ma, 
L, Lesquereux on the Coal Formations of North America. 211 
side of the pinne are longer, lanceolate, mostly entire, slightly 
pointed and also a little decurrent on the rachis. In the upper 
the alternate pinns, more than six inches 
long, are perpendicular to the rachis, and placed very close to 
each other. It is probable that this last part is that of a large, 
Primary pinna, and that the first one shows the upper part 
of the frond. In that case the frond is tripinnate or even quadri- 
Pinnately divided, the lobes or divisions of the pinnules being 
metimes deep and regular on both sides. 
: The only one of our species that might appear out of place 
in this newly proposed group is Sphenopteris Newberrii Lsqx., es- 
Pecially from the peculiarity of its ramification. The leaflets 
, though sometimes irregularly lobed, are less so than in the 
other species and the enlarged main rachis appear narrowly 
Winged by the inferior decurrent pinnules like that of some 
s. Except this last character, which cannot be consid- 
ered as generic, the essential features of this fern refer it to this 
soup. Its nervation is nearly exactly like that of Pecopteris 
nervesa Bret. though less deeply marked, and its pinnules unite 
Rear the base. The ramification also of Pecopteris nervosa and 
pleris Loschii, is, if not dichotomous, at least forked at the 
a part of the fronds, into two diverging branches as in the 
leichenites of Géppert. In Sphenopieris Newberrii, these branches 
‘re united ina more open angle at the top of an apparently 
taked pedicel in the form of an upturned crescent. 
Tf as I think, this peculiar group of fossil ferns of our coal 
Ought to be separated as a genus, the name of Aspidites Gdpp. 
M ould be appropriately preserved for it. It was forperiy estab- 
shed by the author, in his Systema, p. 848, and afterwar' 
Worn characterizing the second sec 
ould without hardly any modification agree W! 
Jar... NeW One. Frond bi-tripinnate. ageies gener TY "a 
Teed at the base, united, decurrent or separated and Sess le ; 
medial nerve somewhat flexuous, thinning upwards and 
Ing bifid at the upper end ; sth nerves emerging from it 
