DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

UNITED STATES

No. 98

FLORA OF THE OUTLYING CARBONIFEROUS BASINS 

OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI.

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFIOE 

. 1803

LIBRARY CATALOGUE SLIPS. 'i

United States. Department of the interior. (TJ. S. geological survey,) 

Department of the interior | | Bulletin | of the | United 

States | geological survey f no. 98 | [Seal of the department] | 

Washington | government printing office | 1893

Second title: United States geological survey | J. W. Powell, 

director | | Flora | of the | outlying Carboniferous basins | of | 

southwestern Missouri | by [ David White | [Vignette]

Washington | government printing office | 1893

8". 139pp. 6 pi.

White (David).

United States geological snrvey | J. W Powell, director | | 

Flora | of the | outlying Carboniferous basins | of | southwestern 

Missouri | by | David White | [Vignette] |

Washington | government printing office | 1893

8° 139pp. 5 pi.

[UNITED STATES. Department of the interior. (TJ. S. geological survey.) 

Bulletin 98],

S United States geological survey | J. W. Powell, director | |

* Flora | of the | outlying Carboniferous basins | of | southwestern

.», Missouri. | by | David White | [Vignette] |

=| Washington | government printing office | 1893

g 8°. 139pp. 5 pi.

a, [UNITED STATES. Department of the interior. (TJ. S. geological survey.)

S Bulletin 981.

H

G- 2325

[Sulletin No. 98.]

The publications of the United States Geological Survey are issued in accordance with the statute 

approved March 3, 1879, which declares that 

'' The publications of the Geological Survey shall consist of the annual report of operations, geological 

and economic maps illustrating the resources and classification of the lands, and reports upon general 

and economic geology and paleontology. The annual report of operations of the Geological Survey 

shall accompany the annual report of the Secretary of the Interior. All special memoirs and reports 

ofosaid Survey shall be issued in uniform quarto series if deemed necessary by the Director, but otherwise in ordinary octavos. Three thousand copies of each shall be published for scientific exchanges 

and for sale at the price of publication ; and all literary and cartographic materials received in exchange 

shall be the property of the United States and form a part of the library of the organization; and the 

money resulting from the sale of such publications shall be covered into the Treasury of the United 

States."

On July 7, 1882, the following joint resolution, referring to all Government publications, was passed 

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"That whenever any document or report shall be ordered printed by Congress, there shall be printed, 

in addition to the number in each case stated, the 'usual number' (734) of copies for binding and 

distribution among those entitled to receive them."

Except in those cases in which an extra number'of any publication has been supplied to the Survey 

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I. First Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, by Clarence King. 1880. 8°. 79 pp. 

1 map. A preliminary report describing plan of organization and publications.

II. Second Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1880-' 81, by J. AV. Powell. 1882. 

8°. Iv, 588 pp. 62 pi. 1 map.

HI. Third Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1881-'82, by J. AV. Powell. 1883. 

8°. xvhi, 564 pp. 67 pi. and maps.

IV. Fourth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1882-'83, by J. AV. Powell. 1884. 

8°. xxxii, 473 pp. 85 pi. and maps. »

V. Fifth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1883-'84, by J. AV. Powell. 1885. 

8°. xxxvi, 469 pp. 58 pi. and maps.

VI. Sixth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1884-'85, by J. AV. Powell. 1885. 

8° xxix, 570 pp. 65 pi. and maps.

VH. Seventh Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1885-'86, by J. AV. Powell. 1888. 

8°. xx, 656 pp. 71 pi. and niaps.

VIII. Eighth Annual Reportof the United States Geological Survey, 1886-'87, by J. AV. Powell. 1889. 

8°. 2v. xix, 474, xii pp. 53 pi. and maps; 1 p. 1., 475-1063 pp. 54-76 pi. and maps.

IX. Ninth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1887-'88, by J. AV. Powell. 1889. 

8°. xiii, 717 pp. 88 pi. and maps.

X. Tenth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1888-'89, by J. \V. Powell. 1890. 

8°. 2 v. xv, 774 pp. 98 pi. and maps; viii, 123 pp.

XI. Eleventh Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1889-'90, by J. AV. Powell. 1891. 

8°. 2 v. xv, 757 pp. 60 pi. and maps; ix, 351 pp. 30 pi.

XII. Twelfth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1890-'91. by J. AV. Powell. 1891. 

8°. 2v. xiii, 675 pp. 53 pi. and maps; xviii, 576 pp. 146 pi. and maps.

XIII. Thirteenth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1891-'92, by J. AV. Powell, 

1893. 8°. 3v.

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ADVERTISEMENT. Ill

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To THE DIRECTOR OK THE

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, WASHINGTON, I). G. 

WASHINGTON, D. C., April, 1893.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BULLETIN

OF THE

UNITED STATES

GEOLOGICAL SURYEY

No. 98

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1893

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

J. W. POWELL, DIRECTOR

FLORA

OF THE

OUTLYING CARBONIFEROUS BASINS

OF

SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI

BY

DAVID WHITE

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1893

CONTENTS.

\ Page.

\ Letter of transmittal........................................................ 9

Outline of this paper........................................................ 10

Introduction ............................................................... 11

Geological............................................................... 11

Localities........................................................... 11

Mode of occurrence ................................................. 12

Paleontological......................................................... 15

Description of the species................................................... 17

I. Vascular Cryptogams ................................................ 17

Equisetinese ........................................................ 17

. Calamarite ..................................................... 17

Calamites................................................... 17

Annularia .................................................. 25

Spheuophyllum............................................. 35

Pinnularia (Hydatica) ...................................... 43

Filicinese ......................... ? ................................. 43

Sphenopterideae ................................................ 43

Diplothinemse................................................. 43

Diplothmema............................................... 44

Mariopteris................................................. 46

Sphenopteris................................................ 52

Pecopterideaj .................................................... . 60

Pecopteris .................................................. 60

Neuropterideae ................................................. 68

Neuropteris ................................................ 68

Dictyopteris................................................ 99

Anomalous forms ................................................. 101

Aphlebia ................................................... 101

Lycopodinese ....................................................... 103

Sigillariae ...................................................... 103

Sigillaria................................................... 103

II. Phanerogams ....................................................... 105

GymnospermsB...................................................... 105

Cordaiteae ...................................................... 105

Cordaites .................................................. 105

Cordaianthus................................................ 106

Cordaicarpus ............................................... 107

Eesults .................................................................... 109

Difficulties in correlation of western terranes with eastern series by means

of fossils plants ...................................................... 109

Distribution of the species .............................................. 110

Summary table...................................................... 116

Age of the outliers as determined by the distribution and fticies of the flora. 117

Conclusions................................................................. 120

Plates with descriptions .................................................... 123

Index....................................................................... 135

5

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Pago. 

Plate I. Diplothmeina, Mariopteris, Sphenopteris, Neuropteris .............. 126

II. Mariopteris, Sphenopteris, Pecopteris, Neuropteris ................. 128

III. Neuropteris....................................................... 130

IV. Neuropteris ............................................. 7 ......... 132

V. Neuropteris ..............................................S........ 134

Fig. 1. Semidiagrauimatic section of outlier near Belleville, Missouri ...... 13

7

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 

Washington, D. (7., December i, 1891.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith the manuscript and 

drawings for a paper by Mr. David White, assistant paleontologist, 

on the Flora of the Outlying Carboniferous Basins of Southwestern 

Missouri, and to request its publication as a bulletin of the U. S. Geological Survey.

Very respectfully yours,.

LESTER F. WARD,

Geologist. 

Hon. J. W. POWELL,

Director U. S. Geological Survey.
OUTLINE OF THIS PAPER.

The flora treated in this bulletin comes from the most recent foseiliferous rock 

within the limits of the lead and zinc region of southwestern Missouri that is known 

to have been laid down before the ores were formed. It therefore furnishes a date 

for the earliest limit of a period during some portion of which the rich ores of that 

region were deposited.

It is noteworthy as the first flora to be described from any other horizon of the Carboniferous of the state than that at Clinton near the base of the Lower Coal-measures. It is also the first flora sufficient for correlation that has been made known 

from above the Clinton stage throughout the entire trans-Mississippi Carboniferous.

The assemblage of types, which may be regarded as constituting, in some respects, 

an upland flora by reason of its probable altitude of one or two hundred feet or more 

above the contemporaneous Coal-measure marshes, is characterized by a predominance of Neuropterids, the presence of numerous Cordaites leaves, the entire absence of any remains of the Lycopodiuese except the leaves of one species, and the 

scarcity of Calamarian fragments.

All the species are described, several old or uncertain forms, as well as the new 

ferns, being illustrated. Generic and ordinal characterizations are omitted except 

in cases where recent discoveries as to the nature or relation of the groups make 

it seem desirable.

An examination of the distribution of the species and of the facies and affinities of 

the flora leads to the conclusion that the plant-bearing outliers belong to the Lower 

Coal-measures, with an indicated stage near, probably above, the middle of that 

series.

10
FLORA OF THE OUTLYING CARBONIFEROUS COAL 

\ BASINS OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI.

BY DAVID WHITE.

INTRODUCTION. 

GEOLOGICAL.

The flora described iu this report is worthy of consideration in three 

respects: (1) It furnishes locally a datum subsequent to which the 

deposition of the lead and zinc ores of this region must have occurred, 

the plants having been laid down in these basins in the Lower Carboniferous rock prior to the ore formation. (2) The collection constitutes 

essentially the first flora that has been studied and described from any 

horizon above the lower part of the Lower Coal-measures in the Carboniferous terranes of the trans-Mississippi regions. It is therefore of 

much interest and of considerable importance, although the fossils do 

not from the nature of their occurrence constitute the flora of a single 

ascertained horizon in a section of the Coal-measures. (3) The position 

and stratigraphic relations of the outliers with which we are concerned 

are such as to indicate an altitude of perhaps 100 to 200 feet above the 

contemporaneous marshes flanking the "Ozark Uplift" at some distance westward, which now constitute the coal fields of northern Missouri and eastern Kansas. We are therefore justified, from the biological point of view, in regarding this assemblage of species, which 

must have grown on dry land or near a small upland stream or pond, 

as practically constituting an upland flora, as contrasted with that of 

the semi-inundated region westward.

LOCALITIES.

The material examined comprises the contents of fourteen boxes, collected in the fall of 1889 by Dr. W. P. Jenney, of the U. S. Geological Survey, while engaged in the study of the zinc and lead deposits of the 

southwestern Missouri region. The localities where the fossils were 

obtained are, in the order of their richness in species, as follows:

I. By far the greater number of species were obtained from near 

Belleville, Jasper county, Missouri, at McClelland's shaft, Sec. 31, T. 

28 W., R. 33 1ST. These are contained in light ash-colored somewhat

11
12 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 9$.

arenaceous shales with minute particles of mica. In portions they are 

more massive and are sandy and rather darker.

II. Several species, belonging mostly to Neuropteris, were found in 

similar shales at the Hannam shaft, 1 mile northeast of Carterville, 

Jasper county. These shales are rather finer and more compact, weathering a light brownish tea color.

III. From a shaft 1 mile north of Aurora, Lawrence county, a small 

bundle of specimens was collected in May, 1891. The shales containing the fossils are lighter than those described above, with less sand. 

The plants are poorly preserved, though numerous, the thicker tissues 

and leaves of Cordaites being somewhat infiltrated with pyrites.

IV. A few fragments were collected from the north end of the Bay 

State lease near Joplin, Jasper county. ' They consist of a dark coarse 

sandstone, somewhat laminated, filled with small fragments of vegetable matter, chiefly stems, either charred or replaced wholly or in part 

by marcasite.

V. A number of specimens of black coaly shale from the Bristow 

land, Sec. 15, T. 28, E. 33, 4 miles north of Joplin, Jasper county, contain lamella} composed almost exclusively of fragments of Cordaites 

leaves and stems. The latter are either too small or too ill-preserved 

for satisfactory identification.

MODE OF OCCUKHKNCE.

The small basins from which the plants in hand were collected were 

all eroded in a limestone considered on the evidence of its fossils to be 

" of Warsaw-St. Louis age." At other points of the Ozark Uplift, such 

outlying basins are found in the Burlington and Chouteau limestones 

of the Lower Carboniferous, and even in the upper limestones of the 

Magnesian series of Swallow, of Lower Silurian (Ordovician) age. 

Whether these outliers in the zinc region are of the same date as those 

found in Lincoln, Warren, Montgomery, Galloway, Cole, and other 

counties, which have generally been regarded as contemporaneous with 

the lowest of the true Coal-measures in western Missouri, remains undecided, no plants having, so far as I can learn, yet been collected or 

studied from any of the latter : deposits.

The geology of this region, which will form the especial subject of Dr. 

Jenney's report, has been discussed in many state and individual publications, particularly in Messrs. Adolf Schmidt and Alexander Leonhard's valuable report included in the volume issued by the state survey 

for 1873-1874. 2

For the purpose of indicating, in the present paper, the relation of 

the plant-bearing shales to the adjacent terranes, a description of the 

basin at McClelland's shaft will suffice. Moreover this o utlier furnished

1 It is not assumed that the outliers scattered from northern Arkansas to Wisconsin and Michigan 

are all of the same age. 

JJefferson City, 1874. See pp. 381-734, with 28 plates. .
WHITE.] M'CLELLAND'S SHAFT. 13

the greater portion of the data on which the chronological conclusions 

are based.

At McClelland's shaft the basin affects the surface topography as 

a slight " sink." The depression, occurs in a peculiar series of the 

Lower Carboniferous, consisting of loose layers of chert brecciated in 

situ and alternate limestone strata, more or less dissolved and removed, whose fossils, determined by Prof. H. S. Williams, are characteristic of the Warsaw and Chester groups. The bottom of the depression 

is covered by loose chert. The Avails, composed of the same formation, 

are also somewhat broken. On this loose floor rests the lenticular body 

of shales, about ten feet in thickness, very convex "below and slightly 

convex above. The basin at this level is about thirty feet in diameter. 

A tunnel Avas extended from the shaft in the center following the plantbearing layers, to the Avail of the sink on one side, a distance of titteen feet. From the top of the shales to the surface, about thirty feet, 

the depression is filled with loose chert, gravel, and recent material 

washed in.

The accompanying section, drawn semidiagrauiinatically, is prepared 

from sketches kindly furnished by Dr. Jenney, to Avhose notes I am indebted for the brief description of the formation in advance of his OAVU 

publication.

4+4-4-4- 4- + 4- 4- 4- 4-

4-4-4-4-4-4- 4- 4- -1- 4- 4- 4- 4

rrrcn

FiO. 1- Semidiagrammatic section of outlier at McClelland's shaft; Sec. 31, T. 28, K. 33. 

a, loose chert, gravel, and wash, 

b, plant-bearing shales.

c, alternate strata of chert and limestone, more or less broken, the interstices filled with ore. (The 

broken character is not well represented in the diagram.)

The more important events relating to the formation of the fossiliferous shales are: (1) The flexure of the strata and fracture of the chert 

attending the latter part of the Ozark uplift, Avhich elevated this re-
14 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

gion, near the close of the Lower Carboniferous, to a considerable height 

above the Carboniferous sea lying to the westward. (2) The solution 

and removal of the fissured alternating limestones by surface water 

charged with carbon-dioxide, continuing for a long period and producing innumerable passages, crevices, and chambers, often permitting the 

interlarded chert layers to crush for want of support. This undermining has occasionally been so extensive as to result in a collapse of 

all the overlying rock, producing a sink or pothole, such as that described, that is apparent in the surface topography, and Avhich indicates to the prospector the existence in the subjacent rocks of chambers, pockets, etc., containing the ores. (4) Such a sink existed, or 

came into existence, in the early Carboniferous, constituting a small 

pond which was filled with sediments burying portions of the plants 

that grew in the shallows or near the borders. (5) After filling to the 

point of erosion by drainage, no more sediments were perhaps deposited 

until the Pleistocene, wlren the outlet, which was probably a tributary 

to the Carboniferous river described by Winslow a and others, may have 

been obstructed and the process of washing in gravels and detritus renewed. (6) At some time during the interval between the deposition 

of the shales and that of the superimposed gravels and detritus, rich 

deposits of zinc blende and galena were formed in the passages, fissures, 

caverns, and interstices of the limestone and chert, frequently filling the 

chambers and constituting large masses and pockets. At the same 

time dolomite, with minute quantities of chalcopyrite, greenockite, and 

marcasite were formed. Quartz and calcite rarely occur as gangues. 

Many other minerals have subsequently been formed by alteration. 

The dense mass of clay shales was penetrated for a foot or more by the 

solutions carrying lead and zinc and contains near its borders numerous perfect crystals of galena and blende, often distorting and replacing portions of the plant remains, and showing that the deposition of 

the ores was later than the preservation of the plants. The shales are 

nearly horizontal, and but slightly disturbed, the disturbance being 

apparently due to the irregular settling of the mass consequent to the 

subterranean erosion of the underlying terranes.

The vegetable remains are generally well preserved, the thinner 

laminae being brown or dark, and distinct, while the stems and denser 

portions are carbonized. But in the coarser matrix the preservation is 

hardly so good, especially for the study of the nervation. As a rule 

the plant fragments lie nearly normal to the bedding. The surface of 

the rock specimens from certain horizons in the finer sediments is nearly 

covered by plant remains presenting on the same stone associated species of great diversity in form and relationship.

. Geol. Surv. Mo., No. 1, pp. 14-20,1890.
WHITE.] APPLICATION TO GEOLOGY. 15

PALEONTOLOGICAL.

In describing the following species I have sought to make the diagnoses as full as was expedient from all the material at my disposal in 

order to secure as complete a differentiation and characterization as 

possible of each species, and to render its identification by other 

workers in other localities more exact and less difficult.

The greater service to geology will, I trust, be accomplished in the 

more accurate differentiation of the species and forms. If we admit as 

a fact that the modifications in many species enduring through a long 

period are such in the course of time, or amid changing circumstances, 

that certain phases or forms in a fossil state are peculiar to certain 

horizons, especially within limited regions, it follows that the greater 

efficiency in correlation will be attained, and consequently the greater 

aid given by paleontology to geology, by thoroughly diagnosing each

variety or form of a species which is sufficiently distinct from all others 

to be clearly distinguishable in any region or series of localities when 

thus fully characterized. In the ideal point of view any impression that 

possesses a character which marks it as different from all other impressions and as peculiar to a horizon or series merits a characterization 

sufficient for its complete distinction; for its value in identifying that 

horizon within certain limits is equally important whether it be a good 

species to the eye of the systematic biologist, or only the track of an 

otherwise unknown organism. However, in practice the material at 

hand is so far from the ideal either in quantity or in the degree of perfection, that it is seldom that differentiation has gone with distinct 

characterization beyond what are regarded as distinct species. .

In several cases, on account of the paucity of material belonging to a 

certain species in the collection, or for lack of specimens for comparison, 

I have doubtfully referred a form to an established species for the present, though the identification is far from satisfactory. In other cases I 

have united old species whose forms either represent different portions 

of the same plant or do not appear capable of distinction when represented by a good suite of specimens from any locality.

The systematic arrangement of the groups represented in this flora 

is temporary. The relations of many of them are now the subjects of 

radical disagreements among paleontologists, while the knowledge 

constantly accruing from the study of internal structure and fructification compels a frequent readjustment of the lines of classification.

It is hoped that my coworkers, whether in the laboratory or the field, 

will herein find assistance in identifying our species, a task which is 

often difficult when the student has no other aid than the descriptions 

and figures in our American literature on the Carboniferous plants. 

The method followed is that employed by the distinguished paleobotanist, Mr. Bene" Zeiller, in his classical work on the coal flora of the 

Valenciennes basin, and to that work I am much indebted for aid and 

information.
16 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

In taking up the systematic study of our Carboniferous flora where it 

was left by its chief architect and devotee, Prof. Lesquereux, it has become apparent that a certain amount of revision to suit the progress 

of the science, and of recharacterization accompanied by reexamination 

of collections, is necessary; but such faults as are found in the existing 

condition of American Paleozoic paleobotany are easily explained when 

we remember his failing powers of memory and vision during his last 

years, and the great physical disadvantages under which his labor Avas 

performed and which win for his life work the highest admiration and 

distinction, especially from those who through scientific or friendly intercourse learned the beauty and simplicity of his personal character.

Grateful acknowledgments are due to Mr. E. D. Lacoe, of Pittston, 

Pennsylvania, and Dr. J. H. Britts, of Clinton, Missouri, for kind 

courtesies in transmitting authentic specimens from Lesquereux's hand 

for comparison; and particularly to Mr. Lacoe for valuable counsel and 

information given during the preparation of this manuscript.
DESCRIPTION OF TPIE SPECIES. 

\ I VASCULAR CRYPTOGAMS. 

\ EQUISETINE^B.

CALAMITES Suckow. 1784. 

CALAMITES (EUOALAJMITES) RAMOSUS Artis.

1825. Calamitcs ramosus Artis, Anteclil. PhytoL, PI. n. 1828: Brongniart, Hist. V6g. 

foss., p. 127; PI. xvn, Fig. 5 (110116). 1835: Gutbier, Abdriicke, p. 18; PI. n, 

Fig. 6. 1848 : Sauvenr, V<5g. foss. Belg., PI. IX, Tig. 2 ; PI. X, Figs. 1, 2. 1858 : 

Lesquoreux, Geol. Penn., n, p. 850. 1866: Lesquereux, Geol. Surv. 111., n, 

Pal., p. 445. 1877: Grand'Eury, Fl. Garb. Loire, p. 20; PI. n, Fig. 4. 1879: 

Lesquereux, Coal Flora, I, atlas, PI. i, fig. 2 ; text (1880), p. 22. 1882 : Renault, 

Cours bot. foss., u, p. 163; PI. xxiv, Figs. 8, 9. 1884: Lesquereux, Coal 

Flora, in, p. 702; PL xca, Figs. 1-4. 1886: Zeiller, Fl. foss. Valenciennes, 

atlas, PI. i.,v., Fig. 3; PL LVI, Fig. 3; text (1888) p. 345. 1887: Stur, Carb. 

Fl. Schatzlarer Sch., n, p. 96;. PL xn, Figs. 1-6; PL xub; PL xm, Figs. 

1-9; PL xiv, Figs. 3-5; text figs. 1, 2, 28, 29, 31, 32.

1877. Catamites nodosns SchL, Lebour, Illustr., PL n, PL in.

1884. Calamiles (Eucalamiles) ramosus, Weiss, Steink.-CaL, n, p. 98, PL n, Fig. 3; 

PL v, Figs. 1, 2; PL vi; PL vn, Figs. 1, 2; PL vm, Figs. 1, 2, 4; PL ix, Fig. 

1 ; PL x, Fig. 1 ; PL xx, Figs. 1, 2. 1886 : Kidstou, Foss. PL Lanarksh., p. 51.

1887. Eucalamitcs (Calamites} ramosns, Kiclstou, Foss. Fl. Radstock Series, p. 341. 

1889: Kidston, Foss. PL Ravenhead Coll., p. 400.

1888. Eucalamitcs ramosm, Sclionk, Die foss. Pflanzen., p. 125.

FOLIAGE.

1828. Annularia radiata Brougn., (pars?), Prodrome, p. 156.

1848. Annularia radiata, Sauveur, Ve"g. foss. terr. bouill. Belg., PI. LXVII, Fig. 2. 

1855 : Geinitz, Verst. Steink. Sachsens, p. 11, PL xvin, Figs. 6, 7. 1869 : 

v. Roebl, Foss. FL Steiuk. Westpbalens, p. 28, PL iv, Fig. 3. 1874 : 0. Feistmaufcel, Verst. bohui. Ablag.,I, p. 130, PL xvn, Figs. 2, 3, 4. 1878: Zeiller, Ve>. foss. terr. houill., atlas, PL CLX^Fig. 1, text (1879), p. 24. 1886: 

Zeiller, Fl. foss. Valenciennes, atlas, PL LIX, Fig. 8, PL LXI, Figs. 1, 2, text 

. (1888), p. 394. . '

1877. (?) Calamites nodosus Schloth., Lebour, Illustr., PL ni.

1881. Annularia rainosa Weiss, N. Jabrb. f. Min.,II, (Brief.) p. 273. 1884: Weiss, 

Stoiuk.-CaL, II, p. 98; PL v, Figs. 1, 2; PL vi, Figs. 1-7; PL x, Fig. 1; PL 

xx, Figs. 1, 2.

1887. Annularia rainosa Stur, Carb.-Fl. Schatzlarer Sch., II, p. 106; PL xub, Figs. 

2, 3, 4, 6; PL xm, Figs. 1, 3-9; PL xiv, Figs. 3-5.

1886. Calamites (Eucalamiies) ramosns, Kidstou, Foss. PL Lanarksh. p. 51, PL m, 

Fig. 1. __________________________________________

'As tho order Equisetacece is defined find generally understood among botanists, the great family 

Oalamarice can not.be included therein. I have preferred therefore to adopt the classification coordinating the two families within the order Equisetinece, which has been so defined as to contain the 

highly organized Carboniferous representatives, of which the living Equiseta are but feeble and 

degenerate descendants.

Bull. 98 2 17
18 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

FRUCTIFICATION.

1884. Calamities (Eucalamites) ramosns, Weiss, Steink.-Cal., II, p.°98; PL v, Fig. 2;

PL vi, Figs. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7; PL xx, Figs. 1, 2.

1884. Calamostachys ramosa Weiss, Steink.-Cal., II, p. 180 (266), PL xx, Figs. 1, 2. 

1887. Calamites ramosus Stnr, Carb.-Fl. Schatzlarer Sch., II, p. 96; PL xn, Figs.

5 (?), 6 (?); PL xnb, Figs. 2, 3, 4, 6.

Stems cylindrical, branching, the lower portions and rhizomes bearing roots; internodes slender, generally much longer than broad; 

ribs straight, low, l£-3 or even 4 mm broad, rounded or obtusely pointed 

at the extremities, minutely striated longitudinally, often marked transversely so as to form rectangular meshes, furrows shallow, £-£ mm broad 

and bounded on the internal casts by two fine indented lines between 

which the surface is slightly raised, tubercles often indistinct, at the 

tops of the ribs, oval, rather longer than broad, often absent from the 

lower ends of the ribs or represented only by indistinct rounded protuberances; branches and upper part of the stems slender and less 

distinctly costate; branching several times repeated, the branches or 

their cicatrices usually placed diametrically opposite, two at each node, 

or sometimes three or rarely one; rameal cicatrices placed on the middle of the articulation, large, circular, or oval, a little broader than 

long, more or less depressed, with a zone of converging furrows, corresponding to'the ribs of the stem, withiu its borders; final branches 

and branchlets foliate, in annulated verticils of radiating, uninerved 

leaves, the latter being lanceolate, narrowed to each end, 5-20mm long, 

and£-2 mm wide, the- smaller ones nearer the tips of the branches; 

this foliage is commonly known as Annularia radiata (Brongn.) Sternb.

This species, now one of the best known of its genus, is a good example of the progress made in synthetic work among fossil plants 

during the last decade. The careful studies by the late Dr. Weiss of 

the rich material contained in the collections of the Prussian Geological Survey and many other German institutions, the critical examinations by Director Stur of the exhaustive collections from the coal-fields 

of Bohemia and Moravian Silesia, with comparisons with numerous 

other collections to which he had access, the constructive work of 

Grand 'Eury among the plants from the basin of the Loire, and especially the painstaking and brilliant work of Zeiller and Renault among 

the collections from the regions of Autun, Valenciennes, and Commentry, have yielded a great amount of data for the revision of the flora 

of the Coal-measures and the future reconstruction of the system of 

Paleozoic plants on the basis of a knowledge of the essential characters in the entire plant, including its fruiting and its internal structure. Few as are the types whose life history is yet even relatively 

well known, the increments contributed to our understanding of many 

widely different types make the last fifteen years an important period 

in the history of paleobotanical progress. The study of the Calamarice 

has been characterized by special activity and enthusiasm regarding 

both the superficial characters of the various organs and their microscopic structure. The results of all, so far, though establishing not 

many specific correlations of stems, foliage, and fruitings, go to prove,
WHITE.] EQUISETINE^E CALAMAEI^E CALAMITES. 19

at the same time, the unity of many of the types in the calamarian 

family, and the real diversity of the types formerly included in the 

genus Catamites itself. Sufficient has been learned of the organs belonging to various forms of Calamites to show that it contains types 

which will probably necessitate its division into several distinct genera.

In the meantime, for convenience and a better definition of its characters, Weiss has proposed a provisional classification of the stems 

belonging to this genus, which may itself be considered as provisional, 

into four groups based on the alternation or continuity of the furrows 

at the nodes, the periodicity of the branch cicatrices, and the relative 

length of the internodes.1

According to this system, Calamites ramosus belongs to the group 

fl'iicalamites, branching as a rule from every joint, and most nearly 

resembling our branching Eqiiiseta,.

With the exception of the rhizomes and basal tips of the stems, our 

acquaintance with the superficial characters of this plant is relatively 

complete. Considering it, therefore, as a type of the true Calamites, 

its general characters will be given somewhat in detail, avoiding as far 

as may be the repetition of those given in the above description.

Rhizomes and roots. Rhizomes undoubtedly belonging to this species 

have not yet been found attached to stems, though the latter are supposed to have originated from the articulations of a rootstock, as in 

other species of the genus.

1 The grouping proposed by Weiss for the calamitean stems, independent of the other parts of the

plants, is as follows:

I. Furrows alternating at the joints.

1. Oalamitina (emend.) Weiss. Branch scars occurring periodically, the scar-beariug nodes being 

separated by a certain number of joints without scars. In most cases there is a regular increase or decrease in the length of the internodes or joints occurring between the scar-bearing nodes; e.g. 0. 

varians Sternb., C. verticillatus L. & H., and 0. approximates Brongn.

2. JEucalamites Weiss. Branch scars at every joint; the internodes all of the same length or varying 

irregularly in length; e. g. Calamites ramosus Artis, and C. cruciatus Sternb.

3. Stylocalamites Weiss. Branch scars occurring withoiit definite order, of subordinate importance, 

often entirely wanting on long stretches of the stem; the internodes of equal length or varying irregularly in length; e.g. C. Suckoivii Brongn., G. arbflrescens Sternb.

II. Furrows not alternating at the joints.

4. Archceocalainites Stur. [Sornia Sternb. (pars), Asteroealamites Schimp.] Branch scars occurring 

irregularly; the internodes of unequal length.

Weiss, Beitrage zur fossileu Flora, III. Steinkohlen-Calamarien, H. Abhandl. /. geol. Specialkarte v. Preussen u. d. Thiiringischen Staaton, Vol. V, Heft. 2, Berlin, 1884, pp. 1-204 (87-290), 8°. Atlas, 

PI. i-XXVin, 4°. (See pp. 55, 56, 59, 96, 119, 141).

It is at once apparent that this division of the genus, though largely artificial and purely provisional, is simple and most convenient as an aid in classifying the stems until the true relations of the 

various species shall be determined. It has, accordingly, been followed by several authors, among 

whom Kidston (Foss. PI. Ravenhead Coll., 1889) elevates the groups to generic rank.

While moat recent authors agree in discarding Stei'uberg's name, J3ornia, as confusing to the. nomenclature on account of its synonymic relations to Calamites and its original inclusion of species of 

AsterophyUites and Annularia, it seems only allowable, if that prevalent ruling is to continue, that 

the earliest special well-defined name should be accepted. Among the later names Schimper's genus 

Asteroealamites (Terr, trans. d. Vosges, 1862, p. 321) has priority, and is preferred by Kidston and 

Zeiller to the name Archceocalamites, chosen by Stur (Culm Flora, 1, 1875, p. 2), after a careful review 

of the genus, and adopted by Weiss largely on account of its appropriate etymology. Its fruit, described by Stur, has also been shown by Kidston (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., May, 1883, p. 297) to be 

identical with Patterson's Pothodtes Grantoni.
20 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. lnuLL.98.

Stur, in his large work on the Calamarice1 figures a large fragment 

23cm long and about 4cm broad, with five nodes, which he considers a 

rhizome of this species. It was found oblique to the bedding, with 

roots passing from the nodes horizontally and conformably to the 

bedding. A tapering conical base of a stem is still attached to one of 

the nodes, but it is too poorly preserved to show much except that it 

is ribbed, and that the segments grow shorter towards the base. 

Another very large conical base of a stem, springing from a rhizome, 

is also illustrated2 under the same name. As in Calamites ramifer Stur, 

the coaly substance is thicker on the rhizome than on the stem. This 

base is described as 1C1U broad at the tip, enlarging to a diameter of 

15cm at the height of 18cm, the lowest iuternodes measuring hardly 3m . 

The tubercles at the upper ends of the ribs ( u root scars" as interpreted 

by the author) are seen distinctly at every node, while those on the 

lower ends of the ribs ("leaf scars ") are seen only rarely on the coaly 

substance. No branch scars appear. No roots are seen on these two 

stem bases. Weiss notes the occurrence of rhizomes at the same 

places with Calamites ramosus, which may perhaps belong to that 

species, but which, on account of the smooth or very slightly ribbed 

surface, bear an aspect so different from the stems that only organic 

union would permit them to be considered as specifically identical. 

