34 
T. G. HALLE. 
(Schwed. Südpolar-Exp. 
The specimen figured in pi. 4, fig. i, shows the characteristic habit of this spe- 
cies. The rachis seems to fork into two branches, both bearing pinnae. The com- 
mon rachis below the point of bifurcation is not preserved, so it cannot be ascer- 
tained whether it also bore pinnae or not. On the whole the frond seems to have 
had the structure of which Sphenopteridium Tschermaki (Stur) can be regarded 
(POTONIÉ 1899, p. 123, fig. 110) as a typical instance. At the base of the right- 
hand branch there is what appears to be an isolated pinna, larger than the others, 
but its attachment is not actually seen so it is not certain whether it belongs to 
the specimen or not, nor in the former case, how it was attached. 
Of the other specimens referred to this species, not one shows the bifurcation of 
the frond; but otherwise there is no doubt about their specific identity. The frond 
is characterized by a great length in comparison with the breadth and by an open 
habit, which is due to the long distance between the pinnae and to the open angle 
which these form with the rachis. The pinnæ are remarkably short, in relation to 
the length of the frond. This character is apparent in the specimens shown in 
pi. 4, figs. I — 2, and in text-fig. 8, but much less so in the one in pi. 3, fig. 10. It 
is only with some doubt that the last specimen is referred to the same species. It 
shows a certain resemblance to Coniopteris hymenopliylloides and still more, perhaps, 
to C. Plurrayana; yet it appears to come nearer to the other specimens referred here 
to Splienopteris Anderssonii, in regard to the shape of the pinnae and the pinnules. 
The former taper in all the specimens rapidly from the base, and the point of 
attachment of the lowermost and largest pinnules is quite close to the main rachis. 
The distal margin of the pinnule is retreciated nearly to its midrib, the proximal 
one is less retreciated and is decurrent on the rachis of the pinna. The pinnules are 
thus attached not in one point only, but by a narrow base mostly at the proximal 
side of the midrib. This is seen in text-fig. 8; the pinnule shown in pi. 4, fig. 2 a, 
is different, being the basal pinnule of a pinna and attached close to the main rachis. 
The shape of the pinnules varies greatly, but is mostly ovate to lanceolate; very 
often they are somewhat rhomboidal in outline. The few lobes on each side de- 
crease mostly in size towards the apex, the basal one on each side being often rather 
small, however. Towards the apices of the frond and the pinnæ, the dissection of 
the pinnules becomes less, but it is only rarely that the margin is quite entire. 
The present species shows a certain resemblance to some other forms of Spheno- 
pteris, especially, it seems, to Coniopteris hymcnophylloidcs. The agreement is not 
so much with the type-specimen of that species, the lobes of the pinnules having 
an entire margin, as with a number of other specimens later referred to it by Seward 
and others. The probably forked habit of the frond, shown in the specimen in 
pi. 4, fig. I, seems, however, to require the institution of a separate species. Apart 
from this, the short and distant pinnæ and their wide angle with the rachis give to 
