Bower . — Studies in the Phytogeny of the Filicales. VI. 17 
spread of the sorus over an enlarged area. Perhaps it may be matched 
among some of the other related ‘ Polypodioid * types. 
The sporangia are very numerous. The sori observed were quite 
mature, but nevertheless there are indications that it was of the mixed type. 
The sporangia have long stalks, not short as stated by Christ ; they are 
about twice or thrice the length of the sporangial head, and they are com- 
posed of three rows of cells. The head itself is flattened, with an inter- 
rupted vertical annulus, having from 14 to 17 indurated cells. The spores 
are bilateral, without perispore, and appear to be 48 to 64 in each 
sporangium. 
These facts relating to the sorus do not supply any points of exact im- 
portance for comparison. But they suggest that Neocheiropteris is definitely 
Text-fig. 8. a, b. Portions of fertile pinna of Neocheiropteris , showing the venation and 
the outlines of the large sori. x 4. 
advanced from a Matonioid-Dipterid state to that which is characteristic of 
certain sections of Polypodium ; while they distinctly favour comparison 
with Leptochilus tricuspis. Both of these Ferns show an interrupted annulus 
and a three-rowed stalk, as against the oblique annulus and four-rowed 
stalk of Dipteris and Cheiropleuria . Incidentally they correspond in these 
features with Platy cerium, though they differ in the mixed character of 
their sori. 
Comparison has been made by Hooker and others between Leptochilus 
tricuspis and Polypodium , § Phymatodes. A similar comparison appears 
probable for Neocheiropteris , which was in fact first named Polypodium 
pal matope datum by Baker. The resemblance here is perhaps as much 
to § Phlebodium \ while, again, comparisons may extend also to various 
Acrostichoid Ferns. Such comparisons may be followed out with prospect 
C 