Neither Weiss nor Zeiller have been able to identify stems of this 

species with the lower ends contracted in the form of a reversed cone 

and with a corresponding foreshortening of the internodes, like that 

figured by Stur or those belonging to Calamites (Stylocalamites) SucJcoivii.

To Prof. Leo Lesquereux is perhaps due the credit for first describing, from specimens obtained in the vicinity of Lawrence, Kansas, the 

rounded, conical, or stibtruncate bases of these stems, with their attached roots. 3 The rootlets on these bases are described as simple, 

l^min jn thickness at the point of attachment, and tapering filiform from 

about l"'m in diameter. He says:

They penetrate the stone, passing outward and downward in a curve, from their 

point of attachment in regular rows a little above the tubercles or leaf scars, more 

rarely upon the articulations, the point of insertion being marked by a deep round 

perforation about°half as large as the convex tubercles to which they are parallel. 

They are, however, irregulat in horizontal distances, the space between them varying 

from 2mm to 4mm . The whole length of the radicles can not be seen. By a vertical 

breaking of the block embedding the stems of these Calamites, the rootlets are 

exposed from lcm to 3cm from their origin to the points where they penetrate thestone. The scars of the rootlets, as well as the tubercles of the leaves and the articulations, are distinctly seen down to the rounded or subtruucate part of the inverted 

cones which constitute the base of the steins. The lowest articulations, less than 6'11 " 1 

apart, are gradually more distant up to the eighth one, where, at 7cm from the base, 

the space between them is 15mm. There is no trace of any rhizoma Avith these speci1 Die Calamarien der Carbon-Flora der Schatzlarer Scbichten. Abhandlungen d. k.-k. geol, Reicb 

sanstalt, vol. XI, 2. Abtb., Wien, 1887, p. 4.

2 Op. cit., p. 8.

3 Coal Flora, vol. in, p. 702; Pl.'xcn, Figs. 1-4.
WHITE.] EQUISETINE^E CALAMARIJE CALAMITES. 21

moils, which are all isolated. But another specimen from the same locality has three 

stems, two of which appear to originate from an inclined stock resembling a fragment of Calamites, as if they were attached to it like branches, while another gradually narrowed to a point or to a sharply ohconical base, bears rootlets and merely 

touches the stock by its point, in the same way as are represented by the young 

shoots derived from a horizontal branch in Grand'Eury's Fl. Garb., PL i, Fig. 2. 

In all the specimens observed without connection to a parent stock, the basilar point 

of the stem is a small blunt mamilla, smooth or without any trace of fracture or 

point of attachment, and the radicles are diverging all around the conical base.

Lesquereux's description was based on specimens l£-4cm in diameter. 

The figures 1 show the tubercles to be low down on the costae of the 

root-bearing portion, sometimes near the middle of the shorter internodes and covering a considerable portion of the costae. The specimens 

figured are in the cabinet of Mr. E. D. Lacoe, of Pittston, Pennsylvania. 

Two specimens identified and labelled by Prof. Lesquereux as Calamites ramosus are at present in the fossil plant collection of the U. S. 

National Museum. Both purport to come from Ottawa, Illinois. The 

rock is a coarse and rather soft sandstone, somewhat stained by iron. 

Both fragments agree fairly well with Lesquereux's figures. The larger 

specimen, an impression about 10cm long and 6cm wide, shows neither 

the full width of the stem nor the extreme lower part of it. It presents 

five nodes, the lowest segment being about 1^CIU in length, the highest 

about 3'"". The tubercles are large, circular, and near the tops of the 

ribs. The rows of pits, apparently on the nodes, marking the origin of 

the rootlets, seem as represented in the Coal Flora, Figs. 1, 2, the number of pits nearly equaling the number of ribs of the segment. A fractureof the rock shows the filamentous appendages illustrated in Fig. 2. 

The tubercles are larger at the lower nodes. The second specimen is a 

cast, about 10cin long, of the contracting base of the stem, but does not 

include the tip. It remains partly embedded in the rock and is somewhat flattened, but nearly three-fourths of its circumference is exposed, 

indicating a diameter of about 5cm at the top and 2£cm at the bottom of 

the fragment. Five articulations are seen, the highest 2Jcm in length, 

the lowest 8mm. It resembles Fig. 3 of the Coal Flora. A portion of 

the cast not compressed shows the low ribs finely striated, the distance 

being the same as in undoubted sterns of this species. It also shows 

the two vascular bundles marking by their creases the borders of the 

furrows. The ribs are mostly flat in the upper part of the fragment, 

but become round and prominent in the lower portion. The upper 

tubercles are large, well developed, and often protruded. This protrusion has in places been very great, as is distinctly shown by their having been broken off, sometimes at a distance of 2 inm from the rib, the 

stout stump lying twisted obliquely aside, so that in a few cases they 

overlap halfway across the next rib. Smaller scars, usually indistinct, 

can be sometimes seen at the bottoms of the larger costte. No appendages corresponding to the pits seen hi the impressionJn hand, or in

'Op. fit., PI. xcu, lrigs. 1-4.
22 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

those figured in the Coal Flora, are clearly demonstrable on the cast, 

nor do the elongated tubercles of the cast described above seem to 

correspond in position with the pits of the impression. In the impression the specific characters are indistinct, the ribs are broader, and the 

tubercles larger. The pits which were interpreted by Lesquereux to 

represent the origin of the roots are distinctly seen, in many cases, to be 

placed at the base of the ribs. Owing to the close interlacing of the 

ribs at the nodes in the lower segments, these pits are practically on 

the nodes themselves. They perhaps represent the tubercles at the 

lower end of the ribs. The pits are circular, and" pass down into the 

rock, and in many cases a portion, at least, of the vascular fibres running along the furrows of the interior internode may clearly be seen to 

curve and pass down into the larger of the pits. It may be added that 

the same feature is observable on a tip from the same place identified 

by Lesquereux as 0. Suckowii. The internal cast of this base of 0. Suckowii has iuternodes more or less concave. The lower ends of the ribs, 

jutting out very prominently and generally broken, strongly indicate, 

in the appearance of the fracture, a former protuberance, coinciding 

with the pits in the impression of the same specimen, these pits remaining hollow to a depth of 6mm or 7mm. The specimens identified by Lesquereux correspond in the much rounded dome-shaped apex, the proportionate length of the internodes, and the disposition of the tubercles 

with the figures of G. Suckowii on Stur's PI. v, Eigs. 5,6; PI. xvi, Fig. 1. 

But one of the distinctive characters of G. ramosus, according to that 

author, lies in their tips being more acute. While the identity of the 

Museum specimens with G. ramosus is very probable, the fragments in 

the Museum are insufficient to warrant the conclusion thaWhey belong 

indisputably to that species. Although they agree largely with the 

base figured, but not described in detail, by Star (op, cit,, p, 8) neither 

they nor Stur's Fig. 7 correspond in form to the base attached to the 

specimen figured by the latter as the rhizome of this species. And 

while the specimens figured by Lesquereux seem to have the characters 

of C. ramosus, we can not consider either the stem bases nor the rhizomes of this species as definitely correlated until they are demonstrated by better material or actual union.

Roots originating at the articulation of the lower portion of the main 

stems have been described and figured by several authors. These are 

simple, in fascicles, or sometimes in verticils. Frequently they appear 

in fascicles or semi-verticils about the lower side of the articulations of 

the main branches with the stem. They are cylindrical, 4-7mm thick, 

and about 10-17mm long, or perha,ps longer, tapering to a point. These 

roots have their surfaces shagreeued and are traversed by an axial vascular bundle.

Stems and brandies. This species of Calamites is very ramose, the 

branches dividing in the same inaliner as the stems. The internodes of 

the latter are usually 5-25cm long, the low ribs l£-3 or 4mm broad, finely
WHITE.] EQUISETINE.E CALAMARI^ CALAMITES. 23

striated, and the furrows £-£mm wide, marked in the cast at each edge 

by the furrow of a vascular bundle, the intervening portion being raised. 

The segments are generally swollen toward the joints. The branch 

scars, usually two, opposite, at each node, though sometimes three, one, 

or even none, are l-3|cm in diameter. The larger branches, rather 

oblique to the stem, reach a diameter of 3£cm and have internodes as 

long as 20cm . The ribs on the branches are narrower than on the stein, 

£-l£mm broad, the furrows becoming less distinct. The general diametrically opposite habit of branching gives the secondary ramification-a 

distichous aspect, although the larger branches frequently give rise to 

three subordinate branches from a node. The internodes in the smaller 

branches become shorter, and the ramification more nearly distichous. 

Foliage. The discovery of the dependence of certain forms of Annularia radiata,) as foliage, on Calamites ramosus, was made independently, 

and at about the same time, by both Weiss and Stur. The larger foliate branches are mostly distichous in pairs £-3mm in width, with nodes 

15-30mm long, finely striate, the smaller branches being £-lmm wide, the 

verticils overlapping. The verticils contain 8-20 uuinerved acuteleaves, 

often linear, spread out flat and joined at the base in a very narrow ring. 

The length of the leaves varies greatly, those in the larger foliar twigs, 

whose verticils often only touch, measuring 15rani in length, and reaching a width at the widest part of 2mra , becoming contracted toward the 

base. Those in the smaller verticils are shorter, 7-15mm in length, narrower, £-2mln , and more acute, the number of leaves to the verticil also 

diminishing. Those on the smallest branches are proportionately 

broader at the base and somewhat resemble Annularia microphylla. The 

observed foliage of Calamites ramosus includes nearly all the forms that 

have been described as Annularia radiata (Brongn.) Stb., and Zeiller 

and Kidston refer this entire species to the Calamites in question. So 

far, however, the long awl-shaped leaves figured by Brongniart in his 

original description,1 and later by Geinitz,2 which are rare, have not 

been seen attached, I believe, 3 to this species of Calamites. The true 

Annularia radiata of Brongniart has its verticils from 3£-5cm in diameter, the leaves being also much narrower in proportion to their length, 

while those verticils attached to the Calamites measure about 2£CIU 

across. Observing' this difference, Weiss and Stur independently restricted A.nnularia radiata to Brongniart's typical form, each proposing 

for the Galamitean foliage the name Annularia ramosa. The description and figures of Stur's Annularia ramosa having been prepared in 

1880, while Weiss's announcement of the discovery, in which lie proposes 

the name A. ramosa Weiss, appeared in 1881, Stur sues for priority, 

though his publication did not appear till later. However, strict observance of the rules of nomenclature demands priority for Annularia

' Classic, et rtist. v6g. foss., 1822, I'l. IT, Figs. 7a, b. 

"Verst. Steiuk. Sachsens, PI. xvni, Figs. 0, 7.

3 In arranging the synonymy I have cited only those figures which may be referred to as the leaves 

of Annularia ramosa.
24 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BOLL.98.

ramosa Weiss, the A. ramosa Stur being1 identical with it, and its synonym. The specimens referred by Geinitz L and Lesquereux2 to Asterophyllites foliosus and by Lebour 3 to Calamites nodosus are possibly 

Annularia ramosa Weiss.4

Fructification. The brilliant discoveries of Weiss and Star which 

almost simultaneously established the absolute connection between 

stem, branches, and foliage of Calamites ramosus were further singularly coincident in revealing the fruiting spikes attached to the 

branches. These strobili are mostly small, slender, and elongated, 

fixed at the end of the leaf-bearing twigs, or arranged in irregular 

panicles. The axis is slender, the segments being about 3mm long, 

the joints surrounded by verticils of very slender, short, acute, 

sterile bracts, curved outward at nearly a right angle at the base, and 

turning upward. In the older portions of the spike they arch farther 

backward, but near the end they curve upward, closing together like 

a bud at the apex. The sporangiophores spring from the middle of 

the intern odes according to the Bruckmannia .type. The sporangia are 

distinct when present, but their internal structure is not yet known. 

More often they are fallen away. The spikes are usually borne on inultinodial leafy, twigs, the minute leaves of the latter measuring about £cm 

in length and £mm in width. For the strobili of Calamites ramosus 

Weiss proposed the name CalamostacJiys ramosa.

Habit and relations. The roots springing from the lower articulations of the main stem (not the conical base) and especially at the origin 

of the primary branches, are construed by some authors as indicating 

a subaqueous or subterranean habit of growth. The distichous ramification of some of the larger branches and the Annularia branchlets, in one plane, are said to argue a floating condition for them, 

while the others, branching irregularly, including the irregular forms 

of Anmdaria with the minute leaves, may represent an aerial growth. 

Stur inclines to the belief that the species is heteromorphous, and that 

certain Vollcmannia spikes, found intimately associated, also belong to 

this species; but as only the one described has been found physically 

united, the relation of the Volkmannia remains in doubt.

Calamites ramosus is most nearly related to C. ramifer and C. Suckoivii, 

Weiss having referred Stur's C. ramifer* to C. ramosus. Stur in his 

Calamarise, p. 116, describes the former as the ancestor of C. ramosus, 

which he regards as representing a later condition of the same type. 

He describes the rhizome of the latter as similar to the stems, while that 

of C. ramifer requires a careful examination to prove it a Calamites.

1 Verst. Steink. Sachseiis, PI. XVI, Fig. 2.

* Coal Flora, I, p. 39.

3 Illustrations, PI. in.

4 The- annularian leaves are well represented in Weiss's Monograph of the Calamarice, Part 2, and 

Stur's Calamarice of the Schatzlar strata, PI. xiv, arid xm, Figs. 1-9 of the latter having been made 

from the same specimen.

6 Culm-Flora, II, 1877, p. 82 (188), PI. in, Figs. 3, 3b, 4; PI. iv, Tigs. 2, 3, 4. '
WHITE.] EQUISETINEJE CALAMARI^ ANNULARIA. 25

The stems of 0. ramifer have a thick coaly substance, while those of 

the other species have a very thin, almost membranaceous layer. The 

Lower Carboniferous form has few branches, often naked for 2-4 consecutive joints, whereas the Carboniferous form branches at every, or 

nearly every joint, the ornamentation being at the same time slightly 

more distinct. The furrows of the stems of C. ramosus are sometimes 

alternate, sometimes irregular at the nodes, and quite frequently they 

pass directly across the node, continuing along the next interval. The 

last arrangement is much more common in C. ramifer, and would seem 

to suggest a transition from the Bornia type. The stems of C. ramosus 

differ from those of C. Suckowii, as pointed out by Zeiller, by the proportionately longer internodes of the former, the branches not shortened 

near the insertion of the stem, the ribs often broader, less distinctly 

marked, the tubercles at the upper ends more oval, and the striations 

of the internal cast less crowded, resembling more those of C. undulatus. The close relation of C. ramosus and C. 'Suckowii in their ramification, shows the artificial character of Weiss's classification and argues 

against the promotion of the groups .Eucalamites and Stylocalamites to 

independent generic rank.

Locality. Represented by several fragments of stems and detached 

foliage from McClelland's Shaft, near Belleville, and from Aurora, Lawrence county.

ANNULARIA Sternberg. 1823. 

ANNULARIA STELLATA (Schloth.) Wood.

1699. Apparince densius foliatte Luidius, Lithophyl. Brit., p. 12; PI. v, Fig. 201. 

1723: Scheuchzer, Herb, diluv., p. 19; PL m, Fig. 3.

1771. Galium album latifolium Rupp., Walch, Naturgesch. Verst., III. Tb. p. 117; 

pi. oo, Fig. 2.

1723. Galium album vulgare Tourn., Scheuchzer, Herb, diluv., p. 63; PI. xiu, Fig. 3.

1804. , Scblotbeim, Flora Vorw., PL I, Fig. 4.

1804. Equisetumf Parkinson, Organic Remains, p. 428; PL V, Fig. 11.

1809. f Phytolithus stellatn.'S Martin, Petrificata Derb., PL xx, Fig. 4.

1820. Casuarimtes stellatus Schlotheiin, Petrifactenkunde, p. 397. 1832: Schlotheim,

Merkwiirdige Verst., p. 5; PL i, Fig. 4.

°182$. Annularia spinulosa Sternberg, Versuch, I, fasc. 2, pp. 28, 32; PL xix, Fig. 4; 

Tent., p. xxxi.

1826. Bornia stellata, Sternberg, Versuch, Tent., p. xxviii. *

1826. Annularia fertilis Sternberg, Versuch, I, fasc. 4, p. 43; PL LI, Fig. 2; Tent., 

p. xxxi. 1837: Bronn, Letluea geogn., p. 44; PL vm, Fig. 8. 1859: EichwaM, Letluea roasica, p. 187; PL xiv, Fig. 9. '

1828. .Annularia lonyifolia Brongniart, Prodrome, p. 156. 1845: Germar, Verst. Wettin u. Lobejiin, p. 25; PL ix, Figs. 1-3. 1849: Brongniart, Tableau, p. 53 

(102). 1852: V. Ettingshausen, Steink.-FL Stradonitz, p. 8; PL i, Fig. 4. 

1855: Geinit'/, Verst. Steink. Sachsens, p. 10; PL xix, Figs. 3-5. 1866: 

Lesqueroux, Geol. Surv. 111., II, Pal., p. 444. 1869: Schimper, Traite", I, 

p. 348 (pars); PL xxa, Fig. 5; PL xxvi, Figs. 2,3,4. 1869: v. Roehl, Foss. 

Fl. Steink. WestphaL, p. 28; PL iv, Fig. 6. 1874: O. Feistmantel, Verst. 

bohrn. Ablag, I, p. 127; PL xv, Fig. 3; PL xvi, Fig. 1. 1876: Ferd. Roemer,
26 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

1 Lethaea geoguost., I, atlas, PI. L, Fig. 8; text (1880) p. 150. 1876: Heer, Fl. 

foss. Helv., p. 51; PI. xix, Figs. 4, 5. 1879: Lesqnereux, Coal Flora, atlas, 

PI. ii, Figs. 1, 2, 2a; text (1880), I, p. 45. 1881: Lesquereux, Rept. Geol. 

Snrv. Incl., 1879-'80, p. 153; PI. xi, Fig. 1. 1882: Renault, Cours bpt. foss., 

II, p. 126; PI. xx, Fig. 1. 1883: Lesquereux, 13th Rept. Geol. Surv. Ind., 

pt. 2, p. 44; PL vn, Figs. 1, 2. 1883: Schenk in Richthofen's China, IV, 

p. 232; PL xxxix. 1884: Lacoe in Lesquereux, Coal Flora, III, p. 706. 

1889: Lesley, Diet. foss. Penn., I, p. 26 (fig.).

1834. Asteropliyllites equisetiformis (Schloth.) Brongn., Lindley and Hutton, Foss. FL, 

n, PL 124.

1835. Equisetum stellifolium Harlau,'Traus. Geol. Soc. Penn,, i, p. 260; PL xiv, Fig. 4.

1836. Asterophyllites ? Morton. Ain Jour. Sci. xxix, p. 151; PL ix, Fig. 30.

1840. Aaterophyllites, Jackson, Rept. Geol. Surv. R. I., 1839, p. 288; PL vi.

1841. Annularia, Hitchcock, Final Rept. Geol. Mass., 11, p. 754, Fig. 226; PL xxn, 

Fig. 3; PL xxm.

1860. Annularia stellata (Schloth.) H. C. Wood, Proc. Acacl. Nat. Sci., Philada., xn, 

p. 236. 1878: Zeiller, Ve"g. foss. terr. houill., atlas, PL CLX, Figs. 2, 3; text 

(1879) p. 26. 1886: Zeiller, Fl. foss. Valenciennes, atlas, PL LXI, Figs. 4-6; 

text (1888), p. 398. 1887: Kidston, Radstock Series, p. 343. 1887: Stur, Carb.- 

Fl. Schatzlarer Sch., n, p. 55; PL xmb, Fig. 3. 1890: Renault .and Zeiller, 

Fl. foss. Commeutry, Pt. 2, p. 398; PL XLV, Figs. 1-7; PL XLVI, Figs. 1-6.

1868. Asterophyll'ites longifolius (Sterub.) Brongn., Biiiney, Obs. Struct, foss. pi. 

Carb., I, p. 28; PL vi,o Fig. 3.

1883. (?) Annularia mucronata Schenk in Richthofeu, China, IV, p. 226; PL xxx, 

Fig. 10.

1887. Annularia Geinitzii Stur., Carb.-Fl. Schatzlarer Sch., n, p. 215; PL xvib, Figs. 

1,2,3.

1887. Annularia westpliaUca Stur, op. cit., p. 213; PL xmb, Fig. 2.

1887. Asterophyllites loestphallcus Stur., op. cit., p. 216; PL ivb, Fig. 4.

FRUCTIFICATION.

1826. Sruckmannia tuberculata (pars?) Sternberg, Versuch. i, fasc. 4, Tent., p. xxix;

PL XLV, Fig. 2. 1882: Renault, Cours hot. foss., n, p. 129; PL XXI, Figs.

'l-6bis.

1828. Asteropliyllites tutierculata (Sternb.) Brougniart, Prodrome, p. 159. 

1876. Annularia longi/Qlia Brougn., Ferd. Roemev, Lethaea geognost., I, atlas, PL L,

Fig. 9; text (1880), p. 150. 1877: Grand'Eury, Fl. Carb. Loire, p. 44; PL

VI, Fig. 4. 1879: Heer, Urwelt d. Schweiz, p. 16; Fig. 22. 1879: Lesquereux,

Coal Flora, i, PL m, Fig. 10 (not 11 and 12). 1882: Renault, Cours hot.

foss., n, p. 126; PL xxi, Figs. 1-7. 1883: Schenk in Richthofen, China, iv,

p. 232; PL xxxiv, Figs. 4-7; PL xxxv, Fig. 7; PL xxxvi, Figs. 1-4; PL

xxxix; PL XLI, Fig. 6. 

1876. Stacliannularia tuberculata (Sternb.) VVeiss, Steink., CaL, I, p. 17; PL I, Figs.

2-4; PL n, Figs. 1-3; PL in, Figs. 3-10, 12.

1884. Calamostachys tuberculata (Sternb.) Weiss (nee Lx.), Steink.-CaL, n, p. 178. 

1886. Annularia stellata, Zeiller, FL foss. Valenciennes, atlas; PL LXI, Figs. 3, 3a; 

* text (1888), p. 398. 1890: Renault and Zeiller, Fl. foss. Coinmentry, n, p. 398;

PL XLV, Figs 1, 3; PL XLVI, Figs. 4-6.

Stems finely striate, branching- distichously opposite at the articulations, all the ramifications lying in the same plane; leaves in whorls of 

sixteen to thirty-two at the nodes of the branches, narrowly lanceolatespatulate, broadest at the middle, or a little above the middle, cuneate 

towards the base, lanceolate, rather abruptly contracted to an acute 

point or somewhat obtuse above, 1-5CI " long, 1-3"1 " 1 wide, flat or slightly 

arched, with borders usually reflexed, the entire whorl lying nearly in 

the same plane as the brandies; medial nerve broad and distinct.
WHITE.] EQUISETINE-ffi CALAMARLE ANNULARIA. 27

Fructifications in long cylindrical spikes, arranged in verticils at Hie 

nodes of the principal branches or steins, characterized by whorls of 

sterile bracts &t the joints of the axis, Avith alternating whorls of sporangipphores situated on the ribs in the internodes, representing a type 

familiar -under the name Bruckma/nnia tuberculata Stemberg.

This species, one of the commonest of the Annularia}, was among the 

first to be described and finally reconstructed, though the caducous 

nature of the branches and spikes delayed the definite correlation of 

the organs until recent years. Its large, showy verticils are easily distinguished, causing it to be one of the most commonly recognized plants 

of the Coal-measures.

Stems. The remarkable specimens of Annularia stellata described 

by Scheuk in Eichthofen's China (Vol. iv, PI. xxxix), and by Eenault 

and Zeiller from the coal field of Comrnentry, showing the foliage 

attached to the branches and stems, confirm the view entertained by 

Grand'Bury and others, that the large trunks known as Equisetites 

lingulatus G-ermar 1 are but the stems of this Annularia. The trunk 

figured by Schenk is of calamitean aspect, and is over 5cm in diameter, 

with an internode nearly 13cm in length. Zeiller describes the steins 

(Valenciennes, p. 399) as having a width of 5 to 6cm, with internodes 6 

to 12cm long. Though it is extremely rare that foliated branches are 

found attached to the large stems, it has been the good fortune of 

the distinguished French paleobotanists to find such among the Commentry plants. These discoveries seem to corroborate the description 

and conclusion of Mr. E. D. Lacoe, communicated to Prof. Lesquereux 

in 1884 and published in the third volume of the Coal Flora (p. 706), 

as follows:

I have upon four parts of a once large stone upwards of fifty verticils of Annularia 

longlfolia, the leaves of which vary from 1-J 3£cm in length, the large ones attached 

to branches 4-5mm in width, flattened. These branches come out from larger ones, 

or steins 15-16mm wide, and upon the same stone, there is a Catamites stem which 

appears to be of the same species and measures 74~8cm in diameter. The articulations 

are i8-20cin apart. One of them, with the branch still attached, which is 18-20'mn 

in diameter, is broken at its second articulation 35""" from its point of origin. Upon 

the same fragment of stone there is another limb or branch 12-15mm wide, passing 

under the main or large stem in the direction of its other articulation, and to this 

limb is attached one of the small branches with verticils of leaves. I have no doubt 

that all these fragments of stems of various sizes belong to the same species.

It is unfortunate that in the haste of preparation of the third volume 

of the Coal Flora this fine specimen could not have been figured. 

Eenault, who has minutely described the structure of the silicified 

stem of this Annularia, finds it to be essentially parenchymatous, with 

an extremely thin development of the woody zone and cortex, while 

the smaller stems show a structure not essentially different from the 

living JHquiseta.

Foliage. From nearly all of the enlarged joints of the large stems 

spring pairs of branches, arranged distichously, in the same plane. 

These vary from £-2cra in diameter, with intervals sometimes as long

1 Verat. Steink. Wcttin u. Lobejun, p. 27, PL X.
28 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA'OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL.98.

as 7CI" very finely, often indistinctly, striated, the verticils usually 

touching or slightly overlapping. These give rise in the same manner 

to other branches, springing from above the verticils at the joint, sometimes nearly at right angles, sometimes more obliquely. The latter 

are very long and slender, with a width of less than 5mm. The verticils 

of these branches occur at intervals of l£-3eul , becoming smaller and 

overlapping one another sometimes nearly one-half their diameter. 

Renault and Zeiller illustrate in the second part of th<j Flora of Commentry (PI. XLVI, Fig. 1) a large slab about 70cm long and 45cm wide, 

almost wholly covered by a portion of the ramification and foliage of an 

incomplete segment of a branch or stem of this species. Occasionally 

the leaves of A. stellata are found flattened in the shales, the result of 

decomposition or pressure. Eenault has observed the leaves on the 

smaller branches to be as short as l-l£cm, while the lateral leaves of 

the larger verticils measured 6-7crn . Notwithstanding its generally 

uniform habit, considerable variations have been observed in different 

specimens, perhaps due only to local influences or the circumstances of 

fossilization. Dr. Stur, who has examined many specimens with much 

painstaking, proposes1 to divide Annularia stellata into three species, of 

which the first, A. stellata Stur (emend.), has the margin of the leaves 

thickened; the second, A. Geinitzii Stur,2 has the upper surface of the 

leaves hairy; while the third, Annularia tcestplialica Stur,3 is characterized by its strong stem prominently ribbed with more coaly substance, and the closer verticils of rigid leaves radiating to right 

and left, but not covering the stems. A deeply dissected specimen belonging to the last species he designates4 as Asteropliyllites westplialicus, 

on account of its asterophyllitean appearance, such a dual nomenclature being consonant with the author's view of the occurrence of forms 

referable to both Asterophyllites and Annularia on different parts of 

the same calarnitean plant. It is doubtful whether these differences 

are constant or of more than varietal importance. Stur's illustration 

of A. fertllis Sternb.5 seems hardly identical with Sternberg's type, 

which belongs to A. stellata, but in the proportions and laxness of the 

leaves it closely resembles A. ramosa.

Fructification. The union of the stems and fruiting spikes observed 

by several authors in recent years corroborates the opinion long entertained that the fruiting of Annularia stellata was included among the 

strobili familiar under the name Bruckmannia tubcrculata. Renault 

and Zeiller in the atlas of their magnificent work on the Cominentry 

flora represent (PI. XLV, Fig.l)a stem of the Equisetites lingidatus type, 

over 3cln wide, with nodes at intervals of l£cm, from the lower 

six of which radiate verticils of JBruclcmannia tuberculata at an

1 Carbon-flora d. Schatzlarer Soliichten, II, p. 213.

* Op. cit., p. 215, PI. XVI&, Figs. 1, 2. 3.

* Op. cit., p. 213, PI. xntfc, Fig. 2.

* Op. cit., p. 216, PI. jv&, Fig. 4.

* Op. cit., p. 216, I'l. xiv, Figs. 6,7.
WHITE.] EQUISETINE^E CALAMAKI^ ANNULAEIA. 29

angle of about 45 degrees, while the upper part of the stem, poorly 

preserved, is foliate. From the large number of specimens obtained in 

the various coal basins of France, Zeiller describes l the strobiles as disposed in verticils on the principal branches and perhaps on the stem, 

twelve to sixteen to a single articulation, often for many consecutive 

nodes, short pediceled, cylindrical, 7-15cm long, with axes 2£-5mm 

wide, with low but quite distinct ribs, the joints provided with 

verticils of sterile bracts, while alternating verticils of sporangiophores 

are situated on the mternodes. The bracts are linear-lanceolate, 

4-6uim long, tapering to a point, open or reflexed at the base, then 

curving upward and slightly inward. They occur in verticils of 16-32, 

springing from the joints of the axes, which are 4-6mm apart. The 

sporangiophores are arranged in verticils situated in the intervals 

between the bract verticils, usually midway between the latter, the number of sporangiophores to the verticil being half as many as that of the 

bracts, each sporangiophore bearing four ovoid sporangia at its summit. The strobili have not been seen in pairs distichously, conforming 

to the plane of ramification. Often the upper sporangia are compressed 

and deformed by pressure between the reflexed sterile bracts above and 

the axis, and crowded against the sporangiophores so that they appear 

as a part of the latter. Schenk shows that this produces the effect of 

"rose thorns" with the convex side upward, so often mentioned in describing the sporangiophores of Bruclcmannia. The strobili are seldom 

found except in fragments, and then the sporangia are often wanting. 

The ribs are marked by slight scars where the sporangiophores are 

fallen. Eeuault 2 describes and figures in detail the internal structure 

of silicified specimens, in which he finds one pair of sporangia above and 

one pair below each sporaugiophore. The bracts are seen to have a 

single distinct nerve, which is all that shows on some specimens where 

the margins have disappeared. The sporangia consists of sacs 

about 2"ljn long, ^m thick, and liVnm in diameter. He found 

the spores of the upper part of the spike to be spherical, T^^mm 

in diameter, and grouped in fours. From the lower part of the 

spike, however, he describes larger spores, y^-iV1"11 i° diameter, 

round like the former but isolated, which he considers as macrospores. The presence of both microspores and macrospores in Annularia brings it into closer relations with Asteropliyllites, thus appearing to lend support* to the conclusions reached by Stur (Carbon-flora, 

n) that Annularia and Asterophyllites are both the foliage of Calamites, 

the former representing the floating or submerged branches, the latter 

the aerial branches, on both of which were borne the Bruckmannia type 

of fructification. From its structure Renault was led to the generally 

prevalent view of the floating habit of Annularia. On the other hand, 

it was the opinion of Lesquereux and Zeiller that some, at least, of the

1 Valenciennes, p. 400.

2 Cours de botanique fosaile, 2" annee, p. 130, PI. XXI.
30 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. IBULL.DS.

Annularia could, not be floating, an opinion that is supported by the arrangement of the strobili about the stem.

Relations. Neither the base of the stem, the rhizomes, nor the roots 

Q$ Annularia stellata are known. Considering this, in connection with 

the facts that the largest known stems of this species are calarnitoid 

in form, and that the Annularia radiata, whose fruiting spike is also a 

Bruckmannia differing but slightly from B. tuber culata, is, in part at 

least, the brauchlets and foliage of Galamites ramosus, the conclusion 

becomes highly probable that the lower trunk and rhizomes of A. stellata, when found, will be entitled to a position in the comprehensive 

genus Calamites. Annularia stellata, as generally understood, is easily 

distinguished from the other species of its genus. It differs from A. 

radiata by the greater size of its leaves, which are generally more rigid 

and more spatulate than lanceolate, by the larger number of the leaves 

in the verticil, and their more obtuse apices, and by the distinct nerve 

usually depressed. Its fruit spikes are larger and much longer than 

those of A. ramosa or A. sphenophylloides, as is seen from the descriptions. Annularia inflata Lx. differs by its inflated leaves, oval in 

transverse section, and its obscure or wholly invisible costa, while A. 

mucronata Schenk is described as having a rounded tip with a mucronate point, %nd the leaves broader near the apex.

