230 Systematic Paleontology 



Genus RUFFORDIA Seward 

 [Wealden Fl., pt. i, 1894, p. 75] 



This genus was proposed by Seward for certain ferns previously re- 

 ferred to the frond genus Splienopteris, the fertile pinnge of which, 

 found in the English Wealden, suggest a relationship T\dth the modern 

 species of Aneimia, a relationship fully borne out by the appearance of 

 the sterile pinnae. 



Fronds tri-quadripinnate, triangular in outline, rachis frequently 

 flexuous. Pinnge alternate, broadly triangular to ovate-lanceolate. Pin- 

 nules delicate, decurrent, somewhat variable, with linear acuminate 

 ovate cuneate ultimate divisions, dentate, or denticulate. Veins fiabel- 

 late, repeatedly forked. Fertile pinnge considerably reduced with scat- 

 tered sporangia. 



A number of extremely rare and fragmentary Potomac ferns have 

 been described by Professor Fontaine as various species of Sphenopteris. 

 Five of these are here united to form the two following species of 

 Euffordia. It is true that no fertile pinnae have been found in asso- 

 ciation with the sterile pinnae in this country, as is the case in the English 

 Wealden, but as nearly as can be made out from such imperfect material 

 as we possess the form and habit of the sterile pinnge is so close that the 

 identity of the remains from both sides of the Atlantic is reasonably 

 certain. Attention should be called to the resemblance between the 

 pinnae in Euffordia and in Acrosticliopteris, interesting in coimection 

 with the fact that there are some grounds for supposing that the latter 

 genus is related to the Schizaeaceae. 



In any event the American material does not show the specific differ- 

 entiation assigned by Professor Fontaine, nor is it desirable to perpetuate 

 the use of the generic term Sphenopteris for forms younger than the 

 Paleozoic. 



EuEPORDiA aorodentata (Fontaine) Berry 



Plate XXIII, Figs. 5, 6 



Sphenopteris acrodentata Fontaine, 1890, Mon. U. S. Geol. Survey, vol. xv, 



1889, p. 90, pi. xxxiv, fig. 4. 

 Ruffordia Goepperti var. latifolia Seward, 1894, Wealden FL, pt. i, p. 85, pi. 



vi, figs. 1, la. 



