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V. — On Neuropteris plicata, Sternberg, and Neuropteris rectinervis, Kidston, n. sp. 

 By Egbert Kidston, F.R.S.E., F.G.S. (With a Plate.) 



(Read 30th January 1888.) 



Neuropteris plicata was described by Sternberg in 1826, from a specimen from 

 Mireschau, Bohemia, but the species seems to be very rare and imperfectly known. As 

 other ferns have been identified as N. plicata in error, I give a figure of what I believe 

 to be Sternberg's plant, an identification with which my friend M. Zeiller entirely 

 agrees. 



I also figure and describe a new species of Neuropteris, which is identical with that 

 identified as N. plicata by Roehl, but from which species it is essentially distinct. 



Neuropteris plicata, Sternberg (figs, i, la). 



Neuropteris plicata, Sternb., Vers., i. fasc. iv. p. IG; ii. p. 74, pi. xix. figs. 1 and 3. 



Description. — Frond tripinnate (?), pinna? alternate (1), linear-lanceolate ; pinnules 

 sessile, approximate or separated a short space, cordate-ovate or cordate-lanceolate, apex 

 blunt, margin plicate ; nervation very fine, central vein dividing into numerous branches 

 some distance below the apex ; lateral veins numerous, curved upwards, and dividing 

 three times. Terminal lobe elongate-triangular, small. 



Remarks. — The only specimen of this species which has come under my notice is that 

 given on fig. 1. It was collected by Mr John Ward, F.G.S., Longton, from whom 

 I received it. It is in an exquisite state of preservation, and shows the nervation very 

 beautifully. The veins are too close and too fine to be represented in a sketch of natural 

 size (fig. 1), but a portion of a pinnule, enlarged four times to show the nervation, is 

 oiven at fig;. 1«. There are five of the ultimate divisions of the veins in 1 mm. at the 

 margin of the pinnule. The central vein appears to be formed rather by the united bases 

 of the lateral veinlets than to consist of a mid-vein giving off lateral veinlets. The 

 specimen I figure is identical in all respects with the type figure ; and, when the two 

 figures are compared, they bear a wonderful similarity. 



Before seeing this example, I was inclined to regard N. plicata as identical with 

 N. fiexuosa,* being partly led to this belief by finding what I now regard as undoubtedly 

 N. fiexuosa identified as N. plicata.f As Sternberg has omitted to give enlarged 

 details of the nervation of his fern, its identification has been made much more difficult. 



* Catal. of Palccoz. Plants, p. 94, wLere it is in error united with Neur. flexuosa. I however excluded Neur. plicata 

 from Neur. flexiwsa in my paper on the "Railstock Fossil Flora," Trans. Roy. Soc. Ediii., vol. .\xxiii. pt. ii. p. 359. 

 t Lesquereux, Coal Flora of Pcnnsyl., vol i. p. 96, pi. x. figs. 1-4. 



VOL. XXXV. PART 5. 3 F 