In his valuable report on the fossil plants of the Carboniferous, 1 in 

which he has done justice to many early authors, while doing good 

service to the science of paleobotany by restoring to use many names 

that should have priority according to the rules of nomenclature now 

generally obtaining in other branches of biology, Zeiller restores (p. 27) 

Schlotheim's species, identified in this country by Wood, as having 

priority over Brongniart's Annularia longifolia. This is certainly just; 

but it should be noted that Martin, in his Petrificata Derbiensia, 

1809, a work accepted among paleozoologists, figures, PL xx, Fig. 4, 

and describes, p. 25, a specimen as Phytolithus stellatus, belonging to 

his family Plantitce, which, if referable to our species, as it seems to 

be, would give priority to Martin, as earlier than Schlotheim, though 

the specific name stellata would remain the same. Whether Martin 

or Schlotheim has priority depends entirely upon the identity of the 

species figured by the former, a question which should be decided, if 

possible, by an examination of Martin's type.

Locality. -The species is represented by fragments of foliage and 

well preserved portions of strobili from McClelland's shaft.

ANNULARIA SPHENOPHYLLOIDES (Zenk.) Gutb.

1699. Rnbeola mineralis Luidius, Lithophyl. brit., p. 12, No. 202. 

1771. Rubia sylvestris Volkmann, Walch, Naturgesck. Verst., in, p. 117; PI. KJ, 

Fig. 1. 1804: Parkinson, Organic Remains, p. 428; PI. v, Fig. 3.

1 Explication de la Carte gSologique de la France, vol. IV, pt. 2, Paris, 1879.
WHITE.] EQUISETINE.E CALAMARI^ ANNUL ARIA. 31

1828. Annularia brevifolia Brongniart, Prodrome, p. 156. 1849: Brongniart, Tablean, p. 53. 1853: Newberry, Annals of Science, vol. i, p. 97. 1855: Phillips, Man. Geol., p. 234. 1876: Heer, Fl. foss. Helv., p. 51; PI. xix, Figs. 6- 

9. 1880: Roemer, Lethaea geognost., p. 150; Fig. 7. 1880: Schimper in 

Zlttel, Handbuch Pal., n, p. 167; Fig. 127. 1883: Schenk in Richthofen, 

China, iv, p. 233; PI. XL. 1887: Stur, Carbon-Fl. Schatzlarer Sch., n, p. 

223; PI. xvib, Figs. 3, 4.

1833. G-alium sphenophy lloides Zenker, N. Jahrb. f. Min., p. 398, PL v, Figs. 6-9.

1837. Annularia splienopliylloides (Zenk.) Giitbier, Isi^ v. Oken, col. 436. 1854: Lesquereux, Boston Jonrn. Nat. Hist., vi, p. 415. 1855: Geinitz, Verst. Steink. 

Sachsens, p. 11; PL xvm, Fig. 10. 1858: Lesquereux, Geol. Penn., n, p. 852; 

PL i, Figs. 5, 5a. 1860: Roemer, Palaeontog., ix, p. 21; PL xi, Fig. 1. 1860: 

Lesquereux, 2d Rept. Geol. Surv. Ark., p. 314. 1866: Lesquereux, Geol. 

Surv. 111., Paleont, n, p. 444. 1869: Schimper, Traite", i, p. 347; PL xvn, 

Fig. 12, 13. 1870: linger, Sitzb. Acad. Naturw. Wien, math. nat. CL, 

LX, 1, p. 783, PL i, Fig. 8. 1874: 0. Feistrnantel, Verst., bohm. Ablag., i, p. 

129, PL xvn, Figs. 5,6. 1878: Lesquereux, Rept. prog. Geol. Surv. Penn./' Q," 

p. 54, 1878: Zeiller, Ve"g. ten. houill.; atlas, PL CLX, Fig. 4; text (1879), p. 

25. 1879: Lesquereux, Coal Flora, atlas, PL n, Figs. 8,9; text (1880), I, p. 48. 

1880: Fontaine and I. C. White, Permian Flora, pp. 20, 39. 1881: Weiss, 

Aus d. Flora d. Steink., PL ix, Fig. 47. 1882: Renault, Cours, hot. foss., n, 

p. 133; PL xx, Fig. 3. 1882: Sterzel, Zeitsch. d. deutsch. geol. GeselL, 

xxxiv, p. 685; PL xxvii, Figs. 1-10. 1883: Lesquereux, 13th Rept. Geol. 

Surv. Ind., pt. 2, p. 45; PL vn, Figs. 3, 4, 5. 1884: Lesquereux, Am. Nat., 

xvm, p. 923. 1887: Lesquereux, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., x, p. 23. 1887: Kidston, Foss. Fl. Radstock Series, p. 344. 1888: Dawson, Geol. Hist. Plants, p. 

122; Fig. 45b. 1886: Zeiller, FL foss. Valenciennes, atlas, PL LX, Figs. 5, 6; 

text (1888), p. 388. 1889: Lesley, Diet. foss. Peiiii., p. 28 (text fig.). 1890: 

Renault and Zeiller, Fl. foss. houill. Comrnentry, n, atlas, PL XLVI, Figs. 

7-9.

1860. Annularia microphylla Roemer (nee Sauveur), Paleontogr., ix, p. 21; PL v, 

Fig. 1.

1887. Annularia sarepontana Stur, Carbou-FL Schatzlarer Sch., n. p. 221; PL xmb, 

Fig. 1.

FRUCTIFICATION.

1882. Annularia splienopliylloides Sterzel, Zeitschr. d. deutsch. geol. GeselL, xxxiv,

p. 685; PL xxvin, Figs. 1-4. 

1876. (?) Stachannularia calathifera Weiss, Steink.-CaL, i, p. 27; PL in, Fig. 11.

1880: Ferd. Roemer, Lethaea geognost., i, p. 157. 

1884. Calamostachys cf. calathifera Weiss, Steink.-CaL, n, p. 178.

Stems or primary branches slender, with rather fine longitudinal 

ribs, branches opposite at each node, nearly at right angles, bi serial, 

the secondary and subsequent branches all in the same plane, branches 

and branchlets ne°arly at right angles, finely striate, usually bearing 

verticils close together but not overlapping, except in the ultimate divisions; leaves 15 to 20 to the verticil, 3-10mm long, all spread out in 

the same plane as the branches, the lateral leaves sometimes slightly 

longer, giving the verticil a somewhat elliptical form, spatulate, wedgeshaped, enlarged towards the summit', which is abruptly rounded, with 

apex mucronate at the end of the single median nerve, or often emarginate, the surface of the leaves sometimes rough, the borders more 

or less recurved, frequently touching those of the next leaf; median 

nerve strong, sometimes broadening at the apex into an oval or saclike form nearly twice as thick as its normal width.
32 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

Fructification in deciduous cylindrical strobili, 4-8cm long, about 

7mm broad, short-pedicellate, situated biserially opposite at the joints 

of the branches, or perhaps in verticils, the joints of the axis 4-5mni 

apart, bearing verticils of eight to twelve sterile bracts, the latter 

3_4mm long, £-f'nm wide at the base, close at the point of origin, open, 

slightly arched, linear, tapering to a slender point; sporangiophores in 

verticils alternating with and midway between the joints, normal to 

the axis, of the same number as the bracts and alternating with them 

with respect to their position on the stem, each sporangiophore bearing 

four ovoid sporangia at its apex; the sporangia, marked with meshes 

when well preserved, attached by their smaller ends and hanging ceutrad.

Like Annularia stellata, Annularia spnenopliylloides is known only 

from its branches and appendages, although it is possible that the 

larger observed stems may belong to main trunks of the plant. The 

remarkably deciduous character of the ramification and foliage of the 

species leaves room for the belief that the lower unknown parts may 

be of considerable size, finding their place under some other name 

somewhere among the calamitoid steins. Schenk, in Kichthoten's 

China, 1 figures as Annularia brevifolia a freely branching stem of 

Calamites about 15mm in diameter with a node 8£cm long, associated 

with leaves belonging to that species, which appears to bear fruiting 

spikes like those figured by Grand 'Euryz as VolJcmannia pseudoseasilis, 

regarded by the latter as the fruiting of Annularia splienopliyftoides. 

The stem has the general habit of the branches of Calamites ramosus or 

Calamites ramifer, and is very likely a branch of a related Calamites. 

However, the leaf verticils do not appear in the illustration to be distinctly united to the branches, though their connection is perhaps 

as probable as that of the Volkmannia spikes. Judging from tbe 

figure, either verticils or spikes may be only intimately associated with 

the Calamites, as is the case with the pinna3 of Pecopteris lying among 

them. The fact that these strobili are quite different from those found 

organically united to Annularia sphenopliylloides argues against their 

correlation with the latter species. The fact that Annularia sphenophylloides, Annularia stellata, and Annularia ramosa sustain such close 

specific relations one to another, the fact that their fructifications are 

likewise closely related, and the additional fact that Annularia ramosa (Annularia radiata in part) is but the foliar branch of a Calamites 

all indicate a similar calamitean role for Annularia sphenophylloides 

The presence at the joints, whence the branches spring, of lanceolate, 

acute leaves, like those on the stem of the specimen figured by Geinitz, 3 

furnishes stronger proof than analogy, making it more probable that the 

VolJcmannia, rather than the Annularia, is to be considered as extraneous, and that the verticils grew <3n the Calamites branches with which 

they are intermingled. In the second part of the Commentry flora,4

»Vol. IV, PI. XL.

»F1. Carb. Loire, p. 43, PI. vi, Tigs. 3, 3a. 

8 Verst. Steink. Sachsens. PI. xviu, Fig. 10. 

4 Atlas, 2d part, PI. XLVI, Fig. 7.
WHITE..] EQUISETINE2E CALAMARLE ANNULARIA. 33

the text to which has not yet appeared, Eenault and Zeiller illustrate 

a slab about 25cm square, nearly covered by a part of the branches 

and foliage, apparently entirely originating from a larger stem about 

25mi" in diameter and about 7cm between the nodes, which are provided 

with slender asterophyllitean teeth similar to those on the specimen 

figured by Schenk. The union between this stem and the largest 

branch is distinct, and the whole of this beautiful specimen doubtless 

represents a part of a single system of ramification on which the verticils 

are still fixed. The larger stems previously recorded were from 8-12mm 

wide with the nodes 8-10°"' apart.

Branches. The greater of the leafy branches are usually nearly at 

right angles to the steins, and measure 1-5"m in width, with internodes 

8-22mm long, the verticils at the nodes not overlapping. The branchlets, originating in the axis of the verticils and becoming more oblique 

toward the apex of the branch, are £-l'nm wide, with internodes 7-15mm 

long, while the final divisions are between £ and lram in width, with 

nodes £-lcm in length.

Foliage. The leaf verticils vary, considerably in their proportions. 

Usually they are nearly uniform in size for the entire length of the 

branchlet; in other cases they become slightly smaller toward the tip. 

Those on the smaller branchlets overlap more than those on the intermediary branches, the verticils of adjacent branches also overlapping. 

Frequently the verticils show a depression at the center, surrounded 

by a raised narrow ring where the bases of the leaves join together 

the wall of the stem. The fact that the verticils are sometimes slightly 

elliptical is thought by some authors to indicate that when living they 

were not quite in the plane of the ramification. Occasionally the leaves 

are thickened or inflated, by reason, perhaps, of an aqueous habitat. 

Often they appear obcordate, the end of the nerve concealed or visible, 

or sometimes enlarged to twice the natural size and appearing bladderlike at the tip. The surface of the leaves is rough under the lens, and 

when well preserved shows a series of filamentary markings radiating 

from the midrib to the margin. These appear to be composed of rows 

of scales.

In his excellent work on the Calamarice of the Schatzlar stage1 

Stur separates Annularia brevifolia from Annularia splienopliylloides 

at the same time differentiating a new species, Annularia sarepontann 

Stur. As differentiated by the eminent Austrian paleontologist, Annularia brevifolia has the same form of leaves on branches and stems, 

without much variation in the size of the verticils; Annularia spJienopkylloides has wedge-sharped leaves on the secondary branches, etc., 

but lanceolate leaves on the stem, the upper side of the leaves covered 

by microscopic scales. Annularia sarepontana branches much more 

rarely than the others, having over twice as many intermediate 

verticils, the latter twice as large, and the surface of the leaves marked

1 Abhandl. d. k.-k. geol. Reichsanst., vol. xr, Abth. 2, Wien, 1887.

Bull. 98 3
34 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

in a netted form like the nervation of Lonchopteris, but the reticulation 

is invisible without the aid of a glass. According to Stur the fructification known as Stachannularia calathifera Weiss belongs only to the 

last-named species, since he regards that as the only species found in 

the same horizon.

Of these three species of Annularia it is probable that the first two 

are inseparable, and they have been considered so almost universally. 

The last species is perhaps a more robust form of the other, and seems 

to be separated partly for geological reasons. Of the figures referred 

to in the above synonymy all but that given by Geinitz appear to represent Annularia brevifolia as defined by that author. Some of the 

American specimens show the filamentary markings of Annularia 

sphenophylloides, and all that I have seen have the verticils of the same 

form on the stems. One specimen in the collection of the U. S. National 

Museum shows a ramose stem with several pairs of branches coming 

from it, the verticil at the base of the lower pair being composed of 

lanceolate leaves like those in Geinitz's figure, while the succeeding 

verticils on the same stem at the bases of the branches preserve the 

usual form. It is probable that the leaves of the verticils at the bases 

of branches in the larger stems tend to the lanceolate or tapering 

form. The form which Stur differentiates as Annularia sarepontana 

may be comparable to the variety of Annularia sphenophylloides described by Lesquereux as intermedia. 1

Fructification. Branches of Annularia sphenophylloides with the 

strobiles attached were first made known by Sterzel,2 who illustrated 

some specimens from the coal field of Saxony. In the large specimen 

figured the strobili are situated opposite, or possibly in whorls, corning 

from the verticillated joints at nearly right angles in the same habit 

as the sterile branches. The same branch bears typical verticils of 

Annularia sphenophylloides (Annularia bremfolia of Stur). The strobili 

differ from those of Annularia stellata chiefly by their shortness and 

rather smaller diameter. The sterile bracts taper from the base, arching upward and curving close about the sporangia, which are seen between, nearly equaling the inter nodes in length. The internodes with 

the sporangia in place present a globular appearance, while the bracts 

are seen under the lens to be transversely corrugated. Sterzel and 

Zeiller consider these strobiles as identical with those minutely described 

by Weiss as Stachannularia calathifera^ a correlation hardly accepted 

by the latter author, although admitted as possible.

Relations. Among the species of its size it is easily distinguished 

from both Annularia microphylla Sauveur (nee Eoemer) and Annularia 

fimersoni Lx., by its wedge-shaped spatulate leaves, while, unlike the 

latter, it has a strong median nerve. Several authors have employed 

Brongniartfs name, Annularia brevifolia, as having priority (1828) over

1 Coal Flora, vol. Hi, p. 724..

3 Zeitschr. d. deutscli. geol. Gesell., XXXLV, 1882, p. 685.
WHITE.] EQUISETINE^ CALAMARI^E SPHENOPHYLLUM. 35

Zenker's Galium sphenopkylloides (1833), changed by Gutbier to Annularia l before Brongniart had denned his species. But as Brongniart 

neither described, figured, nor made reference to any description or 

figure, we can only agree with Zeiller that his name can not stand.

Locality. McClelland's shaft, near Belleville; and Hanuain's shaft, 

near Carterville.

SPHENOPHYLLUM Brongniart. 1822.

Concerning the relations of the genus Sphenophyllum^ which for 

more than half a century has been the subject of discussions, from 

various points of view, in which a large .number of paleontologists 

and botanists have taken part, a strong disagreement still prevails. 

The rapid progress made in studying the internal structure of the 

Carboniferous flora, with its attending startling and revolutionary 

discoveries, has strongly affected the classification of many of the 

Paleozoic groups, including the Sphenophylla. The general characters 

of the internal structure of Sphenophyllum have been described by 

many authors. As to matters of detail and interpretation there yet 

remains much difference of opinion. In their general structure they 

seem to be intermediate between the Calamaricc and the Carboniferous 

Lycopodiacece. Renault, whose extensive researches in the internal 

structure of the coal measure flora is of the highest value, refers the 

genus to the Rliizocarpece, on account of its organization, foliage, and 

fructification, which he considers to be heterosporous. Zeiller considers 

it a distinct family, midway between the Galamites on the one hand 

and the Lepidodendra and Sigillaricc on the other. Schenk and Van 

Tieghin regard it as standing nearest to the Lycopodiacvce by reason of 

its structure and the position of the sporangia on the spike, while 

Williamson, the distinguished present representative of a succession 

of fossil plant histologists, insists on its affinities to and union with 

the great family of the Calamaricc through its intimate relations, as he 

interprets them, with ihe.Asterophyllites. Going still further, Stur 

referring to the dimorphism appearing among the living JEquiseta, 

regards Sphenophyllum as the heteromorphous macrospore-bearing 

branches of the Calamites, the Asterophyllites being the homornorphic 

branches.

In the continuity of the ribs, without alternation at the joints, Sphenophyllum resembles Bornia, the prototype of the calamarian family; 

and such a tendency to continuity in the ribs and furrows appears in 

Galamites ramifer and others of "the older species of this genus. The 

bifurcation of the nerves also has its prototype in the same genus, as 

has been abundantly described and illustrated by Stur from excellent 

material in the Culm flora. Its articulated stems, with furrows and 

ribs and the pluri-nerved leaves in verticils at the joints, remove it

> Isi» v. Okoa, 1837, col. 436.
36 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BOLL.98.

from the Lycopodiacese and bring it closer to the Calamarice. The researches and illustrations of Newberry, Zeiller, and Stur show a tendency of the leaves in parts of Sphenophylla to simulate Aster ophyllites.

Its- structure, which is somewhat related to that seen in some forms 

described as Aster ophyllites, presents hardly greater differences from 

these than are found in the organization in the many types among 

Calamaricc. Zeiller and Stur find the bracts of some Sphenophyllum 

strobili bifurcated like the leaves of some Volkmannice. Fontaine and 

White described their Sphenophyllum latifolium as having the leaves 

united at the base. Stur, in his magnificent work on the Schatzlar 

Calamarice insists that indisputable specimens of Sphenophyllum, which 

he figures, were the branches oef large stems of a type that has generally been described as Calamites.

In their atlas of the Carboniferous Flora of Commentry, Pt. n, the 

text for which I have not seen, Benault and Zeiller illustrate 1 as 

Sphenophyllum oblongifolium Germ., two branches of foliate branchbearing stems of Sphenophyllum several centimeters long and a,bout 5mm 

wide, at whose joints, 10-12mm apart, are found sheaths. These sheaths, 

which are found only on the main, stems, are dissected nearly to the 

base into many slender, linear, acute teeth nearly lcm in length, some 

straight, some arching slightly inward, some outward, all inclined at a 

narrow angle of divergence from the stem.

For the reasons suggested above it may be excusable, at present, to 

regard Sphenophyllum as descended from a Bornia or Archceocalamites 

stock, in common with the rest of the calarfiitean family, to which its 

foliar members have the closest affinities through the Volkmaimian 

and asterophyllitean types, while the trunks of the larger species will 

be found, I anticipate, to have been referred by various authors to that 

family under the names Calamites, Macrostachya, or, perhaps more 

Droperly, to Calamitina.

SPHENOPHYLLUM CUNEIFOLITJM (Sternb.) Zeill.

1823. Rolularia asplenioides Sternberg, Versuch, I, fasc. 2, p. 30; PI. xxvi, Figs. 4 a, b.

1823. Eotularia cuneifolia Sternberg, op. cit., I, fasc. 2, p. 33; PI. xxvi, Figs. 4 a, b.

1826. Rotularia pusilla Sternberg, op. cit., I, fasc. 4, Tent., p. xxxii.

1828. Splienoplujllwni dentatum Brongniart, Prodrome, p. 68. 1850: Unger, Gen. et 

Species, p. 70. 1855: Phillips, Man. Geol., p. 234, Fig. 110.

1831. Sphenopkyllum erosum Lindley and Hutton, Foss. FL, I, PI. xin. 1847: Bunbury, Quart.. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, III, p. 430, PL xxm, Figs. 3a, 3b. 

1864: Coemaus and Kickx, Monogr. Sphen., p. 149; PI. i, Figs. 5a, b, c. 1869: 

Schimper, Traite", I, p. 341. 1869: voii Roehl, Foss. El. Steink. Westphalens, 

p. 30; PL iv, Fig. 19. 1869: Dawson, Acadian Geol., 3d Ed., p. 444, Fig. 165c. 

1880: Lesquereux, Coal Flora, I, p. 55. 1881: Weiss, Aus d. Fl. Steink., PI. x, 

Figs. 57, 57a. 1887: Lesquereux, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., X, p. 23. 1888: Dawson, Geol. Hist. PL, p. 122, Fig. 45c. 1891: Newberry, Jour. Cincinnati Soc. 

Nat. Hist., XIII, p. 215, PL xix, Fig. 1.

iPl. L, Figs.1, 2. .
EQUISETINE7E CALAMARI/E SPHENOPHYLLUM. 37

1869. Sphenophyllum erosum var. saxifraga'follum Schimper, Traite",1, p. 342; PL xxv,

Fig. 10, 11-14.

1836. ftotularia erosa (L. &H.) Goeppert, Foss. Farrnkriiuter, p. 431. 

1848. Sphenophyllum pusilliim (Sternb.) Sauveur, V6g. foss. torr. liouill. Belg., PI.

LXIV, Fig. 4. 

1855. SpheHOphyllum ScUlotheimii var. (3 dentatum et var. £ erosum von Ettingshansen, c Steink. Radnitz, p. 30; PI. xi, Figs. 1-3.

1877. Splienophyllum diohotomiim (Germ, et Kanlf.) Ung., Star, Culm-Flora, II, p. 119 

(225). 1887: Carb.-Fl. Schatzlarer Sell., II, p. 233, f. 43; PI. XV, Figs. 5a, b, 

c;Pl. xnb, Fig. 2.

1878. Sphenophyllum cimeifolium (Sternb.) Zeiller, V6g. terr. houill., p. 30, PI. CLXT, 

Fig. 1. 1882: Renault, Conrs bot. loss., II, p. 87, PI. xin, Fig. 10. 1882: Zeiller, 

Mem. Soc. gfiol. Nord. II, No. 2, p. 559. 1886: Kidston, Cat. Pal. Foss. PI. 

Brit. Mus., p. 48. 1886: Zeiller, Fl. foss. Valenciennes, atlas, PL LXLH, Figs. 

1-3, 6,7, (Fruit, PL LXIH, Figs. 3, 4, 5, 10) text (1888), p. 413. 1888: Howse, 

Cat. Huttou Collect., p. 37 (52).

1886. SphenophyUum emaryinatiim, Sterzel, Fl. Rotlil. ii.-w. Saclisen, p. 23 (pars).

Forma [var?] SAJCIFRAG.ISFOLIUM Sternb.

1826. Rotularia polypliylla Sternberg, Versnch, I, fasc. 4, p. 42, Tent., p. xxxii, PL L, 

Fig. 4.

1828. Sphenoiihyllum fimbriatum Brongniart, Prodrome, p. 68.

1848. Sphenophyttiim saxifragaifolium (Sternb.) Goeppert in Bronn, Index Pal., I, p. 

1166. 1854: Geinitz, FL Hain. Ebersdorf., p. 37, PL xiv, Fig. 7-10. 1869: von 

Roebl, Foss. Fl. Steiuk. Westplialeus, p. 31, PL iv, Fig. 17. 1878: Zeiller, 

Ve"g. loss. terr. lionill., atlas, PL CLXI, Figs. 4, 5, text (1879), p. 31.

1848. SpheHophyllum multifultim Sauveur, V<Sg. foss. terr. houill. Belg., PL LXIV, Figs. 

1,2.

1852. Sp'hcnophyllum ScMotheimii var. /5 dentatum et var. C erosum, Ettingsliausen, 

Steinkolilenfl. Stradonitz, p. 6, PL vi, Fig. 6.

1854. Sphenophyllum trifoliatum Lesquerenx, Bost. Jour. Nat. Hist., VI, No. 4, p. 

415. 1858: Lesqnereux, Geol. Perm., II, p. 853, PL i, Fig. 7. 1880: Fontaino 

and I. C. White, Permian Flora, p. 20.

1855. Splienophyllum Schlotheimii Brbngn., Geinitz, Verst. Steiuk. Sachseus, PL xx, 

Fig. 6.'

1847. Spheiiophyllum cmaryinatiim Brongu. var. /3 saxifragaifolium, 0. Feistinantel, 

Verst. bohm. Ablag., I, p. 134, PL xvm, Fig. 4.

1.891. Splienophyllum erosum L. & H., Newberry, Jour. Cincinnati Soc. Nat. Hist., 

XIII, p. 215, PL xix, Figs. 2-4.

1864. Sphenophyllum erosum L. & H., var. saxifraycvfolium, Coemaus and Kickx, 

Monogr. gen. Sphenophyllum, p. 151, PL I, Fig. 6 a-df 1880: Schimper, in 

Zittel, Handlt. Palaaont., II, p. 179, Fig. 135 :), ".

1886. SplienopUyllum cunei/olium var. saxifragcefolinm, Zeiller, Fl. foss. houill. Valenciennes, atlas, PL LXII, Fig. 1; PL LXIII, Figs..4,5,9,10; text (1.888), p. 413.

Foliate brandies isolated on the larger stems, l-3'mu wide, ratber 

strongly ribbed, nodes at intervals of 5-141 "" 1 , slightly enlarged, verticils spread out,-the leaves generally turned towards the sides and lowerparts of the circle, leaves usually six to the verticil, or 12 by division, 

rather narrowly cuneiform, 6-12mm long, the lateral margins straight or 

slightly concave, apices truncate, about 4""" wide, the border straight, 

with 6-14 sharply pointed teeth, or more often cleft by a shallow median 

fissure, or even laciniate; a single nerve at the base, strong, dichotomizing three or four times in the entire or bilobate leaves, to form 0-14 

nervils at the apex, each nervil entering a tooth, or forking only two or 

three times in the bifurcate or laciniate leaves.

Fruiting spikes terminal on the branches, cylindrical, 3-10om long,
38 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

5-12mm in diameter, consisting of an axis l-2mm thick divided into internodes 2-3""" long, with low ribs, and bearing at each node a verticil 

of sporangiferous bracts 5-1011"" long, open at the base, then curving 

upwards more or less abruptly, sometimes rather crowded, eight to 

twelve bracts to the verticil, perhaps united at the base, bifurcating at 

a distance of 1-2mm from the base, into two lanceolate, uninerved lamina} tapering to a sharp point, those of one verticil overlapping those 

of the next above, each bract bearing an ovoid sporangium l£-5""u 

long, with surface finely shagreened, attached at a distance of 2-3mm 

from the axis and crowded together.

Sphenophyllum cuneifolium is another of the great number of Carboniferous plants whose description is limited chiefly to foliar characters, 

and whose lower parts are unknown. Zeiller, to whose zeal we are indebted for the discovery of its fructification, describes the larger stems 

as attaining a width of lcm with internodes as long as 3CU1 , smooth or 

faintly striate. I have not seen leaf-bearing fragments of stems more 

than 3mm wide, although much larger fragments, apparently belonging 

to the same species, are present. The average smaller branches are 

about lmm in width, strongly ribbed, usually exhibiting three rounded 

ribs on the side, the farrows between them having the same shape and 

size as the ribs, the whole covered with a thin coaly substance, finely 

striated. The nodes, usually 9-11 m apart, are but slightly enlarged, 

the base of the verticils appearing to form a small cup, or possibly a 

sheath at the joint, before they spread outward. The leaves, as a rule 

G in the verticil, are, in most cases, with a shallow median fissure, about 

1 £-2£imn deep, but many have none. I have observed verticils of entire 

leaves succeeding others with bilobate leaves on the same branch. These 

entire or simply bilobate leaves are generally 9-llmm long and about4^mm 

broad at the truncate top. The teeth are pointed at the tip. In these 

leaves the basal nerve branches two or three times, its distinct nervils 

miming into the teeth, which more often number 7 to each of the two 

lobes of the leaf. In the best preserved specimens, in which these 

nerves appear black and coaly, the upper surface of the leaf presents a 

minutely striated appearance, the filamentary lines running in a direction conforming to the nervation. As they seem to cover the black 

veins as well as the dark brown substance of the leaves, they perhaps 

represent the arrangement'of the epidermal cells, or possibly rows of 

scales. Very often the median cleft extends half way or more down 

the leaf, in which cases secondary and even tertiary fissures appear, 

giving the leaves a wide range of forms including a number that have 

been described and figured as Sphenophyllum saxifragcefolium. These 

may take a twice bifurcated form, similar to that described by Lesquereux as Sphenophyllum bifurcation, only smaller than that species, or one 

of the primary divisions may be tridentate, one tooth deeply separated 

from the rest, or the leaves may become laciniate or nearly fimbriate. 

While I am strongly inclined to believe that certain forms, not belonging to this species, have been described as Sphenophyllum saxifragcefolium, it seems equally probable that to the latter species have been re-
WHITE.] EQUISETINE^E GALA iRDE SPHENOPHYLLUM. 39

ferred a great many specimens of the more dissected leaves of Splienopliyllum cuneifolium. The frequent and intimate association of these 

forms with the entire or bilobate forms in a large number of localities 

has been pointed out by several authors and has led these authors to 

regard the Sphenopliyllum saxifragatfolium as only a variety of Sphenopliyllum cuneifolium. Whatever the propriety of such a reference of 

the forms not definitely correlated with the Splienopliyllum cuneifolium 

type, the relation of some to the saxifragcvfolium forms is so intimate 

and consistent with the cuneifolium type, occasionally appearing in the 

lower parts of the same stem, that there seems no good reason for referring them to a variety at all, but rather it is probable that they 

merely represent the lower or submerged leaves of the same plant. 

This view of the relations of the filiform or saxifragcKfoliim leaves, 

first expressed by Dr. J. S. Newberry in 18531 , and independently proposed by Coemans and Kickx,2 in 1864, has recently been more fully 

elaborated and illustrated by Dr. Newberry.3 The illustrations cited 

as (?) var. saccifragcefolium in the above synonymy are such as seem to 

agree with the forms in the present collection.4 Frequent among my 

specimens are examples resembling Splienophyllum lifurcatum, though 

much, smaller, and certain laciniate palmatifid forms like those figured 

by Zeiller in the flora of the Valenciennes basin.5 Although Zeiller 

describes and illustrates6 saxifragcvfolium forms on the same stems with 

the Sphenopliyllum cuneifolium and doubts not the identity of the two to 

a large extent, he is disposed to preserve the name as a variety for the 

reason that the fruiting spikes are found at the ends of branches with 

the saxifragsefoliate leaves, a circumstance at variance with the theory 

of the submerged condition of life of the portions of the plant with the 

laciniate leaves. The fruiting spikes figured in the Commentry Flora, 

from which the above description of the fructification is taken, are 

borne on relatively robust steins, measuring 2-3mm in diameter, with 

joints about 3ram long. It is noticeable in the foliar parts of this species 

that the portions bearing the dissected leaves generally show a shortening of the joints, while the stems are stouter, as would be natural in 

the lower parts of the same plant. The relation appears in the fruiting 

spikes, as well.. A possible explanation suggesting itself is that the 

liner and more deeply dissected foliage is also characteristic of the fertile branches, which approach, in their development, the two-lobed, 

VolTcmannia-like bracts of the strobili. 

Fructification. A fine series of strobili in different stages of devel1 Hroc. Am. Assoe. Adv. Sci., V.LT. p. 157; Annals of Science, I, Cleveland, 1853, p. 269.

2 Monographic des Sphenopliyllum d'Europe. Bull. Acad. Roy. d. Belgique, 2C ser. xvm, p. 139.

"The Genus Sphenopliyllum. Jour. Cincinnati Soc. Nat. Hist., XIII, 1891, pp. 212-217, PI. xrx.

 "The Splienophyllum saxifrayaefolium Genii, described by Lesquereux in the third volume of the 

Coal Flora, p. 726, PI. xciir, Figs. 9, 9a, with "about four" primary nerves, "some of them forking 

above," seems to be quite different from those referred to above under that name. As yet, however, 

I have not been able either to consult the original specimen nor find another corresponding to its description and illustration from the same region.

