[MATTHEW] A REVIEW OF THE LITTLE RIVER GROUP 129 



SPHENOPHYTJ.UM, Brongt. 



SpHEXOPHYLLu:^^ \]srTiQuu:\r, Dawson. Plate III, Fig. 3. 



Dawson, Sphenophyllum antiquum, Acad. Geol. p. 540, fig. 188 B. 

 Dawson, Sphenophyllum antiqaam Foss. PUni;. Dev. and I'. Sil. Can. p. 

 52, pi. VI, fig. 01, 62. 



Dawson's description is as follows : — 



"Leaflets cuneate, one-eighth of an inch wide at the apex and 

 less than one-fourth of an inch long. Nerves three, bifurcating equally 

 near the base, the divisions terminating at the apices in six, obtuse 

 acuminate teeth. About eight leaves in a whorl. 



" This plant was described from a few detached leaflets from the 

 graphitic shale of St. John, which preserve their form and venation in 

 the most wonderful perfection, though they were completely changed 

 into films of shining graphite. I have since obtained from Mr. Hartt 

 a specimen found in Carleton which, though the individual leaflets are 

 more indistinct, show their general arrangement in whorls of eight 

 or nine on a slender stem. It is a beautifully symmetrical little plant, 

 quite distinct from any species of the Coal j\reasures." 



I have found no better material representing this rare species than 

 that which passed through Sir William's hands and so cannot add to 

 his description. 



In my examples the sinuses are not so sharply cut as in that 

 figured by the author of the species, and the mucros are less acute. 



This species may be compared to S. crosum, L, & H., as regards 

 the venation, but the points at extremity of the leaf are shorter than 

 in that species. 



Horizon and, Locality. — Collected by the author from the highest 

 shale bed of the Dadoxylon sandstone at Barrack Point, St. John. 

 Pare. 



Gexekal Pe]m:arks. 



The division of this flora into three groups of stratigraphical value 

 is based on a general surv-ey of the species found to he present in the 

 several parts of the terrane. ^Aliother these distinctions are due to 

 the actual extinction of species, or are only of ecological importance 

 remains to be determined. But Hartt's section shows that there was 

 a scarcity of EquisetaJes in the upper part of the second subflora, and 

 the same is true of the flora which occurs in the Upper Cordaite shales 

 of the eastern side of St. John Harbor. 



It is also to be noted that some peculiar types of the Equisetales 

 as Eamicalamus, and Lepidocalamus are specially characteristic of the 



