438 Unversity Geological Survey of Kansas. 
Formation and locality: Wellington shales, Banner City, 
Dickinson county. 
Glenopteris SELLARDS. 
Kansas University Quarterly, vol. 9, pp. 179-189, July, 1900. 
Fronds pinnatifid, or simply pinnate, elliptical in outline, 
tapering to base and apex. The fronds of the different species 
of the genus have a very considerable range in size, from 10 to 
15 cm. for the smallest species to 45 em. or more for the 
largest. Base always petiolate; rachis strongly developed, pro- 
portionately strong at the base, longitudinally striate. Fronds, 
apparently thick and fleshy in life, leaving a carbonaceous 
layer on the rock, in which the veins are deeply immersed 
and often hidden. Pinnules attached to the rachis by the en- 
tire base, decurrent, or auricled below, more or less rounded 
above. Pinnules at the base of the frond reduced, open, or 
more commonly refiexed. Those at the middle of the frond 
largest, varying in size and shape with the size of the frond, 
oblong to linear, oblique, or curved back at the apex. Borders 
entire or undulate, and even lobate in one species referred 
doubtfully to the genus. Pinnules towards the apex also re- 
duced, becoming more ovoid, even odontopteroid in appearance, 
ending in undulations of a terminal pinnule. Midvein of the 
pinnule strong in the large fronds, decurrent at the base, run- 
ning some distance down the rachis before uniting with it, 
continuing to or near the apex. Lateral veins oblique, rather 
thin, and often obscured by the thick frond; simple or forking; 
at the base attached to the main rachis; curved in passing to 
the border, or almost straight. The decurring wing, or auricle, 
receives numerous strongly curved, or straight, simple, or 
forked, nerves from the main rachis. Fructification unknown. 
The plants of this characteristic genus are among the most 
abundant of the formation. Five species have been found, 
represented by good specimens. In addition, there are two 
specimens in the collection, one the apical part of a frond, the 
other a young frond still in the circinate condition at the apex, 
which apparently are not referable to any of the species de- 
scribed. The pinnules of both are linear, very acute, straight, 
-and oblique to the rachis. The numerous individuals, and the 
differentiation that the genus has reached, indicate that it 
was a leading genus in the flora of the formation. 
Generic relation.—Among Paleozoic plants, the genus most 
closely related to Glenopteris in the form and development of 