5 F1. foss. bassin uouill. d. Valenciennes, Atlas, 1886, PI. LXIII, Figs. 4, 8, 8a, 8b, 9, 9a, 9b.

°0p. cit., PI. LXU, Fig. 1. See also Btinbury, Quart. Jonr. Genl. Soc., London, in, 1847, PI. xxm, 

Fig. 3a.
40 CARBONIFEROUS FLOIiA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

opment has been examined by Zeiller, who describes the bracts of the 

spikes as two-lobed, quite narrow at the base, broadening to the point 

where they curve upward, then tapering to a sharp point. These appear to be slightly united at the base, and it is not certain that they 

are not so united. The sporangia, equaling the lobes of the bracts in 

number, are borne on the bract, at some distance from the axis? and 

are marked at the lower end, the point of attachment, by a small circular umbilical depression. The mode of discharging the spores is 

unknown.

. Relations. Sphenophyllum cuneifolium can most easily be distinguished from Sphenophyllum Schlotheimii by its narrower proportions 

and truncate apex, provided with sharp-pointed teeth. It has more 

and sharper teeth than Sphenophyllum emarginatum, whose teeth are 

short and rounded, and whose leaves do not pass into the dissected 

forms common to this species. Splienopliyllum majus, whicli it resembles in many respects, is very much larger, while the leaves of 

Sphenophollum oblongifolium have their lateral margins convex instead of straight, or more often concave, as is the case with Sphenophyllum cuneifolium. Zeiller, to whose valuable services in behalf 

of paleobotanical nomenclature I have already made allusion, has 

with good reason adopted Sternberg's name, cuneifolium. This species, 

nrst called by Sternberg Rotularia asplenioides, was changed1 in the 

same fascicle, appearing in the same date, to Rotularia cuneifolia. 

Three years later he proposed the name Rotularia pusilla.2 The eminent French paleobotauist, while admitting the author's right to 

change the name from asplenioides to cuneifolium in the same part, appearing at the same time, justly insists that Sternberg has no further 

right to change it after the fascicle had been published and was in use. 

All three of Sternberg's names are obviously prior to .Sphenophyllum 

erosum L. & H., which has generally been employed.

Locality. Abundant in the shales from McOlelland's shaft; also 

found at Aurora, Lawrence county.

SPHENOPHYLLUM MAJUS Bronn.

1828. Rotularia major Bronn, in Bischoff, Kryptogainischen Gewiichse, II, p. 89 (described in footnote); PI. xm, Fig. 2a, b.

1835. Spltenophyllum m&j'iis Bronn/Lethtea geognost., p. 32, PI. vm, Figs. 9a, 9b. 1886: 

Zeiller, Fl. foss. Valenciennes, atlas, PL LXIV, Figs. 1, la, 2, 2a, text (1888), 

p. 420.

1848. Sphenophyllum multifidum Sauvenr, Ve"g. foss. terr. houill. Belgique, PL LXIV, 

Figs. 1, 2.

1855. Sphenopnyllum longifolmin (Germ.) Geiii. et Gutb. (non Sauveur), Geinitz, 

Verst. Steink. Sachsens, p. 13, PI. xx, Figs. 15,16,17. 1860: Lesquereux, 2d 

Rept. Geol. Surv. Ark., p. 315. 1869: Scliimper, Traite", I, p. 340, Pl.xxv, 

Fig. 22 (non 23). 1880: Fontaiue and I. C. White, Permian Flora, p. 38. 

1880: Lesquereux, Coal Flora, I, p. 53. 1883: Lesquereux, 13th Ann. Rept. 

Geol. Surv. Ind., pt. 2, p. 46, PL vir, Figs. 10,11. 1884: Lesquereux, Am. 

Nat., XVIII, p. 923. 1884: Lesquereux, Coal Flora, III, p. 726, PI. xci, Fig. 

6. 1891: Newberry, Jour. Cincinnati Soc. Nat. Hist., XIII, p. 215.

»Verauch, I, fasc. 2,1823, p. 37. 2 Op. cit., fasc. 4,1826, Tent., p. xxxii.
WHITE.] EQUISETINE.E CALAMARI^E SPHENOPHYLLUM. 41

1855. (?) Splienop'hyllnm saxifragcefolium, Geinitz, Verst. Steiuk. Sachsens, p. 13, 

PL xx, Figs. 8, 9.

1866. Sphenophyllum latifolium Wood (nee Font, et White, necque Ren. et ZeilL), 

Tracs. Am. Phil. Soc. ; xni, p. 347, PL vin, Fig. 3.

Stems long, robust, with prominent, rather angular, ribs; nodes at 

intervals of 2-3°"': joints slightly enlarged; branches solitary at the 

nodes, about l-2£1/ul " wide, with articulations 12-26inm apart ; verticils 

of six to eight wedge-shaped leaves, open, with straight lateral, margins, 

truncate, 12-24"1 "1 long or perhaps longer,.usually bifid by a shallow 

median cleft, sometimes with a secondary fissure less deep, but occasionally deeply cleft, more or less distinctly dentate, the teeth more or 

less obtuse, or parted in acuminate laciniaj; nerves strong, two at base, 

dividing dichotoinously to form from fourteen to twenty-four nervils, 

entering as many teeth.

The above description is based exclusively on the features seen in 

the types to which the specimens before us belong. These characters 

have been incorporated into the diagnoses of Splienopliyllum longifolium 

(G utb.) Gem. et Gutb., and Sphenophyllum majus'Bwnn. Judging from 

the great diversity in the features of the plants described under these 

names, especially as seen in the leaves, ranging from 12min to 6cin with 

veins reduced to two at the base, or not confluent at all, according to 

the, different authors, one must conclude either that this is a A^ery 

remarkable species in itself or that two or more distinct types have 

been united under one name. Most authors have either ignored the 

name, Splienoplvyllum majiis, or have 'made it a synonym of Spkenophyllum 1 longifolium. The result is the description of a variety of forms 

mostly named Sphenopkyllum longifolium, of which too few have been 

figured and described in detail to permit either a satisfactory union or 

differentiation among them. I employ Bronn's name because it has 

priority, and because his description and figure agree more nearly with 

the specimens in hand. Sphenopkyllum longifolium, as described and 

figured by Geriuar1 has its leaves usually 2-3°'" long, while the nerves 

appeai; to dichotomize two or three times from four nerves distinct at 

the base. Many of the other characters agree. The plants figured by 

Schimper,2 Coeinans andKickx,3 Weiss,4 vonRoehl,5 Ranault,6 Renault 

and Zeiller,7 and the very doubtful, leaves referred by Heer8 to that 

species all have a Nbeggerathian appearance, the leaves long, the nerves 

not confluent at the base, and forking but two or three times. Those 

figured by Geiuitz9 have a closer resemblance to our American species.

Specimens consisting of detached portions of stems and foliage are 

very numerous all through the shales in the collection. The branches,

'Isi* v. Oken, 1837, col. 420. Foss. El. Steink, Wettiu u. Lobejiiii, 1845, p. 17, PI. vir, Fig. 2. 

"Traite, I., 1809, p. 340, PI. xxv, Fig. 23 (copied fiwu Germar).

aMonogr. d. Sphenopbylluin, Ball. Acad. Roy. Belg., 2o s6r. XVIII, 1869, p. 147, PI. I, Fig. 4. 

«Axis der Flora d. Steiukohleufonu, 1881, PI. x, Fig. 00. 

sposs. Fl. Steink.-Form. Westphalens, 1809, p. 31, PI. IV, Fig. 14. 

"Conrs l)ot. f'oss., 2e aim6e, 1882, p. 88, PI. xin Fig. 1.8 (from Coeinans and Kickx). 

7Atlas terrane houill. Conimentry, Fl. Ibssile, pt. 2, PI. L, Figs. 12-17.

»Fl. toss. Arct., rv, 1877, No. 1, Beitriige zur fossilen Flora 'Spitzbergons, p. 15, PI. n, Fig. 

 22, 22B. 

'JVerst. Steink. Saohsens, 1855, PI. xx, .Figs. 15-17.
42 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. ML

scarcely enlarged at the joints, are marked with three rounded ribs. 

The verticils almost invariably contain six leaves, often spread out 

in a circle, though more generally confined to the lower .three quadrants. Occasionally in the smaller branches the verticils overlap nearly 

one-half their diameter. The leaves are very slender at their attachment and are fixed at an oblique angle to the branch, but curve abruptly outward about lmm from the base, so that the specimen frequently 

presents a round pit at the center of the verticil. The average length 

of the leaves is about 19ram , the width of the top being generally 10 or 

11"' . The fissure, usually present at the top, is normally about 2-3mm 

deep, though much deeper in the laciniate leaves. The nerves, which 

are strong, forking three to five times, often appear to coalesce in a 

single nerve for a short distance in the slender neck of the leaf, but 

they apparently only lie side by side, the vascular bundles of each remaining separate, while immediately above the point of attachment 

they are seen, in some cases at least, to diverge suddenly, the one to 

the right, the other to the left, to join the vascular system of the branch. 

In a few cases the circumstances of fossilization are such that one of 

the fine black vascular bundles seen running along the ribs of the 

branch is observed to pass up into the leaf. In the middle third of the 

leaf, in the best preserved specimens, the nerves occasionally appear 

double, their borders being marked by two coaly lines. The laciuiate 

leaves of this species are not rare, though I have seen none with .the 

large proportions of one of the specimens described by Lesquereux iu 

the Coal Flora, 1 or that figured in his Paleozoic Flora 2 as Sphenophyllum longifolium. The other specimens figured by Lesquereux in 

the latter work,3 and in the third volume of the Coal Flora 4 under 

the same name, as well as those described in detail and illustrated by 

Zeiller,5 under Bronn's name, agree well with mine. To this species 

probably belongs also Sphenophyllum lattfoliumWood, described in the 

Transactions of the American Philosophical Society.6

Relations. The relations of Sphenophyllum majus Bronn to Sphenophyllum longifolium (Germ.) Gein. et Gutb. are not clear, since there 

does not seem to be suificient data either for absolutely combining or 

definitely distinguishing the forms described under these names. 

From Sphenophyllum cuneifolium the species is easily separated by its 

greater size, the two nerves not united at the base and the more 

numerous, generally blunter, teeth. It differs by its proportionately 

narrower leaves, usually bifid and distinct to their bases, from the 

palmately nerved Sphenophyllum latifolium, described by Fontaine and 

I. C. White (non Wood) in their Permian Flora, 7 as well as from the

'Vol. I, p. 54.

213tli Ann. Kept. State Geologist, Indiana, 1883, Pt. 2, PI. vn, Fig. 11.

3Op. cit., Fig. 10.

"PT xci, Fig. C.

6F1'. loss, bassin houill. Valenciennes, p. 420, PI. LXIV, Figs. 1, la, 2, 2a.

6Vol. xiii, 1866, p. 347, PI. vni, Fig. 3.

7 2d Geol. Surv. Penn., Keport "PP," 1880, p. 36. PI. i, Figs. 10, 11.
WHPPH.1 FILICINEJ5 SPHENOPTERIDE^E DIPLOTHMEMJ3. 43

species closely resembling the latter, named Splienopliyllum latifolium 

by .Renault and Zeiller (non Font, et White, nee Wood), and figured 

in the Atlas of the Fossil Flora of Conirnentry. 1

Locality. Scattered all through the shales from McOlelland's shaft; 

also found at Haunam's shaft, near Carterville.

PDOSTULAKIA Lindley & Button. 1834. 

HYDATICA Artis. 1825.

1834. Pinnularia capillacea LincUey and Button, Fossil Flora, II, p. 81 ; PI. CXT. 1855 :

Geinitz, Verst. Steiiik. Sachsens, p. 10 ; PI. xvm, Fig. 4. 1858 : Lesquereux,

Geol. Penn., II, p. 878; PL xvn, F\g. 22. 1869: Voti Roelil, Foss. Fl. Steiuk.

Westplialeus, p. 27 ; PL i, Fig. 7 I ; PL ir, Fig. 5 a ; PL iv, Fig. 11. 1873 : O.

Feistmantel, Steitik. u. Permabl. n.-w. Prag, p. 72, PL I, Fig. 2. 

1854. Pinnularia pinnata Lesquereux, Bost. Jour. Nat. Hist., VI, No. 4, p. 431. 1858:

Geol. Penn., II, p. 878; PI. xvn, Fig. 18. 

1854. Pinnularia fncoides Lesquereux, Bost. Jour. Nat. Hist., VI, No. 4, p. 431. 1858:

Lesquereux, Geol. Peuu., II, p. 878 ; PL xvn, Fig. 19. 

1854. Pinnularia liorizontalis Lesquereux, Bost. Jour. Nat. Hist., VI, No. 4, p, 431.

1858 : Geol. Penu., II, p. 878; PL xvn, Fig. 21 (also Figs. 15, 16, same plate).

The rootlets knowri as Pinnularia are believed to belong for the most 

part to the Calamarice, and particularly to Annularia and Asterophyllltes. HoAvever, the rootlets of widely different forms of plants often 

appear so much alike that the differentiation of the species is of little 

value, as Lesquereux himself suggested in 1858. Since, nevertheless, 

these pinnate-appearing rootlets are probably destined in the future, as 

they have been in the past, to be called by some name, it would perhaps be much more proper to call them Hydatica, the name proposed 

for them by Artis in 1825, rather than to continue the application of 

Lindley & Button's name, Pinnularia^ proposed in 1834, which was preoccupied, having been proposed four years earlier by Ehreuberg 2 for a 

genus of diatoms, many of whose representatives are found fossil.

Locality. McClelland's shaft.

SPHENOPTEKTDE^. 

DIPLOTHMEM2E.

The group Diplotlim&mcv as founded by Stur (1877) and emended by 

Zeiller (1879) includes ferns whose fronds are composed of a more or 

less uexuous naked axis bearing alternating naked branches, each of 

which dichotomizes at the top into either (1) two divergent foliate pinna} ; 

or (2) two short naked branches, each branch forking at a short distance for its origin into two divergent slightly unequal fronds. According to Zeiller's division and restriction of Stur's original genus J}iplothmema that name is retained for the first section, characterized by a 

division of the primary pinnae into two divergent sections regularly

'PI. L, Figs. 8, 9 (changed to S. alati/olium in text, p. 487).

Tide Goeppert in Bronn : Index Pateout. See Monatsber. Berlin. Akad.,1843, p. 02.
44 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

pinnate, bipinnate, or tripinnate, bearing sphenopteroid pinnules, which 

are contracted art the base, with the margin more or less deeply divided, 

lobed, or denticulate.

Thesecond section, with quadripartite primary pinnae, the four divisions 

of which are regularly simple or more often bipinnate or tripimiate, with 

pecopteroid pinnules attached to the r.a&his by their entire base, often 

somewhat decurrent toward the base and more or less united, constitutes the genus Mariopteris of Zeiller. In tin's genus the outer pinnae, with reference to the bifurcation, are described as rather smaller 

than the others, the lamina} well developed with the margins entire or 

feebly lobed or dentate, the median nerve usually distinct and passing 

almost to the summit, the nervils generally oblique, dichotomizing at 

very narrow angles, some of them in the lower part of the pinnules 

springing directly from the rachis.

While the bifurcation of the rachis constitutes a salient distinctive 

character, indicating the relationship of the species in a natural group, 

it is, from the very mode of occurrence and exploitation of fossil plants, 

relatively rarely possible to observe the union of the divisions of the 

fronds or even such fragments as to furnish positive proof as to which 

genus the species belongs. Accordingly, although the genera are perhaps distinct enough, it is, in practice, when dealing with each species, 

often impossible to tell to which of the genera it belongs. Moreover, 

several species, the details of whose foliage indicate an identity with 

one genus, are found, on the strength of the radiial characters, to 

belong to the other. In working, the reference of a species to either 

genus must therefore be necessarily often uncertain and governed 

largely by its affinities. The discovery of the fructification will doubtless show the present generic divisions of the groups to be quite artificial, though temporarily convenient.

Dr. Still is disposed to consider the axis of the Dvplothmemw, decribed above, as a stein and the branches as alternate or spirally 

arranged petioles bearing bipartite fronds, comparing the latter with 

those of Acrostichum (Rhipidopteris) peltatum. Zeiller and Cre~pin, on 

the other hand, regard them as having rather the habitat of Lygodium.

DIPLOTHMEMA Stur. 1877. 

DIPLOTHM.EMA GENICULATUM (Germ, et Kaulf.) Stur.

PI. i, Figs. I, la, 2, 2a.

1831. Sphenopteris genictilata Germar tind Kaulfuss, Nova Acta Acad. C. L. C. na't.

cur., xv, pt. 2, p. 224; PI. LXV, Fig. 2. 1836: Goeppert, Systema, p. 107.

1833: Steruberg, Versuch, II, faac. 5 u. 6, p. 61. 1887: Kidston, Radstock

Series, p. 346; PI. xxi, Fig. 1.

1836. Trichomanites 'Kaulfussii Goeppert, Systema, p. 264.

1869. Splienopteris (Tricliomanides) Kaulfussii (Goepp.) Sclrimper, Trait6,1, p. 412. 

1877. Diplothmema (Splienopteris) genie (datum (Germ, et Kaulf.) Stur, Culm-Fl., II,

p. 124 (230). 

1885. Diplothmema genioulatum (Germ, et Kaulf.) Stur, Carbon-Fl. d. Schatzlarer

Sch., I, p^297, PL xxxv, Fig. 1.
WHITE.] FILICINE^E SPHENOPTERIDE^E DIPLOTHMEM^E. 45

Fronds bifurcated into two unequal divisions above a naked axis, 

each division or primary pinna ovate or triangular, acute; primary 

rachis thin, terete flexuose-geniculate, bordered by narrow laminaej 

secondary pinnae alternate, at right angles to the rachis or oblique, 

lanceolate; tertiary divisions or pinnules alternate, the lower ones 

siibpalmato-laciniate, the upper ones diminishing by fewer latinise, 

becoming more pinnately dissected; lacinite equal, sometimes forking, 

linear, acute, each segment traversed by a single nerve.

This rare species is represented by five specimens, all showing the 

v geni culate bordered rachis, and the peculiar delicate subpalmately 

divided pinnules, whose form, size, and arrangement are especially 

characteristic. The rachises of the secondary pinnse are less geiiiculate than those of the primary pinnse', and are bordered by a narrow 

lamina, which is distinctly seen decurring from and uniting the constricted subpedicellate pinnules. The latter are rather distant and 

distinct, seldom overlapping, the lowest ones nearly at right angles to 

the rachis, the upper ones becoming more oblique. The larger pinnules appear, at rirs-j glance, palmatifid, but the mode of division is 

sympodially dichotomous or divaricate, as is seen in those higher up 

on the pinnse, the latter becoming more elongated, with fewer lacinise, 

there being less forking in the upper pinnules. A good indication of 

the habit of these pinnules is seen in PL I, Fig. 2, the larger figures 

failing to give the true aspect of the arrangement of the segments and 

their form. Near the apex of the pinnse the pinnules become merely 

bifid or even simple. While the lacinise or ultimate segments vary 

much in the same pinnules, they are, relatively, of nearly uniform size 

in all parts of the frond, the larger ones averaging about 4"lm in length 

and but little over £l" in width. The nervation is fairly clear. The 

rachises of the smallest pinnse are rounded and generally slightly declining at their junction with the larger rachis. . The specimens in hand agree well with the figures given by Kidston 

'in the Eadstock flora1 and Fig. 1 on PI. xxxv of Stur's Schatzlar ferns,2 

as well as with the original illustration by Germar and Kaulfuss/' As 

to the specimen figured by Stur, Fig. 1, PI. xxvni in the above-mentioned work, and some of those published by Heer,4 I am inclined to 

believe, with Kidston, that they may belong to Diplothmema furcatum 

and Sphenopteris Mfida L. & H., respectively, while the other fragment 

figured by Heer5 under this name seems possibly referable to Diplotlimema subgeniculatum. 

'Relations. Diplotlimema gemculatwn is said to differ from D. subfjenicul-atum by the smaller size, the more divided fronds, and the more

1 Trims. Hoy. Soc. Ediiib., xxxm, 1887, PL xxi, Tigs. 1, la, Ib, p. 34C. 

3 Carbou-Fl. d. Schatzlarer Sell., p. 297.

3 Uebor oinige morkwiirdige Fflnnzonabdriicke aus der Steinkohlouformation. Nova Acta Acad. 

C. L. C. Nat. Cur., vol. xv, pt. 2, 1831, p. 224, PI. LXV, Fig. 2.

4 Fl. Foss. Arct., vol. IV, No. 1, PI. I, Figs. 7, 8, 10.

8 Op. cit., Fig. 9. *
46 CARBONIFEEOUS FLOEA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOUKI. [BULL. 98.

slender lacinise of the latter. 1 Diplothmema furcatum is considerably 

larger than Diplothmema geniculatum, the frond more divided, the pinnules spreading farther, and the laminae broader and much more obtuse. From Sphenopteris lanceolata it differs by its strongly flexuous 

or geniculate rachis, much more slender, its foliage very much thinner, 

its pinnules not appearing pinnately divided, its lobes not short and 

obtuse, while it is quite easily distinguished from Sphenopteris trichomanoides by its subpalmately divided pinnules, which have uniformly 

longer lobes, obtusely rounded at the apex. So far as known, Sphenopteris Hildreti has its rachis not geniculate, the pinnules elongated, appearing pinnately divided, the lobes proportionately longer. 

Locality. McClelland's shaft.

MAEIOPTEEIS Zeiller, 1878. 

MARIOPTERIS (PsEUDOPECOPTERis)2 MAZONIANA Lx. sp.

1870. Aleihopteris mazoniana Lesquereux, Geol. Surv. 111., IV, p. 391, PL ix, Figs. 1-8;

PL xin, Figs. 5, 6. 

1879. Pseudopecopteris mazoniana Lesquereux, Coal Flora, atlas, PL xxxn, Figs. 1-7,

text (1880), I, p. 190.

Fronds pinnately divided in the lower part, dichotomous at the apex; 

primary rachis striate, canaliculate, flat on the borders; secondary 

pinnae either long, sublinear, gradually tapering to the apex, or short, 

more distinctly linear, obtuse, pinnately lobed; pinnules alternate, 

slightly distant, constricted at the base in the lower part of the pinnae, 

decurrent, bordering the rachis with a lamina, coriaceous; median 

nerve rather strong, thinning upwards, depressed, decurrent, passing 

nearly to the apex of the pinnule; secondary nerves oblique, distant, 

parallel, forking below the middle.

The above description, based upon that given in the Coal Flora, 

seems to include the characters of our fragments, and I have referred 

them, with but little doubt, to Mariopteris mazoniana, all the speci1 1 have seen no genuine specimens of D. subgeniculatum, the only specimen from our Coal-measures ever identified by that name, I believe, having proved on examination to be, Jis was suggested by 

Lesquereux himself (Proc. TT. S. Nat. Mas., vol. xr, 1888, p. 84), only a portion of a sterile frond of 

Sphenopteris Harveyi, with which it was associated. The latter species, according to Lesquereux and 

Kidston (Cat.Pal. PI. Brit.Mus., p. 250), is probably identical with Zeilleria delicatvia (Sternb.) Kidst. 

(Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, vol. XL, 1884, p. 592, PL xxv.)

2 The name Pseudopecopteris, applied by Lesq uereux to a restricted portion of the genus Diplothmema, as originally proposed by Star, including those forms of Pecopteris and certain round pinnuled species of Sphenopteris with dichotomous rachisos, usually bordered near the top by a narrow 

lamina from the decurrent pinnules, was proposed without knowledge of Zeiller's genus Mariopteris, 

founded in 1879 to contain essentially the same group of species. Inasmuch as Mariopteris, originally denned, probably includes most of the forms referred by Lesquereux to Pseudopecopteris, it has 

priority over the latter name, which I have, however, included as more familiar to American geologists. Mariopteris is described inBull. Soc. geol., Prance, 3e ser., vii, 1878-'79, p. 93; PL foss. terr. houill., 

187i), p. 68; PL foss. houill. Valenciennes, p. 159. The peculiar quadripinnate structure of these fronds 

 was first made the basis for a generic separation by Ad. Brongniart, who gave the specimens in the 

Museum d'histoire naturelle the manuscript name Heteropteris. Owing to the fact that ordinary 

specimens rarely show the dichotomous character of the plant, many species have been referred to the 

group on account of their general resemblance to ascertained members of the group. As a generic 

differentiation it is doubtless somewhat artificial and may perhaps be found to contain several genera. 

In assigning several species whose true generic characters have not, I believe, been observed to the 

genus Pseudopecopteris,. Lesqueroux seems to have followed Stur, who originally included them in MB 

geuue
WHITE.] FILICINE^E SPHENOPTERIDE^E MARIOPTERIS. 47

mens being of the types figured by Lesquereux in PI. xxxn, Figs. 1 and 

6. The pinnules are somewhat oblique to the rachis, generally ovatetriangular in outline, the lower ones constricted to a narrow attachment at the base, irregularly, but not deeply, lobate, especially on the 

lower side, the lowest lobe rather auricular, crenulate on the upper 

side, strongly resembling the pinnules of Mariopteris speciosa in the 

middle portion of PI. LI of the Coal Flora. Those higher in the pinna 

are less distinctly lobed, becoming more deltoid, and attached by the 

whole base, those near the apex being much smaller, rounded, gradually 

more united an,d coalescing Avith the very small terminal pinnule. The 

midrib is strong and depressed, the secondary nerves are indistinct 

except as the parenchyma of the pinnule sometimes arches slightly 

between them. The surface of the pinnules is black and coaly, the 

margins being slightly curved backwards.

From the descriptions given by Lesquereux of specimens of Pseudopecopteris mazoniana in his hands, as well as from the affinity of the 

species, it seems probable that this species lies within the limits of the 

genus Mariopteris.

Relations. Mariopteris mazoniana differs from all others by the 

polymorphous character of its pinnules, mingling pecopteroid and alethopteroid characters. The pecopteroid pinnae, such as those represented in the present collection, differ from the resernblant species, 

Mariopteris latifolia and Mariopteris speciosa, by the size of the pinnules, which are less deeply lobed. sometimes tending toward gemination, the pinnules of the former species being much smaller and differently disposed, the median nerve thin, while the pinnules of the latter 

are more obtuse, lobed near the tip, the nerves inflated and distinct.

Locality. McClelland's shaft.

MARIOPTERIS (PSEUDOPECOPTERIS) DECIPIENS Lx. sp.

PI. i, Figs. 5-8, 5a; PL n, Figs. 1-3,3ft.

1854. Splienopteris decipicns Lesquoreux., Bost. Jour. Nat. Hist., VI, No. 4, p. 420. 

1858: Lesquereux, Geol. Pen.ua., II, 2, p. 862; PI. xvm, Fig. 2. I860: Lesquereux, Kept. Geol. Surv. Ark., II, p. 3.1.2, PL v, Figs. 1-la. 1863: Dawson, 

Can. Nat.,VIII, p. 445. 1866: Dawson, Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, XXII, 

p. 156.

1860. Splienopteris dilatata Lesquereux (non L. & H.), Kept. Geol. Surv. Ark., II, 

pp. 310,315, PL n, Figs. 3, 3a.

1869. Splienopteris (Aneimoidcs) decipiens Lx., Schimper, Traite", I, p. 401.

1879. Pseudopecopteris decipicns Lesquereux, Coal Flora, atlas, PI. LII, Figs. 9 ?, 10,

lOa, text (1880), p. 214. 

1889. Pseudopecopteris (Splienopteris ) decipiem Lx., Lesley, Diet. FOBS. Penn. II, p, 798,

(fig-)

Fronds large, dichotomous below, tripinnate or quadripinnate, spreading ; primary rachis broad, flat, 2-71 " 1 " or more in width, rather lax, somewhat flexuous, somewhat geniculate below, tapering rapidly toward 

the apex, irregularly striate, punctate, covered in portions by a thin,
48 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

often shiny, epidermis, the upper portion bordered by narrow laminae 

from the decurrent pinnules; primary pin me at right angles or oblique 

toward the apex, oval-lanceolate, somewhat contracted below, tapering 

above to a slightly obtuse apex; secondary rachis rather lax, finely punctate, often flexuous, usually silicate or depressed above, round below, 

somewhat decurrent at the base; secondary pinnae alternate, at right 

angles to the rachis, or oblique, the lower ones often curved backward, 

close,usually parallel, with margins close, generally touching or slightly 

overlapping, 1£-6CU1 or more in length, linear-lanceolate, 8mm to 3CIU 

wide, obtuse, terminating in large, broad sub-lobate, oval, ovate, or 

deltoid pinnules with sinuate margins and rounded tip; pinnules slightly 

polymorphous, alternate, more or less oblique, close, generally nearly 

contiguous, sometimes slightly overlapping, thin, 3mm_2cm long, 2-9inm 

broad, the lowest ones broader, oval, ovate, or obovate, sometimes orbicular at the base of thepinnas, occasionally oblong in the largestpinnae and 

on the tip of the primary pinnae, always rounded above, decurrent and 

more or less connate by the decurrent laminae, the margins usually 

slightly thickened and marked by a shallow furrow on the upper side; 

those toward the lower end of the larger pinna} contracted at the base, 

especially on the anterior margin, rounded below with a broad attachment to the rachis, connate by a narrow, decurring lamina; those 

higher up in the pinna oval or obovate, curving outward, rounded at 

the base above, by a deep and narrow sinus, decurrent below; those 

still higher on the pinna not so deeply divided, becoming united somewhat below, and passing into the terminal pinnule, which is often nearly 

as broad as the pinna; pinnules of the upper secondary pinnas less 

deeply separated, attached by the whole width; secondary pinnae succeeded, in passing toward the apex of the primary piunap, by pinnatifid 

pinnules, lobed at the base, large oblong above, becoming entire with 

slightly sinuate margins in passing up wards, then entire, oblong, ovate, 

or obovate, and with broadening attachments to the rachis, as in the 

secondary pinnae; lower pair of pinnules at the base of each secondary 

pinna usually shorter, more rounded at the base and broader than those 

succeeding; the one on the upper side of the pinna more or less orbicular or truncate above, the distal border often marked by a broad, 

shallow sinus or slight fissure in the more mature specimens; the pinnule on the lower side more or less triangular or alate, the longest 

side, opposite the attachment, bilobate, more or less deeply cleft in the 

more mature specimens, dividing the pinnule into two unequal lobes, the 

distal lobe usually longer and broader, the proximal lobe rounder and 

somewhat auriculate, or overlapping the rachis; pinnules of the lower 

secondary pinna3 becoming oblong, with slightly undulate margins, 

then lobed below, becoming, in passing downward, like those near the 

tip of the primary pinnae, gradually pinnatifid, the terminal pinnule 

long, broad, and obtuse, and assuming the forms and proportions of the 

secondary pinnae, the divisions corresponding to the lower basal pinnule of the secondary pinnae, shorter, with anomalous pinnatifid divisions diverging from the attachment of the original pinnule.

Nervation generally obscure, except in the lower part of the pinnule; 

primary nerves rather strong, diverging from the rachis usually at a 

very narrow angle and arching more or less gradually into the pinnules, 

giving off branches at a narrow angle during their passage, and dissolving below the apex; primary bundles, often several, perhaps springing directly from the rachis in the smaller pinnules, and diverging 

somewhat flabellately towards the margins, branching several times, 

but only one becoming developed as a median nerve in. each of the
WHITE.] FILICINE^E SPHENpPTEKIDEyE MARIOPTEKIS. 49

largest basally constricted pinnules, in which it is strong, depressed, 

and minutely punctate below, diminishing above by finer branches, 

arching slightly and branching repeatedly in passing to the margin, 

where the very slender and slightly flexuons nervils count about thirtyfive to the centimeter; nerves of the basal pinnules of the pinnae more 

or less flabellate from the broad entering band of nerves at the base, 

forking, and passing, arched, to the lateral margins, nearly straight 

towards the top; fructification unknown.

The fern described above is represented by over seventy-five specimens, all preserving the same characters of pinnation and nervation. 

The more distinctive features are the obtuseness of the secondary pinme, 

which usually end in large, broad, terminal pinnules, and the oblong, 

or elliptical, or oval lateral pinnules, always rounded above, not lobed, 

except in the case of the lowest pair of each pinna or the largest forms 

becoming pinnatifid, when they are lobed at the base? and large oval 

above, as seen in PL 1, Fig. 7; the broadly, more or less distinctly 

orbicnlar-bilobate form of the lower pair of pinnules, seen in PL 1, Figs. 

5, 7, the upper lobe of the lower pinnule often elongated and rarely 

lobed again, the lower lobe more or less auriculate, and overlapping 

the primary rachis; and the nervation, more or less flabellate from one, 

two, or more principal nerves diverging from the rachis by a curve, 

rather strong at the base and diminishing in size and distinctness, so 

that the nervils are very fine, rarely becoming observable.

The specimens are preserved brown. The broad, flat rachises covered, in portions, by a thin, somewhat shiny brown lamella and bordered in the upper part by a narrow, decurring wing, dichotomize below, thus indicating their position in the group Mariopteris. From the 

appearance of the pinnules under the lens I suspect that they may be 

minutely pubescent. The presence of large fragments of rachis, over 

3om in diameter, similar to fragments seen with Mariopteris muricata 

from Alabama, associated with the foliage of and probably belonging 

to our species, may be construed as indicating a very large size for the 

fern. The nervation of the larger oblong pinnules is much like that 

seen in the larger pinnules of Mariopteris (Pseudopecopteris) speciosa 

(Coal Flora, PL LI, Fig. 1&) except that the nerves are closer and the median nerve dissolved sooner in larger branches.

