171 



the greatest breadth is attained towards apex of secondary 

 pinnse, where it usually measures about from 4 to 10 milli- 

 metres. Extreme length of specimens about 5 inches. 



Neuropteris. Brongt. 

 Fronds pinnate or bi-tri-pinnate generally twice or thrice 

 divided. Pinnules entire, constricted at the base, and not 

 uncommonly cordate with a short pedicel, rarely inserted by 

 the whole width of the base, costa more or less distinct, only 

 occasionally continuous beyond the middle of the pinnule, 

 thence dividing into veins which emerge at a very acute 

 angle, curved, diverging. Numerous slender dichotomous 

 produced to the margin in parallel venules, and never anas- 

 tomising. 



Neuropteris Tasmaniensis. Nov. sp. 



Frond bi- or possibly tri-pinnate ; pinnules sub-opposite, 

 generally constricted at base or sub-pedicellate, sub-distant ; 

 polymorphous, being either ovate, oblong-ovate, sub-hastate, 

 panduriform, lozenge -shaped or dolabriform, and frequently 

 auricled or lobed at base on one or both sides, and occasion- 

 ally lobed towards apex ; the middle series are generally 

 larger and more symmetrical, usually oblong-ovate, and are 

 attached to rachis at right angles by their constricted bases ; 

 the upper series are more oblique, and at the very extremity 

 of one of the pinnse the lobes are very oblique, simple, ovate, 

 adnate ; towards the base the inner lower pinnules (two to 

 four) are rudimentary, rounded, shortly spathulate, or 

 lozenge-shaped ; the outer basal lobes are larger, generally 

 auricled or lobed, oblong-ovate, or panduriform. Costa more 

 or less distinct on the more elongate pinnules, continuous to 

 near the extremities, from which numerous lateral nerves 

 diverge arcuately at a considerable angle forking once or twice 

 before reaching margin. Costa absent in the short rudi- 

 mentary pinnules at base and apex of pinnse. 



Bachis comparatively thick ; traversed longitudinally by 

 wrinkled strias. 



Average length of pinnse on specimen described about 5 

 inches ; greatest breadth across pinnules about 40 milli- 

 metres ; largest pinnules about 21 millimetres long and 8 

 mil. broad ; smaller pinnules, 4 to 7 mil. long and 6 to 7 mil. 

 broad. 



The sub-pedicellate attachment and the fantastic shape and 

 distribution of the pinnuke bring this interesting species 

 near to JV". valida Feist, of the Lower Gondwanas of India. 

 It differs from this species, however, in its branching habit 

 and its much smaller projDortions. 



Dark grey shales, Mesozoic coal measures, Augusta Boad, 

 New Town, Hobart. 



