104 SPFHENOPTERIS. 
V. 2224. A very delicate specimen, possibly a young form of 
C. Dunkert. Ecclesbourne. Rufford Coll. 
V. 2731. This impression on a sandstone matrix has a different 
appearance to those specimens preserved in clay or slate, but the 
differences are, I believe, rather apparent than real; and, con- 
sidering the effect of a change in the manner of preservation, it 
would be unwise to institute an additional species. Ecclesbourne. 
Rufford Coll. 
V. 725. Near Hastings. Dawson Coll. 
V. 1069¢. Ecclesbourne. Presented by P. Rufford, Esq., 1885. 
V. 2185, V. 2193—cf. V. 2377, Pl. VII. Fig. 3, V. 2195, 
V. 2208, V. 22120, V. 2213, V. 2372, V. 2382, show rachis and 
alternate pinnee. Kcclesbourne. Rufford Coll. 
3527. Weald. Mantell Coll. 51404. Tunbridge Wells. Purchased. 
Genus SPHENOPTERIS, Brongniart. 
[Mém. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, vol. viii. 1822, p. 2383.] 
Brongniart, in 1822, suggested a subdivision into five sections, or 
subgenera, of Schlotheim’s comprehensive genus /i/icites. The name 
Sphenopteris was proposed by him for those ferns characterized by 
cuneiform pinnules, with rounded or lobed terminations, and with 
veins palmately disposed, or radiating from the base of the pinnule. 
The fossil taken as the type of this subgenus was S. elegans, 
Brong. In the ‘‘Prodrome d’une histoire des végétaux fossiles,”’ 
Brongniart defines his genus as follows’ :— 
‘‘Fronde bi- ou tripinnée; pinnules rétrécies a la base, non 
adhérentes au rachis, plus ou moins profondément lobées; lobes 
divergens, presque palmés; nervures paroissant presque rayonner 
de la base de la pinnule.” 
The author of the genus points out the comprehensive nature 
of Sphenopteris, in that a large number of recent fern genera, 
1 p. 00. 
