Maryland Geological Survey 233 



The American material which is very limited and poor consists of frag- 

 ments of pinna all from localities in Virginia, and very badly figured by 

 Professor Fontaine, who shows an enormously winged rachis in the speci- 

 men he calls Sphenopteris thyrsopteroides. Specifically identical frag- 

 ments are made the basis for two additional species of Sphenopteris, i. e., 

 8. pachyphylla and 8. spatulata. 



This species is wide ranging and long lived, having been recorded from 

 strata of ISTeocomian, Wealden, Barremian, or Albian age in England, 

 Germany, Belgium, Russia, Portugal, Austria, and Japan. Although 

 not recorded from the Arctic regions there are a number of forms de- 

 scribed by Heer from the Kome beds as species of Sphenopteris, Jean- 

 paulia, and Asplenium that are at least very close to this species. 



Extremely fragmentary remains from the Trinity division at Glen- 

 rose, Texas, which are identified with Sphenopteris valdensis Heer by 

 Professor Fontaine are probably referable to this species. 



Occurrence. — Patuxent Formation. Fredericksburg, Dutch Gap, 

 and Trents Reach, Virginia; Ivy City (?), District of Columbia. 



Collection. — U. S. ISTational Museum. 



Family MATONIACEAE (.?) 



Genus KNOWLTONELLA gen. nov. 



Fronds of medium or large size, pseudo-dichotomous in habit, at least 

 in part. Rachis stout. Pinnules linear-lanceolate, acuminate, attached 

 by their entire base (occasional specimens slightly constricted), obliquely 

 placed and usually more or less decurrent. This obliquity increases 

 proximad until finally the rachis may be bordered by long and narrow 

 gradually decreasing wings, which in some specimens appear to be con- 

 tinued downward beyond a fork. Occasionally pinnules higher up will 

 (abnormally) show this alate character. Distad the pinnules become 

 reduced in size and more or less confluent, forming a lamina with ser- 

 rate marginal teeth of greater or less incision. Texture very coriaceous. 

 Venation immersed. The midvein is prominent below and continues to 



