SPHENOPIEfilS. Ill 



The figure gives the impression of a filmy fern, and in the 

 light hrown stain on the rook surface, representing the leaf 

 lamina, we have just that kind of imprint which might he looked 

 for in a Hymenophyllaceous type of fern. Attention has already 

 heen called to the danger of trusting too much to such resem- 

 blances, which are freq[uently nothing more than expressions of 



Fio. 10 (V. 2327«). Enlarged 4 times. 



the different effects of the diversity in texture and porosity of the 

 rock matrix. The single pinnule shown in the woodcut agrees 

 very closely with one figured by Eotonie' in a Carboniferous fern, 

 Sphenopteris Maninghauii, Brong. , var. Lasrischiformis, Pot. ; but 

 it is not for a moment suggested that the two species have any 

 natural affinity whatever. Ecclesboume. Rufford Coll. 



V. 2162. Voodcut, Kg. 11. 



Probably a pinna from the basal portion of a frond. Pinnules 

 ovato-lanceolate and lobed. The venation is fairly distinct, but, as 

 is usually the case with carbonaceous impressions on clay, not nearly 



Fig. 11 (V. 2162). Enlarged 3 times. 



SO well marked as on the ironstone. The figure shows a median, 

 and less marked lateral veins. Some of the pinnules in Pitton's 

 type specimen correspond fairly closely with those represented in 



' Jahib. k. preuss. Geol. Landesanst, 1890, p. 23, pi. vii. 



