RUFFORDIA. 75 
V. 2302. A very imperfect cast, 23 cm. long; the petiole bases 
badly defined. A number of small holes occur on the surface of 
the sandstone, which no doubt mark the position of adventitious 
roots. The leaf-trace appears to correspond in shape to that of 
P. Witteana as represented in Schenk’s figure, Palzeontographica, 
vol. xix. pl. xxx. Ecclesbourne. Rufford Coll. 
Family ? SCHIZACEZ. 
Sporangia usually on modified leaf-segments; sessile or shortly 
stalked, with a complete apical annulus and longitudinal dehiscence. 
Genus RUFFORDIA, gen. nov. 
In instituting this new generic name I have followed the example 
recently set by Raciborski in the case of Mesozoic ferns, and by 
Stur, Zeiller, Kidston and others in dealing with ferns of Paleeozoic 
age. Raciborski proposes the name A/ukia' for the ‘ oldest known 
of the Schizacee,” and takes as the type of the genus Pecopteris 
exilis, Phill., of which fertile pinnules have been described by 
Phillips, Lindley and Hutton, and Bunbury. 
In the present instance the new term is proposed instead of the 
older provisional genus Sphenopteris, on the ground that the 
Museum Collection has afforded material which gives us a much 
further insight into the true botanical affinity of Dunker’s species, 
S. Gépperti. The fertile pinne, described in detail under the 
species Ruffordia Gipperti, suggest a connection with Anemia, and 
the character of the sterile fronds is strongly confirmatory. On 
the other hand no details can be made out in the sporangia, which 
would afford the most trustworthy kind of evidence in favour of 
or against a reference to the Schizacee; to refer the Wealden 
fern to Anemia, or to Dawson’s genus Aneimites, would be a step 
in advance of the facts at our disposal. Dawson suggested the 
sub-genus Aneimites for a Devonian fern of the Cyclopteris type, 
1 Bot. Jahrb. vol. xiii. p. 1. 
