XXIV] CHIROPTERIS 431 



Rhacopteris the segments are leaflets of a compound leaf, 

 whereas in Noeggerathia they are probably single leaves. We 

 must leave the position of this Lower Carboniferous genus 

 undecided, merely expressing the opinion that it is perhaps 

 more nearly allied to the Cycads than to any other group. 



The plant figured by Lindley and Hutton from the English 

 Coal-Measures as Noeggerathia flahellata, which some authors 

 quote as a species of Noeggerathia, is generally recognised as 

 a Psygmophyllum and placed with some hesitation in the 

 Ginkgoales. 



Ghiropteris. 



This genus was founded by Kurr on a leaf characterised 

 by anastomosing venation from Keuper beds near Stuttgart. 

 A resemblance in form and venation to the leaves of 

 recent species of Ophioglossum led authors to suggest the 

 inclusion of Kurr's specimen in the Ophioglossaceae. We 

 have, however, no justification for considering Ghiropteris as a 

 member of this family ; it may be a fern, and that is all that 

 can be said. The leaf represented in fig. 303 is the type- 

 specimen of a South African Rhaetic species Ghiropteris 

 Zeilleri^- The genus is recorded also from Rhaetic rocks in 

 Queensland.^ 



Newberry^ describes some leaves from the Lower Cretaceous 

 of Montana as species of Ghiropteris: one of his types, 

 G. spatulata, is almost certainly a Sagenopteris, similar to 

 S. Phillipsi (figs. 327, 328) or S. Mantelli. A second species, 

 G. Williamsii, is probably not generically identical with the 

 specimen represented in fig. 303. 



1 Seward (03) p. 63. 



2 Carrutheis (72=) PL xxvii. fig. 5; Seward (03) p. 62. 

 ' Newberry (91) PI. xiv. 



