fOSSIL FLORA. 73 



PLATE XXVIII. 



"Eared Neuropterit e." 



{N'europteris auriculata, Brongniart. Hist. Veg, Foss, tab. 66. 

 Filicites Osniunda, of Artis.) 



The general aspect of this beautiful filicite very much resembles that of our well-known 

 flowering fern, the elegant Osmunda regalis ; the auriculated or one-eared base of the lanceolated 

 leaflets forms, however, a distinguishing character. It belongs to the genus Neuropteris (nerved- 

 leaf fern) of M. Brongniart, which comprises many species of delicately-veined ferns : the veins 

 in this fossil plant are very fine, arched, and rise obliquely from the base of the leaflet. 



The leaflets are often found detached, and in many instances, though completely carbonized, 



are so firm, and so slightly attached to the shale, that they may be separated by a pair of 



forceps : when removed, their impression remains on the stone, as is shown in the light-coloured 



part of the figure 2 ; the form and distribution of the rib, and nervures or veins, are seen 



in fig. 3. 



From Elsecar colliery. 



