■SELLARD: PERiMIAN PLANTS. 3 



nor does lie mention such a character in his description; but this 

 character is not always evident, and possibly not always present. 



I have considered the frond as probably simple, as there are no 

 indications of a pinnate character, and it has the same shape as 

 other Taenioptorids with supposedly simple fronds. The peculiari- 

 ties of venation noted in the above diagnosis — veins near the base 

 of the frond more curved at their union with the rachis, often 

 forked, while those at the apex are only slightly curved, seldom 

 forked, — are seen also in the figures of the European specimens. 

 The texture and shape of the fronds also agree. The fact that 

 the oval bodies between the veins have not been previously ob- 

 served may be due to the rarity of the species and the few speci- 

 mens heretofore obtained. The scars on or near the rachis, 

 whether the result of fungi or of insect stings may have been absent 

 on the European specimens. 



The slightly thickened and rolled border of this species might 

 be taken to indicate the presence of a border vein — a supposition 

 to which the upward curve of the veins at the border adds strength. 

 But if such a character belongs to the species, it is not sufficiently 

 preserved on any of the specimens at hand to be recognizable. 

 Such a character, if it exists, would bring the species into compari- 

 son with the Mesozoic genus OIca)idridiiim, some species of which 

 it otherwise closely resembles. 



The species seems to have been found as yet in only two other 

 localities, both Permian, Ottendorf in Bohemia, and Lissitz in 

 Moravia, both recorded b}' Goeppert, 1. c. The specimens known 

 of the species heretofore have all been somewhat fragmentary. 



Taeniopteris coriacea var. linearis n. var. Plate III. Figs. 3, 4. 



Fronds smaller, more narrowly linear, apex very acute, average 

 width 7 to 20 mm , average length about 14 cm., thinner in texture, 

 venation apparently thinner, and perhaps closer. ^ 



The difference between the extreme forms of this variety and the 

 specimens typical of the species is very great, and if there were 

 no intermediate forms would undoubtedly be considered of specific 

 value. But between the extremely narrow fronds such as figured 

 plate III, fig. 4, and those typical of the species, plate II, figs, i and 

 2, there are such continuous gradations that I am entirely unable 

 to draw any separating line. The venation of the smaller fronds 

 seem thinner, but becomes proportionally stronger with the size of 

 the frond. The apex, however, is decidedly more acute. The 

 species and variety occur at the same locality. 



