THE LOWER CARBONIFEROUS ROCKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND. 393 
coincide with the plane of splitting of the ovoidal shale. Part of one margin, and of 
the base, is also wanting in this specimen. The complete leaf no doubt measured about 
17 cm. in length, and about 15 em. across at its greatest width, and must thus have 
been remarkable for its size. 
As in the case of most of the other specimens, the flabellate lamina shows several 
fairly large, oval, or irregularly shaped elevations. These appear to be due to small 
twists or “ knots" in the shale, and are simply imperfections in the preservation. In 
addition, a considerable number of small dark brown patches, oval in form or of 
irregular outline, are scattered over the lamina. These may be either attributed to 
fungal agency or explained as limited areas of decayed tissue, such as are met with in 
the fronds of many living ferns, They have been observed also in the case of many 
fossil leaves, e. g. Glossopteris. It is impossible to decide as to their origin at present, 
but there is no primd facie evidence to lead one to suppose that they were in any way 
connected with the fructification of the plant. 
The veins radiate from the suddenly contracted base with fairly frequent dichotomy; 
as is clearly seen in fig. 1 of PI. 42, especially where the leaf broadens. "The number of 
veins in the attenuated base exceeds a dozen, while, near the apex, the number is about 
16 in 1 em. breadth of the lamina, and they are 5 mm. or more distant from one 
another. 
A well-preserved basal portion of a leaf (No. 2211) is seen in Pl. 43. fig. 6. It 
measures 10 em. in length. ‘The broad base is convex, which suggests that the leaf was 
probably sheathing at the base. The dichotomising nerves are very clearly seen. They 
are only about 8 in number at the extreme base, and here they are more distant from 
one another than in the more distal portion of the leaf. 
An apical portion (No. 2212) is seen in Pl. 43. fig. 5. This specimen appears to show 
part of the true apex. The leaf was rounded and entire above, but slightly cleft or 
possibly split here and there. The cleft seen on the left appears to be a natural one, that 
on the right may be a tear, which did or did not exist in the living state. The apex 
measures 18 cm. across. 
Another apical portion (No. 2214) is shown on Pl. 44. fig. 9. No doubt the upper 
limit here does not represent the true apex. Although the fragment measures 16 em. 
across, there is no indication of any lobing or splitting. There are also several songs 
similar impressions (Nos. 2083, 2213, and 2215), none of which show any clear signs of 
Splitting at the apex. : 
All the leaves ÉLUS are detached. Several impressions of axes ibas rus 
2218) are associated, but there is no evidence to show that they belonged to these 
leaves, ! 
Distribution.—The Lower Carboniferous (or possibly ae 
Shenanditti River, on the west side of Red Indian sate e Frust eue 
The Affinities of Psygmophyllum nese ions Their nearest affinities 
distinct from those of any other Paleozoic fossil known to me. 
Appear to lie with members of the genus Psygmophyllum, a rare ap oe 
Upper Devonian) rocks of 
