Toeniopteris, he thought 

 was indicative of Australian carbonaceous beds of mesozoic age 

 and Glossopteris was characteristic of our paleozoic coal deposits. 

 The Rev. Mr. Clarke also laid stress upon the Toeniopteris fossils, 

 so that the name came prominently forward in the discussion 

 between himself and Prof. M'Coy.* On this account it may be 

 necessary to state briefly what are the latest views on the subject 

 of these fossils. 



The genus, Toeniopteris, was established by Brongniart in 1828 

 for Ferns with simple entire leaves, a stiff thick costa and per- 

 pendicular veins either simple or forked at the base. In 1838 

 Count Sternberg divided the genus into two groups — 1. With 

 simple fronds and 2., with pinnate fronds, and he enlarged the 

 definition, making it include all Ferns with simple large stipitate 

 fronds, entire or dentate, or profoundly pinnatifid or pinnate. 

 Many different genera were then united which have been sub- 

 sequently separated. The history of the changes which ensued 



* See Trans. Roy. Soc . Victoria, 1860, page 89 ; also, Art. Ill, page 96, 

 Art. XIII, page 209 and Art. XIV, page 215. 



