FOSSIL FLOE A OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE COAL FIELDS. 85 



Remarks. — I refer provisionally to this species the small specimen given on PL X. 

 fig. 8, natural size, and enlarged 2 times at fig. 8a. 



In the form of the pinnules and their being divided into sharp-pointed, wide- 

 spreading segments, it agrees well with Stur's figure ; but it differs in the pinnules 

 having a smooth surface, not longitudinally striate as in the type specimen. A single 

 vein is clearly seen to enter each segment of the pinnule in the Sandwell Park fossil, 

 while the veins are said to be masked by the surface longitudinal striations in Stur's 

 example. Whether these differences are specific or due to their condition of preservation 

 can only be determined when more perfect specimens are discovered. 

 Horizons and Localities. — 



Blue Measures above Brooch Coal: Jubilee Pit, Sandwell Park, West 



Bromwich. 

 Ten-foot Ironstone Measures : Bradley Colliery, Bilston. 

 Both collected by Mr H. W. Hughes, F.G.S. 



Sphenopteris (Hymenophyllites) quadridactylites Gutbier. 



1835. Sphenopteris quadridactylites, Gutbier, Abdr. u. Ver. d. Zwick. Schwarzk., p. 36, pi. xi. fig. 5. 

 1884. Hymenophyllites quadridactylites, Kidston, Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc, vol. xl. p. 596. (Excl. ref., 



Sphenopteris opposita and Sphenopteris minuta Gutbier). 

 1886. „ ,, Zeiller, Flore foss. bassin houil. d. Valen., p. 100, pi. viii. 



figs. 1-3 ; text-fig. 36, p. 56. 

 1838. Sphenopteris tetradactyla, Presl, in Sternb., Vers., ii., fasc. vii.-viii. p. 128. 

 1855. Sphenopteris tridactylites, Geinitz (non Brongt.), Vers. d. Steink. in Sachsen, p. 15, pi. xxiii. 



figs. 13-14. 

 1883. Hymenophyllites delicatulus, Zeiller (non Sternb.), Ann. d. sc. nat., 6 e seV., vol. xvi. pp. 196 and 



208, pi. x. figs. 22-32. 



Horizon and Locality. — Ten-foot Ironstone Measures : Coseley, near Dudley. 



Sphenopteris deltiformis Kidston, n. sp. 

 PI. X. figs. 9 and 9a. 



1899. Sphenopteris (Renaultia) bella, Zeiller (non Stur), " Etude sur la More foss. bassin houil. d. 

 Heraclee," Me'm. Soc. geol. d. France: Paleont., Mem. No. 21, p. 15, pi. i. fig. 13. 



Description. — Frond quadripinnate, rachis flexuous. slender, and bearing scattered 

 spine-like setae. Primary, secondary, and tertiary pinnse deltoid, touching or over- 

 lapping at the margins, of somewhat lax growth ; rachis of tertiary pinnse winged, and 

 bearing 3-4 pairs of alternate pinnules. Pinnules ovate, the lower bearing 2 pairs 

 of lateral lobes and a terminal one, lobes directed forward and separated by a 

 sinus extending to near the mid-rib, but the lobes are united to each other at their 

 bases, apices of segments rounded or obtusely pointed ; upper pinnules with fewer lobes 

 of similar form ; terminal lobe of pinna simple or trifid. The slightly flexuous central 