It is only after much hesitation that I refer our specimens to Mariopteris (Pseudopecopteris) tiecipiens, a species which, to judge from the 

descriptions and figures, is either extremely polymorphous or quite illdefined. None of the specimens described have the pinnules so oblong 

and distinct as seen in my specimens. The one figured in the Geology 

of Pennsylvania and copied by Lesley in the Dictionary of Fossils, 

showing the pinnatifid pinnules, is lobed much higher and more irregularly than the Missouri plant, as seen in PL i, Fig. 5, PL n, Fig. 2, 

the latter preserving the tendency to a large broad terminal pinnule 

characteristic of all my specimens. In the latter the nerves entering 

the lobes are frequently not joined in one, like those of the PennsylBuU.98 4
50 CAEBONIFEEOUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 9&

vania specimen, which shows a tendency towards a subdivision of some 

of the intermediate lobes. There is nothing in the collection closely 

resembling the fragment figured in the Arkansas report l as Sphenopteris dilatata, later referred by Lesquereux in the Coal Flora 2 to 

Pseudopeco2)teris decipiens, nor the specimen 3 doubtfully included under 

the latter name in the same work, while Fig. 10 of the atlas is in some 

respects suggestive of the upper secondary pinnae of the Splienopteris 

Lesquereuxii of Newberry, illustrated in the Geology of Pennsylvania, 4 

regarded by Lesquereux as probably belonging to his Pseudopecopteris 

anceps. Fig. 10 differs somewhat from the Missouri plants by having 

its secondary pinnae pinuatifid to the apex and terminating in a small 

round pinnule; by its shorter lateral divisions more truncate, and imbricated, and the basal pinnules nearly like the others. The nervils, 

which are described as distinct, very different from, my specimens, are 

'rather more distant, with less' tendency to coalesce at the base, and 

arch gently to the rachis. The Sphenopteris decipiens represented in 

the Arkansas Eeport 5 has more characters in common with the Missouri 

fern, though its pinnules are much more irregular, the nervils more distant, the apex of the pinnae smaller and more deeply lobed, the primary rachis narrower, naked, and terete.

Through the courtesy of Mr. E. D. Lacoe, I have been able to examine a good specimen from his collection from Dade, Ga., identified 

by Professor Lesquereux as Pseudopecopteris decipiens. Its general 

aspect is much like that of the specimen figured in the Arkansas report 

last referred to, or to the Fig. 10 of the Coal Flora. In its dilated basal 

and broad terminal pinnules it is closer, to my specimens, though the 

lateral pinnules are rather shorter, Avith their margins somewhat more 

arched, the nervation coarser and more distinct. Still more nearly like 

my material are two small fragments^ No. 1037 of the U. S. National 

Museum collections, from Van Bureu, Arkansas, identified by Lesquereux 

as Pseudopecopteris decipiens. One of the fragments corresponds quite 

closely to the pinnae figured in PI. n, Fig. 1, though the pinnae of the 

former are less obtuse than those of the latter. But there is also from 

the same locality a small specimen, No. 1027 of the Museum collection, 

labeled Pseudopecopteris cordato-ovata Weiss sp., with pinnules rounded 

above, which is clearly identical with the terminal portions of large 

pinnae with oblong pinnules like those seen in PL I, Fig. 5, of our specimens. On the same specimen of rock and lying about 2cm distant in 

the same plane of deposition, is the counterpart of one of the specimens, 

No. 1037, already referred to, labeled Pseudopecopteris decipiens, thus 

showing both the probable specific identity of the specimens from the 

same rock labeled under two names, and the quite probable identity of

' Geol. Surv. Ark., II, PI. n, Figs. 3, 3a, p. 310.

* Vol. I, p, 214.

»P1. LIT, Figs. 9, 9a.

« Vol. II, pt, 2, PI. xi, Fig.l.

. II, p. 312, PL v, Figs, 1, 10,
"WHITE.] FILICINEyE SPHENOPTERIDE^E MARIOPTERIS. ' 51

the Pseudopecopteris decipiens with our specimens through the assured 

identity of the Pseudopecopteris cordato-ovata.

Notwithstanding then, the disagreements between all the published 

descriptions and figures of Pseudopecopteris decipiens, on the one hand, 

and thefacies and characters of the Missouri specimens on the other 

being unwilling to increase the number of species more than is absolutely necessary I have thought it best to assign to my specimens, tor 

the present, that name, for the reason that among the wide range of 

types identified by Prof. Lesquereux as belonging to that species, 

some specimens are apparently identical with the Missouri, type, and 

also because it is improper to attempt to revise and redefine or illustrate the species without first examining the types and material originally studied by Lesquereux, whieh I have not yet been able to consult.

The above description, however, is based purely on the rich material 

before me in the Missouri collection, and will represent the new species, 

if, as I suspect will be the case, it is found necessary to separate it from 

the Pseudopecopteris decipiens, with whose types, figures, and descriptions it has very,little in common.

Three specimens show tapering pinna3 terminating in a prolongation 

of the rachis. At first sight this would appear to be due to accident 

or removal of the pinnules in working out the specimens, but a careful 

examination under the lens shows the rachis, which is more rigid and 

terete than usual, to be bordered on each side by a narrow lamina about 

£mm wjde ascending from the sinus above the highest pinnules, the 

thickened margin of the pinnule clearly continuing along the border of 

the lamina. In all three specimens the end of this extension of the 

rachis is broken and lost at a distance of 3-5im" aboye the highest pinnules. These prolongations of the rachis may, possibly, be regarded 

as evidence, though not conclusive, that the fructification, of this species was borne on the reduced apinnulate terminal portion of the pinn;:e. 

In these specimens the pinnules of the pinna decrease more rapidly in 

size, the uppermost being small and foreshortened, strongly resembling 

the Pecopteris incomplete^ of Lesquereux, 1 or perhaps less suggestive of 

Mariopteris muricata or Diplotlimema Jacquoti as illustrated by Zeiller,2 

and Sphenopteris coarctata of von Eoehl.3

A few of the fragments like Fig. 5, PL i, are suggestive of Pseudopecopteris cordato-ovata as figured by Lesquereux in the Coal Flora,4 

whose identity with the Neuropteris cordato-ovata of Weiss 5 has recently been questioned by Zeiller 6 on account of the more acutely 

pointed pinnules and rather more crowded nervils of the latter. Of 

the Old World plants identified as Sphenopteris decipiens, the one from

1 Geol. Penna., II, 2, 1858, p. 808, PI. I, Figs. 12, 12a.

*F1. fosa. houill. Valenciennes, Atlas, PI. xx, Pigs. 3, 4; PI. XVIII, Fig. 5. i 

Toss. Fl. Steiuk. Westphaleus, PI. Xiv, Fig. 5.

* PI. xxxvn, Figs. 4, 5.

 Fl. jiuigsTsteink. u. Kothl., p. 28, PI. i, Figs. 1,1 a.

 Fl. foes, houill. Autuu et fipinac, p. 35.
'52 CAKBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL.98.

Bohemia described and figured by E. Andree, 1 whose identification was 

probably followed by Karl FeistmanteP in his plants from the same 

region seems hardly identical with the American forms of which the 

nearest related is the Splienopteris dilatata figured in the Arkansas report.3

Relations. It is unadvisable to attempt to point out the differentiating characters between this and other species until it shall have 

been better defined.

My specimens differ from the Mariopteris speciosa~Lx., by their rachis 

flat, not round, not so broadly alate, the pinnae more evenly pinnate, 

more obtuse, the pinnules smaller, not lobate,the basilar ones bilobate, 

the nervils indistinct, closer and not inflated, while from M. polyphylla, 

as identified by Lesquereux in specimens from Alabama, they are easily distinguished by the larger pinnules of the latter species, lobed 

irregularly, and usually more pointed.

Locality. McClelland's shaft.

SPHENOPTEEIS Brongniart. 1822. 

SPHENOPTEEIS (PSEUDOPECOPTERIS) OBTUSILOBA Brongn.

1829. SpUenopteris obtusiloba BrougnLart, Hist. Ve"g. foss., p. 204, PI. mi, Fig. 2*. 

1833: Sternberg, Versucli, u, fuse,. 5 u. 6, p. 63. 1848: Sauveur, V6g. loss. 

Belg., PL XV, Fig. 2. 1853: Newberry, Ann. Sci., i, No.'9, p. 106. 1855: 

Ettingsbausen, Steiukoblenfl. Radnitz, p. 37, PL xxi, Fig. 2. 1860: Lesquereux, Kept. Geol. Surv. Ark,, II, p. 315. 1860: H. C. Wood, Proc. Acart. 

Nat. Sci. Pliilada., XII, p. 440. 1866: Lesquereux, Geol. Surv. 111., II, p. 435. 

1874: O. FeistmanteS, Studieri Koblen. Bohnien, PI. i, Fig. 9. 1876: Ferd. 

Roerner. Letbtaea geognost., I, atlas, PL LI, Figs, la, U; text (1880), p. 169. 

1876: Lesquereux, Rept. Geol. Surv. Ala. for 1875, p. 75. 1878: Zeiller, Ve"g. 

foss. terr. bouilL, atlas. PL CLXIIT, Figs. 1, 2; text (1879), p. 39. 1879: Schimper in Zitliel, Handbuch, II, p. 108, Fig. 77. 1880: Fontaine and I. C. Wbite, 

Permian Flora, p. 11. 1881: Weiss, Aus. d. Fl. d. Stciuk., PI. xi, Figs. 67, 

67a. 1883: Renault. Cours bot. foss., Ill, p. 190, PL xxxui, Figs. 5, 6. 

1886: Zeiller, Fl. foss. houill. Valenciennes, atlas, PI in, Figs. 1, la, 2, 2a; 

PL iv, Fig. 1; text (1888), p. 65.

1833. Splienopteris irregularis Sternberg, Versucli., II, fasc. 5 u. 6, p. 63, PL xvn, 

Fig. 4, fasc. 7 u. 8, p. 132. 1855 (?): Geinitz, Verst. Steink. Sachsens, p. 14, PL 

xxni, Figs. 2-4 (excl. syu.). 1860: F. A. Roemer, Palaeontographica, IX, 

p. 24, PL iv, Fig. 5. 1866: Andrii, Vorweltl. Pfl. Steink., p. 26, PL vm; PL 

ix, Fig. 1. 1869: von Roolil, Foss. Fl. Steink. Westpbaleus, p. 56, PL xvi, 

Fig. 2(?); PL xxxi, Figs. 5, 6.

1836. Clittilantliites obtusilobus (Brongn.) Goeppcrt, Systonia, p. 246.

1836. Cheil-anthites irregularis (Sternb.) Goepjiert, Systcma, p*JM7.

1836. SphcHopteris latifolia Lindley and Hutton, Fossil Flora, III, PL 178.

1848. Splienopiens trifoliolata (Art.?) Brongniart, Sauveur, Veg. foss. terr. liouill. 

Belg., PL xix, Fig. 2; PL xxi. 1869: von Roebl, Foss. FL Steink. Westpbalons, p. 65,PL xvi. Fig. 3 (excl. syn.).

1869. Sphcnopteris (Aneimioides) obtusilola Brongn., ScMinper, Trait(5, I, p. 399, PL 

xxx, Fig. 1.

»N. Jahrb. f. Min., 1864, p. 167, PI. iv, Figs. 2, 3. 

2 Steinkohlenbeolteii von Klein-Prilop, p. 55. 

 Vol. II, PI. U, Figs 3, 3a.
WHITE.] FILICINEyE SPHENOPTERIDE^E SPHENOPTEftlS. 53

1869. Splienopteris (Gymnogrammides) irregularis Sternb., Schimper, Traito", I,p.373. 

1877. Diplofhmema (Sphenopteris) obtusildbum (Brongn.) Stur, Culm-Fl., II, p. 124

(230). 

1877. Diphlotlimema (Splienopteris) irregulare (Sternb.) Stur, Culm-Fl., II, p. 124

(230). 1885: Stur, Carbon-Fl. Scbatzlarer Sch., I, p. 296. 

1879. Pseudopecopteris irregularis (Sternb.) Lesquereux, Coal Flora, atlas, pi. LIT,

Figs. 1-3, 8 ?; text (1880), p. 211.

1884. Pseudopecopteris obtu»ilol)a (Brongn.) Lesquereux, Coal Flora, III, p. 753.

1885. Diplothtnema obtusiloltum (Brongn.) Stnr, Carbon-Fl. Schatzlarer Scb., I, pp.

296, 354, PL xxV\ Figs. 8a-c; PI. xxvb, Fig. 1. 

1890. Diplothmema irregulare (Sternb.) Stur, Sandberger, Jabrb. d. K.-k. geol. Eeichsanst., xc, pp. 84, 87, 90.

Fronds tripinnate or quadripinnate below; rachis strong, flat, naked, 

striated, slightly undulate below, becoming more flexuous towards the 

tip; primary pinna3 broad, lanceolate, acute, pinuatifid to near the 

extreme apex; secondary pinnae at right angles below, becoming 

oblique above, alternate, distant, contiguous or slightly imbricated, 

linear-lanceolate, acute, straight or curved, those in the middle and 

lower portions of the primary pinnae provided with pinnae of the third 

order, those above bearing reduced tertiary pinnae or piuuatitid pinnules, those still nearer the top being provided with large, broad, 

rather triangular-ovate pinnules, divided into 3-5 more or less deeply 

dissected, round-obtuse lobes; secondary and tertiary rachises narrow, 

more or less distinctly flexuous to correspond to the insertion of the 

pinnae or pinnules, but sometimes appearing nearly straight, sulcate 

above, rounded on the lower side, finely and evenly striate, bordered 

by narrow laminae; tertiary pinnae distinct, alternate, usually close, 

sometimes distant, or even overlapping, the lower ones at a right angle 

to the secondary r-achis, the upper somewhat oblique, 12-22""" long, 

5-12uun wide, more or less acutely pointed, provided with 2 to 5 pairs 

of alternate, sessile, or broad pedicellate, half-round, ovate, or reniform and dilated, usually more or less distinctly trilobate pinnules, 

generally close or slightly imbricated, those in the lower part of the 

frond more distant, slightly decurrent; surface of the pinnules coriaceous, curved backward somewhat near the border, and marked between 

and parallel to the nerves with close, minute striae; margins apparently 

thickened and traversed on the upper side by a narrow furrow or gutter; 

pinnules of the upper secondary pinnae broad, more or less deeply dissected into three, sometimes four, broad, rounded or truncate-rounded, 

or obovate lobes, the lowest pair of the pinnules of the pinute subpalmately divided into four to six lobes, one or more of the divisions sometimes elongated, those pinnules toward the top of the pinnae becoming less 

distinctly lobed and approaching the proportions of those borne on the 

tertiary pinnae; primary nerves originating at a narrow angle and curving outwards, dichotomizing, the secondary nerves forking and curving, 

indistinct, to the border; fructification unknown.

Although much difference of opinion exists as to the basis of the 

separation of Splienopteris obtusiloba and Splienopteris trifoliata, no two 

authors agreeing on the lines of distinction between those species, 

most paleobotauists, including Zeiller, Kidston, Eenault, and the late 

Dr. O. Feistmautel, are agreed that the forms described by various 

writers as Splienopteris obtusiloba and Splienopteris irregularis are only 

different portions of the same fronds. The identity of Andra's specimens described as Splienopteris irregularis with Brongniart's Splienop-
54 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL-98.

teris obtusiloba, first pointed out by Stur, 1 was concurred in by Zeiller,2 

who also verified the identification after an examination of Brougniart's 

type of Sphenopteris obtusiloba. But while Zeiller and Kidston insist on 

the identity of these Avith Sternberg's type also, Dr. Stur, who combines 

specimens described and figured by Andra and von Eoehl under Sphenopteris irregularis^ excludes, without stating his reasons, Sternberg's 

original identification.

The identity of the species from the zinc region with that represented 

by a magnificent series of specimens from Clinton, Missouri, brings 

portions of nearly the entire plant before me. Large fragments of the 

frond show the upper secondary pinnae of the species to be provided 

with large ovate-deltoid, obtusely lobed pinnules agreeing exactly with 

the Sphenopteris irregularis illustrated by Andra3 or like the S. obtusilola figured by Brongniart 4 and Zeiller,5 or the upper portion of Stur's 

Diplothmema obtusilobum.6 These .forms I believe to be more predominant in the upper part of the lateral primary pinnae. The lower secondary pinna), with more fully developed pinnules or tertiary pinna), are 

similar to those figured by Lesquerenx 7 as Pseudopecopteris irregularis^ 

by Andrii 8 as Sphenopteris irregularis, by Stur 9 as Diplothmema oltusilolum, and by Zeiller 10 as Sphenopteria obtiisiloba. Usually, however, 

my specimens show the tertiary pinna) ending in a small, more or less 

narrow deltoid, acute pinnule, somewhat different from the specimens 

figured by Stur" and Zeiller, 12 the pinnules in most of the specimens 

being also slightly larger. The American species agree well with specimens labeled Sphenopteris obtusiloba, from Kadnitz, Bohemia, now in 

the collection of the U. S. National Museum.

Relations. Although this species appears to have a close relationship to the Diplothmemata, no specimen has, so far as I am aware, been 

discovered with the true Diplothmema ramification. Owing to the uncertain boundary of Sphenopteris obtusiloba, I shall not attempt to point 

out the distinctions between it and other related species, although I 

am strongly inclined to regard many of the figures inscribed by various authors as Sphenopteris trifoliata to be only forms belonging to 

Sphenopteris obtiusiloba, or to other species quite different from Artis's 

type.

Locality. Aurora.

1 Verli. (1. K.-k. geol. Ileichsanat., 1876, p. 280.

2 Vfcg. toss. terr. liouill., 1879, p. 40.

3 Vorweltl. Pfl. Steink., PI. vm, Figs. 1-3.

* Hist. Veg. loss.. PL LIII, Pig. 2.*

8 V6g. terr. liouill., PL CLXIII, Fig. 1; Fl. foss. Valenciennes, PL m, Figa. 2, 3.

6 Carl>on-Fl. tl. Scliatzlarer Sch., I, PL xxv, Fig. 8.

7 Coal Flora, atlas, PL LII, Figs. 1-3.

8 Op. cit., PL ix, Fig. 1.

s Op. cit., PL xxv, Fig. 8. 

10 Op. cit., PL in, Fig. 4. 

H Op. cit., PL xxv, Fig. 1. 

« Op. cit., PL III, Fig. 1.
WHITE.] FILICINE/E SPHENOPTEEIDEyE SPHENOPTERIS. 55

SPHENOPTEEIS (PSEUDOPECOPTEEIS) MACILENTA L. & H.

PL I, Fig. 4, 4a.

1835. Splienopterls macilenta Liiulley and Hutton, Fossil Flora, II, PL co. 1855: Geiiiit/, Verst. Steink. Saclisens, p. 14, PL xxiu, Fig. 1. 1880: Fontaiue arid I. 

C. "White-, Permian Flora, p. 12. 1887: Kidston, Kadstock Series, p. 348.

1835. Sphcnopleris lolata Gutbier (noii Morris) Abdriicke, p. 44, PL i, Figs. 11-15; PL 

x, Figs. 1-3.

1836. Aspidites macilenlus (L. & H.) Gceppert, Systema, p. 357.

18G9. Splienoptcris (Arieimionles) macilenta L. & H., Scliiruper, Trait6, I, p. 400.

.1877. Diplothmcma maeilentum, (L. & H.) Stur, Culm-Flora, II, p. 124 (230). 1885:

Stur, Carbon-Fl. Scliatzlarer Sch., I, p. 375. 

1877. tiiplothmema lolatwn (Gutb.) Stur, Culm-Flora, II, p. 123 (229). 1885. Stur,

Carbou-FL Schatzlarer Sell., I, p. 375. 

1880. Pse.udopwopteris macileuta (L. & H.) Lesquereux, Coal Flora, III, p. 754, PL

XCVIT.I, Fig. 2. 1889: Lesley, Diet. Foss. Peim., p. 799, (Fig. ?). 

1888 J Pseuilopccopteris (Splienopleris) maciknta (L. &H.) Lesquereux, Proc. U.S.

Nat. Mus., xr, p. 85.

Fronds tripinnate; rachis rather strong, slightly flexuous; primary 

pinna} oblique, distant, oval-lanceolate, acute; secondary pinnae alternate, distant, oblique or sometimes at right angles or even retiexed 

below, linear-lanceolate, 2-8CIU or more in length, l-3cm in width; secondary rachis rather narrow, slightly depressed above, raised below, usually hVxnons to correspond with the position of each pinnule; naked in 

the lowest parts, bordered by a narrow decnrrent margin of the pinnules above; pinnules large, thin, alternate, distant, oblique to the 

rachis,'except those at the base of the pinna}, more or less cuueate, usually irregularly tri-sublobate, the borders slightly arched; those in the 

middle portions of the pinnae broad, rather ovate, cunea,te below or 

rounded cuneate to the decurrent base, bordering the rachis with a narrow lamina, those above becoming more cuneiform below, less distinctly 

lobate, sometimes bilobate, or rounded and entire at the apex, with 

broader attachments, gradually becoming more and more united, the 

uppermost being narrow, cuneate, rounded, passing on to the connate, 

narrow, obtuse terminal pinnule; those in the lower portions of the 

pinnae more distinct, less oblique to the rachis, more contracted below, 

appearing pedicellate, broader, sometimes rhomboidal, rather more indistinctly trilobate, the lobes decurrent and sometimes feebly irregularly lobed again, always rounded below, the basal pinnules less oblique, 

more deeply, and often palmately, lobate; principal nerves distinct below, very acutely decurrent, slender, arching outward, arid forking two 

to four times as the pinnules broaden, becoming faint near the border; 

fructi ftcati on unkno wn.

As will be seen by the figures, the Missouri specimens agree quite 

satisfactorily with illustrations given by Lindley and Hutton and by 

Geinitz. It is represented by but eight specimens in the collection, all 

of which are of the type figured. As a rule the pinnules are of a generally cuueate outline below, curving downward at the attachment, and 

generally indistinctly trilobate above, sometimes bilobate, or irregularly 

lobed, appearing crena,te in some cases, but with all the lobes short and 

rounded. I have not seen specimens showing the quadripartite character of Hariopteris and Pseudopecopteris, or the bipartite feature of 

Diplotl'^nema to which the species has been referred by Stur. Its in-
56 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

elusion in Pseudopecopteris by Lesquereux may have been the result of 

the examination of specimens, or perhaps it was only following Stur's 

reference of the species to Diplotlimema.

Relations. Sphenopteris macilenta is one of the most distinct Sphenopterids. It differs frotn 8. obtusiloba, and 8. trifoliata by the much larger 

size of the pinnules, which are more cuneate below, less deeply and 

regularly trifoliate, not elongating, not pinnatifid except on the primary rachis just above the secondary pinnae. Cyclopteris valida, as described and figured by Dawson, has a strong, rough primary rachis, the 

pinnules less developed near the apex of the pinnae, the secondary 

nerves springing from a single primary nerve. Sphenopteris adiantoides 

has its pinnules smaller and proportionately broader, less cuneate, not 

so clearly trifoliate, and apparently not connate by a decurrent margin.

SPHENOPTERIS LACOEI n. sp.

PL n, Figs. 5, 5a, 6.

1884.? Pseudopecopteris nummularia (Grutb.) Lesquereux, Coal Flora, in, p. 751 (2d 

type, excl. syn.).

Fronds quadripinnate, spreading; primary pinnae broad, at right 

angles or somewhat oblique to the rachis; primary rachis finely striated, 

flat, or slightly arched, naked; secondary pinnae alternate, close, often 

somewhat overlapping, oblique above, at right angles in the middle 

and curving backward below, slender, linear-lanceolate acute, slightly 

contracted towards the base, nearly straight or gently flexuous and 

curving, simply pinnate, or pinnatifid below, the largest divisions being 

developed as ultimate pinnae, with the same relations to the secondary 

pinnae as those of the latter to the primary pinnae; secondary rachis 

rather narrow, slightly flexuous to correspond to the position of the 

pinnules, and bordered, at least in the upper part, by a very narrow 

lamina decurring from the pinnules; pinnules coriaceous, dull, flat, 

alternate, at right angles to the rachis below, oblique above, close, 

sometimes contiguous, or overlapping, usually with a decurrent attachment to the rachis, cordate-ovate, or somewhat querciforni, slightly 

obtuse at the apex, alternately lobed, more or less constricted at the 

base, especially on the distal side, the blade connate by a narrow decurrent lamina; the larger pinnules, about 6mm long, 3""" wide, constricted at the base so as frequently to appear pedicellate, the smaller 

ones above, becoming sessile by the slightly contracted base; lobes in 

the lower part of the larger pinnules divided to near the midrib, larger 

than those above, more or less distinctly cuneate toward the base, or 

rhomboidally rounded or rounded-truncate at the broad top, slightly 

separated by a narrow, decurreut rounded sinus, becoming in passing 

upwards more connate and obovate, smaller, more united, and more 

obtusely rounded, gradually passing into the small indistinct terminal 

pinnule; lobes of the pinnatifid pinnules broadening, becoming more 

distant, more pointed and crenate, sessile by the slightly contracting 

base, then lobate and finally full developed pinnules; primary nerves 

strong, somewhat decurrent, especially in the upper part of the pinnae, 

though often appearing simply inclined or at right angles to the rachis 

in the lower part, sometimes appearing as a short pedicel; nervation 

obscure, a primary nerve passing into each lobe, and emitting nervils 

that usually fork once, but a portion of the nervils in the lower part of
WHITE.] FILICIN1LE SPHENOPTERIDEJ2 SPHENOPTERtS. 57

the lobes apparently spring directly from the mid-rib; fructification 

unknown.

In the third volume of the Goal Flora.1 Prof. Lesquereux describes 

two types under the name of Pseudopecopteris nummularia (G-utb.) 

Lesq., remarking that the description of the specimens in hand did not 

agree entirely with the descriptions and figures of the European authors, and suggesting that they might represent one or even two new 

species, one type including the plants from Clinton, Missouri,'and Cannelton, Pennsylvania, the other having been found at Campbell's Ledge 

at Pittstou, Pennsylvania, and in strata of nearly the same age in 

Arkansas. Finding the specimens in the collection to be apparently 

identical with others now in my hands from Clinton, Missouri, I was 

led to conclude that these represented the second or Clinton-Cannelton 

type of Pseudopecopteris nummularia, although this type is obviously 

different from Gutbier's type of Sphenopteris nummularia, which has 

been referred by some authors to 8. oltusiloba, or from Heer's figure,2 

which is accepted by others as a good- species. From specimens from 

Carmelton and Pittston, kindly loaned me by Mr. Lacoe, the difference 

between the two types of Lesquereux is seen to be quite distinct. The 

Pittston plapt is most like the figure given by Heer. As to the other 

type, Mr. Lacoe informs me that Prof. Lesquereux, in a manuscript 

note, observes that the Cannelton plant is "certainly a species different 

from that of Campbell's Ledge." No name for the new species is given 

in the Lesquereux manuscript now in the hands of Mr. Lacoe, which it 

is earnestly hoped may be published at an early date. Being unable 

to identify it with any other described species, I have dedicated it to 

Mr. Lacoe, who has done more than any other to promote the study of 

the Paleozoic flora of the United States, and to whom I am greatly indebted for counsel and for the use of specimens in the preparation of this 

paper. There is but little difference between the specimens from Clinton and Belleville and those from Cannelton, except that the former 

are usually rather more open, with the midrib somewhat thinner, tend-. 

ing in some cases towards flexuosity. The nervation hi: the Canuelton 

plants is obscure on account of the roughness of the epidermis, which, 

often simulates a close venation, and which has led the artist to draw 

the nervils too close in the detail of the Cannelton pinnule.

Among the many closely related or resemblant species assigned by 

various authors to Sphenopteris, Hapalopteris, Oligocarpia, Hymeno- 

.phylUteSj and Eenaultia, Sphenopteris Lacoei is quite easily distinguished by the size of its pinnules, which are rather acute, contracted 

at the decurrent attachment and narrowly bordering the rachis, decurrently lobed, the lobes entire, the lower ones cuneate below, truncate-rounded above, the succeeding ones narrower, becoming more 

united, ovate, the apex obtuse, passing into confluence with the very 

small, ill-defined terminal pinnules.

'P.751, PI. cur, Figs. 1-3. ' 

"M. t'088. Holv., PI. Xiv, Figs. 6, 6h.
58 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

Relations. Among the nearest allied species 8plienopteris Lacoei differs from the forms referred to 8. stipulata, 8. quercifolia, 8. Laurentii, 

and 8. gracilis, by the irregular lobation among the latter, the lobes 

being more or less distinctly divided. The last-named species, which as 

figured has its pinnules hardly decurrent, I am unable satisfactorily 

to separate from some of the upper and looser portions of 8. mixta 

Schimper. The latter differs from 8. Lacoei by its rachis rough, sulcate, 

more slender and more flexuous in the smaller divisions, the secondary 

and ultimate pinnae usually overlapping, the pinnules rougher with 

borders arching slightly backward, more obtusely pointed, not so regularly nor deeply lobate proportionately, the lobes not cuneate downwards, not so decurrent, broader at the base, more pointed, crenate or 

sometimes sublobate, the sinuses more acute, the nerves distinct in 

relief on the lower surface, and more flexuous. Sphenopteris marginata 

Dawson, whose foliage is somewhat similar, is described as having the 

pinnae short, obtusely pointed, the pinnules less dissected, the nerves 

simple; while Hapalopteris (Splt,enopteria) rotundifolia (Andra) Stur, 

which strongly resembles our species, has its pinnules rather laa-ger, 

less decurrent, the lobes not cuneate, the terminal lobe large and round. 

From Splienopteris nummularia it strongly differs, the size of the pinnules being much greater, the pinnules of that species being hardly 

decurrent, the midrib straight, the lobes more distant, broadly ovate, 

pointed above, roundly contracted at the base, pedicellate, becoming 

trilobate in the lower part of the pinnule, bilobate in the middle, and 

elliptical above, the terminal lobe large and oval, more or less distinct, 

similar to forms of 8. trifoliolata or 8. obtusilolta, to which it has been 

assigned by several authorities. The normal lobes of 8. nummularia, 

pedicellate with entire margins, have the size of those small crenate or 

feebly lobed sessile pinnules of 8phenopteris Lacoei which are passing 

into ultimate plume.

Locality. McOlellancl's shaft.

SPHENOPTERIS HILDRETI Lx.

1854. HymcnopUylliles Hildnti Lesquereux, Bost. Jour. Nat. Hist., vi, No. 4, p. 421.

1858: Geol. Peuua., n, 2, p. 863; PI. ix, Figs. 5, 5°. 1861: Lesquereux, Geol.

SUTV. Ky. ; IV, p. 434. 

1877. Diplotlimema (Hymenophyllites) Hildreti (Lx.) Stur, Culm-Flora, it, p. 122

(228), 124 (230). 1885: Stnr, Carbon-Flora Scliatzlarer Sell., i, p. 296. 

1880. Sphenopteris (Hymenophyllites) Hildreti Lesquereux, Coal Flora, I, p. 283. 1889:

Lesley, Diet. Foss. Peniia., I, p. 292 (figure). .

Fronds polypiunate; rachis narrow; pinna3 more or less oblique, pinnately divided; pinnules oblique, decurring to the winged rachis, ovate 

in outline, pinnately lobed; lobes cut to the base or to the middle in two 

to five linear, acute lacinias; primary nerves divided according to the 

subdivisions of the lobes, each lobe being entered by a simple branch.

The specimens, three in number, which I have referred to Splienopteris 

Hildreti, agree excellently with the original figures of that species as
WHITE.] FILICINEJE SPHENO PTEBlDEJK SPHEttOPTERlS. 59

well as \vith the description in the Coal Flora which I have quoted 

above. The rachis is slender, striate, and slightly sinuate. The pinnules, which are slightly coriaceous, appear sympodially dichotomous 

rather than pinnate in their mode of division, the effect being a pinnate 

appearance.

From the affinities of the species with Diplothmema furcatum and 

.D. geniculatum it seems quite probable that it also belongs to the genus 

Diplothmemaj to which Dr. Stnr assigned it in 1877. l Kidston 2 has suggested that it may be referable to Diplothmema furcatum. My specimens, which are identical in character with that illustrated and described in the Geology of Pennsylvania,3 seem quite distinct from 

.Diplothmema furcatum, and it may be added that there are no true 

specimens of that species in the collection.

The specimen from the Middle Devonian at St. John, New Brunswick, figured, but not described, by Sir William Dawson as Symenophylliteii ffildreti Lx., appeal's to represent a different species, with 

irregularly dissected pinnules and much broader lacinite, resembling 

more in its aspect the Spkenopteris sulfur cata described by him4 from 

the same locality.

