86 



SIR .T. WILLIAM DAWSON ON THE 



once, but this does not seem to be unusual in the Potomac specimens, though in many of 

 these the veinlets divide into three. Fontaine's species has the fruit of Aapidium and 

 may be compared to Heer's A. Oerstedi from Greenland, but the latter has simple veins. 

 As already stated the old Pecopteris WhUbyetisis has been placed in the genus Clado- 

 phlebis ; but specimens from G-reenland referred by Heer to this species have the fruit of 

 Asplenium, whence he has named the species A. Wliitbyense. Thus we have fronds which 

 when destitute of fruit would be referred to Pecopteris (Cladophlebis) Wliilbyensis, but 

 which may have belonged to Aspidium Fredericksburgense or to Asplenium Wliitbyense. Our 

 present specimens would be liable to either of these references. They seem to have pre- 

 sented broad pinnate fronds of the habit of Aspidium or Asplenium and for the present 

 must remain geuerically doubtful. The figure will enable them to be recognized by 

 subsequent collectors. It is closely allied to Asphnmm dislans of Heer, which I recognized 

 in my former paper as a Kootauie species, and which Heer identified with Pecopteris 

 recentior of Phillips ; but the pinnules are closer and shorter and the texture of the frond 

 different. 



Asplenium Marlinianum (Dawson.) 



Fossil Planta of the Rocky Mountains of Canada. Trans. E. S. C, 1SS5. 



This species, recognized in the former collections from Martin Creek and Old Man 

 River, reappears, though rarely, in the collections from Anthracite. It belongs to the 

 same general type with A. Wliitbyense of Heer, already referred to, and especially resembles 

 a variety from the Jurassic of Siberia referred by Heer to his species. 



Sphenoptens laliloba ? (Fontaine.) (Fig. 6.) 



Fig. 6. Sphenopteris laliloba f 



Fragments of a fern not distinguishable from Fontaine's figures are found at Anthra- 

 cite, and would seem to represent that form. An allied though more delicate species, S. 

 Mantelli, is characteristic of the English Wealdeu. 



Other fragments from Anthracite may indicate another species of Sphenopteris, but 

 noue of them show the ends of the pinnules, which are narrow at base, spreading rapidly 



