Vol. 58. ] OF FOSSIL PLANTS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES, 9 
fragments of Glossopteris-fronds in organic continuity. With this 
Specimen occur also some seed-like fossils, which will be found 
described under the name of Cardiocarpus sp. (p. 20). 
Vertebraria australis would seem to be closely similar to V. 
indica, Royle, but Feistmantel’ concluded that they may perhaps 
be regarded as specifically distinct. It has also been pointed 
out by Mr. Oldham,’ that the structure of the South African 
Vertebraria, in which Prof. Zeiller first proved the continuity, is 
again different from the Indian. 
The type-specimen of Vertebraria australis, or rather the specimen 
which I take to be McCoy’s type, but which does not correspond 
exactly to his figure, shows in transverse section four wedge-shaped 
segments each 7 inch long. Probably eight or more of these were 
present in the complete specimen. In longitudinal section, the axis 
is z inch long, and there are a number of somewhat irregular 
transverse furrows separating closely packed laminz, which form 
the wedges above mentioned. 
Before leaving the subject, a reference must be made to one of 
McCoy’s statements, which has apparently puzzled many authors.” 
He says in relation to Glossopterts Browniana :— 
‘I believe I have ascertained the rhizoma of this species, which is furnished 
with ovate, clasping (or at least very convex), subcarinate scales, having a 
divaricating reticulated neuration, resembling that of the perfect frond, but 
much less strongly marked, ...... the whole perfectly resembling (except in size) 
the rhizomal scales of Acrostichium,’ ete. 
I believe that McCoy is here referring to two specimens in the 
Clarke Collection, the one showing continuity between Glossopteris 
and Vertebraria (No. 66), and a specimen already referred to, with 
the detached scale-leaves (No. 65). It is interesting to notice that to 
McCoy is due the credit of first recognizing the nature of Vertebraria, 
and the heterophyllous character of Gilossopteris, neither of which 
were admitted until a few years ago. 
Il. SpHenopreris, Brongniart, 1822. 
‘Sur la Class. des Végét. foss.” Mém. Mus, Hist. Nat. [Paris] vol. vili, p. 238. 
1, SpHENOPTERIS ALATA (Brongt.), 
Woodwardian Mus. Camb., Foreign Plant Coll. No. 71. 
Localit y—Mulubimba. 
Sphenopteris alata. 
1820-38. Sternberg, ‘ Vers. geogn.-botan. Darst. d. Flora d. Vorwelt’ pt. ii, p. 131. 
1847. McCoy (47) p. 149. 
1850. Unger (50) p. 124. 
1878. Feistmantel (78) p. 87. 
1883. Tenison-Woods (83) p. 89. 
1890. Feistmantel (90) p. 88. 
Pecopteris alata. 
1828. Brongniart (28)? p. 361 & pl. exxvii. 
1 Feistmantel (81) vol. iii, pp. 71-72. 2 Oldham (97). 
® McCoy (47) p. 151; see also Etheridge (9+) p. 233. 
