44 GL0SS0PTERIS. 



comparison, however, may be found in the niierosporangia of 

 a Cycad such as Stangeria, which they closely resemble in size, 

 shape, and mode of dehiscence. 



If these bodies are really of the nature of sporangia, then Ghssopteru 

 cannot be included within any family of the recent ferns, although 

 it may have belonged to that group. Thus the affinities of this 

 genus are still uncertain. 



Specimens showing the Sporangium-like Organs of Ghssopteru 

 Browniana. 



V. 7202. Text-figs. 12, 13, and 15. 



A nearly square piece of pinkish shale showing several of the 

 larger fronds of G. Browniana, and on one side several good 

 specimens of the scale-fronds. The largest of these measures 

 1*7 cm. long, and is about 1 cm. across at its widest part. Like 

 the other examples, it is tinged a blue colour, which is a natural 

 feature. A large number of detached sporangium-like bodies occur 

 near this scale-frond, enlarged drawings of which are given in 

 Text-figs. 12 and 13. Smaller fragments of the scale-fronds also 

 occur, and one of these (Text-fig. 15) is particularly interesting, 

 since it shows several oval scars, possiblj- the prints of attachment 

 of the son, and fragments of the sac-like bodies still apparently in 

 continuity. Elsewhere on the same specimen numerous detached 

 sacs occur, and similar but less clear examples of scale-fronds 

 showing what are possibly the prints of sori. 



Port Stephens, New South Wales. Odinheimer Coll. 



V. 7211. PI. II, Figs. 4 and 5, Text-fig. 13. 



A triangular piece of shale, similar to the last specimen, showing 

 a considerable number of the scale-leaves, which are triangular 

 in shape and strongly convex (PI. II, Figs. 4 and 5). An average 

 specimen measures 1*5 cm. long, and -6 cm. across. A few 

 fragments of the larger fronds also occur. Several well-preserved 

 examples of the detached sporangium- like bodies are found, of 

 which one is shown in Text-fig. 13. The cell- walls of the outer 

 limiting layer of these sacs are very conspicuous. There is also 

 some evidence of prints of sori on some of the smaller fragments of 

 the scale-fronds. 



Port Stephens, New South Wales. Odinheimer Coll. 



