ROOM I. 



FOSSIL FERXS. 



31 



pressed, on the dark shining surface. When the shale or 

 stone is of a light colour, the contrast of the black carbonized 

 foliage increases the striking effect of these subterranean 

 floras of the ancient world. The specimens in coal-shale 

 exhibited in Cases B and C, are for the most part from the 

 coal-shales of Great Britain ; the series comprises a con- 

 siderable number of the genera, and many of the species that 

 have been identified by M. Brongniart, Sternberg, Lindley, 

 Hutton, and other eminent botanists. (Pecopteris, Pachyp- 

 teris, Sphenopteris, Cyclopteris, Neuropteris, Glossopteris, 

 Odontopteris, Phlebopteris, &C. 1 ) 



LlGN. 5. LOKCHOPTERIS MANTELLI. WEA1DEK. 



Figs. 1 and 2. Leaflets magnified to show the venation. 



FERNS of the WEALDEN. Case B, There are here speci- 

 mens of two species of fern which require especial notice, be- 

 cause they were obtained from the ancient freshwater deposits 

 of the south-east of England the Wealden associated with 

 the reptilian remains of which we shall have occasion to treat 

 hereafter. 



Lonchopteris. One of these, named Lonchopteris (L. Man- 

 telli), from the spear-shaped fronds, is characterised by the 

 peculiar reticulation of the venation. There are three fossil 



1 See "Medals of Creation," TO! i. pp. 113124, for figures and de- 

 scriptions of these genera of fossil ferns. Several kinds are represented 

 in the " Pictorial Atlas," pp. 4, and 2832 inclusive. 





