PLANTS. D 
Class ACROGEN&, Ad. Brongniart, 1843. 
ProtopHyta, Endlicher. 
CRYPTOGAMES VASCULARES, Ad. Brongniart. 
AcroGENs, Lindley. 
Diagnosis.—* Stems and leaves distinguishable.’ (Lindley.) 
This group, which differs from the last in possessing a vascular system, 
embraces the Mosses, Ferns, Lycopodiaceas, Hquisetaceas, and some other allied 
plants, all of which, with the exception of the first and last, are known to occur, or 
to have related to forms in the Permian system. 
Sub-class FiricaLes, Lindley. 
Diagnosis.— Vascular acrogens, with marginal or dorsal one-celled spore-cases, 
usually surrounded by an elastic ring ; and spores of only one kind.” (Lindley.) 
Dr. Lindley divides Ferns into three orders: Ophioglossacee (Adders’ Tongues), 
Polypodiacee (ordinary Ferns), and Daneacee (Daneworts, tropical plants). The 
Permian species next to be described appears to belong to the second group. 
Order POLYPODIACEA. 
Diagnosis.—“ Spore-cases ringed, dorsal or marginal, distinct, splitting irregu- 
larly.’ (Lindley.) 
Genus Neuropteris, Ad. Brongniart. 
Diagnosis.—* Leaves bipinnate, or rarely pinnate; leaflets usually somewhat 
cordate at the base, neither adhering to each other, nor to the rachis, by their whole 
base, only by the middle portion of it; midrib vanishing at the apex; veins oblique, 
curved, very fine, dichotomous. ructification: sori lanceolate, even (covered with an 
indusium) arising from the veins of the apex of the leaflets, and often placed in the 
bifurcations.”* (Ad. Brongniart.) 
This is an extinct genus of Ferns which abounded during the early ages of the 
world, as remains of it are very common in the coal formation: several species also 
occur in the Jurassic rocks; but only one is known to belong to the Permian 
deposits of Britain. 
' The Vegetable Kingdom, p. 4, 1847. 
2 Op. cit. p. 74. 
ZOpy city pal 7S: 
* Histoire des Végétaux Fossiles, p. 226; Fossil Flora, vol. i. 
