Fossil Floras of Cape Colony. 



19 



Sphenopteris sp. 

 Text-fiffure 1. 



The fragment (231c) represented in text-fig. 1 (r) is part of the 

 terminal portion of a pinna, 2 cm. long, bearing pinnules with well- 

 defined acutely spi*eading and forked veins of the Sphenojoteris 

 type (a). It bears a close resemblance to the type of frond illus- 

 trated by the widely distributed Jurassic species Coniopteris 

 hymenopliylloides (Brongn.) ; but witliout more evidence it is ad- 

 visable to leave the fragment as Sphcnoptcris sp. 



Other specimens : 234c, 238c. 



Genus T.ENIOPTERIS Brongniart. 



T.ENioPTEpas sp. [cf. T.EXIOPTEEIS AECTicA (Heer).] 



Plate II., figs. 5, 5«. 



The fragments of simple Tceiiiopteris fronds are too imperfect to 

 admit of a satisfactory diagnosis on which to found a species. The 

 fronds possess a broad midrib from which lateral veins are given off 

 at right angles or at an angle slightly less than 90° ; these may 

 pass to the margin as simple veins or bifurcate either close to their 

 exit from the midrib or in different positions in the lamina. The 

 leaf is u^sually about 1'5 cm. in breadth and there appear to be 

 approximately 10 veins per 5 mm. 



No specimens have been found showing either the base or apex 

 of the lamina, and there is no indication of any sporangia. The 

 abundance of Tceniopteris in Jurassic and Wealden strata and the 

 close agreement, often amounting to identity, between forms referred 

 to distinct species renders it inadvisable to apply a distinctive name 

 to the Uitenhage fragments. A comparison may be made with the 



