330 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [NOVEMBER 
The occasion for the present note is the presence of this species 
(S. elliptica Fontaine) in the lower part of the Blairmore formation of 
western Canada, in association with characteristic sporocarps which 
are almost identical with those described by Natuorst from much older 
beds on the other side of the 
world. The supposed sporocarps 
from the Blairmore formation (fig.1) 
probably belong to the same botan- 
ical species as S. elliptica, but in 
view of the fact that this has not 
been demonstrated, and in accord- 
S\ ance with paleobotanical usage, 
¥ they may be named Sagenopteris 
' canadensis, sp. nov. It may be 
remarked parenthetically that not 
all of the recognized species of 
Sagenopteris based upon foliar re- 
mains are clear cut, the European 
Jurassic S. Phillipsii being not ob- 
ct \ \}) viously different from S. rhoifolia, 
\)) IN or from the European Lower Cre- 
Ww" Wy Y taceous S. Mantelli. The last is 
scarcely, if at all, to be distin- 
guished from, and has often been 
confused with, the American 
S. elliptica. 
The sporocarp, which it is believed belongs to the latter, may be 
described as follows: Sporocarp hard and resistant, stalked, bean- 
shaped, gibbous, slightly flattened at the sides, more recurved and 
slightly more narrowly rounded at one end, about 5 mm. in length, and 
about 3 mm. in height, with fifteen or sixteen transverse encircling veins 
which are impressed, and appear as sulcae in the material, retaining 
more carbonaceous matter because thicker, and appearing blacker than 
the remainder of the wall; bands between these impressed veins lighter » 
in color, and with a thin central line more or less developed. 
SEWARD in his latest work refers Sagenopteris to the Hydropteraceae 
tentatively, summing up his remarks with the statement that “decisive 
evidence as to its position in the plant kingdom is at present lacking; 
the inclusion of the genus as a possible member of the Hydropterideae 
has still to be justified.” 
Fig. 1.—Sporocarps of Sagenopleris 
canadensis; X4. 
