RADSTOCK SERIES OF THE SOMERSET AND BRISTOL COAL FIELD. 347 



alternate, the lower divided into numerous simple or bifid linear acute seg- 

 ments, into each of which runs a vein ; upper pinnules less divided, and may 

 consist of only one or two bifid segments. 



Remarks. — The only British specimen of this rare species which I have 

 seen is that figured on PI. XXI. fig. 1. It shows very beautifully the peculiar 

 dichotomisation of the pinnse as developed on many Sphenopterids. The general 

 outline of the pinnse is more or less subrotund, — that of its two component 

 parts oval. The stalk uniting this compound pinna to the rachis is not pre- 

 served, but was probably naked like that of the other members of this group 

 of Sphenopteroids. 



Two of the pinnules are enlarged at fig. la.b. Throughout their segmenta- 

 tion there can generally be traced a series of dichotomous divisions ; this 

 is exhibited in both enlargements, where each of the two larger segments 

 dichotomises. 



Both the primary (?) and secondary (?) rachis are distinctly winged and 

 geniculate. 



Sphenopteris geniculata appears to have been much confused with Sphen. 

 furcata, Brongt., and, following Geinitz, I united them in my Catalogue of 

 Palaeozoic Plants, but now regard the two species as essentially distinct. 



Of the two figures of Sphen. geniculata given by Stur in his Carbon-Flora, 

 that on his pi. xxxv. fig. 1, is evidently Germar and Kaulfuss' plant, but I 

 think that on his pi. xxviii. fig. 1, is referable to Sphen. furcata. I believe 

 also that the figure given by Geinitz as Sphen. geniculata * (which he unites 

 with Sphen. furcata, Brongt.) must be excluded from Germar and Kaulfuss' 

 plant. 



Locality : — Kilmersdon Pit. 



Sphenopteris Grandini, Goppert, sp. 



Sphenopteris Grandini, Schimper, Traite d. paleont. veget., vol. i. p. 404. 

 Sphenopteris Grandini, Boulay, Terr, houil. du nord de la France, p. 27. 

 Hymenophyllites Grandini, Goppert, Syst. fil. foss., p. 255, pi. xv. fig. 12. 

 Sphenopteris alata, Brongt., Hist. d. veget. foss., p. 180, pi. xlviii. fig. 4. 

 Sphenopteris alata, Sauveur, Veget. foss. de la Belgique, pi. xvii. fig. 2. 



Sphenopteris alata, Gutbier, Vers. d. Zwick. Schioarzkohl, p. 34, pi. v. figs. 16 and 17; pi. xi. 

 % L 



Remarks. — This species is rare in the Eadstock Coal Field, but has been 

 observed at several collieries. 



Stur unites Sphen. trichomanoides, Brongt, with Sphen. Grandini t (Sphen. 

 alata, Brongt.). On the other hand, it is suggested by Boulay \ that Sphen. 



* Vers. d. Steinkf. in Sachsen, pi. xxiv. fig. 13. 



f Carbon-Flora d. Schatzlarer SchicMen, p. 304, 1885. 



% Loc. cit., p. 27. 



