The Sporangia of Stauropteris oldhamia. 11 7 
fragmentary, but in many cases are exceedingly well preserved, still 
containing their spores. I have been acquainted with these 
sporangia for the last ten years, but have only recently obtained 
proof of their connection with Stauropteris. In several instances, 
four of which are figured in the present paper, the sporangia are 
found attached terminally to the finest branches of the rachis. 
This is clear in Fig. 1, from a photograph. The vascular bundle 
of the fertile branchlet is seen at two places, and the structure is 
in all respects that of the ordinary ultimate ramifications of the 
rachis. In this case the sporangium is empty. 
In Fig. 2a, the connection of the branchlet with the sporangium 
is very well shown, the tissues of the one organ passing over 
quite continuously into those of the other. The sporangium itself 
is here in an excellent state of preservation and full of spores. 
Fig. 2. Stauropteris oldhamia, Binney. A.—Sporangium in nearly median 
section, attached terminally to an ultimate branchlet of the rachis. st., 
stomium, Scott Coll., 2213. B.—Sporangium in tangential section, 
attached to a short piece of a branchlet. Scott Coll., 2207. C.—Sporangium 
with wall burst, attached as before, p, palisade tissue of branchlet. 
Scott Coll., 2219. All figures x about 50. From sketches by Mrs. D. H. 
Scott. The specimens are from Shore Littleborough, Lancs. 
Fig. 2c, again shows the connection between sporangium and 
rachis quite clearly. The branchlet bearing the sporangium is 
damaged on one side, but on the other the continuity of its 
epidermis with the sporangial wall is especially evident. This 