Relations. Sphenopteris H.ildreM was, described by Lesquereux as 

differing from Diplothmema furcatum by its narrower rachis, not geniculatc, the pinnules all. pi.nnately lobed, none palmately, the laciui;® shorter 

and more distinctly lanceolate-acute. It is also much more delicate than 

Diplothmema furcatum. I have not seen sufficient material to ascertain whether there is a difference in the division of the primary rachis 

or whether both species are Diplothmeinae. It appears to differ from 

Diplothmema geniculatum, to which it stands closest, by its rachis, not 

gen iculate, its foliage more dense, the divisions of the pinnules not so 

palm ately spreading from the base, and not so long relatively, the 

sinuses not rounded at the bottom. Sphenopteris trichomanoides and 

Splicnopteris lanceolata&r¬ so broadly divided; the laminae are shorter 

and more obtuse, the rachis of the latter species being much stronger 

and its divisions more bushy.

Locality. McClelland's shaft.

SPHENOPTERtS, SPECIES. 

PI. I, Fig. 3.

Two small specimens in the collection appear to be different from 

any species represented in material that I have seen. I have figured 

orre of them with the hope that it may be recognized by some more experienced paleontologist. The rachis is striate and rough. The median 

nerve is thin, slightly decurrent, and flexuous. Pinnules coriaceous,

1 Culm-Flora, II, p. 122 (228). Carbon-Flora Schatzlarer Sob., I, 1885, p. 296.

"Cat. Pal. PI. Brit. Mus., p. 81.

"Vol. II, pt. 2, 1858, p. 863, PL IX, Figs. 5, 5a.

«Fosa. PI. Dev. and Upp. Sil. Can., 187], pp. 54, 86, PI. xvi, Fig. 181.
60 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

slightly oblique, deeply dissected. The divisions are ovate, pedicellate, 

decurreut, bordering the midrib, the lower ones suggesting the outline 

of an acorn, only they are round at the apex. The real condition of 

each division is trilobate, the two basal lobes narrow and insignificant, 

slightly reflexed, the third and upper lobe ovate, rounded, constituting 

three-fourths of the entire division. 'In this respect.it differs from f,iie 

trilobate forms of Sphenopteris trifoliata, Splienopteris olrtusiloba, or 

ftphenopteris nummularia G-utb., 1 the last named of which it resembles 

more closely in the general proportions. The form of the division is 

much like that seen in portions of the Spkenopteris Bocltinglcma figured 

by Weiss.2 The nerves are rather strong and close, branching alternately from the median nerve and forking again.

The second fragment, apparently belonging to the same species, has 

its divisions of the same character. It represents the tip of a pinna, 

the uppermost divisions being either macera.ted or otherwise deprived 

of parenchyma. It is possible that both specimens represent fertile 

pinme of some species, though no distinct evidence of fructification is 

visible.

Locality. McClellaud's shaft.

PECOPTEKIDE2E.

PECOPTERIS Brongniart, 1822.

PECOPTERTS DENTATA Brongn. (non Will.)

1828. Pecopteris ilentata Brongniart, Prorlrome, pp. 58,170. 1834: Bronguiart, Histoiro 

p. 346, PI. cxxrn, cxxiv. 1835: Lindley and Button, Fossil Flora, n, PI. 

CLIV. 1838: Steruberg, Versuch, n, 7 n. 8, p. 1.52. 1870: Lesquereux, Kept. 

Geol. Surv. 111., iv, 2, p. 404. 1876: Ferd. Roemer, Lethaea geoguost., i, atlas, PI. ur, Figs, la, b; text (1880), p. 176. 1878: Zeiller, Ve"g. foss. terr. 

houill., atlas, PI. CLXVIII, Figs. 3,4; text (1879), p. 86. 1879: Lesquereux,

Coal Flora, atlas, PI. xuv, Figs. 4, 4a; text (1880), p. 240. 1880: Fontaino 

and I. C. White, Permian Flora, p. 66, PI. xxn, Figs. 1, 2, (3-5 ?). 1883: 

Renault, Cours bot. foss., in, p. 121, PL xxi, Figs. 4, 5. 1884: Lesquerenx, 

Amer. Nat., xvm, p. 922. 1887: Lesquereux, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., x, p. 25.

1828. Pecopteris plumosa (Artis?) Brongniart, Prodrome, p. 58, 171. 1835 or 1836: 

Brongniart, Histoire, p. 348, Pis. cxxi, cxxn. 1838: Presl, in Steruberg, 

Versuch, n, 7 u. 8, p. 152. 1858: Lesquereux, Geol. Penn., n, 2, p. 867. 1866: 

Lesquereux, Geol. Surv. 111., n, Palaeont., p. 442. 1869: von Roehl, Foss. Fl. 

Steink. Westplialens, p. 88, PI. xxxm, Fig. 4. 1881: Weiss, Aus d. Fl. d. 

Steink., PL xvn, Figs. 104, 104a. 1888: Howse, Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. 

Northumb., etc., x, 1, p. 89.

1828. Pecopteris triangularis Brongniart, Prodrome, pp. 58, 171.

1832.? Sphenopteris caudata Lindley and Button, Fossil Flora, I, PL XLVIII. .

1833. (Jyatheites dentatus (Brongn.) Goeppert, Systema, p. 325. 1855: Geinitz Verst. 

Steink. Sachsens, p. 26, (pars), PL xxix, Figs. 10-12; PL xxx, Figs. 17 2. 

1869: von Roehl, Foss. Fl. Steink. Westphaleus, p. 87, PL xxxm, Fig. 6. 

1876: Heer, Fl. foss. Helv.,p. 30, PL xi; PL xii, Figs. 1-5.

"Abdriicke, 1835, p. 43, PI. iv, Fig!. 5, 5a, 5b, 5c ; PI. x, Figs. 7, 8, 8a ; PI. xi, Fig. 3. Heer, Fl. Foss. 

Helv., p. 14, PI. xiv, Kg. 8, Andra, Vorvreltl. Pfl., p. 35, PI. xi. 

Toss. Fl. jiingst. Steink. u.Kothl., PI. vn, Figs. 1, la.
WHITE.] FILICINE/E PECOPTERIDE2E PECOPTERIS. 61

1838. Pecopteris Broiigniarliana Presl, in Sternberg, Versucb, n, 7 u. 8, p. 160.

1848. Cyatheiie8plu,mo8U8\Axtis'$) Goeppert, iu Broun, Index palteont., p. 365.

1869. Cyatliocarpus'dentalns (Brongn.) Weiss, Foss. Fl. jiingst. Steink., p. 86.

1869. Pecopteris (Ci/atlitites) deiitaia Bronga., Scliirnpev, Traitd, i, p. 508.

1877. Senfteulergia dentata (Brongn.) Stur, Culm-Flora, u, p. 187 (293).

1877. Senftenbergia plumosa Stur, Culm-Flora, n, p. 187 (293). 1885: Stur Carb.-

Fl. Scliatzlarer Sch., vol. i, p. 92 (pars), PI. LI, Figs. 1, 2, 3. 

1883. Daotylotbeca dentata (Brongn.) Zeiller, Ann. Sci. nat., [6] bot., xvi, pp. 184,

207, PL ix, Figs. 12-15. 1884: Zeiller, Ann. 8015. ge"ol. Nord, xr, p. 206. 1888:

Zeiller, FL foss. Valenciennes, p. 30, Figs. 16a, b. 1890: Zeiller, FL loss.

Autunet.T5pi.nac, i, p. 21, Figs. 17a, b.

1885. Senftenbergia acula (Brongu.) Stur, Carb.-Fl. Schatzlarer Sch., i, p. 96, PL LI, 

Figs. 4, 5.

1886. Pecopteris (Dactylolheca) dentala Brongn., Zeiller, FL foss. honill. Valenciennes, 

atlas, PL xxvi, Figs. 1, la, b, 2, 2a-e; PL xxvii, Figs. 1, la, b, 2, 2a, 3, 3a, 

4; PL XXVIII, Figs, 4,5, 5a; text (1888), p. 196. 1890: Zeiller, FL foss. Aiituu

et .Gpinac, i, p. 66, PL ixa, Figs. 3, 3a.

1887. Dacti/lothcca plumosa (Artis?) Kidston, Radstock Ser., p. 381. 1886: Kidston, 

Cat. Pal. PL Brit. Mus., p. 128. 1889: Kidston, Trans. K. Soc. Edinb., vol. 

xxxv, 2, No. 10, p. 409. 1890: Kideton, Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edinb., x, pp. 

368, 375, 386.

1887. Dactylotheca plumosa var. dentata, Kidston, Radstock Ser., p. 382.

Fronds large, tripinnate, quadripinnatifid below; primary rachis 

large, 5-12mm wide, finely trichomatose; secondary racliis 1-5""" broad, 

grooved on the upper surface and finely punctate; primary pinnae 

alternate, at right angles or oblique, often reflexed in the lower part 

of the frond, usually overlapping slightly, 3£-ll cm apart, oval-lanceolate, 18-50°'", or more, long, 3£-12om wide at the middle, somewhat 

contracted at the base, the sides of the larger ones parallel in the 

middle portion, and tapering to a sharp point above; secondary pinnae 

alternate, 6-12nim apart, usually overlapping somewhat, the upper ones 

oblique, the middle nearly at right angles, the lower ones often reflexed and shorter, often fl.exn.ous, linear-lanceolate, the larger ones 

2£-(icm long, 5-25""" wide, tapering to an obtusely acuminate point; 

pinnules alternate, more or less triangular, somewhat arched, generally 

obtusely pointed or rounded, sometimes acuminate at the, tip or appearing oblong, somewhat oblique, sessile, contiguous and slightly connate 

at the base, those in the middle of the secondary pinnae 35mm long, averaging about 2"im in width at base, the margin's generally more or less 

reflexed so as to make them appear sharply triangular, the laminae 

arching between the nervils, either entire or with a few rounded, usually 

indistinct lobes; the lower basilar pinnule of each secondary pinna 

generally shorter and lobate, sometimes appearing aivriculate; pinnules 

towards the top of the secondary pinnae gradually becoming confluent, 

passing to the entire or slightly lobed apex of the pinnae; pinnules of the 

lower secondary pinnae near the base of the frond, 5-13'"m long, 2-4"'"" 

 wide, pinnatiM, or perhaps pinnate, the divisions being about Hmm 

long and l"uu wide, the uppermost secondary pinnae with pinnules becoming united and passing into primary pinnules, piunatifid below 

in rounded lobes, the succeeding ones crenulate, then entire; nerves 

usually quite distinct, the median nerve passing to the top, but very 

slightly, if at all, decurrent, emitting nervils at a wide angle, the lower 

nervils forking, the upper ones simple, those of the large pinnatifid pinnules giving off other simple nervils in the lower lobes.
62 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

Considerable difference of opinion exists among paleobotanists as 

to the range of forms to be included in this somewhat polymorphous 

species. While most authors agree in uniting Pecopterls dentata and 

P. plumosa (Artis?) Brongn., a few, including so distinguished a paleobotanist as "Director Stur, insist on their distinction as two separate 

species. But Stur, referring to Brougniart's figures and descriptions, 

joins' P. pennceformis Brongn. to P. plumosa. On the other hand, P. 

delicatula Brongn., which is made a variety of P. plumosa, by Kidston 2 

and of P. dentata (P. plumosa Brongn. non Artis) by Zeiller, 3 is united 

by Stnr 4 with P. acuta Brongniart. Kidston is inclined, on the basis 

of distribution, to partially separate Pecopteris dentata as a variety of 

Pecopteris plumosa. Happily, as one of the important results of the 

painstaking examination of many of Brongniart's type specimens, 

Zeiller lias been able to clear up many of the doubts respecting this 

as well as many other species described in the Histoire, and he has 

given excellent and elaborate new descriptions, amplifying and redefining those species, in his classical work on the Valenciennes flora. 

As the result of his investigations of the old specimens as well as of 

much new material, he finds both P. plumosa and P. dentata in the 

same species, thus verifying the conclusions of Schimper, Lesquereux, 

Geinitz, and others of the older paleobotanists.

The specimens in the present collection are identical with others 

labeled by Lesquereux in the U. S. National Museum collections, as well 

as with a fine series communicated by Dr. J. H. Britts from Clinton, 

Missouri, whence some of the specimens described in the Coal Flora 5 

originated. The agreement of these fine specimens with Zeiller's figures and descriptions 6 is good in nearly every detail. The figure given 

by Lesquereux on PI. XLIV does not represent the pinnules so small nor 

so crenulate or lobed, nor so pointed as they appear in my specimens. 

The laminae in the latter are more arched between the nerves, the margins rolled back so as to give them a sharper appearance, the strong 

midrib sunken and tending to become flexuous in the partly macerated 

specimens, and the lower basal pinnules of the secondary pinnae lobed 

or more or less anriculate. Some of the pinnules are acute, like P. 

acuta Brongn., which P. dentata further resembles by the simple 

veined pinnules of the upper part. The general habit, as seen in our 

species, is better indicated by Fontaine and I. C. White in their 

Permian or Upper Carboniferous Flora, PI. xxn, Figs. 1 and 2, though 

the latter seem to somewhat resemble P. acuta. The variety parva, 

Fig. 2, of these authors is similar to the pinnatifid pinnules near the 

base of the lower secondary pinnae. The Missouri representatives of 

this species are most adequately represented by the figures of Brongni-

< Carbon-M. Schlatzlarer Sch., I, p. 93.

Toss. El. Radstock Ser.. pi 381; Trails. Yorkshire Nat. Union, pt. 14, 1888 (1890), p. 36.

3 F1. foss. houill. Valenciennes, p. 196.

4 Op. cit., p. 97.

B Vol. I, p. 241.

6 0p. cit., p. 196, PI. XXVI.
WHITE.] FILICINE^E PECOPTERIDEYE PECOPTERIS. 63

art, 1 Stur,2 and Zeiller. 3 One large fragment of the basal portion of a 

primary pinna sho\ys the pinnules delicate and slender as in P. delicatula,4 though I do not venture to refer it to that form.

Although it is believed by many authors that the type of Artis's 

Filicites plumosus 5 is specifically identical with Brongniart's Pecopteris 

plumosa Artis sp., and that Artis's name lias therefore priority over P. 

dentata Brongn., the incompleteness of Artis's description and figure and 

the indistinctly indicated fructification near the margin, diftering from 

that seen in P. dentata (P. plumosa Brongn.), render the evidence too 

uncertain, as it seems to ine, to warrant such a conclusion, and I am 

disposed to follow Zeiller in retaining P. dentata for the present. Filitites plumosus Artis seems to be represented in form, nervation, and fructification by the Pecopteris (AspiMtes] silcsiaca of Goeppert. ti

The fructification of Pecopteris dentata worked out by Zeiller from

abundant silicified material constitutes the type of the genus .Dactylotheca.1 It consists of exaunulate ovoid sporangia, separate from 

one another, obtuse at the base, 0.5-0.75 " long, 0.2-0.25mm broad, 

ta,pering to an acute apex, each sporangium lying on one of the ultimate 

iiei'vils of one of the lower pinnules, the apex pointing toward the 

border.

The Aphlelicv, which, in spite of their caducity, are frequently found 

attached to the rachis near the origin of the primary pinn33 of this species, have been observed by Fontaine and White, Stur, and Zeiller. 

They have been described as oval in outline, lying close to the rachis, 

often obscuring it, deeply pinnatifid in close linear lobes, the lower ones 

themselves pinnatifid, with surface finely striate and apparently covered \vith fine hairs. A few such aphlebian fragments were found in 

the collection, but none are attached to rachises with other pinnules. 

One large rachial fragment from Clinton resembles the Aphlebia filiciformis found by Geinitz 8 on the rachis of Pecopteris dentata Geinitz (nou 

Brongn.).

Relations. Pecopteris dentata differs from P. pennceformis by its sulcate and rather more strongly punctate rachis, its pinnae larger and 

more nexuoiis, and its pinnules more triangular. P. pennceformis is described as having the secondary nerves simple or forking but once, the 

laminae folded upwards in sharp ridges between the neryils, and the 

fructification apparently in two rows of round dots, one on each side of 

the midrib. Pecopteris acuta Brongn. has its rachis rather smoother,

'.P. plumosa, ITistoiro, Pis. cxxi, cxxir, Figs. 3, 4, and P. dentata, Pis. cxxin, cxxiv.

2 Seiiftenbergia plumosa, Foss. Fl. Schlatzlaror Suh., i, PI. Li, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and S. acuta, Figs. 4, 5.

3 F1. loss, liouill. Valenciennes, Pis. xxvi, xxvn, Figs. 2, 3, 4.

*Brongiiiart, op. cit., PI. cxvi, Fig. 6. Zeiller, op. cit., P. dentata, var. delicatula, PI. xxvm. Figs. 5,5a.

6 Antedil. Phytol., PI. xyii. 

"Systema, p. 364, PI. xxvn.

7 Ann. Sci. Nat. [C], Bot., xvi, 1883, pp. 184,207, PL ix, Figs. 12-15. Fl. foss. houill. Valenciennes, 1888, 

pp. 30,198, PI. xxvi, Figs. 2, 2a, d. Fl. foss. A utuu et lipiuac, 1890, p. 21, Fig. 17a, b, p. 67. 

. * Verst. Steiuk. Sacbseus, p. 26, PI. xxV, Fig. 11.
64 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

- *

the pinnules more acutely falcate, and the nerves almost invariably simple, while P. aspera Brongu. is distinguished by its shorter parallel 

pinnae at right angles to the racliis, the pinnules more rounded, the terminal ones distinct and obtuse, and the nerves more flexuous. 

Locality. McClellan d's shaft.

PECOPTEBTS (PTYCHOCARPUS) UNITA Brongn.?

Fronds large, bipinnate or tripinnate; primary pinnae broad, lanceolate, tapering to an acute point; primary rachis broad, flat, striated; 

secondary pinnae alternate or subopposite, 2-5""11 apart, nearly at right 

angles to the rachis or somewha.t oblique', parallel, linear, 2-4cm K>ng,

5-llmm \vide, the borders nearly parallel, converging slightly near the 

rounded apex, crenulate, lobate, or plnnatilid, according to their position higher or lower on the primary pinnae; secondary rachis round, 

slender, flexuous in the smaller pinnae, more or less decurrent and dissolving just below the apex; secondary pinnae succeeded above on the 

primary phmse by and passing into distant, oblique, linear pinnules, 

rounded at the apex, crenulate, then crenulate below and entire above, 

becoming entire in passing upward, decurrent and connate by a decurring border, united more deeply in approaching the tip of the frond,; 

pinnules of the ultimate pinnae, represented by crenation, lobes, and 

well-defined pinnules according as the pinnae occur lower on the frond, 

united about one-half their length in the average pinnae, curving outward to nearly a right angle, the apices gradually rounded, the margins 

slightly reflexed, the texture rather thin, the more mature pinnules

6-7mm long, close, alternate, declining somewhat, contiguous to the 

middle, united below, the margins converging a little towards the 

rounded apex; median nerve originating at a narrow angle, arching outward towards the tip of the pinnule; secondary nerves alternate, usually simple except in the larger pinnules, neaiiy straight or curving 

toward the apex, not anastomosing, and marked near the border by 

fusiform enlargements, the distal ends of these enlargements being 

rather thicker than the proximal ends.

The specimens, numbering about twenty-five, which I refer with some ' 

doubt to the above species, are apparently members of the same fern, 

but, owing to the rather macerated appearance of a portion of them, 

some of the characters seem too obscure in parts of the frond to allow 

an absolute identification, with P. unita. The simple pinnules at the 

upper end of the primary pinnae have their nervation too poorly preserved for an accurate description, besides which they are rather farther apart than those commonly described as belonging to that species. 

The upper secondary pinnae agree very Avell Avith those illustrated by 

Stur 1 as .Diplazites longifolim Brougn. sp., and by Lesqnereux,2 Kidston3 , and Zeiller4 as Pecopteris unita, the crenulate forms becoming 

more nearly entire towards the apex, which is rounded, as seen in Fig. 

3 of Stur's plate, wnich illustrates the secondary pinnae of my specimens better than any T have seen, although his figures of the pinnules

1 Carbon-Flora A. Schatsslarer Suh., PI. LXIII, Figs, 2, 3.

2 Coal Flora, PI. XL, Fig. 2.

3 Foss. Fl. Itadstock Sor., PI. xxtv, Fig. 4. 

* Fl. houill. Valenciennes, PI. xvm, Figs. 1,2.
WHITE.] FILICINEzE PECOPTEE1DE/E PECOPTEEIS. 65

of the upper primary pinme are widely different from those described at 

the lower portions of these pinme. The more deeply lobed secondary 

piimie, similar to Fig. 2 of Stur, bear evidence of fructification, but 

these piimse are too macerated to reveal the characters of the sori in 

the mingled coaly material. The thickening of the ultimate nervils, 

like that seen in Diplazites as figured by Goppert, Stur, and other 

authors, construed as indicating the beginning of the sori, appears 

somewhat farther up on the nervils and rather more obtuse at the 

upper end than is commonly represented in P. unita. The secondary 

pinnae taper but little towards the apex, while those more fully developed have their pinnules rather broad and arched backward, as shown 

by Kidston1 and Lesqnereux.

On account of the uncertainty attached to the .specific reference of 

my plant, I have not attempted to give the synonymy of P. unita, which 

is made by many authors to include P. emarginata and P. longifolia, 

but have left the description of the specimens to wait ultimate absolute 

identification..or separation.

Relations. The specimens in this collection differ perhaps from P. 

unita or P. emarginata, as those species are usually described, by the 

greater distance between the fully developed pinnules, the slender, 

rather flexuous rachis of the median secondary pinme, and the large, 

rounded pinnule forming the apex of the secondary pinnae.

Locality. McGlellaud's shaft.

PECOPTEKIS (ASTEBOTHEOA) LESQUEKEUXII n. sp.

PL n, Fig. 4.

1880. Pecoptcris arborescens (Sclilotu.) Brongn., Lesqnereux, Coal Flora, I, p. 230,

(pars excl. syu. et fig.). 

1884. ? Pecopteris aspidioides Brongn., Lesquereux, Coal Flora, in, p. 756.

Fronds tripivinate; primary pinnae broad, tapering rapidly to an 

acute point; secondary rachis rather broad, striate, more or less distinctly and finely punctate; secondary x)inn;je alternate, open, close, 

somewhat caducous, linear, 7""»-3°w wide, slightly narrowed at the base, 

the borders converging very gently in the middle, contracting more 

rapidly toward the tip to an acute apex; pinnules alternate, open or 

slightly oblique, usually nearly at right angles to the rachis, very close,. 

often contiguous, occasionally flexuous, linear, the length usually four to 

six times the width, fiat, or rarely with margins slightly arched, the lateral borders nearly parallel or slightly converging, the apex gradually 

rounded, united near the base, sometimes a little contracted in the 

largest pinnules, the rachis being bordered by & narrow, decurrent 

margin; median nerve strong, distinct, passing to the apex, usually 

slightly decurrent, but frequently at right angles to the rachis in the 

larger pinnules; secondary nerves of the smaller pinnules, simple, 

alternate, slightly arching to the borders or nearly straight, or, rarely, 

even goniopteroid; a few of the nerves in pinnules of the average size 

sometimes forking1 once near or above the middle, the lowest pair usually forking near the base, but most of the upper ones simple, while in

1 Foss. M. liadstock Ser., PI. xxiv, Pigs. 3, 9.

Bull. 98 5
66 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

the larger pinnules of the largest secondary pinnae and those above the 

secondary pinnae on the primary rachis the nerves fork once at a rather 

wide angle below the middle, the upper division usually forking again; 

fertile pinnules of the same form and arrangement as the sterile; fructification in oval or round sori, disposed in two rows, one on each side 

of the median nerve, nearly covering the lower surface of the pinnules; 

sporangia, four or five in the sorus.

This species, represented by a large number of specimens, is distinctly characterized by the long slender pinnules, contiguous or a little 

distant, usually slightly decurrent in the smaller pinnules, united for 

about linm at the base, the borders converging slightly, the blade flat, 

the apex obtuse, not round truncate, and by the peculiar nervation. 

The nerves of the smaller pinnules are simple, as in P. arborescens or 

P. hcmitelioides. In those of the average size, about 9mm long and 2£mm 

wide, the lower pan- of nerves fork, and here and there, irregularly, in 

the pinnule other nerves fork, like those of P. cyathea or P. paleacea. 

Only in the largest pinnules, 10-15mm in length and 2£-3mm in width, 

are the nervils, all branching near or above the middle, similar to those 

of P. Candolliana and P, Monyi, the upper division occasionally forking 

again, especially in the pinnules succeeding the secondary pinnae. In 

these largest pinnules there is an occasional constriction at the base, 

suggestive of P. Candolliana, but the rachis is bordered by a narrow 

decurrent lamina, uniting the pinnules, which have the surface very 

nearly flat, are not constricted at the middle, and which are proportionately considerably longer than the pinnules of P. Candolliana.

In general habit the pinnse and pinnules resemble Pecopteris lepidorachis 1 and P. cyathea,2 though its pinnules are flatter, not distinct to 

the base, and irregular in length as in the latter. The closest similarity 

in the arrangement of the pinnules and nervation is with P. hvmitelioides, except that our pinnules are not separate and all simple nerved, 

and with P. Monyi,3 whose pinnules are much more oblique, decurrent, 

much broader proportionately, the margins converging more rapidly. 

The latter species appears somewhat closely related to P. venulosa Lx.,4 

but Lesquereux's species has the pinnules less united, shorter, more 

curved, the midrib stronger, and the nerves curving upward. Some 

of the smaller pinnse are suggestive of P. platyrachis as figured in the 

Coal Flora. However, the figure given by Lesquereux5 is a copy of 

Fig. 5 on Plate am of Brongniart's Histoire, in which work it is first 

assigned by Brongniart (p. 312) to P. platyracliis and again on the following page to P. lepidorachis. However, since a smooth rachis is one of 

the distinctive characters of the former species as diagnosed by Brongniart^ it seems more probable that the reference to P. lepidorachis is 

the one the author intended should remain, although the pinnules are

1 See Brongni.irt, Histoire, PI. cm, Fig. 1; also, Zeiller, El. kouill. Cominentry, I, PI. xn, Pig. 5. 

"Brougniart, op. oit., PI. Ci, Fig. 4.

3 See Zeillor, op. cit., PI. xr, Figs. 6, 7, and PI. XYH.Figs. 3, 4.

4 Coal Flora, i, p. 230, PI. XLI, Figs. 1, la.

5 Atlas, PI. XLI, Fig. 5.
WHITE.] F1LTCINEJE PECOrTEKIDEyE rECOPTERIS. 67

mucli. like P. cyathea. It is possible that tlie specimens forming tho 

basis of Lesquereux's description 1 may be referable to P. lepidorackis 

or P. cyathea, both of which have been referred by many authors to 

P. arborescens. Kenault a>nd Zeiller have with reason, as it seems to 

me, separated them as species, after an examination of the original 

types together with new material, with concise and distinct definitions.

In the entire collection, containing over one hundred and fifty specimens belonging to this species, I have not seen any fragments referable 

to P. arborescens. My specimens are apparently identical Avith those 

in the museum collection labeled by Lesquereux as belonging to P. 

anpidioides. But P. aspidioides, characterised by Brongniart as having 

contiguous elliptical-oblong pinnules, distinct to the base, with simple, 

oblique nervils, and as differing from P. arborescens only in its greater 

size, longer, obtuser pinna}, and less truncated pinnules, is generally 

regarded as belonging either to P. arborescens, to which the above 

author regarded it as very closely related, or to P. cyathea, the agreement of the figures being quite close. Since the name Pecopteris aspidioides can not therefore be retained and employed to designate our 

species, no new name can be more appropriate than that of the great 

student and elaborator of the American coal flora.

Relations. Peoopteris Lesqucreuxii differs from P. arborescens by its 

much broader pinnae with the apices more obtuse, the pinnules usually 

more than double the length of those of the latter species, not distinct 

at the ba.se, more often slightly apart, sometimes slightly decurring in 

the smaller pinnules, gradually rounded, not truncate-rounded, at the 

tip, the nervils sometimes branching once irregularly in the larger 

pinnules, the upper division occasionally branching again in the largest 

pinnules, generally curving more or less to the border. P. cyatkea has 

its pinnules contiguous, separate to the rachis, often reflexed, shorter 

proportionately, unequal in length, the mar-gins often curved backward, the sporangia in pairs or fours. P. lepidorackis has the rachis 

strongly punctate, its pinnules contiguous, distinct to the base, the 

nerves always forked below the middle. P. hemitelioides, whose form 

ours resembles closely, has its rachis rougher, the pinnules rather 

broader proportionately, usually separate at the base, and all the 

nerves simple. P. Gandolliana is easily distinguished by its pinnules 

contracted and distinct at the base, the margins usually rolled back, 

frequently so as to give it a contracted appearance in the middle, and 

by the nerves always forked. P.Monyi and P. venulosa have the pinnules more rapidly tapering, shorter proportionately, those contiguous 

at the base becoming separate above, the midrib of the larger pinnules 

more decurrent, and but few of the nervils forking once in the larger 

pinnules, the former species having a thinner median nerve, while the 

latter has the median nerve thickened near the base.

Locality. McOlell and's si i aft.

" ' Coal Flora, i, p. 232.
68 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 93.

NEUKOPTEKEDEyE.

NEUROPTERIS Brongniart. 1822.

NEUROPTERIS EIMBRIATA Lx.

1852. Cycloptcris fimbriata Lesquoreux, Proc. Boston Soc. N. H., rv, p. 177. 1854: 

Lesquereux, Boston Jour. N. H., VI, 416. 1858: Lesquereux, Geol. Perm., II, 

p. 855, PL iv, Figs. 17,18. 1863: Davrson, Can. Nat.,VIII,p. 442. 1866: Wood, 

Trans. Am: Phil. Soc., XIII, p. 348. 1878: Dawson, Acadian Geol., 3d eel., p. 

481. 1878: Lesqnereux, in I. C. White, Rept. Prog. Geol. Surv. Penn., "Q," 

p. 54. 1880: Fontaine and I. C. White, Permian Flora, p. 17.

1857. Neuropteris fimbriata Lesqnereux, 3d Rept. Geol. Surv. Kj., p. 536. 1860: Les- 

- qnereux, 2d Rept. Geol. .Surv. Ark., p. 315. 1866: Lesquereux, Geol. Surv. 

111., II, Paleont., p. 430. 1870: Lesquereux, Geol. Surv. 111., IV, Pt. 2, p. 

384, PI. vi, Fig. 4. 1874: Schiinper, Traite", III, p. 474. 1879: Lesquereux, 

Coal Flora, I, PI. v, Figs. 1-6; text (1880), p. 81. 1880: Fontaine and I.C. 

White, Permian Flora, p. 51. 1883: Lesqueretix, 13th Ann. Rept. Geol. Surv. 

Ind., Pt. 2, p. 52, PI. x, Fig. 2. 1887: Kidston, Foss. Fl. Radstock Ser., p. 361, 

PI. xxi, Figs. 3-5.

1860. Cyclopteris Wilsoni H. C. Wood, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., xn, p. 519.

Fronds tripinnate; primary pinnae apparently large, triangular; secondary ^pinme linear, slightly oblique; rachis round, undulate, finely 

striate, more or less punctate, bearing alternate, distant, oval or oblong, or nearly round, rarely entire pinnules, generally fringed from the 

middle upward, auricled and entire at the broad base, pedicellate in 

the upper pinnules, which are slightly decurring; veins distinct, flabellate and dichotomous from the base, dividing three or four times in 

the larger pinnules, generally twice in the smaller ones, slightly arched 

toward the borders, and ascending to the top of the long, narrow, 

acute, undulating fimbriae.

The foliage of this beautiful, fern has been fully illustrated by Prof. 

Lesquereux in the Illinois and Pennsylvania reports. My specimens 

show considerable variation in the closeness of the nervation of the large 

pinnules, the fimbriie in some pinnules becoming correspondingly 

crowded and much closer than in Lesquereux's figures. The latter are 

slender, sometimes as much as 7mm in length, usually tapering from the 

base to a fine sharp point, and wavy. In one large pinnule, which is 

parted below the middle into two lobes, dichotomously, the long lacinuB 

are largely dichotomous, lending an Aphlebian aspect to portions of 

the margin. A similar bifurcation of the lacinise on a small scale seems 

to be present on one specimen figured in Kidston's Eadstock Flora.1 

The nervation in some pinnules seems fully as close as that in Heer's 

figure of Cyclopteris lacerataf and appears to justify the inclination of 

Schimper and Kidston to unite the two species, though Weiss regarded 

Heer's species as belonging in part to Neuropteris heterophylla.3 Should 

the American and Swiss species prove to be identical, Neuropteris fimbriata will have priority.

