ACTINOPTERIS. 



15 



of certain Mesozoic fern-like plants. Actinopteris lengalensis was 

 described by Feistmantel as follows : — Leaves orbicular or broadly 

 oval, and as it appears peltate, composed of segments deeply cut, 

 with a central point of insertion ; nerves radiating. 



Zeiller 1 has recently examined the type-specimen, and has 

 modified Feistmantel's description in certain respects. He points 

 out that the leaves are joined together for about two-thirds of 

 their length, and that the whorls, in the living state, must have 





Fig. 5. — [Actinopteris] bengalensis, Feist. After Feistmantel. Nat. size. 



spread out horizontally in the form of a flattened disc. There is 

 no evidence that the whorl consists of six segments as Feistmantel 

 supposed. 



I agree entirely with Zeiller's conclusion that these specimens, 

 so far as one can judge from the small fragments known, should be 

 referred to the Equisetales, and not to the Ferns. Zeiller has also 

 expressed the opinion that, if we had more complete evidence, this 

 plant would probably be found to constitute a new genus, but that 

 the material is at present too imperfect to warrant the institution of 

 a new name. I have, therefore, placed it here, with Feistmantel's 

 generic name in square brackets, indicating that this is incorrect, 



1 Zeiller (02 1 ), pp. 28, 29. 



