The Fossil Plants. 
169 
descriptions of the leading divisions of fossil plants, 
from some articles contributed to the Sydney Mail , by 
the late Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods. He thus defines 
the principal families of the fossil ferns : — 1 
(1.) Sphenopteridce. — Fronds, entire or subdivided; 
divisions lobed or wedge-shaped, with a dentate 
margin; a slender costa often dividing towards the 
apex or vanishing ; veins reaching the margin of the 
lobes ; venules wanting indistinct or only proceeding 
from the lower veins. 
(2.) Neuropteridce. — Fronds, with usually larger 
and more entire subdivisions than the last ; veins ex- 
tremely numerous and slender, curved, forking 
frequently, and reaching the margin. They emerge 
from a costa which always, if present, vanishes in sub- 
divisions, or the veins arise from the rachis. 
(3.) Pecopteridas. — Fronds, with usually entire sub- 
divisions, adhering to the rachis by the whole base 
of the pinnules, which have a conspicuous costa reach- 
ing the apex ; veins forking ; venules forking twice or 
thrice, but rarely anastomosing. Thinnjeldia , as 
described on page 160, comes under this family. 
(4.) T ceniopteridce . — Fronds, simple or pinnate, sub- 
divisions long, entire lanceolate, stalked, or sessile; 
costa conspicuous, veins emerging obliquely, usually 
becoming horizontal, simple, or forking once. 
(5 ) Dictyopterideee. — Fronds, simple or pinnate, with 
oi without a costa, but always with a netted venation. 
These descriptions have been altered somewhat by the present writer. 