Relations. This fern is quite easily distinguished in its large pinnules by the normally fimbriate margins. It differs from Neuropteris

1 Trans. Hoy. Soc. Edinb., xxxm, p. 361, PI. xxi, Fig. 3.

»F1. foss. Helv., p. 17, PL vi, Fig. 17.

3Verhandl. Nat. Hist. Ver. pr. Bheinl. u. Westfalens, xxv ; Jahrg. 1868, p. 78.
WHITE.] FILICINE2E NEUROPTERIDE^E NEUROPTEEIS. 69

denlata Lx. and. Neuropteris laciniata Lx. by its thinner, more delicate 

texture, and from the former by its margin, fringed instead of jagged 

toothed. The small pinnules differ from Neuropteris flexuosa and Neuropteris licterophylla, to both of which this species is closely allied, by 

its pinnules distant and its nervils fewer than in the latter and more 

distant than in either.

Locality. Found in fragments of pinnae and distorted pinnules from 

McOlelland's shaft and Hannam's shaft.

NEUKOPTERIS SCHEUCHZERI Hoffin.

1826. Neuropteris Scheuclizeri Hoffmann, in Keferstein, Teutschland, IV, p. 157, 

PL 11), Figs. lb-4. 1840: Jackson, Rept. Geol. Agricult. Surv. R. I., 1839, 

p. 288, PI. v, Fig. 10. 1857: Kimball, PI. Appal. Coal Field, p. 9, PI. i, 

Fig. 1. 1869: Sclrimper, Traite", I, p. 434. 1887: Kidston, Radstoclc Ser., 

p. 356, PI. xxiii, Fig. 1, la, 2.

1830. Neuropteris Scheuchzeri Hoffm., Brongmart, Hist. v<Sg. foss., p. 230, PI. i,xm, 

Fig. 5. 1882: Zeiller, in Barrois, Terr. anc. Astnries, p. 559. 1886: Zeiller, 

FL foss. houill. Valenciennes, atlas, PL XLT, Figs. 1, la, 2, 3; text (1889), 

p. 251.

1830. Nerropteris angustifolia Brongniart, Hist. ve"g. foss., p. 231, PL LXIV, Figs. 3, 4.

1830. Nevropteris aciitifolia Brongniart, Hist. v6g. foss., p. 231, PL T.XIV, Figs. 6, 7.

1832. Neuropteris cordata Brougn., Lindley and Hutton, Fossil Flora, I, p. 119, PL 

xu. 1847: Bunbury, Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, m, p. 423, PL xxr,' 

Figs. 1, la-f. 1853: Newberry, Annals Sci., i, No. 9, p. 106. 1865: (?) 

Goppert, Foss. FL Perm. Form., p. 100; PL xi, Figs. 1, 2. 1878: Dawsou, 

Acad. Geol., 3d ed., p. 446, Fig. 1661). 1880: Lesquereux, Coal Flora, p. 91 

(pars). 1888: Dawson, Geol. Hist. PL, p. 126, Fig. 51b. 1889: Lesley, 

Diet. foss. Penn., 11, p. 452, figure.

1836. Mortou, Amer. Jour. Sci., xxix, PL xi, Fig. 26.

1838. Nem-opteris anrjnstifoUa Brougn., Foster, N. Jahrb. f. Min., p. 535. 1862: 

(?) Geinitz, Dyas n, p. 139, PL xxvn, Fig. 9. 1869: (?) v. Roehl, Foss. 

FL Steinkohlen. Westphalens, p. 33, PL xrv., Fig. 7. 1870: Lesquereux, 

Geol. Surv. 111., IV, p. 467. 1879: Lesquereux, Coal Flora, atlas, PL VIM, 

Figs. 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11; text (1880) p. 89. 1880: Fontaine and I. C. White, 

Permian Flora, p. 17. 1883: Lesquereux, 13th Rept. Geol. Surv. Ind., Pt. 

2, p. 52, PL x, Fig. 1. 1884: Lesquereux, Coal Flora, III, p. 734. 1889: 

Lesley, Diet. foss. Penn., II, p. 451, figure.

1847. Nenropteris cordata Brongn., ATar. angustifolia, Bnnbury, Quart. Jour. Geol. 

Soc. London, m, p. 424. 1866: Dawsou, Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, 

xxir, p. 154.

1854. Neuropteris Mrsnta Lesquereux, Boston Jour. Nat. Hist., VI, No. 4, p. 417. 

1857:, Lesquereux, Geol. Surv. Ky., Ill, p, 534, 556, PL vi, Fig. 4. 1858: 

Lesquereux, Geol. Penu., II, p. 857, PL m, Fig. 6; PL iv, Figs. 1-16. 1860: 

Lesquereux, Geol. Surv. Ark., II, p. 315. 1866: Lesquereux, Geol. Surv. 

111., II, Paleout., p. 427. 1869: Schimpar, Traite", I, p. 445. 1870: Lesquereux, Geol. Snrv. 111., IV, Paleont., II, p. 380. 1875: Dana, Manual 

Geol., 2d ed., p. 327, Fig. 635. 1879: Lesquereux, Coal Flora, atlas, PL 

vni, Figs, 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12; text (1880), p. 88. 1880: Fontaine and I. C. 

White, Permian Flora, pp. 16, 17, 47, PL vni, Figs. 7, 8. 1881: C. A. White, 

Rept. Geol. Surv. Ind., 1879-'80, p. 152, PL ix, Figs. 1, 2, 3. 1882: Le 

Conte, Geol.. p. 365, Fig. 473. 1883: Chamberlain, Geol. Wis., I, p. 216, 

Fig.,67f. 1887: Lesquereux, Ann. Rept. Geol. Snrv. Porn., 1886, Pt. 1, p. 

517. 1889: Lesley, Diet. foss. Peuu., II, pp. 460, 461, 462, figures.
70 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL.98.

1855. Neuropteris acutifolia Br.ongn., Ettingshausen, Steinkohlenfl. Radnitz, p. 32,

PI. xvni, Fig. 5. 1876: (?) 0. Feistmantel, Verst. bohm. AMag., Ill, p.

64. PI. xvn, Fig. 4. 1880: Fontaine and I. C. White, Permian Flora, p. 20.

1881: Weiss, Aus d. Fl. d. Steink., PL xiv, Fig. 89. 

1857. Neuropteris Ror/ersii Kimball (11011 Lx.), Fl. Appal. Coal Field, p. 10, PL I,

Fig. 1. 

1884. Neurojjteris angusUfolia Brongn. var. hirsuta Lesquereux, Coal Flora, III, p. 885.

Fronds tripinnate, spreading, dichotomizing below; primary pinnae 

large; primary rachis robust, lineate; secondary pinnae alternate or 

sub-opposite, oblique, lanceolate, or linear-lanceolate, somewhat contracted at the base, frequently overlapping; ultimate pinnae alternate 

or sub-opposite, oblique or at right angles to the rachis, close or distant, sometimes overlapping, very caducous, and generally trifoliate, 

consisting of a large oblong-lanceolate, lanceolate, or linear-lanceolate 

more or less obtusely pointed, entire, or undulate, often somewhat falcate, short pedicellate median pinnule 3-llem long, having close at its 

rounded or more or less auricular base one or two small somewhat 

polymorphous pinnules, the latter usually unequilateral, round, oval, 

or reniform, but sometimes becoming double, enlarging into lobatelauceolate or even digitate cyclopterid pinnules; ultimate pinnae succeeded above on the secondary pinnae by large pinnules similar to the 

median pinnules of the ultimate pinnae, but sessile on the thorn-like 

attachment to the radiis, and more or less distinctly cordate, auriculate, 

or lobed at the base, the upper side rounded, the lower auriculate or 

lobed, passing into the pinnate form; lower surface of the pinnules 

generally provided with rather rigid hairs or bristles l-3mm in length, 

generally visible to the naked'eye, scattered irregularly about, close or 

distant, and lying in various directions, but mostly in a direction somewhat parallel to the midrib, or the course of the nerves, often producing a dictyopterid effect; margins of the leaves usually slightly arched 

backward; basilar or cyclopterid pinnules often .naked, with nervation 

rather coarser than in the terminal pinnules and generally flabellate 

from the base; primary nerve originating usually from a broad, short 

pedicel, distinct in the terminal or long pinnules, though rather thin, 

ascending three-fourths of the length of the pinnule or more before 

vanishing; nervils originating at a narrow angle to the midrib, arching gradually and dichotomizing three or four times before they have 

passed a little more than half way fretn the median nerve to the border, 

some of them forking a fifth time, thin, close, often undulating, usually 

more or less immersed in the epidermis, which is raised between them, 

meeting the border somewhat obliquely, except in the lower part of 

the pinnules, and numbering thirty-five to forty-five per centimeter at 

the border.

This species is one concerning which great confusion has existed during many years; and while many paleontologists, including at one time 

Prof. Lesquereux. have been disposed to regard forms described by 

Brongniart under the names of Nevropteris Scheuehzeri, JST. angustifolia, 

and N. acutifolia as ill-defined and belonging perhaps to the same 

species, an opinion first suggested by Brongniart himself, the question 

remained unsolved, for lack of sufficient material and a better knowledge of Brongniart's type, until Mr. Zeiller, in the course of his critical 

and exhaustive researches in the floras of the French coal fields, made 

a thorough and painstaking examination of Brougniart's specimens,
WHITE.] MLICJtfEjSE NEttROrTERlDEJE NEUKOPTERlS. 71

and elaborated the original descriptions. To tlie invaluable investigations by Zeiller of the types in the Museum d'Histoire IsTaturelle and by 

Kidston among tlie types in. tlie British Museum, the Geological Society 

of London, and other collections, we are especially indebted for a knowledge of the real .characters and identity of these as well as many other 

species' described or figured, often imperfectly, by Brongniart and Lind- 

]ey find Hutton.

The affinities of the above-mentioned forms as well as tlie variations 

among the specimens belonging to each of the species that have been 

distinguished in this country are incidentally indicated in the following 

notes, which, so far as they relate to American material, are based on 

specimens in the collection of the U. S. National M.useum examined 

and labeled many of them recorded in the "Eegister" by Lesquereux at various times since the appearance of the first two volumes 

and atlas of the Coal Flora.

Neuropteris Scheuchzeri Hoffm.

Although, in his original description of Wcuropteris Sclieuclizeri,'B.G&Lnunm 1 fails to mention the hirsute character of his species, both the 

agreement of his figures and descriptions and the identification and 

description of the same fern by various European paleontologists show 

that it is identical with the N'europteris cor data described and illustrated by Lindley and Hutton and B anbury, which in turn is proved 

specifically identical with Brongniart's types of N. angustifolia and N. 

acutifolia. Zeiller does not seem to have had access to Brongniart's 

type of N~. Scheuclizeri, and is not assured2 of its identity with Hoffmann's species, though the figure in the Histoire 3 agrees fairly well 

with the fragment represented in Fig. 2 on Hoffmann's plate, or equally 

with the specimen from Pennsylvania figured as N'europteris ScJieuchzeri 

by Kimball.4 The type of N. Scheuchzeri as described and figured by 

Brongniart came from Wilkesbarre, Pa., whence that author had 

types of N. angustifolia and N. acutifolia, and he was disposed to consider the former as perhaps identical with N. Scheuchzeri, though it 

was impossible to tell from so little material, consisting of isolated 

pinnules. The identity of the Pennsylvania specimens described as 

N. Sclieuelizeri with the Old World forms is further indicated by a 

comparison with the descriptions and figures of foreign authors, especially with those of the magnificent fragment of a pinna given by 

Kidston in the Flora of the Eadstock Series.5

1 Keforstein's Teutscliland geognostisch-geologisch dargestellt. mit Charteti mid Zeiclinungeii 

welche oin en geognostisclien Atlas bilden, vol. iv, Weimar, 1820, p. 157, PI. il>, Figs. 1-4.

2 Fl. Foss. lioiiill. Valenciennes, p. 254.

3 Pl.T,xin, Mg. 5.

« Flora of tlie Appalachian Coal-Field, Gottiiigen, 1857, p. 9, PI. i, Tig. 1.

6 Trans. Koy. Soc. Ediul)., XXXHI, 1887, p. 250, PI. xxm, Figs. 1, 2.
72 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98. 

Neuropteris liirsuta Lx.

In his original description 1 of Neuropteris hirsuta, as well as in that 

published with the illustrations in Eogers's Geology of Pennsylvania,2 

Lesquereux inscribes Neuropteris angustifolia, N. acutifolia, N. Scheuchzcri, and JT. cor data as synonyms, referring in the last case to both 

Brougniart's and Lindley and Hutton's works. In his remarks Prof. 

Lesquereux notes that "near the summit of the pinnae the pinnules 

become simple, narrowly lanceolate (in which case they belong to 

Neuropteris angustifolia Brongn."), and o that " Neuropteris Sclieuclizeri 

Hoffm., sent to Mr. Brongniart from Wilkesbarre, belongs probably 

to this species also; nevertheless, we have never seen a leaflet with 

the petiole attached to it as it is figured by this eminent author." But 

in the Coal Flora 3 the pinnules of this species are distinctly described 

and figured as pedicellate when compound. He further adds, that 

"except the villosity the characters of this species are much like those 

of the following [N. angustifolia}, and in some cases it is very difficult 

to ascertain the reference of the leaflets generally found detached from 

the rachis and often mixed together;" and Schimper 4 was disposed to 

accept the species, in default of a better definition of the other species, 

on account of the presence of the hairs. Except the occurrence of these 

hairs in N. Mrsuta the only other distinctions between it and N. angustifolia that I am able to derive from the descriptions are a wider pinnule, less acute for the former, while in the latter the pinnules are 

perhaps more distant, the midrib proportionately stronger and extending farther up the pianule, and the veins of the cyclopterid pinnules 

rather closer than in those of N. liirsuta. In N. liirsuta the median 

pinnules are "more rapidly narrowed upward, but never pointed," the 

nerves counting forty to fifty per centimeter at the margin.

Among the specimens labeled Neuropteris liirsuta in the Museum collection the following are examples: Number 1454, from Mazon Creek, 

represents the lower part, Scm long, of a pinnule 3CI " wide, somewhat 

falcate, the borders parallel, rounded toward the base with slight 

auricles near the pedicel, like those seen in N. decipiens.5 The pedicel 

is flat, 5|mm long, 2mm wide; the surface of the pinnule is hirsute, the 

midrib and nervation exactly that of N. decipiens and counting twentyeight to thirty per centimeter at the border. No. 1451 is a pinnule 

9£cm long, 2£cm wide, oblong-lanceolate, rather bluntly pointed, the 

base broken; hirsute, external characters identical with the former, 

nervation twenty-eight to thirty per centimeter. No. 101G, an entire 

pinnule, 6£om long, 2|C1U wide, oblong lanceolate, rather acute at the 

tip, somewhat narrowed below, auriculate, hirsute; 26 or 27 nervils per 

centimeter. No. 1450, ovate-lanceolate, 6cni long, 2£cm wide near the

 i Bost. journ. Nat. Hist., VI, 1854, ~No. 4, p. 417.

* II, p. 857, PI. HI. Fig. 6; PI. IV, Figs. 1-16.

s Vol. I, p. 88, PI. VIII.

4 Traite, I, p. 445.

6 Coal Flora, in, PI. xciv, Fig. 2, terminal pinnule.
WHITE.] FILICINE^E NEUKOPTERIDE/E NEUEOPTERIS. 73

base, rather obtuse above, the base like 1454, distinctly pedicellate; 

midrib very thin, dissolving in. the upper quarter; hirsute; nervils 

twenty-six, per centimeter. This pinnule has the outline and thin 

midrib characteristic of the American N. cordata, as seen in specimens from Camielton, labeled by Lesquereux. The form is similar to 

tha,t of the N. cor data figured by Zeiller in the Commentry Flora, PI. 

xxvin, Fig. 2, though the nervation is very different. No. 1452 contains a fragment of the middle of a pinnule 32""" wide, showing the 

characteristic nervation of the Mazon Creek pinnules, the nervils num- 

. bering twenty-eight to thirty per centimeter. No. 1455 is a linear-lanceolate pinnule, 8£C1 " long, 2£cm wide near the base, tapering upward to a 

rather acute point; base wanting; borders undulate; hirsute: nervils 

twenty-nine to thirty per centimeter. This specimen agrees in outline 

with the typical N. Ursuta. All of the above specimens said to belong 

to N~. Ursuta are from Mazon Creek. All have the same form and 

nervation, and the same number of nervils per centimeter on the margin 

as Neuropteris dccipiens Lesq., described 1 as abundant at Mazon Creek, 

from which locality a large number of specimens of the latter species 

have been compared. These specimens labeled N. Mrsuta are said to 

have passed under Lesquereux's hand since the publication of the description of N. decipiens, from which the only distinction made seems to 

be that the pinnules of the latter are comparatively larger and the 

nerves twenty-five to twenty-eight per. centimeter on the. border, but 

after a critical examination and comparison I can find no character in 

them that is different from those seen in specimens in the same collection labeled N. decipiens.2

Of the other specimens labeled Neuropteris liirsuta. No. 2188, from 

Eugene, Indiana, represents the greater part, including the tip of a 

linear-lanceolate pinnule, 9Jc"1 long, 2"m wide, tapering to a long slender 

tip which is rounded at the apex. A fine midrib passes nearly to the top. 

The specimen is distinctly hirsute; the nervils thirty-five to thirty-eight 

per centimeter. It appears to represent the form described by Brongniart as N. angtistifolia, though larger than his JV". acutifolia, while it is 

nearly as acute as the latter. Another specimen with, the same number, from the same locality, is linear-lanceolate, 7cm long, the top wanting, 

17mm wide, somewhat falcate, slightly contracted towards the base, 

tapering in the upper half, the border undulate, rounded at the base, 

and agreeing excellently with. Brongniart's and Kimball's.^. SoheucJtzeri, 

except that the midrib is not strong, and the pedicel, 3mm long, 1£""" 

wide, is not round as Brongnlart's figure represents. The nervils 

count thirty-five to forty per centimeter. No 1290, from the Excelsior 

Colliery, is a long linear-lanceolate leaf 10£em long, 19""" in greatest 

width, somewhat falcate, with a characteristic unequal base and pedicel, 

and tapering from the base to a rather slender acute tip, the extreme

1 Coal Flora, in, p. 733.

' 'The apparent confusion regarding this species is probably due to tin; fact-that it was not fully 

diagnosed until tlie third volume of the Coal Flora was published.
74 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. lntJtL.98.

apex slightly rounded; the slender midrib passes to near the tip; 

the margin is rather undulate; surface hirsute in portions; nervils 

thirty-five to thirty-eight per centimeter. This pimmle, which has the 

form of N. angustifolia in Brongniart's plate, though more tapering and 

more slender than his N. acutifolia, is much larger than any of the 

slender acute pinnules that I have seen figured, the nearest illustration 

being that of N. Sclieuclizeri, Fig. 2 of the PI. XLI in the atlas to Zeiller's 

Valenciennes flora. The specimen, identified in 1881 or 1882, appears to 

contradict the statement in the Coal Flora that the pinnules of N. liirsuta are "never pointed.'7 No. 1948 is a very interesting specimen 

from Wilkesbarre, the locality whence came some of Brongniart's specimens of JV. aoutifolia. It agrees excellently with Brongniart's figure of 

N. acutifolia, except that the upper side of the base is not so truncate. 

It is also comparable to Bunbury's Fig. Ic1 of N. angustifolia. The 

apex is fully as acute as in Brongniart's figure. The pinnule, which is 

over 7£cin long and 20ram wide, is densely hirsute. There can hardly be 

any doubt of the specific identity of this specimen with that described 

by Brongniart from the same locality. Two other fragments, No. 2185, 

from St. Glair, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, showing the same 

characters of nervation and apex, are less distinctly hirsute and have 

their nerves forty-one to forty-five per centimeter. Another specimen, 

No. 1299a contains the greater part of a pinnule, including the base, 

G£"m long, 18mm Avide, linear, distinctly hirsute, with thirty-six to thirtyeight uervils per centimeter. The pinnule resembles somewhat the 

N. cor data figured by Lindley and Hutton, or still better the pinnule 

marked X in Kidston's fine specimen2. The back side of the same rock 

contains an unlabeled upper portion of a large hirsute, lingulate, obtusely pointed pinnule, of exactly the form illustrated in Fig. 5, PL vin, 

of the Coal Flora. It is also characterized by elongated pits between 

many of the nerves, which I take to represent perhaps the markings 

described and figured by Fontaine and I. C. White3 as fructifications 

of N. Mrsuta. It is a suggestive fact that Brougniart also, in the description of N~. angustifolia^ notes "indications of fructification" between 

the nerves, similar to the supposed fructification ofN~.flexuosa. Another 

specimen of No. 2188, from St. Glair, contains fragments of several pinnules of the forms illustrated by Lesquereux in Eogers' Eeport4 and 

Dr. 0. A. White in Gollet's Indiana Geological Eeport, 1879-1SS0.5 

The nervation is forty to forty-two per" centimeter at the border.

Neuropteris angustifolia Brongn.

Brongniart, in his description of the Nevropteris Sclieuclizerl from 

Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, observes 6 that these isolated pinnules 

might be from a different part of the same plant as the JV. angustifolia,

1 Quart. Jour. Gcol. Soc. London, in, PI. xxr.

2 Kadstock Flora, PI. xxiu, Fig. 1.

3 Permian Flora, p. 47, PI. vnr, Figs. 7,8.

4 Geol. Penn., n, 1858, PI. in, Fig. C. 

« P. 102, PL IX, Fig. 1. 

« Hist. V6g. loss., p. 230.
WHITE.] FILI01NE/E NE UEOPT ERTDE/E NEUROPTERIS. 75

the identity of the localities making such a relation quite probable, but 

that the great difference in form made it necessary to consider them as 

distinct, although the disposition and fineness of the nervation were 

similar. The possibility that N. angustifolia was only a variety or even 

a part of the other is again stated 1 on the following page in the description of the latter species. No mention is made by that author of 

the occurrence of hairs on either species. It Avas singular and probably 

an oversight that Lesquereux, in his descriptions of Brongniart's N. 

angustifolia, Avhose chief and sole important difference from JV. Mrsuta, 

as stated above (Goal Flora, I, p. 89), consisted in the absence of hairs 

on the pinnules, the nervation being the same, should have followed 

Schimper in referring as a synonym to this sinooth-piunuled species 

Bunbury's N. cor data from Cape Breton, which Avas both described and 

figured as distinctly hirsute.

But an important light on the question of the relation of these Species results from Zeiller's examination of Brongniart's original specimens of Nevropteris angustifolia and N~. acutifolia from Wilkesbarre, 

Pennsylvania, and near Bath, England, in which he has found both 

species to have the same form and hairs characteristic of N. Sclieuclizeri? This fact, in connection with the folloAving notes on specimens 

identified by Lesquereux as N. angustifolia in. the Museum collection, 

tends to shoAV that the fundamental and perhaps the only important 

distinction between JV. liirsuta and N~. angustifolia as differentiated by 

Lesquereux rests on a probable failure of observation or description.

I have found but four specimens labeled Neuropteris angustifolia in 

the Museum collection. Of these ISTo. 1017, from Mazon Creek, is an 

inequilateral lanceolate pinnule 6£em long, 20'13111 AYide beloAv the middle, 

somewhat contracted toward the base, Avhich is auricled on one side, 

pedicellate, Avith a moderately thick midrib passing Avell up into the 

slender tip, Avhich, though partially broken, Avas probably rounded; the 

margins are undulate; the surfase is sparsely hirsute; the nerves 25 

to 27 per centimeter. No. 1017, from Mazon Creek also, is a bipartite 

pinnule similar to those figured by Lesquereux 3 as N. liirsuta and N. 

angustifolia. It is divided to Avithin. 5lllln of the base, the midribs joining in a common pedicel. The broader division is ovate lanceolate, 

auriculate on one side at the base, obtuse at the apex, 4cm long, 19nnu 

Avide; the other division is narrowly lanceolate, acute, slightly shorter, 

and about 9"1 "1 Avide. The nervils number 20 to 25 per centimeter, and 

the pinnule is distinctly hirsute. Were the tAAro parts detached one 

should be referable, purely on account of its form, to N. hirsuta, while 

the other, for the same reason, Avmild probably belong to JV. angustifolia. But the characters are so exactly those of JV. decipiens, though

1 Cette plante, dont nous n'avons vu que des pinnules iaolees, n'est peut-etre qu'une vari6t6 de 

1'ospece precedente, ou peut-6tre n'est elle fondee quo sur des folioles provenai.it de parMes differences 

de In memo fenillo; lenr structure est Iain6ine; inais les pinnules soiit constamuient ueaucoup plus 

etroites, quoique d'une longueur a pen pres eemblable.

2 1?1. loss, liouill. Valenciennes, p. 254. See Atlas, PI. XTJ, Pigs. 1-3.

8 Geol. Feiiu., 11, PI. iv, Figs a, 4; Coal Flora, Atlas, PI. vm, Fiys. 9,11.
7G CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [Buu,98.

the form is not that described for the species, that they can be referred only to that hirsute species, which is so predominant in that deposit, and with whose nervation they fully accord. The remaining two 

specimens with this name are both from the original locality, Wilkesbarre. No. 1940 is a linear fragment 6£cm long and 18nim wide, the 

apex and a portion of the base being lost. Enough remains to show 

that the base is rounded on one side, while the upper portion tapers 

gradually; the margins are undulate; the nervation, which is indistinguishable from that seen in No. 1290 (N. hirsuta), is very nearly 

like that seen in some specimens of N~. cor data from Cannelton. The 

nervils count 30 to 40 per centimeter. The specimen has the proportions and appearance of Hoffman's Fig. 3. Portions of the pinnule are 

clearly hirsute. The other specimen bears the same number. It represents the lower 5cm of a lanceolate pinnule 21mm wide. The thin midrib runs well up, the undulate sides are rounded toward the pedicellate 

base. The specimen is nearly a counterpart of Brongniart's figure of 

N. Sclieuclizeri, except that the midrib is not so strong and distinct, but 

comparison by other European authors of his figures with the types 

has taught that the figures are not always trustworthy. The nervation is still closer to that of the Cannelton specimen 42 to 45 per 

centimeter. Numerous fragments of other pinnules on the same rock 

show the proportions of the N. hirsuta, in PL vm, Fig. 5, of the Coal 

Flora, the upper part tapering to a rounded tip, the basal portion pedicellate and auriculate. The auricular lobes often seen in the bases of 

these forms, as well as in N. decipiens and N. cor data, have the rounded 

sinuses running upward along the pedicel, like that seen in PI. xciv, 

Fig. 2, of the Coal Flora, and Bunbury's Fig. Ic. Nearly all the fragments are plentifully supplied with distinct hairs. The first two specimens were identified by Lesquereux in 1881, the last two in 1884.

It was not, I believe, until 1870 [ that Lesquereux removed N. angust'\'folia from the synonymy of N. Mrsuta, remarking that "the surface 

of the leaflet is smooth, without hairs; the veinlets somewhat coarser 

and not quite as distinct as in hirsuta," though he thought it might still 

be only a form, of- N.liirsuta. The difficulty often experienced by him 

in distinguishing between the two forms, expressed in 1SSO,2 is further indicated in the discussion of the pedicels of the terminal pinnules of these 

two species, when, in describing N. Mrsuta, he says: "It is probably 

upon one leaf of this kind that Brongniart made his species, N. Scheuclt0m, Hist. d. Teg. foss., p. 230, PL LXIII, Fig. 5. The characters are 

exactly those of N~. angustifolia, a species commonly found at Wilkesbarre, wherefrom the author received the American specimen which he 

refers to it." Three pages farther in the volume a statement essentially 

the same is made with reference to N. cordata. The third, volume of 

the Coal Flora contains a note on a "variety" of N. angustifolia "from

1 Geol. Surv. 111., IV, p. 467. 

8 Coal Flora, p. 89.
WHITE.] FILICINE2E NEUROFTEUIDE^E NEUROPTEKIS. 77

Ottawa and Osage City, Kansas, with leaflets hirsute, like those of JV. Mrsuta." They have a broad, deep percurrent medial nerve, with oblique,

t somewhat thick, lateral nerves counting thirty-five to forty per centimeter

; on the border. It was then regarded as midway between N. liirsuta

l and N. decipiens. This is probably the variety referred to in. the table,

op. cit., p. 885, as JV. angustifolia var. liirsuta, whose sole distribution

includes the above mentioned localities. I am wholly at a loss for any

reason explaining why the presence of the hairs on the specimens from

the Eastern states identified by him as JV. angustifolia should not have

been mentioned.

This examination of the authentic specimens in the Museum labeled 

by Lesquereux shows (1) that most of those marked N. liirsuta are more 

lanceolate, with a much, more acute tip, than the specimens figured by 

him; and (2) that the apparent difference between the N. liirsuta and the 

specimens marked N. angustifolia lies in the fact that the latter name 

was usually applied to those narrower pinnules on which the hairs are 

less distinct. The nervils, counted at the border, do not average less 

in JV. angustifolia than in JV. liirsuta. Among the narrower pinnules of 

N. Sclieuclizeri belong those identified as N. angiistifolia by Brongniart; 

JV. ISclieuclizeri, by Jackson; : JV". Eogersii, by Kimball, 2 the relation of 

which to PI. vin, Fig. 8, of the Coal Flora, or PI. iv, Fig. 5, of the 

Pennsylvania Geology, is at once apparent; Ettingshausen's JV. acutifolia; 3 Bunbury's Fig. IB; the JV. liirsuta figured by Dr. C. A. White,4 

and the JV. Sclieuclizeri illustrated by Zeiller in the Valenciennes Flora.5

Neuropteris cordata.

Another species quite misunderstood in this country is that identified 

as JV. cordata Brongn. Of this Prof. Lesquereux says: 6 "It seems to 

be a variety of JV. angustifoUa, from which it differs essentially by the 

broader terminal leaflets." The nervation and the form of the pinnules 

are described as being the same as in. JV. angustifolia, both species 

being found in the same locality, where in many cases JV. liirsuta was 

identified.

The study of a large series of specimens of JV. cordata, identified by 

Lesquereux in the Museum collection, reveals outlines common to both 

JV. liirsuta and JV. decipiens. The pinnules generally have their lateral 

margins rather more rounded than in the above-named forms, but 

many are linear-lanceolate, though slightly more obtuse, and as a rule, 

more nearly equal at the base. It differs somewhat in nervation from 

JV. Sclicuchzeri; the midrib, rather strong at the base, vanishes above 

the middle, or passes into the apex. The nervation often resembles

1 Kept. Geol. ami Agricnlt. Surv. E. I., 1839 (1840), PL V.

2 PL Appalachian Coal 1'ielcl, PI. i, rig. 2. 

s Stcinkolilenfl. Rachiit/,, PL xviu, Fig. 5. 

4 Indiana Gool. Rept;., 1879-'80, PL IX, Pig. 2. 

* Atlas, PL XLI, Figs. 2, 3. 

6 Coal Mora, p. 92.
78 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. -[BULL.98.

closely that of the Wilkesbarre specimens of N~. Sclieuclizeri, being 

very fine, and nearly as close near the midrib as at the border, where 

it is 40 to 50 per centimeter. It is difficult to distinguish some of the 

specimens from N. Scheiichzeri, and an examination shows in some 

cases (cf. Nos. 1083,1084, 1084a), probable errors in identification, and 

identity in form, texture, nervation, and hirsuteness with that species. 

However, most of the specimens have their nervation rather finer, 

more evenly embedded in the parenchyma, and the surface smooth, 

appearing to constitute a distinct variety, if not a separate species.

The specimens described by Lindley and Hutton 1 as N. cordata 

Brongn., referred to by Lesquereux in the synonymy, have proved on 

examination by Kidston to be, like Bunbury's, hirsute and identical in 

all respects with N. Scheuchzeri. On the other hand, although the 

type of Brongniart's figure is lost, Zeiller has found many specimens 

in the Museum at Paris labeled by Brongniart, some of which are the 

true N~. cordata figured in the "Histoire," while others are N. Scheuclizeri. The true N~. cordata of Brongniart as newly described by Zeiller,2 

although resembling many of the Cannelton specimens in form and 

proportions, has the pianules smooth, the midrib hardly more than a 

line, and "the nervils distant, counting only eight to fifteen per centimeter. 3

It may be noted also in this connection that Kidston and Zeiller 

unite in referring F. A. Eoemer's hirsute Dictyoptcris cordata* and ./>. 

Sclieuclizeri founded on Brongniart's N. cordata, and Hoffmann's N". 

Sclieuchzeri, respectively, to be the. true Neuropteris Sclieuclizcrl Hoffm. 

Should this reference prove valid, the plants identified and briefly 

described, without illustration, by Lesquereux in the third volume of 

the Coal Flora 5 as Dictyopteris cordata and D. 8clieuclizeri, need, if good 

species, to be more fully described and figured under other names. The 

lindnlation of the nervils, in N. Sclieuclizeri, frequently simulating anatomosis, was pointed oiy; by Lesquereux. It is well illustrated in the 

specimens JSTo. 2188, described above.

