134 



SPHENOPTKRIS. 



axis. Pinmiles sub-opposite, membranous, oblong, deeply lobed 

 in lower portion, less lobed above. Nerves thin, flexuous, giving 

 off branches to each lobe. 



Feistmantel 1 figured a pinnule which he regarded as showing 

 sori "on the outer margin of the leaf lobes at the end of the 

 veins." The same author also referred this frond to the recent 

 genus Dicksonia on very insecure grounds, as Zeiller has recently 

 pointed out, for there is at present no evidence as to the structure 



. 



"r- 





11 



-oc/ 



W 



Fig. 32. — Sphenopteris Hughesi (Feist.). After Feistmantel. A, nat. size; 

 B, a pinnule, X 3. 



of the sporangia. Zeiller bus suggested Dicksonites as a secondary 

 generic name following Sphenopteris. It appears to me, however, 

 to be better to refer this species to the latter genus alone, until 

 we know more of the fructification. 



It is very difficult in comparing highly divided, and at the same 

 time fragmentary, portions of leaves of this type to arrive at any 

 conclusion with regard to their identity with other and similar 



1 Feistmantel (82 1 ), p. 28, pi. xii, fig. U. 



