314 MR ROBERT KIDSTON ON 



In addition to the type, two other published figures have been referred to N. plicata. 

 These are the figures given by Lesquereux,* which are clearly referable to N. fiexuosa, 

 Sternb., and those given by RoEHL,t of which, probably both figures, but certainly one, 

 is referable to my N. rectinervis, which is described below. 



In iV. fiexuosa, of which I have lately been able to examine many fine specimens 

 from the Radstock Series, the terminal lobe is always very large, the pinnules more 

 obtuse and not so lanceolate, and the lower auricle more pronounced than in N. plicata. 

 The nervation in N. fiexuosa is also stronger and not so fine, there being usually at the 

 margin of the pinnules only four veins in 1 mm. Occasionally, however, in some 

 specimens of N. fiexuosa, immediately within the margin of the pinnule, a fourth 

 dichotomy of the veins takes place, which makes them more numerous than four in 

 1 mm. 



Locality. — Longton Hall Colliery, Longton, Staffordshire. 



Horizon : — Middle Coal Measures. From a bed about 2 feet above the Great Eow 

 Coal. 



Neuropteris rectinervis, Kidston, n. sp. (figs. 2-4.) 



Neuropteris -plicata, Roehl {not Sternberg), Foss. Flora d. SteinJc.-Form. WestpJialens, p. 38, pi. xiii. fig. 8 

 (? pi. xx. fig. 7). 



Description. — Pinnules sessile, alternate, oval or oblong, blunt, approximate or 

 slightly separate, margin entire and free from plications ; midrib very distinct, and 

 extending almost to the apex ; lateral veins distinct, numerous, fine, springing from the 

 mid-rib with a gentle curve, and then running the greater part of their course at almost 

 right angles to the margin of the pinnules, usually once, but occasionally twice, divided. 

 At the margin of the pinnules there are five to six ultimate divisions of the veins in 

 1 mm. Terminal lobe oblong. 



Remarks. — The specimens figured were collected in 1879, but, from their fragmentary 

 nature, have remained undescribed till now, when, in treating of N. plicata, it has been 

 thought advisable to specifically distinguish this species, which has been confused with 

 N. plicata, Sternb. I have the less hesitation in doing so, as the nervation is so 

 characteristic, that N~. rectinervis can at once be distinguished from all other species. 



Of the two figures given by Roehl as N. plicata, that on his pi. xiii. fig. 8, is clearly 

 N. rectinervis. About the other figure, given in his pi. xx. fig. 7, one cannot speak with 

 so great certainty, though the probability is that it is also referable to N. rectinervis. He 

 says, in describing the nervation of his specimens,! " the lateral nerves stand almost 

 upright to the principal nerve, are very distinct, close together, once bifurcated, feebly 

 bent " — which agrees entirely with the character of my plant. 



The figures given show the variation in the size and form of the pinnules. 



* Loc. cit., pi. x. rigs. 1-4. 



t Foss. Flora, d. Steinh-Form. Westphalens, p. 38, pi. xiii. fig. 8; pi. xx. fig. 7. 



X Loc. cit., p. 38. 



