FOSSIL PLANTS. 



187 



perpendicular to the mid-rib, united by transverse veins, 

 which form a net-work of square meshes upon the leaf. 



One species in the lias. 



Schizopteris, from o-x<-C a > & fissure, or division, and rrrepis, a 

 fern. 



Leaf linear, plain, without mid-rib, finely striated, almost 

 flabelliform, dividing into several lobes, which are linear and 

 dichotomous, or rather irregularly pinnated and erect, lobes 

 dilated and rounded towards the extremity. 



One species in the coal formation. 



Otopteris, from ovy, an ear, and 

 Trrepis, a fern. 



Leaf pinnated ; leaflets originating 

 obliquely from the side of the leaf- 

 stalk, auricled, attached by about half 

 their base, destitute of all trace of 

 mid-rib. Veins of equal size, very 

 closely arranged, diverging from their 

 point of origin, and dividing dichoto- 

 mously at an exceedingly acute angle. 



"We annex a figure of 0. acumi- 

 nata (fig. 124), from Lindley and 

 Htitton, PI. 132. 



Caulopteris, from KauAos, a stem, 

 and TTTfpis, a fern. 



This is a term formed to describe 

 those stems which, from their mart- 

 ings, are considered by Dr. Lindley 

 to be true stems of ferns; those 

 figured or described as being so by Sternberg," Brongniart, 

 and others, under the name of sigillaria, favularia, &c., not 

 being now regarded as such. 



6th Family. MAESILIACE^;, OR PEPPEEWOET TEIBE. 



This family comprises the doubtful genus. SpJienopliyl- 

 lum* rotularia, of Sternberg. Branched, deeply furrowed ; 

 leaves verticillate, wedge-shaped, with dichotomous veins 



Eight species in the coal formations. 



FIG. 124 



* Pict. Atlas, pi. v., fig. 7. 



