EOCENE EERNS. 



53 



perhaps, to preserve any distinct form if fossil. O.javanica ranges from Kamschatka to 

 Java and Ceylon, and is described by the Rev. C. P. Parish as a magnificent plant, 

 similar to Cycas in growth.^ 



OsMUNDiTES DowKERi, CurrutJiers. 



OsMUNDiTES DowKEBi, Camthers. Quart. Journ, Geol. Soc, vol. xxvi, p. 349, pis, 



xxiv, XXV, 1870. 



— — — Geol. Mag., vol. ix, p. 52, 1872. 



Thanet Sands, Kent. 



This species is based upon a portion of a stem found at Heme Bay, and is admitted 

 to have been derived from the Thanet Sands. The whole of the tissues are replaced by 

 silica, so that the cells and vessels, and even the starch granules, which abound in the 

 parenchyma of Eerns, are exquisitely preserved. The structure, minutely described by 

 Mr. Carruthers, is seen to agree with similar portions of the stem of 0. retails, which are 

 figured by him for comparison. The fossil has been a larger plant than our recent 

 0. recalls. In discussing the paper Mr. Etheridge mentioned the discovery of fossil Fern 

 stems of somewhat similar character at Bromsgrove. 



Pteris (?) Prestwichii, Eti. and Gard. Plate X, fig. 8, 



P. pinnis elongatis laneeolato-linearibus, margine integerrimis, nervatione Neuro- 

 pteridis acrostichacea, nervo primario prom inente, ap)icem versus sensim attenuato ; nervis 

 secundariis sub angulis acutis orientihus, valde approximatis, hi- vel trifurcatis, rands inter 

 se parallelis, cum nervo 2irhnario angulum acutum formantibus. 



Woolwich and Reading Beds, Counter Hill, near Lewisham. 



Our illustration is copied from that given by Professor Prestwich in the ' Quart. 

 Journ. Geol. Soc.,' vol. x, p. 156, pi. iii, fig. 6. We have not been able to ascertain 

 that any of the original specimens are now preserved. Prestwich describes it as " one of 

 the recent discoveries by the Rev. Mr. De la Condamine at Counter Hill. This Eern is 

 probably an Asplenium ; the leaflets occur in some numbers, and are associated with 

 fragments of monocotyledonous leaves, . . . and one or more dicotyledonous 

 leaves " (p. 156). 



There is no particular reason to suppose it to be a Pteris ; but in the absence of 

 contradictory generic characters we have thought it convenient to consider it as belonging 



1 See a sketch in the Kew Herbarium. 



