124 T^NIOPTEEIS. 



selves, or from the close association of sterile and fertile leaves, 

 it is much better to retain the " convenient and non-committal 

 genus Tceniopteris." 



I propose, therefore, to use the generic term Taniopforis in 

 a wider sense, and in this respect to follow Nathorst, 1 who has 

 taken the safer course and included under this genus such other 

 generic names as Oleandridium, Angiopteridium, Marattiopsis, 

 Danceopsis, etc. In taking this view I am simply following the 

 same plan as in the case of other provisional names such as 

 Cladophlebis, etc. In dealing with such leaf-forms as come 

 under the Taeniopteroid type, it is especially important to wait 

 for trustworthy taxonomic evidence hefore making use of names 

 which imply close relationship or identity with existing genera; 

 the grounds for this caution are to be found in the numerous 

 recent ferns which have leaves or leaf-segments of the Ta3iiio- 

 pteroid pattern. 2 



In Hooker's " Genera Filicum" 3 we find the name Tceniopteris 

 applied to a recent fern, T. Forlesii, Hook., from Mozambique. 

 Following the example of Fee, 4 Hooker, in his later writings, 

 includes this genus as a synonym of Vittaria* 



We may broadly define Taniopteris as follows: Frond simple 

 or pinnate, usually lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, apex acute or 

 occasionally obtusely terminated ; a well-marked midrib from 

 which lateral veins are given off either at right angles or more 

 or less obliquely ; these may be unbranched or acutely forked 

 as they pass towards the leaf margin. 



In an allied venation type, Phyllopteris, Brong., the lateral 

 veins are much more oblique, more curved, and repeatedly forked. 



The task of naming the various fragments of Taniopteris in 

 the Museum Collection has proved a difficult one, and, owing to 

 the meagre nature of the specimens, it is almost impossible to 

 arrive at any very satisfactory or definite results. In none of 

 the examples are there any traces of sori, nor have we any 

 opportunity of obtaining information as to the general habit of 

 the plants, all the fragments being portions of detached leaves. 



1 Sver. Geol. Undersokn. 4to. Flor. Bjuf, 1878-1886. 



2 See also Fontaine's species of Anomozamites, Potomac Flora, p. 67. 



3 PI. Ixxvi. B. 



* Genera Filicum, p. 85. 



6 Species Filicum, vol. v. 1864, p. 176. 



