1 04 SFHENOPTERIS. 



V. 2224. A very delicate specimen, possibly a young form of 

 C. Dunkeri. 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, PI. VII. Fig. 3, V. 2195, 

 V. 2208, V. 22120, V. 2213, V. 2372, V. 2382, show rachis and 

 alternate pinnae. Ecclesbourne. Rufford Coll. 



3527. Weald. Mantell Coll. 51404. Tunbridge Wells. Purchased. 



Genus SPHENOPTERIS, Brongniart. 

 [Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, vol. viii. 1822, p. 233.] 



Brongniart, in 1822, suggested a subdivision into five sections, or 

 sub genera, of Schlotheim's comprehensive genus Filicites. 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 vegetaux fossiles," 

 Brongniart defines his genus as follows 1 : 



" Fronde bi- ou tripinnee ; pinnules retrecies a la base, non 

 adherentes au rachis, plus ou moins profondement lobees ; lobes 

 divergens, presque palmes; 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, 



p. 50. 



