110 DR ROBERT KIDSTON ON THE 



that species. The pinnules are slightly oblique, and a single pinnule of a similar form 

 is given at fig. 2, enlarged 2^- times to show the nervation. The central vein can 

 be traced upwards from the base for about ^ the length of the pinnule, where it 

 breaks up into diverging veinlets. This figure, as well as fig. 3, shows the pinnae 

 terminating in two little diverging pinnules, not in a single terminal pinnule as in 

 almost all the other members of the genus At fig. 4 the rachis of the pinna is seen 

 to bifurcate ; and I have another small specimen from Elsecar Colliery, Wentworth, 

 Yorkshire, which probably comes from the Barnsley Bed, Westphalian Series, which 

 shows a double bifurcation of the rachis (K. 4019). 



Some Spiropte?^is conditions of the plant are given at figs. 5 to 7. That at fig. 5 

 shows several pinnse partially inrolled, and much larger specimens in this state occur 

 in the ironstone nodules of Coseley : one in my collection, No. 4011, is 18 cm. long, 

 and shows many pinnse partially developed. Less advanced stages of development 

 are seen at figs. 6 and 7, all of which are sufficiently well preserved to admit of 

 a satisfactory determination of the species. The most interesting point in the specimens 

 is the presence of the thick covering of scales on the rachis, which must have been 

 very fugaceous and slightly attached, as one almost never sees any cicatrices to 

 indicate their former presence on the rachides of the developed pinnse, though they are 

 clearly shown on the specimen figured by Potonie on his pi. iii. # 



Neuropteris gigantea Sternb. is very common in the South Staffordshire Coal Field. 

 Horizons and Localities. — 



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



Roof of Brooch Coal : Shut End ; Bradley Colliery, Bilston ; Holly Hall, 

 near Dudley. 



Ten-foot Ironstone Measures : Clayscroft Openwork, Coseley, near Dudley ; 

 Moxley, near Bilston. 



Immediately below Thick Coal : Yew Tree Colliery, Rowley Regis. 



" Old Clay" = Roof of Stinking Coal : The Delf, Brierley Hill. 



" Whitestone " : Race Course Pit, Round Oak. 



Roof of New Mine: Merryhill Colliery, Mount Pleasant, Brierley Hill; Dibdale 

 Colliery, near Gornal. 

 • Roof of Fireclay Coal: Doulton's Clay Pit, Netherton. 



Between Fireclay Coal and Bottom Coal : Doulton's Clay Pit, Netherton. 



Roof of Bottom Coal: No. 120 Pit, Coneygre Colliery, Tipton. 



Immediately below Bottom Coal: Ruiton, near Sedgley. 



Neuropteris rarinervis Bunbury. 



1847. Neuropteris rarinervis, Bunbury, Quart. Journ. Geol. Hoc, vol. iii. p. 425, pi. xxii. 



1886. ,, ,, Zeiller, Flore foss. bassin houil. d. Valen., p. 268, pi. xlv. figs. 1-4. 



1870. Neuropteris coriacea, Lesqx., Rept. Geol. Survey of Illin., vol. iv. p. 387, pi. viii. figs. 7, 8. 



* hoc. cit. 



