WEIGHS ELIA. 119 



is proposed for a plant previously described by Geinitz as an 

 example of Cladophlebis nebbensis (Brong.). In discussing this species 

 Nathorst refers to the characteristic position of the pinnules, and 

 speaks of them as inclined to one another like the wings of a 

 resting butterfly; it is suggested that possibly this inclination of 

 the pinnules towards the secondary rachis may be an adaptation 

 for leading off the rain-water. After noting the reticulated nature 

 of the venation, he suggests the advisability of retaining the 

 genus Weichselia for the Lower Cretaceous form of Lonchopteris, 

 the latter name being retained for such species as occur in the 

 Coal-Measures. 1 One of the ''fertile pinnae or pinnules" figured 

 by Kathorst in another paper as Pecopteris Geyleriana, Nath., 

 I venture to include under Weichselia Mantelli as a terminal 

 fragment of a pinna. Nathorst also notes this resemblance. 2 



There is certainly, as Brongniart recognized, a distinct difference 

 between such species as Lonchopteris Bricii, etc., 3 and L. Mantelli^ 

 the former having the same habit as the genus Alethopteris, but 

 differing in the reticulate venation. 



To emphasize the distinctive characters of the "Wealden species, 

 I have retained Stiehler's generic name in preference to Brong- 

 niart's genus Lonchopteris. 



The form Lonchopteris virginiensis, Font., 5 from the older 

 Mesozoic strata of Virginia, should be retained in its present 

 genus, as its affinities seem to be rather with the Palaeozoic 

 Lonchopteris than with the Lower Cretaceous Weichselia. Stur 

 considers Fontaine's species to be the same as Speirocarpus 

 Halerfelneri, Stur, from the Lunz beds. 8 



V. 2630. PI. X. Fig. 3, and Woodcut, Fig. 12, p. 120. Only a 

 portion of the specimen shown in the Figure. 



This specimen is in striking contrast to the ordinary fragmentary 

 specimens of the species obtained from English localities. Rachis 

 18 cm. long, very broad and stout, pinnae alternate, approximate, 

 of considerable length, the longest 20 cm. The general habit of 



1 Arch. Ver. Freund. Nat. Mecklenb. Jahr. xliv, 1890, p. 20. 



2 Denkschr. k. Ak. Wiss. math.-nat. Cl. voL Ivii. 1890, p. 49. 

 8 Hist. veg. foss. pi. cxxxi. figs. 2 and 3. 



* Ibid. pi. cxxvi. figs. 4-5. 



6 U.S. Geol. Surv. Mon. vi. 1883, p. 53, pi. xxviii. figs. 1-2; pi. xxix. figs. 1-4. 



6 Verh. k.-k. geol. Eeichs. No. 10, 1888, p. 7. 



