PHE-OAHDONIFBROUS PLANTS. 



49 



8ub-genu8 8d . Nephropteris, Schirapor, type iV. orbieulari$, Brong. In 

 American Devonian, N. varia and N. problematioa. These are possibly 

 ba3al pinnules of Neuroptorid ferns. 



Sub-gonus 4th. Oyclopteri% proper, Schimper. Type, C. flabellata, 

 Brong. In American Devonian, 0. Brownii. 



. Schimper suggests that my Sphenopteriit Hitchcookiana (Fig. 175) may 

 be the fructification of one of the above ferns of the genus Arohoeopteria. 

 I regard this as quite possible, but have no direct evidence of it. 



The first, second and fourth of the above sub-genera may be regarded 

 as eminently characteristic of the Brian or Devonian period, and especially 

 of the Upper Devonian, both in Europe and America ; and by their pro a- 

 lenco they serve to distinguish those beds from the Carboniferous. In the 

 Lower Carboniferous, however, such ferns as Cyclopteria {Aneimites), 

 Acadica, still continue to represent in some degree these peculiar forms. 



Genus Nedropteris. — Brong. 



68. NEnROPTEHis POLYMORPHA, Dn.— (PI. XVTII.,Fig. 212. )— J. G. S., 

 XVIII, 320 ; PI. XV, Fig. 20.— M.D., St. John, Now Brunswick. 



" Pinnate or bipinnate. Rachis or secondary rachis irregularly striate. 

 Pinnules varying from round to oblong, unetiuully cordate at base, 

 varying from obtuse to acute. Terminal leaflet ovate, acute, 

 angulated or lobed. Midrib delicate, evanescent. Nervures slightly 

 arcuate, at acute angles with the midrib." 



This fern is vory abundant in detached fragments in the shales of 

 Carlton near St. John, and was described by me from these fragments. A 

 few perfect specimens occur in the collection of Prof. Hartt, and confirm 

 my restoration from the fragments previously studied. In the recent collec- 

 tions of Prof. Hartt there are some pinnte with pinnules more elongated 

 than the typical forms, but I regard them as merely a variety. 



69. Neuhopteris serrulata, Dn.— (PI. XVIII, Fig. 213.)— J. G. S., 

 XVIII, 320 ; Fig. XV, 35.— M.D., St. John, New Brunswick. 



*' Bipinnate. Rachis thin and slender. Pinnae alternate, sparsely placed, 

 and of few pinnules. Pinnules obovate, narrowed at base, sessile, 

 delicately but sharply serrate, especially at the apex. Terminal 

 leaflet rounded and lobed, scarcely serrulate. Midrib visible nearly 

 to the apex. Pinnules about two lines in length." .;>„>'. 



This species was founded upon a few fragments from Carlton, and Mr. 

 Hartt subsequently discovered more perfect specimens, which seemed to 



