COLLECTED IN ESKDALE AND LIDDESDALE. 537 
All these forms are shown among the numerous specimens comprised in this 
collection. 
Position and Localities—¥rom the Cement-stone group of the Calciferous 
Sandstones at Kershope Burn and Tweeden Burn, Liddesdale; Plashetts 
Burn, North Tyne, Northumberland ; and River Esk, Glencartholm, Eskdale. 
Sphenopteris eacelsa, L. & H. 
Sphenopteris excelsa, L. & H., Fossil Flora, pl. ecxii. 
Plate XXX. fig. 2, and Plate XX XI. figs. 7 and 8. 
Remarks.—This fern is extremely plentiful, and affords a very good example 
of the latitude which must be allowed for deviation in minor details in the 
various individuals of a given species. 
The type figured by LinpLry and HurTon represents what may be regarded 
as the middle form of the Eskdale specimens. 
Departing from this, we have on the one hand a very lax form (Plate XX XI. 
fig. 8), and on the other a more compact variety (Plate X XX. fig, 2).* 
Had these two forms not been connected by a series of specimens, passing 
from one to the other by almost insensible gradations, it would have been diffi- 
cult to recognise them as belonging to the same species. 
The fronds of this fern must have been large, judging from the size of the 
pinnee, probably at least three feet in height. Hence it is extremely likely 
that the small portions figured held different relative positions on the fronds 
from which they came. 
LinD.ey and Hutton say of the plant figured by them : “The specimens of 
this beautiful fern are so imperfect, that we can neither ascertain what the 
margin was of the leaflets, nor the nature of the veins... . . It appears, how- 
ever, to belong to the genus Sphenopteris.” 
In the specimens from Eskdale, the veins are well preserved, and show this 
fern to be atrue Sphenopteris (Plate XX XI. fig. 7). The outline of the leaflets 
also, in their figure, agrees with those specimens I have called the middle form. 
Sphenopteris cuneolata+t of the same authors is perhaps only an ill-preserved 
specimen of this species, exhibiting a bifurcation of the axis, similar to that 
shown in Plate XXX. fig. 2. They also say in regard to this plant: “Nota 
trace of veins could be found in the specimen from which the drawing was made.” 
Position and Locality.—From the Cement-stone group of the Calciferous 
Sandstone series, Glencartholm, Eskdale. 
* This is not so well shown in the small portions figured as in the larger specimens, 
+ Los. Flora, vol. ii. pl. 214. 
