FLOKA OP THE DEVONIAN. 551 



Neuropteris Daivsoni, Hartt (Fig. 193). This remarkable fern, 

 discovered by Mr Hartt, and to which he has done me the honour to 

 attach my name, presents curious points of affinity to Cyclopterids 

 and Neuropterids, and perliaps may, when more fully known, be placed 

 in a distinct genus. Mr Ilartt describes it as follows : — 



" Frond, pinnate or bipinnate (most probably the latter) ; rachis 

 thick, sometimes when compressed half an inch wide, coarsely striated, 

 always winged ; pinnte (pinnules ?) alternate, very oblique, linear 

 lanceolate, moderately acute at apex, slightly notched above its base, 

 decurrent on the rachis, often about an inch in width, and sometimes 

 six inches long ; margin strong, a few large undulations ; midrib thick, 

 tapering gradually, disappearing before reaching the apex, straight, 

 entering a pinna (pinnules ?) obliquely from the upper side, giving off 

 very numerous nerves, which spring very obliquely from it, running 

 about parallel with it, forking once near the midrib, and once more 

 half-way to the margin, sometimes again close to the margin, the 

 whole series being strongly arched. 



" The pinnae, particularly when the midribs are thick, show a strong 

 tendency to split up in a direction to the rachis. I have sometimes 

 noticed them folded in a conduplicated manner." 



Neuropteris crassa, sp. nov. Single pinnules, broad, oval, oblique 

 at base, thick, smooth above with very numerous arched veins. A 

 pinna with somewhat larger pinnules similarly veined may belong to 

 the same species. 



There are fragments which possibly indicate two other species of 

 Neuropteris. 



Sphe7iopteris Hceninghaiisi, Brongniart. One of the ferns from the 

 shales near St John appears to be identical with the above species, 

 which belongs to the Lower Carboniferous of Europe. 



Sphenopteris marginata, Dawson (F'ig. 192, D). This resembles 

 the last species in general form, but is larger, with the pinnules round 

 or round-ovate, divided into three or five rounded lobes, and united 

 by a broad base to the broadly winged petiole. Found with the 

 preceding. One specimen, given to me by Mr Hartt, shows a frond 

 six inches in length. 



Sphenojjteris Harttii, Dawson (Fig. 192, E). Bipinnate or tripin- 

 nate. Divisions of the rachis margined. Pinnules oblique, and con- 

 fluent with the margins of the petiole ; bluntly and unequally lobed. 

 Nerves small, oblique, twice-forked. This beautiful fern very closely 

 resembles S. alata from the Coal-field of Port Jackson, but differs in 

 several of its details. I name it in honour of Mr Hartt, the discoverer 

 of several of the St John ferns. Found with the preceding. 



