1881.] fossils of the Indian Gondwdna system. 191 



Upper Gondwanas : Bdjmahdl group, near Burio, Rajmahal hills. 



Angiopteridium comp ensis, Oldh. sp. 

 1877. Feistmantel, Golapili Flora I. c, p. 173, PI. I, figs. 6a, 7a. 

 Upper Gondwanas: Rajmahal group, near Golapili, S. Godavari dis- 

 trict. 



Angiopteridium infarctum, Feistm. 

 1880. Feistmantel, Pal. ind., Gondwana Flora, Vol. Ill, p. 53. 

 Lower Gondwanas ; Bardkar group, near Kumerdhubi, Raniganj coal- 

 field. 



Type Vittaria, Swartz. 

 Genus Paloeovittaria* Feistm. 

 Palaeovittaria Kurzi,f Feistm. 

 1876. Feistmantel, Raniganj plants, J. As. S. B., Vol. XLV, p. 368, PI. XIX. 

 fig. 3-4. 



Lower Gondwanas: Raniganj group, Raniganj coalfield. 



Order Dicttotaeniopterideje.J 



This order might with equal propriety be termed Glossopterides, the 

 only genus it at present comprises being the famous Glossopteris,§ Bgt. 



Genus Glossopteris, Bgt. 

 1828. Brongniart, Histoire, vegetaux fossiles, p. 223. 



This genus is formed of leaves of generally a more or less oblong or 

 spatulate shape of various sizes, with a distinct midrib, and the secondary 

 veins forming a net-venation of a varied character. 



It was at first described by Brongniart from Australia (from the upper 

 coalmeasures) and from India, from beds, which are now known as the 

 Raniganj group (see ante). Subsequently it was also identified from the 

 lower coalmeasures (carboniferous) in N. S. Wales ; it was found in India 

 both in the Lower (in all groups) and Upper Gondwana system, so 

 that it ranges in these two countries from Carboniferous to Jura. 



In India it is very well represented, its greatest development being in 

 the Lower Gondwana system, and in it in the upper groups. About 17 

 or 18 species are described in my Damuda Flora (Pal. ind., Gondwana 

 Flora ; Vol. III). For an easier arrangement I have grouped them into 

 five sections, according to the net-venation and the shape of the leaf. 



Of these species I shall mention here only those originally described 

 by Brongniart and those which have a wide range in India. 



* Palaios (gr) = old, ancient ; and Vittaria = a living genus of ferns. 

 f Proper name = the late Curator, Botanical Gardens, Calcutta. 

 \ Taeniopterides with a net-venation. 

 § Glossa (gr) = tongue ; pteris = fern. 



