4? THE FLORA OF THE AMBOY CLAYS. 
and observation than by discussion. When we know more of this group 
of ferns, so characteristic of the Upper Cretaceous and Eocene periods, we 
shall be better able to determine their botanical relations. 
By comparison of the figures given on PI. IV it will be seen that our 
specimens differ considerably from those figured by Debey and Ettings- 
hausen. In our specimens the lower pinnee are widely separated, opposite, 
strongly decurrent, and unsymmetrical, the nerve which traverses each one 
passing near to the upper border. Toward the extremity of the pinne, 
however, the pinnules are closer, and they finally coalesce and pass first 
into notched and then into simple lobes closely resembling those figured in 
the Kreide von Aachen, PI. II, figs. 4, 5. I have therefore been inclined 
to suppose that if we could compare complete fronds we should find the 
American and European plants to be identical. It will be noticed, however, 
that the specimens now figured show some marked peculiarities not visible 
in those found in Europe, especially the want of symmetry in the lower 
pinnules of the pinnee. 
The texture of our plant was apparently coriaceous, the nervation fine 
and generally visible. In one or two specimens we can trace fine nerve 
branches given off from the main nerve of each pinnule, but they are 
delicate and apparently widely separated. 
On comparing the fern under consideration with living plants, I find 
the strongest resemblance with Microlepia cystopteroides Presl. (Ettings- 
hausen, Farnkriiuter der Jetztwelt, p. 209, Pl. CXLIII, fig. 2; Pl. CXLIV, 
fig. 4). This is a peculiar fern and the resemblance to our plant is quite 
striking. It would be unwise, however, to attach much importance to this 
resemblance of the fronds and nervation unless it were confirmed by simi- 
larity in the fructification. 
Localities: Woodbridge, South Amboy. 
Puegorrerts Groratana Heer?. 
leaky INU, aie Zt 
Phegopteris Grothiana Heer, Fl. Foss. Arct., Vol. VII, p. 3, Pl. XLVIII, figs. 12, 13. 
Fragments of a fern closely allied to, if not identical with, Heer’s 
species occur rarely in the clays at Cutler Bank, Woodbridge. The speci- 
mens obtained are, however, too poor to afford any satisfactory comparison. 
