ONYCHIOPSIS. 51 



specimens also show a similar passage from the fertile part of a 

 pinna to a terminal serrate portion, as represented in the fossil 

 specimens, PL III. Figs. 2-4. Onychium Japonicum, Kunze, also 

 agrees very well with the fossil species. 



These resemblances appear to me amply sufficient to justify the 

 adoption of the name Onychiopsis in place of Sphenopteris, in spite 

 of the fact that we are unable to decide how far the sporangia 

 support this reference to the Polypodiacea. 



Fertile fronds of Cryptogramme crispa, R. Br., also approach 

 fairly closely in appearance to those of 0. Mantelli, but the likeness 

 is much less pronounced than in the case of Onychium. 



Since writing the above I have found that the Marquis of Saporta 

 has recorded the occurrence of fertile specimens of Sphenopteris 

 Mantelli at Quinta-do-Leiriao, 1 and other localities in Portugal; 

 he considers that the fructification agrees most closely with that 

 of Davallia, especially D. gibberosa, Sw. 2 My thanks are due to 

 the Marquis of Saporta for some further details as to the Mesozoic 

 flora of Portugal which he has very kindly communicated to me. 

 In a letter recently received (December 30, 1893), he states his 

 opinion that the reference of Sphenopteris Mantelli to the recent 

 genus Davallia seems to be more natural than that of Yokoyama, 

 who refers the closely-allied species, 8. elongata, to Onychium', at 

 the same time Saporta does not consider the question as definitely 

 settled. In the forthcoming monograph on the Mesozoic flora of 

 Portugal we shall have plates and detailed descriptions, which will 

 enable us to consider more fully the rival claims of Davallia and 

 Onychium as to which is the most nearly allied genus to the widely 

 distributed Wealden species. Meanwhile, I do not wish to alter 

 my opinion that the evidence afforded by the English specimens 

 is distinctly in favour of the substitution of Onychiopsis for 

 Sphenopteris, as expressing the most probable relation of the fossil 

 fern to the genus Onychium. 



V. 2189. Woodcut, Fig. 6. 



This specimen, with several others, e.g. V. 2188, V. 2314#, etc., 

 probably represents part of a rhizome of 0. Mantelli. The surface 



1 Rev. gen. bot. vol. v. 1893, p. 272. 



2 I ain unable to detect in fertile fronds of Davallia gibberosa any distinct 

 resemblance to the fossil form. 



