XXl] CLADOPHLEBIS 343 



Africa referred to Cladophlebis (Todites) Roesserti (Presl)^ 

 represents in all probability an Osmundaceous fern closely allied 

 to Todites Williamsoni. The same species is described by 

 Zeiller^ from Ehaetic rocks of Tonkin and very similar types 

 are figured by Leuthardt^ from Upper Triassic rocks of Basel 

 as Pecopteris Rutimeyeri Heer, and by Fontaine* from rocks of 

 the same age in Virginia. 



Cladophlebis. 



The generic name Cladophlebis was instituted by Brongniart 

 for Mesozoic fern fronds characterised by ultimate segments of 

 linear or more or less falcate form attached to the pinnae by 

 the whole of the base, as in the Palaeozoic genus Pecopteris, 

 possessing a midrib strongly marked at the base and dividing 

 towards the distal end of the lamina into finer branches and 

 giving off secondary forked and arched veins at an acute 

 angle. The term is generally restricted to Mesozoic fern fronds 

 which, on account of the absence or imperfection of fertile pinnae, 

 cannot be safely assigned to a particular family. In the case of 

 the species described below, the evidence in regard to systematic 

 position, though not conclusive, is sufficiently strong to justify 

 its inclusion in the Osmundaceae. 



Cladophlebis denticulata Brongniart. Figs. 256, A; 257, 258. 



1828. Pecopteris denticulata^, Brongniart, Prodrome, p. 57 ; Hist. v&g. 



foas. p. 301, PI. xcviii. figs. 1, 2. 

 P. Phillipm, Brongniart, Hist. p. 304, PL cix. fig. 1. 



This species is often confused® with Todites Williamsoni. 

 The name Pecopteris whitbiensis has been used by different 

 writers for Jurassic fronds which are undoubtedly specifically 

 distinct : specimens so named by Brongniart should be referred 

 to Todites Williamsoni, while P. whitbiensis of Lindley and 



1 Seward (08) PI. viii. p. 98. ^ Zeiller (03) Pis. ii. iv. 



3 Leuthardt (04) PI. xv. * Fontaine (83) Pis. xi.— xiv. 



5 For synonymy and figures, see Seward (00) p. 134 ; (04) p. 134. 

 ' E.g. by Yokoyama (06) who identifies specimens of Cladophlebis denticulata 

 from Jurassic rocks of China as Todites Williamsoni. 



