180 KANSAS UNIVERSITY QUARTERLY. 



GLENOPTERIS, gen. nov. 



Fronds pinnatifid, or simply pinnate, elliptical in outline, 

 tapering to base and apex. The fronds of the different species 

 of the genus have a very considerable range in size, from 10 to 

 15 cm. for the smallest species to 45 cm. or more for the 

 largest. Base always petiolate ; rachis strongly developed, pro- 

 portionally strong at the base, longitudinally striate. Fronds, 

 apparently thick and fleshy in life, leaving a carbonaceous 

 layer on the rock, in which the veins are deeply emersed, 

 and often hidden. Pinnules attached to the rachis by the 

 entire base, decurrent, or auricled below, more or less rounded 

 above. Pinnules at the base of the frond reduced, open, or 

 more commonly reflexed. Those at the middle of the frond 

 largest, varying in size and shape with the size of the frond, 

 oblong to linear, oblique, or curved back at the apex. Borders 

 entire or undulate, and even lobate in one species referred 

 doubtfully to the genus. Pinnules towards the apex also re- 

 duced, becoming more ovoid, even odontopteroid in appearance, 

 ending in undulations of a terminal pinnule. Midvein of the 

 pinnule strong in the large fronds, percurrent at the base, run- 

 ning some distance down the rachis before uniting with it, con- 

 tinuing to or near the apex. Lateral veins oblique, rather 

 thin, and often obscured by the thick frond ; simple or forking, 

 basilar attached to the main rachis ; curved in passing to the 

 border, or almost straight. The decurring wing, or auricle, 

 receives numerous strongly curved, or straight, simple, or 

 forked, nerves from the main rachis. Fructification unknown. 



The plants of this splendid genus are among the most abun- 

 dant of the formation. Four well-characterized species have 

 been found, represented by good specimens, and one specimen 

 of a fifth species doubtfully referable to the genus. In addition, 

 there are two specimens in the collection, one the apical part of 

 a frond, the other a young frond still in the circinate condition 

 at the apex, which apparently are not referable to any of the 

 species described. The pinnules of both are linear, very acute, 

 straight, and oblique to the rachis. The numerous individuals, 

 and the diff'erentiation that the genus has reached, indicate that 

 it w^as a leading genus in the flora of the formation. In a note 

 on the Permian Flora of Kansas, Kansas University Quarterly, 

 vol. IX, p. 64, the author referred to this group of plants as 



