XXl] HYMENOPHYLLACEAE 363 



Fronds pedate and apparently identical in habit with those of Matonia 

 pectinata ; ultimate segments linear, slightly falcate and bluntly pointed. 

 Sori circular or oval, numerous, containing 15 to 20 sporangia with an oblique 

 annulus, in two rows on the lower surface of the pinnules ; indusium as in 

 Matonia. 



The English examples have so far afiforded no information 

 in regard to sporangial structure, but Schenk^ has recognised a 

 distinct annulus in German material. In his description of fossil 

 plants from Lower Cretaceous rocks in California, Fontaine'' 

 doubtfully identifies two very small fragments as Matonidiv/m 

 Althausii; the evidence is, however, wholly inadequate. 



Matonidium Wiesneri, Krasser^. Fig. 265, A. 



This Cenomanian (Cretaceous) species from Moravia appears 

 to be identical in habit with the older type. The pinnules are 

 larger and bear fewer sori. Knxsser's figures of the sterile pinnules 

 show no lateral anastomosing between the secondary veins, but 

 the small vascular network below each sorus (fig. 265, A) is 

 identical with that in Matonia pectinata. The indusiate sori 

 contain about six sporangia with an oblique annulus. 



The very wide geographical distribution of the Matonineae 

 during the Mesozoic era affords a striking contrast to the 

 limited range of the Malayan survivals. 



Hymenophyllaceae. 



The frequent use of the generic name Hymenophyllites as a 

 designation of Palaeozoic ferns, more particularly in the older 

 literature, is another instance of the undue importance which 

 palaeobotanists have always been prone to attach to external 

 resemblances of vegetative organs. The fragment of lamina 

 described by Stur for the Culm Measures of Austria as Hymeno- 

 phyllum waldenburgense^ has no claim to consideration as 

 evidence of Palaeozoic Hymenophyllaceae. On the other hand, 



1 Schenk ill) p. 19. = Fontaine, loc. cit. PI. lxv. figs. 22, 23. 



3 Krasser (96) p. 119, Pis. xi. xii. xiv. 

 •» Stur (75) A. p. 284, PI. xxxiii. fig. 15. 



