33 



PLATE XVI. 



Pecopteris (Alethopteris) aquilina. 



(SCHLOTH.) GOEPP. 



It is with some diffidence that, in the absence of the 

 specimen itself, this figure is named, thus. In general 

 form it closely resembles the species as figured by 

 Schimper (" Paleontologie Vegetale," Atlas, Plate 30, 

 fig. 8), but the details of venation, so far as they can be 

 made out in our drawing, are somewhat different. 



The drawing is by Prior, and on its margin is a pencil 

 note in Lindley's handwriting which illustrates the mode 

 of working followed by the authors of the " Fossil 

 Flora," and which, had it been more closely adhered to 

 by Lindley and Hutton, would have much enhanced 

 the value of these Plates. It runs thus: — u As to Ferns 

 in general — pray compare them carefully with what is 

 figured in Brongniart and the F. F. [' Fossil Flora']. 

 Send me only such as are well preserved, and state to 

 what you conceive them nearest to approach. Pray also 

 write the notes upon the drawings, or on paper stuck to 

 the drawings." 



