KILMARNOCK, GALSTON, AND KILWINNING COAL FIELDS, AYRSHIRE. 329 



Although I have said that this is the only species of Neuropteris with serrate- 

 margined pinnules, still there are others, as Neuropteris Jimbriata, Lesqx., # and Neurop- 

 teris lacerata, Heer,t where the margin of the pinnule is fimbriated, but these fimbria- 

 tions are very distinct from the serrations of Neuropteris crenulata, Brongt. 



Zeiller's specimens came from the Comentry Coal Field, which holds a high position 

 in the Upper Coal Measures, while our fossil is from the Lower Coal Measures. 



The only British specimen I have seen is that figured here, which was collected by 

 Mr Beveeidge. 



Locality. — Woodhill Quarry, Kilmaurs. 

 Horizon. — Shale over Sandstone. 



Neuropteris Blissii, Lesqx. 

 (Plate I. figs. 3 and 3a.) 



Neuropteris Blissii, Lesqx., Coal Flora, vol. iii. p. 737, pi. xcv. fig. i. 



Neuropteris Blissii, Zeiller, Flore foss. terr. Tiouil. d. Comentry, part i. p. 243, pi. xxviii. figs. 3-6. 



Description. — Frond much divided. Ultimate pinnse lanceolate. Pinnules alternate, 

 oblong, narrowing gradually to a blunt point, slightly inequilateral at base, separated 

 from each other by a small space, midrib straight, vanishing before reaching the apex, 

 lateral veinlets springing from the central vein at an acute angle, and bending gently 

 towards the margin of the pinnule, fine, not flexuous, and ultimately dividing into about 

 eight veinlets ; twenty to twenty-four ultimate divisions of the veins at the margin of 

 the pinnule in 1 centimetre. Terminal pinnule oblong triangular. 



Remarks. — Of this species the only specimen found is that figured. It shows portions 

 of two ultimate pinnae. The pinnules are narrow, oblong, tapering slightly from the 

 middle to the apex, which is blunt. They are generally separated from each other by 

 about half their width, and are usually straight, though some of the pinnules have a 

 tendency to become slightly falcate. The veins are very thin, but distinct, and spring 

 from the midvein at a very acute angle. At first the veins run almost parallel with the 

 midrib, then bend gently outwards, and again make an acute angle where they meet the 

 margin of the pinnule. The terminal pinnules are not very perfect, either on the 

 Kilmarnock or other specimens figured ; but from what is seen on my figure, they were 

 evidently oblong sub-triangular. This species also possessed cyclopteroid pinnules. 



I know of no British carboniferous fern with which Neuropteris Blissii could be 

 mistaken, being distinguished both by the nervation and the form of the pinnules. Its 

 nearest ally is probably Neuropteris cordata, Brongt., which differs from it by its larger 

 and broader cordate pinnules, with more distant nervation. Neuropteris cordata should 



* Coal Flora, vol. i. p. 81, pi. v. figs. 1-6. Geol. Rept. of Hlin., vol. ii. p. 430 ; ibid., vol. iv. p. 384, pi. vi. 

 fi g- 4 - t Flora foss. Helv., p. 17, pi. vi. fig. 7. 



