THE FOSSIL FLORA OF THE YORKSHIRE COAL FIELD. 217 



PL III; fig. 10. 



This example, from the Barnsley Thick Coal, near Barnsley, shows natural size some 



of the largest Aphlebia of Filicites plumosus which I have yet seen. Their surface is 



finely striated in the direction of growth, but there is no clear indication of any 



nervation. 



PL III. figs. 13, 13a, 136, and 13c. 



From Monckton Main Colliery, near Barnsley, Yorkshire. Horizon. — Barnsley Thick 

 Coal. Middle Coal Measures. 



This specimen combines in the same example the characters of Sphenopteris crenata, 

 L. and H., and Filicites plumosus, Artis. The upper part is the Filicites plumosus, Artis 

 (fig. 13a), while its lower portion is the Sphenopteris crenata, L. and H. (figs. 13c and 136). 



The fossil is a fruiting example ; but as only the upper surface of the pinnules is 

 exhibited, the presence of the sporangia are only shown indistinctly through the tissue 

 of the pinnules. This example corresponds to one of the lateral pinnae, the basal portions 

 of which only are shown on pi, ii. fig. 7, but it is much better preserved in regard to the 

 minute structure of the pinnules. Fig. 13a shows two pinnules from the upper barren 

 pinnae, which are entire with simple veins. 



It cannot be doubted that these dentate pinnules are formed by a reduction of the 

 tissue of the limb through the development of a copious fructification. Were the upper 

 portion of this specimen separated from the lower part, the upper would, without doubt, 

 be labelled Pecopteris plumosa, whilst the lower portion would be named Sphenopteris 

 crenata by those who regard these two as distinct species. The rachis is roughened by 

 the customary little points. 



PL III. figs. 11, 11a, and 116. 



From Shropshire. Middle Coal Measures. (Exact Locality and Horizon uoknown.) 

 This fossil is the Sphenopteris crenata, L. and H. On the other hand, it approaches 

 somewhat, in the small lobes of the long narrow pinnules, to the Sphenopteris caudata 

 of the same authors (vol. i. pi. xlviii.).* The specimen is well preserved and shows the 

 nervation in some of the pinnules. In the basal lobes the vein bifurcates, or the lobe 

 has a central vein giving off lateral branchlets (fig. 116). In the upper lobes the veins 

 are simple (fig. 11a). The specimen exhibits the upper surface of the frond, and shows 

 no indication of bearing sporangia, though the form of the pinnules is that which is 

 frequently associated with fructification in this species. 



The basal pinnae have six or seven pairs of rounded lobes and a long tapering blunt 

 apical lobe (fig. 11a), but the upper pinnae have only a few pairs of rounded lobes at 

 their base, while the uppermost ones are entire. 



PL III. figs. 12, 12a, and 126. 



From South Kirby Colliery, near Pontefract, Yorkshire. Horizon. — Barnsley Thick 

 Coal. Middle Coal Measures. 



* See also my fig. 3, pi. i. 



