224 DICTYOPTEEIDT0M. 



Genus DICTYOPTERIDIUM, Feistmantel, 1881. 



[Flora Gondw. Syst., vol. iii, pts. 2, 3, pp. 7, 14, 34, 47.] 

 Dictyopteridium is a genus instituted, but not defined, by 

 Feistmantel for the reception of some small specimens which he 

 regarded as fertile fern fronds, but which, as Zeiller has pointed 

 out, are more probably roots or rhizomes. 



Dictyopteridium sporiferum, Feistmantel. 



(Text-fig. 51.) 

 1881. Dictyopteridium sporiferum, Feistmantel, Flora Gondw. Syst., vol. iii, 



pts. 2, 3, pp. 7, 14, 34, 47, pi. xxiiiA, figs. 4-6, 14, 14«. 

 1886. Dictyopteridium, sp., Feistmantel, ibid., vol. iv, pt. 2, p. 34, pi. va, 



fig. 3. 

 1902. D. sporiferum, Zeiller, Pal. Indiea, n.s., vol. ii, p. 24, pi. iv, fig. S. 

 Type. Nos. 5210-12, Mus. Geol. Surv. India, Calcutta. 

 This species, like the genus, was not described fully by 

 Feistmantel in the systematic portion of his work. The specimens 

 he figures appear to be small, linear or lanceolate bodies, covered 

 with small tubercles, the marginal tubercles being larger than the 

 others. He regarded them as the fertile leaflets of some fern. 



Fig. 51. — Dictyopteridium sporiferum, Feist. After Zeiller. Nat. size. 



Zeiller has recently figured a further specimen (Text-fig. 51), 

 and though the nature of these bodies is not yet clear, he thinks 

 they are more probably roots, or fleshy rhizomes bearing roots. 

 A thorough examination has shown no trace of a sporangium, but 

 very small circular scars with a central print have been found. 

 Feistmantel says a very fine net nervation can be seen on magni- 

 fication, but Zeiller has failed to find any evidence of this nature. 



It may be pointed out that some of the specimens included by 

 Feistmantel ] under this name are merely scale-fronds of Glossoptcrix. 



Dictyopteridium sporiferum is known only from the Talchir and 

 Raniganj groups in India. 



Not represented in the British Museum collection. 



1 Feistmantel (80), pp. 13, 46, pi. xliiA, fig. 4 ; (82), p. 39. 



