— 403 — 
able to return to this region. The somewhat fragmentary criteria at 
present available seem to indicate that the first of the Northern 
types able to gain a foothoid were members of the Sigillarieae and 
Lepidodendreae, and that, still later and probably under more favora- 
ble climatic conditions during the continuance of which the beds 
near and for 100 meters above the Iraty black shale were laid down, 
others of the Northern types including ferns also, were able to in- 
habit this region. 
Description of the species 
The material described in the following pages is, for the most 
part, very fragmentary and often very badly preserved. In the greater 
number of specimens the matrix is gritty and somewhat micaceous, 
while the fossils usually appear as brownish stains coated with a 
contracted granular carbonaceous maceration residue. The more mi- 
nute details are seldom very clear in such examples, and frequently 
the outlines are more distinct to the unaided eye than when seen 
under the lens. Yet, as often happens in similar cases and as has 
been noted by Professor Zeiller in his illustrations of Lepidodendron 
Pedroanum and Lepidophloios laricinus, the delineation obtained 
photographically is more complete than the image perceived through 
the retina of the eye. For this reason, as well as for the sake of avoi- 
ding the equation of individual interpretation in delineating somewhat 
macerated material, I have utilized photographs wherever possible, 
supplementing them when necessary and praticable by small detail 
drawings. None of the photographs has been retouched. 
The literature relating to the older Gondwana florais in general 
of comparative solidarity though somewhat voluminous. Bibliogra- 
phic lists are appended to recent works by Seward (1) and Arber, (2) 
while reviews of the history of paleobotanical work on the Gondwana 
Glossopteris floras of the several continents have been contributed 
by numerous authors including Feistmantel, R. Ethridge Jr., Zeiller, 
and Arber. In the latter’s most valuable monograph I have found 
great assistance, especially regarding the distribution of the species. 
(1) Annals S. African Mus, vol. IV, pt. 1, 1903. 
(2) The Glossopteris Flora; Catalogue of the Fossil Plants of the Glossopteris 
Flora in the Dept. Gool., Brit. Mns., 1905, p. 227. 
