27 



PLATE XIII. 



Neuropteris heterophylla. 



Steenb. 



Fronds so variable as those belonging to this specific 

 group need more frequent figuring than others. The 

 present example is the more normal form, and closely 

 resembles that figured in Plate 200 of the u Fossil 

 Flora." The venation is, however, better shown in the 

 latter specimen than in ours. 



Schimper inclines to look upon this species, together 

 with Neuropteris tenuifolia and Neuropteris Soretii, as 

 forming a single group, the passage between each type 

 of which is imperceptible. They are undoubtedly 

 nearly allied forms. All were large, handsome, perhaps 

 arborescent ferns, of which we now rarely find any but 

 small detached fragments. (" Paleontologie Vegetale," 

 t. I, p. 439.) 



The drawing, by Prior, and the Plate, are of the 

 natural size. 



The specimen is from the Bensham shale, Jarrow 

 Colliery. 



