FOSSIL PLANTS. 
411 
§ 3. Schizoptcris proper, to which belong the species with a frond generally 
laeiniate, or cut in linear erect or curved divisions, sometimes enlarged at the 
top, marked with thin parallel veins ascending from the base of the frond to 
the top of the lobes without branching, being split in fascicles with the divi¬ 
sions. To this section belong merely the genus Schizoptcris , as characterized 
by Prof. Brongniart for his Schizoptcris anomala. 
It is difficult to separate these sections in genera by reliable and permanent 
characters. Some ofithe species which are considered as Schizoptcris by authors, 
as Schizopteris adnascens, LI. and Hutt, for example, have the nervation and a 
mode of division of their fronds similar to those of some Hymenophyllites , while 
species referable to this last genus have, with a regular mode of division a nerva¬ 
tion by disconnected fascicles of veins, like species of Aplilebia and Schizopteris. 
This is the case with our Hymenophyllites splendens . The plants of the two 
last divisions are little known, their apparently soft tissue having often been 
destroyed by maceration. I have described and figured here some remarkable 
forms, especially from the concretions of Mazon creek, whose study may throw 
some light upon the nature and conformation of these singular vegetables. 
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. '♦ 
§ 1. Hymenophyllites (proper). 
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Hymenophyllites alatus, Brgt. 
Veg. foss., p. 180, PI. 48, fig. 4. 
This species is mentioned in the Ill. Geol. Hep., vol. ii, p. 437, as present¬ 
ing some characters at variance with the European one. Good specimens of 
it from the concretions of Mason creek, show it to be identical. 
Hymenophyllites tridactylites, Brgt. 
Mill! 
Veg. foss., p. 181, PI. 50. 
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Good specimens of this fine species have been lately procured from the roof 
shales of the coal at Morris, by Mr. S. S. Strong. 
Hymenophyllites trichomanoides, Brgt. 
Veg. foss, p. 182, PI. 48, fig. S. 
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A small specimen from the same place as the former. 
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