138 FLORA OF LOWER GOAL MEASURES OF MISSOURL 



shows the appearance of the fihiments near the base of the leaf; Fig. la, 

 PL XLII, represents the aspect between the same nerves nearer the margin. 

 While these intermediate filaments are sometimes not so distinct at the base 

 of the leaf, their presence can nsnally be discerned in the region where the 

 main nerves are distant. 



In the absence of a knowledge of the anatomical structure of our 

 material any argument as to the systematic position of these Cyclopterids 

 will lack conclusiveness. A similar condition as to intervening filaments 

 may, I believe, be less clearly seen on some of the other asymmetrical 

 auriculate Cyclopterids, with marginal attachments, which are probably 

 racliial pinnules of Neuropteris, and, whether they represent independent 

 vessels or only dissociated nerves, or even supposing them to be resin 

 vessels or some analogous structures, such a condition would not perhaps 

 be out of accord with the complicated and anomalous structure observed 

 in some types of Paleozoic fern stems. 



Doleropteris pseudopeltata, a large Cyclopteroid leaf regarded by its 

 author, Grrand 'Eury,^ as a gymnosperm (Dolerophylhim of Saporta^), agrees 

 in size, form, including the overlapping auricles, and even in the aspect of 

 the nervation so closely with our species as to create the strongest suspicion 

 that both belong to the same genus. The only apparent important differ- 

 ence indicated in the description or figure is a more coriaceous texture in 

 the French specimen. Moreover, the companion species, Cydopteris obliqua 

 Brongn. and C. orbicularis Brongn., have been referred to the gymnospermic 

 genus, while Schimper^ and Schenk were disposed to believe that Cydopteris 

 dilatata L. and H. should also be refeiTed to Dolerophyllum. 



M. Grand 'Euiy is of the opinion that the Pachytesta of Brongniart, a 

 type of fossil fruit probably represented by Rhabdocarpos Mansjieldi Lx. in 

 this country, is the fruit of Doleropteris. The supposed male, pollen-bear- 

 ing disks or leaf scales of the same plant, identified by the former as 

 Androstachys,* are no doubt of the same nature as the fossils described by 



' G^ol. pal^ont. bassin houill. Gard., 1890, p. 306, pi. viii, fig. 1. 



■Dolerophyllum. made by Saporta the type of the Dolerophyllea! , and placed by him, together 

 with the Cordaitecc., etc., in the group " Proangiosperms." Saporta et Marion, flvol. rfeg. v^g., 

 Phanerogames, vol. 1, 1885, p. 68. 



= Zittel, Handb. Paheont., vol. ii, pp. 142,252. 



< A. eehennenjis Grand 'Eury, op. cit., p. 307, pi. viii, figs. 2A, 2A'. " Appareil male ou Androphylle 

 des Dolerophyllces,'" Saporta, 15vol. Reg. Veg., Phanerog., vol. i, p. 71, fig. 35. 