The synonymy of the names correlated with Neuropteris Sclieuclizcri 

Hoffmanu affords a good illustration of the fallibility, frequently a positive evil, of identifying American species with those in a different hemisphere solely on the basis of their agreements with descriptions and 

figures (often imperfect, incomplete, or misleading), without having recourse to actual authentic specimens for comparison.

1 Fossil Flora, p. 118, PL XLI.

2 Fl.Foss. Commentry, p. 237, PI. xxvn, Figs. 6-10; PI. xxvur, Figs. 1, 2. Fl. Foss. Autun et 

fipinac, p. 150, PI. xr, Fig. 5.

3 Mr. Lacoe informs me that in unpublished manuscript Prof. Lesquereux removes the species 

described as N. cordata Brongn. in the Coal Flora, declaring it to be probably new, and that he still 

later found the true N. cordata Brongn. with distant nervation, and also typical N. Scheuchzeri. 

Bel'ore completing the study of this group the health of the lamented pioneer and elaborator in the 

study of our Carboniferous flora became so impaired that he never so far advanced the manuscript as 

to rename the Cannelton species.

*Palajontogr., ix, 1860, p. 30, PI. vi, Fig. 4; PI. ix, Fig. 1. See voii Eoehl, Foss. Fl. Steinh. Westphalens, 

pp. 49, 50, PI. xxi, Fig. 12 (?); PI. xv, Fig. 6; PL xxi, Fig. 76.

6 Pp. 832,833.
WHIM.] FILICINE2E NETJROPTERIDE.E NEUROPTERIS. 79 

Neuropteris Clarlcsoni Lx.

It is frequently difficult to distinguish, between some of the pinnules 

identified as N. Clarlcsoni and such of the more narrow and acute pinnules of N~. iSclteuchzeri as have not been preserved so as to show the 

hairs. An illustration of this is seen in a specimen from Cannelton, No. 

1887 of the Museum collection, labeled Neuropteris Clarlcsoni. It consists of an entire pinnule, linear-lanceolate 10£cm long, falcate, tapering 

gradually upward to a slender point, which is slightly rounded at the 

tip; it broadens at the base, which is snblobate, 31lnm in greatest width, 

unequal and auriculate and broadly pedicellate. This dilation of the 

base, which is greater than that I have seen in any specimens of N. 

Scheuelizeri, is comparable to what is seen in the N. Clarlcsoni, figured 

on Plate YI of Eogers's Eeport. 1 The upper portion of the pinnule is 

similar in form, size, and nervation to that seen in specimens No. 2188 

and 1290, described above under N~. hirsuta. The secondary nerves 

are, however, less distant near the thin midrib than is characteristic of 

N. Clarlcsoni; the margins are undulate and the surface clearly hirsute 

over most of its area. Another specimen, labeled N. Clarlcsoni, No. 

1947, tills time from Wilkesbarre, linear-lanceolate, somewhat falcate 

pi nnule, is 8°'" long, 16mm wide, tapering, but not quite so acute as in the 

last; tli e base is rounded, characteristic of N. Soheuchzeri^ auriculate and 

pedicellate, the nerves count thirty-eight to forty per centimeter; tlie 

hairs on the surface are easily visible to the naked eye. Both species 

are referable to N. Schouchzeri, No. 1947, representing the form known 

as N. angmtifolia. In the true- Neuropteris Clarlcsoni of Lcsquereux, as 

represented by many specimens in the Museum the pinnules, which are 

not hirsute, are generally more narrowly acute, without basal cyclopterid pinnules, the auricles round and. frequently overlapping at the 

base, the median nerve rather broad at the base, thinning gradually to 

the apex, its nerves in relief, much farther apart near the midrib and 

forking at a wider angle, arching towards and often forking near the 

border, which they meet nearly at right angles in the lower part, numbering twenty-eight to thirty-four per centimeter at the margin. It appears to me to be quite a different species from JV", macrop/M/MaBrougn., 

to which Kidston2 has referred it.

Neuropteris faseieulata Lx.

Two other specimens identified by Lesquereux in the Museum collection are of some interest on account of their relation to our species. 

Specimen No. 1183 is the lower 6£cm of an oblong lanceolate pinnule, 

32""" wide, unequally rounded, and pedicellate. The lower portion is 

somewhat compressed. The texture and nervation, twenty-five to 

twenty-eight per centimeter at the margin, are identical with that in No. 

1202 or 1451, described above. No. HSla contains the middle 6C1U of a sim1 Geol. Pcnn., vol. n, 1858.

*Po8s. 3T1. Kadstock Series, p. 354.
80 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF -SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

ilar pinnule, 3cm wide, tapering and rounding gradually toward the apex, 

the nervils twenty-six to twenty-eight per centimeter. Both of these 

specimens are labeled Neuropteris fasciculata Lx. But the characters 

in these specimens are in every respect, including the hairs, which are 

strong and visible to the naked eye, identical with those of the JV. decipiens from the same place, to which only the pinnules can be referred. But 

Neuropteris fasciculata is described 1 as "evidently distinct from this 

last species [JV. hirsuta], as is shown by its smooth (not hairy) surface," 

though the veins are said to be u about at the same distance as in N. 

decipiens." These two specimens, with their counterparts, are the only 

ones in the Museum labeled by Prof. Lesquereux as belonging to N. 

fasciculata. Their indisputable identity with N. decipiens, taken together with the' fact that they come from Mazon Creek, where some of 

the types described and figured by Lesquereux were found and Avhere 

the latter species is abundant, casts suspicion on the entire species, 

N. fasciculata. It is probable that both this species and JV» Collinsii 

need a careful examination.

CONCLUSIONS.

My present observations warrant no claim to a final solution and 

differentiation of the vexed questions concerning the identities and relationships within this group of Neuropterids. The following conclusions may therefore be true only so far as they relate to the incomplete 

suites of specimens now in the Museum collection.

From the foregoing citations and notes it appears that the American 

types described and figured by Brongniart as Nevropteris Scheuchzeri, 

N. angustifolia, and N. acutifolia are all fragments of the same fern, 

and that all possess the hirsuteness which constituted the distinctive 

character of N~. kirsuta; and that JV. Mrsuta is specifically inseparable 

froffljy. angustifolia, identified and described as smooth, though usually 

found at the same localities with the other. The identity of the American forms with the European fern fiT. Sclieuclizeri is based purely on 

the comparison of American specimens in France by Brongniart and 

Zeiller, and the identification of the Cape Breton and British plants 

with the same species by Kidston. So far as the writer has been able 

to consult authentic specimens identified by Lesquereux, it also appears 

that the American N. angiistifolia, like Brongniart's original, from the 

same locality, reveals, on a careful examination, the same characters, 

including the presence of hairs, as N. Sclieuclizeri, to whose narrower 

pinnules, with less conspicuous hairs, the name N. angustifolia seems 

to have been applied. With reference to JV. cordata it is seen that a portion of the specimens, slightly differing in form, and with a less dense nervation, identified by Lesquereux under this name, are indistinguishable 

in nervation and hirsuteness from N. Scheuchzeri, to which they may be 

referred, while the American N". cordata, as separated by Lesquereux, 

with a dense and more uniform, nervation, is a distinct species, or vai Geol. Surv.Ill., vol. iv, p. 382, PI. v, Tigs. 1-4. Coal Flora, p. 93, PI, XXiv, Figs. 5, 6,
WHITE.] FILICINE2E NEUEOPTEKIDE/E NEUROPTERIS. 81

riety at least, radically different from the true N. cordata described 

and figured by Brongniart.

So far as the collections of the U. S. National Museum are concerned, 

and the same is possibly true in other collections, it is quite clear 

that the specimens in the concretions from Mazon Creek^ Illinois, 

identified by Lesquereux as N. hirsute^ are inseparable on any character from. N. decipiens, Lx., all having the characteristic forms, texture, and nervation (counting twenty-four to thirty per centimeter on 

the border) of the latter species, while the nervils of the less robust 

species, N. Sclieuclizerl, with generally narrower and more acute pinnules, number not less than thirty-four or thirty-five, and usually thirtyfive to forty-five, per centimeter at the border. Also that those specimens labeled Neuropteris fasciculata Lx., in the Museum, from the same 

place, are identical in structure, disposition, including hirsuteness, and 

nervation, with Ncuropteris decipiens, indicating in that species the 

presence of bilobate cyclopterid pinnules similar to those known in 

N. Sclieuclizeri, thus rendering the intimate relationship of these two 

species still more apparent.

The difference between the more narrow and acute pinnules of 

Neuropteris Sclieuclizeri and certain forms of N. Clarksoni is very 

slight, hirsute specimens of the former species having been identified 

and labeled under the latter name, although N. Clarltsoni is, in general, 

quite distinct and well differentiated. It would not be invariably safe 

to conclude that the fact that a pinnule is hirsute is itself sufficient 

proof that it belongs to a species characteristically hirsute as ordinarily observed; neither should all the large linear-lanceolate Neuropteris pinnules that are provided with hairs or bristles be united in the 

same species. Fontaine and I. C. White report that the hirsute character of N. liirsuta is almost never seen in the upper beds of the Upper 

Barren Measures.1 Moreover, the degree of hirsuteness, or even, the 

absence thereof, may have been affected by environment, and this may 

be worthy of slight consideration as explaining the occurrence or absence of hairs on specimens otherwise identical, though it may be generally due to the circumstances of preservation.

Neuropteris decipiens may represent only a robust variety of N. 

Sclieuclizeri, to which it is in habit, form and nervation very closely 

allied. But the broader, more oblong pinnules roimding up to an obtusely pointed apex, the hairs generally stronger, the midrib generally 

strong near the base, the more open nervation near the median nerve, 

and the constant limit of the nerves, twenty-four to thirty per centimeter at the margin, mark it as specifically distinct from N. Solicuclizeri, 

in which, as seen above (2188, 1290, 1290a, 1948, 2185. 1946, 1087, and 

1947), they are closer from the midrib outward, numbering thirty-five 

to forty-six per centimeter at the margin.

Locality. Abundant in the shales from Hannani's Shaft, Carterville.

1 Permian 'Flora, p. 47.

Bull. 98 6
82 CARBONIFEROUS .FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

NEUROPTERIS JENNEYI n. sp.

PI. i, Ffg. 7a, 7b; PL u, Figs. 7-12; PL m, Figs.1-6, 6a, 7-10.

Fronds tripinnate; primary rachis irregularly but distinctly striate; 

primary pinnae broad, tapering above to an acute tip, the portion above 

the secondary pinnae being simply pinnate, with distant ovate-lanceolate, 

slightly triangular, obtusely-pointed pinnules I2mm-4cm long, 4£-15nnn 

wide, cordate at the base, the lowest ones short-pedicellate, the upper 

ones sessile, becoming decurrent and confluent at the base toward the 

apex of the pinna, which is deeply lobed and sinuate, without a distinct 

terminal pinnule; secondary pinnae alternate or subopposite, usually 

distant but sometimes contiguous, very caducous, open, oblique, or reflexed, lax, ovate or linear-lanceolate, 3£-13cm or more in length, l£-4cm, 

averaging about 2£cm, in width, the uppermost trifoliate, the number of 

pinnules increasing in the pinnae below, the apex of each pinna consisting of an elongated pinnule, the lower part of which is sublobate, decurrent, and crenate, the middle third straight or slightly crenulate, 

with parallel borders, the upper third taperin g in lobes, becoming lanceolate, or, most commonly, crenate or deeply crenate toothed above to a 

rather acute apex; secondary rachis very lax, ribbon-like; pinnules of 

the secondary pinnae caducous, alternate or subopposite, distant, oval, 

ovate, or oval-lanceolate, 6-21mm long, 4-16mm wide, with margins 

slightly reflexed, the lowest slightly auriculate and short pedicellate, 

those next becoming sessile by a narrow attachment to the lax rachis, 

then, sessile and contracted at the base, the higher ones decurrent, those 

near the top obovate, odontopteroid, united at the base, passing, with 

shallower sinuses, into the terminal pinnule; upper rachial pinnules 

broad, deltoid, cordate, lobate-auriculate, obtusely pointed, lSmm-3cm or 

more in length, 17-29mm or more in width, often with short, broad pedicels; lower rachial pinnules asymmetrically cordate, sessile by a broad 

attachment, distant or contiguous, acuminate or obtusely rounded, 

4-6cm long, 2^-5Jcm broad, or more or less orbicular or orbicula,r-ovate, 

3£-5cm or more in the longer diameter, 2£-4cm or more in the shorter, 

with broad or partly clasping attachment; primary nerves thin in the 

upper, simple pinnules of the pinuse hardly passing beyond the middle 

third, the secondary nerves, often thickened at the base, originating at 

a very narrow angle, those in the lower portion of the pinnule springing directly from the rachis, flabellate, forking four or five times at a 

narrow angle, arching to nearly a right angle to the border, where they 

count thirty to thirty-eight per centimeter; pinnules of the secondary pinnae with out a well-defined midrib, all the nerves and nervils appearin g flabellate from, the base in the oval pinnules, being developed from a single 

bundlepassing from the base of the leaf down the rachis; nervils usually 

distinct, slightly thinner atthemargin, where they number twenty-nine to 

th.irty-fi.ve per centimeter; each lobe and crenulation of the terminal 

pinnule fed from a single bundle diverging from the axis of the pinna; 

primary nerve of the rachial pinnules thin or entirely wanting, secondary nerves usually stronger near the base, passing flabellately, arching 

more or less, to the border, at which they count about thirty-two to the 

centimeter.

The fronds of this species are unique as well as beautiful. Owing to 

the delicacy of the ramification and the lax texture of the ribbon-like 

rachis of the ultimate pinnae, the latter are not only almost invariably 

detached, but the lower portions of the secondary pinnae and those
WHITE.] FILIOINE/E NEUKOPTE EIDE^E NEUROPTERIS. 83

pinnules that are so far developed as to be constricted at the base are 

generally detached. Consequently the fern is represented, in. by far 

the greater number of the specimens, merely by the lower part of the 

terminal pinnules of the secondary pinnae, with the preceding more or 

less united, and decurrent pinnules, as seen in PL in, Figs. 1, 2, 5, G, 

and 8. These fragments are Odontopteroid in outline, suggesting Odontopteris obtusiloba. 1 In these pinnules, as well as in those in the lower 

part of the pinnae, the nervation of each pinnule is seen to differ from 

that of Odontopteris by its origin in a single vascular bundle, curving 

in towards the axis of the pinnae at a very acute angle, and passing 

for a considerable distance downward alongside of or contiguous to 

the rachial axis. This is imperfectly indicated in PI. HI, Fig. 6. In 

many cases which I have observed this bundle continues on. until that 

from the preceding pinnule in its turn conies down close by its side, 

when frequently each is seen to continue for a time as an independent 

strand in the. loose rachis. It is to this lax rachial constitution that I 

attribute both the frequent splitting of the rachis, PI. I, Fig. 76, and 

the almost invariable separation of all the pinnules that have not a sufficiently broad limb attachment to retain them in position. It may also 

account for the loose flexuous attitudes of the fragments of pinna} in a 

matrix where the other fern remains are normal. In rare cases, however, the rachial axis is somewhat thick and rounded in the lower 

middle of the terminal pinnules in these secondary pinnae, as seen in 

PL in. Fig. 8, perhaps remaining thin and sharp in passing downward, 

but in such cases the secondary nerves lie close to the axis for some 

distance before they become lost therein, while lower down the rachis 

becomes often thin and correspondingly delicate. The pinnules on the 

primary pinnae and rachis are plurinerved from the base. The forms 

of the secondary pinnules are illustrated in PL in, Figs. 1, 5, and 6. 

From these it will be seen that while the secondary terminal pinnules 

are ovate-lanceolate and rather obtuse, as seen in PL in, Fig. 3, in the 

undeveloped pinnae, in the more advanced stages the margins are 

nearly straight or slightly sinuate in the middle, becoming crenulate, 

lobed, and crenulate-dentate toward the tip, as seen in PL in, Figs. 7 

and 9, a feature unknown, I believe, in any other species of Neuropteris. 

These upper lobes, like those below the middle, are each fed from a single 

bundle.

The relation of the broad deltoid pinnules, such as PL n, Figs. 7, 8,11, 

and 12, to the secondary pinnae, PL in, Fig. 6, is not definitely known 

to me, but from their obvious resemblance, their tendency towards 

lobation, and the occurrence of a few specimens intermediate between 

these and the simpler primary pinnules, PL n, Fig. 9, I am inclined to 

regard them as simple pinnules' on the primary rachis, occurring perhaps between the secondary pinnae, the larger and broader ones being 

situated nearer the base of the frond. One specimen in the collection

'See Weiss, Flora d. jiingst. Steiulc. u. Rothl., Pis. n, III.
84 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

shows two pairs of pinnules, of nearly the type and size of those in PI. 

II, Fig. 9, placed opposite on a rachis less than l£'nm in width, the lower 

pair being preceded on one side by a small pinna. Similar rachial 

pinnules between the secondary pinnae are seen in other species of 

N~europteris, such as N~. auriculata, N. Sclieuclizcri, and in Odontopteris 

lingulata (0. obtusiloba), whose secondary pinnae are also suggestive of 

ours.1 None of these triangular sublobate pinnules have been seen in 

direct connection with the common form of larger secondary pinnae. 

The connection of the largest of the cordate or deltoid pinnules with 

larger fragments of rachis establishes their relations and brings them 

into comparison with the rachial pinnules of N. auriculata and N. hirsuta 

of Lesquereux.2 These have a broad attachment, perhaps partially 

clasping the rachis. Their nervation is more or less flabellate, the 

nerves sometimes thickened below, forking 4-6 times and counting 

about thirty-four per centimeter at the border.

Relations. In form and habit Neuropteris Jenneyi is somewhat intermediate between Ncuropteris and Odontopteris. The simple pinnules 

near the end of the primary pinnae, and the smaller oval pinnules of 

the secondary pinnae closely resemble the group of trifoliate species of 

Neuropteris, including JV. Scheuchzeri, N. cordata, and-JV. decipiens. 

The basal pinnules of these species, however, are not so elongated, nor 

is the origin of the pinnnlar nervation the same. The nervation of the 

first two is also closer than that of 2f. Jenneyi. The upper pinnules of 

the secondary pinnse are most like those seen in Odontopteris lingulata, 

though the nervation of each pinnule, when carefully examined is seen 

to spring from a single bundle. The rachis of 0. lingulata is thick and 

the terminal pinnules, while more or less undulate, are rounded at the 

tip, not deeply dentate, as in our species. The middle of the terminal 

pinnule of our species is much like that of 0. lingulata and 0. Wortlieni, 

but is more sublobate, crenulate, or sinuate, without the strong median 

nerve of the others, Avhile its tip has its only homologue in that of 0.

Wortlieni* whose pinuD3 especially suggest ours in their habit, although

they are hirsute and deeply lobate at the apex, not roundly dentate 

- with rounded sinuses, as in N. Jenneyi, in which the dentition continues

to the more or less acute point. The rachial pinnules are more

uniformly deltoid and cordate than those of -ZV. auriculata and N.

Sclieuclizeri (N. liirsuta Lx.) without the distinct median nerve of N.

ClarJcsoni, and not so distinctly pedicellate as, and generally more

triangular than, those of 0. lingulata. 

Locality. McClelland's shaft, where it is the most abundant species;

also present among the species from the Hannam shaft.

1 Weiss, Flora cl. jihigst. Stcink. u. tl. Eothl., p. 3a, Pis. II, in, vr, Pig. 12. See also O. Sternbergii 

Steiniuger, Geogn. Beschr., Pig. 3; Goeppert, Gattungeu, Lief. 5, 6, PI. vn, Pig. 1; and 0. obtuiiloba 

Naum. Geinitz, Dyas, ir, PI. xxvn, Pigs. 1-4; PL xxix, Pigs. 1-4, 8-10.

2 Geol. Snrv. 111., Vol. u, Palteont., p. 427, Pl.-xxxv. Pigs. 8, 9.

3 Lesqnerenx, Geol. Snrv. DL, n., Palteont., p. 432, PI. xxxvr, Pig. 1; Coal Plora, i, p. 130, PI. xxn, 

.Fig.1,
WHITE.] FILICfNE^ NEUROPTERLDE^E NEUROPTERTS. 85

NETJROPTEELS KARINERVIS Bunb.

PI. v, Fig. 7, 6?.

1847. Neuropteris rarinervis Banbury, Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, in, p. 425, 

PL xxn, FLgs. 1, la, b. 1858: Lesquereux, Geol. Penn., n, p. 859. 1860: 

Lesqnereux, Anier. Jour. Sci., 2d ser., .xxx, p. 68. 1863: Dawson, Can. 

Nat., vm, p. 443. 1866: Dawson, Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, xxn, p. 

154. 1866: Lesquereux, Geol. Surv. 111., n, Palieont., p. 428, PL xxxin, 

Figs. 1-5; PL xxxiv, Figs. 1, la. 1869: Schimper, Traite", i, p. 440; (1874), 

in, p. 474. 1870: Lesquereux, Geol. Surv. 111., iv, 2, p. 386, PL vm, Figs. 

1-6. 1871: Dawson, Rept. Geol. Struct. Miu. Res. P. E. I., p. 44, PL n, Fig. 

19. 1879: Lesquereux, Coal Flora, atlas, PL xv, Figs. 2-5; text (1880), p. 

109. 1880: Fontaine and I. C. White, Permian Flora, pp. 16,20. 1881: Lesquereux, Rept. Geol. IncL, 1879-'80, p. 152, PL x, Figs. 1,2, 3. 1885: Dawson 

and Bain, Can. Rec. Sci., I, p. 158. 1886: Kidston, Cat. Pal, PL Brit. Mus., 

p. 91. 1887: Lesquereux, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., x; p. 24. 1887: Kidston, 

Foss. fl. Radstock Ser., p. 361. 1888: Dawson, Geol, Hist. PL, p. 274. 1888: 

Kidston, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb., xxxv, pt. 1, p. 321.

1878. Nevropleris lieteropliylla Brongn., Zeiller, (pars) Ve~g. foss. terr. houi'll., atlas, 

PL CLXIV, Fig. 2; text (1879), p. 49.

1881. Nevropteris rarinervis Bunb., Six, Ann. Soc. gdol. Nord, xi, p. 208. 1883: Zeiller, Bull. Soc. ge~ol. Fr., (3) xn, p. 197. 1886: Zeiller, FL foss. Valenciennes, 

atlas, PL XLV, Figs, 1, la, 2, 3, 4, 4a; text (1888), p. 268.

Fronds very la,rge, polypinnate, primary and secondary rachis thick, 

striate, dichotomous, often bearing, at or near the forks, sessile oval 

cyclopterid pinnules, sometimes orbicular or cordate at the base; pinnne alternate or subopposite, open or oblique, broad or triangular in 

outline, overlapping one another, bipinnate in the greater part of their 

length, simply pinnate toward the tip; ultimate pinnse alternate or subopposite, open or oblique, sometimes slightly arched upward, linear or 

linear-lanceolate, with borders touching or overlapping, contracted toward the apex, and obtusely pointed; pinnules alternate, open or 

oblique, distant or overlapping, rather small except at the top of the 

secondary pinnae, flat or slightly arched at the borders, sessile, sometimes united at the top of the pinnae, cordate at the base, occasionally 

attached by a portion of the base to the rachis in the upper part of the 

pin me, oblong, the borders parallel or gradually narrowed upward to 

the obtuse or rounded apex; terminal pinnule larger, comparatively 

long, somewhat hastate, cuneate below, usually sublobate, contracted 

in. the upper part, lanceolate, often slightly undulate, rounded at the 

tip; midrib strong, appearing as a furrow on the upper side of the pinnule, raised beneath, passing nearly to the apex of the leaf; secondary 

nerves thick, often appearing double, sometimes in relief on both sides 

of the pinnules, springing at a narrow angle from the midrib, arched, 

forking tAvo or three times into thick, distant nervils; nervation of the 

cyclopterid pinnules ftabellate, coarse, often appearing double.

This species, well known on this continent, where it was discovered, 

has since been definitely recognized in France by direct comparison of 

specimens by Zeiller, and in Great Britain by Kidston. Zeiller 

describes1 the fronds of the very fine specimens which he has examined 

as dichotomizing below, their general habit being nearly the same as

1 J?l. foss. houill. Araleucienues, p. 270.
86 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 08.

that of JV. lieterohpylla, only smaller in its development. Lesqnereux 

describes fragments of the rachis, 3£-cm broad, covered with cyclopterid 

pinnules 7-8cin in diameter, nearly round. The middle ultimate pinnae 

are quite slender, averaging about 10cm in length, those lower down 

becoming much longer, while the uppermost are but little over 2<;m , or 

slightly longer than the large pinnules succeeding them on the primary 

rachis. Frequently the margins are more or less crenulate or undulate. The leaf substance is. quite coriaceous, especially in the larger 

pinnules. The len gth of the pinnules varies from about 3 UJU1 in the smallest to 22mm in the larger, which are somewhat contracted in the upper 

part, the average length being about 9nun , while the width, varying from 

2 to G"" n or 7mm , averages about 4£ram . The nerves fork usually twice, 

arching to the border, where they average about twenty-six to the centimeter in the larger pinnules, eighteen to twenty per centimeter in the 

smaller. The cyclopterid pinnules have been seen as long as 8cm and 

as wide as 10°'". Sometimes they are orbicular, clasping the rachis 

more or less, or cordate, while in other cases they are lateral, varying in 

outline, frequently appearing more or less cuneate at the base, and 

rounded above, as illustrated by Prof. Lesquereux. 1 Of the cyclopterid 

pinnules that I have figured, that represented in PI. v, JFig. 7, seems 

to me to be referable to this species. It is incomplete on the left and 

above. The lower portion approaching the point of attachment is 

arched outward, the surface still partly covered with the thick coriaceous substance of the leaf, on which the coarse nerves appear as 

double lines, as represented in the figures published by Lesquereux. 

It occurs in association with the pinnae of this species.

Zeiller 2 and Kidston 3 refer Neuropteris coriacea of Lesquereux (non 

Ettingshausen) to JV. rarinervis. It is true that the same form of pinnules and arched secondary nerves which, were among the distinguishing characters of N. coriacea, according to Lesquereux's description, 

are seen in the Museum specimens of JV. rarinervis as well as in those 

examined or figured by the European authors. Also some of the larger 

leaves of JV. rarinervis show a thick texture and marked impression in 

the rock. But I have not yet seen specimens of our species with terminal pinnules twice as broad, and deeply lobed above the middle like 

that described under .2V. coriacea, as a differentiating character. Some 

of the terminal pinnules figured by Bunbury 4 would seem to approach 

it more closely. The union of these two species, which, was first suggested by Zeiller, should not be effected without comparing examples 

of the less known species. Mr. Kidston also combines JV. Desorii with 

N. rarinervis, having found fine specimens of the latter in Wales, "in 

which," he says 5 "all the forms of pinnules which Lesquereux has meni Kept. Geol. Surv. 111., iv, 1870, PL vin, Fig. 5. Coal Flora, PI. xv, Figa. 3, 4, 5.

2 Op. oit., p. 209.

3 Cat. Pal pi. Brit. Mus., p. 91.

« Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc. Loudou, HI, 1847, PI. xxn, Fig. la.

6 Op. cit., p. 92. ?
WHITE.} FILtCINE^E NEUROPTERIUE^E NEUROPTERIS. 87

tioned as occurring in his N. coriacea and JV. Desorii can be seen." An. 

examination of specimens in the collections of the Museum seems to 

confirm the action, of Lesquereux in separating JT. Desorii from N. rarinervis. Aside from the peculiar deeply lobed, irregularly divided, 

and lacerated cyclopterid pinnules, much more closely nerved than the 

rachial pinnules of JV. rarinervis, and the broadly triangular undulate 

or lobate rachial pinnules descibed and illustrated as proper to N. Desorii, there exist several other more or less conspicuous characters distinctive of the latter species. In JT. Desorii the pinnules of the longer 

pinnae are more often opposite or subopposite, those in the lower part 

of the piiiuae being at a considerable distance from each other, while 

those higher up approach one another gradually until they become 

partly, then wholly united, forming a lobate or undulate tip of the 

pinnae, without any distinction of a terminal pinnule.1 The small lateral pinnae are nearly like the tips of the larger pinnae, only less deeply 

lobed. As a rule the large pinnules of this species are more tapering, 

more pointed, and undulate to the tip, the thin inidnerve also waving 

in accord Avith the marginal undulations. The small pinnules are 

generally more rounded, with a more gradual transition through the 

deep lobation of the pinnae to the tip. The nerves of the larger pinnules are strong at the base, becoming thin and round in passing to 

the margin where they count from thirty-six to forty-two to the centimeter, while in the smaller pinnules there is no distinct midrib, or, if 

present, it soon disappears, the nerves at the margin numbering thirty 

to thirty-five per centimeter. In both the large and small pinnules the 

nervation is somewhat irregularly lax, as is well illustrated in PI. xrv, 

Fig. 7, of the Coal Flora.

Relations. The relations of Neuropterls rarinervis to N. coriacea 

are somewhat in doubt, but the latter is described as differing by its 

much broader and shorter terminal pinnules. Its difference from JV. 

Desorii is pointed out above. It is dissimilar to N~. lieterowliylla in 

having its' pinnules usually smaller, the nerves much thicker, fewer, 

and less dichotomized. N. Smithsii has much smaller pinnae and pinnules, the latter distant, oval, or round, with sharply defined midrib, 

and lateral nerves much closer, usually forking but once and meeting 

the border at right angles.

Jk0ca,Z%.-*-McClelland's shaft.

EEUROPTERIS OATTDATA n. sp.

PI. iv, Fifrs. 1-9.

Fronds tripinnate, radiis coarsely striated, primary pinnae broad, 

rapidly tapering toward the apex to a rather acute tip; secondary 

pinnae alternate, sometimes subopposite, linear-lanceolate, 2-20cm long, 

l_5cm wicie, at right angles to the primary racliis or oblique, straight or 

curved irregularly, the sides nearly parallel iu the middle, converging

»Seo Coal Flora, PI. xiv, Figs. 4, 7, PI. XV, Fig. 1.
88 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OP. SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

gradually near the top to a lanceolate, obtusely-pointed tip, sometimes 

contracting toward the base, which often bears a pair of elongated pinnules; secondary rachis distinctly striate; secondary pinnae succeeded 

near the apex of the primary pinnae by large, narrow, rather elongatetriangulate, lanceolate, acute, or acuminate pinnules, 9"ll"-4cm long, 2imn2cm wide, the lower ones attached by a narrow portion of their bases, the 

upper becoming attached by their whole bases or even decurrent; pin-' 

miles somewhat coriaceous, alternate, at right angles and generally close 

or overlapping below, becoming oblique, touching and usually more distant in the middle and upper parts; those of the secondary pinnae- rather 

oblong, 7""»_4cm long, 2-18inm wide, but in both the secondary and primary pinnae rounded or round-auriculate at the base above the point 

of attachment, which is about If min wide toward the base of the pinnae, 

attenuate-anriculate below the attachment, the lower angle prolonged 

downward in a rather flexible, acuminate, spur-like appendage extending down beneath or over the preceding pinnule, frequently crossing 

the median nerve of the la.tter; margins of the pinnules of the secondary pinnae parallel in the middle, the upper border straight or slightly 

concave, the lower curving in the last half to meet it at the more or less 

upward turned tip of the pinnules which are obtuse, rounded, or somewhat angular or even becoming obovate near the tip of the pinna, the 

upper pinnules of the pinnae attached to the rachis by a wider portion 

of the base, becoming decurrent near the top, somewhat constricted at 

the base, the auricles diminishing or even disappearing in those nearest the apex; rachial pinnules large, generally of the same form as the 

middle ones of the secondary pinnae but proportionately larger, the auricular appendages usually present and corresponding in proportions; 

terminal pinnules rhomboidal, narrow, spatulate, more or less obtusely 

pointed, with one or two lobes in the lower part; nervation nephropteroid, the secondary nerves springing from a number of rather larger 

vascular bundles entering the base of the pinnule and dissolving into 

distinct rounded nervils, diverging somewhat flabellately, equally close 

in all parts of the pinnule, dichotomizing from four to six times at avery 

narrow angle, arching gradually to the border, where they number 45-65 

to the centimeter; the upper surface of the more mature pinnules longitudinally creased along the middle in the lower part over the thicker 

portion of the entering ribbon of nerves, the under side being correspondingly raised.

This singular species is, next to N. Jenneyi, the most abundant fern in 

the collection. Although the pinnae are somewhat fragile or caducous, 

a few entire ones are present. The fern appears to have been large 

and bushy, the pinnation rather graceful and sometimes delicate. 

From the asymmetrical character of some portions of the fronds, with 

secondary pinnne on one side opposed to rachial pinnules on the other, 

I am disposed to regard the fronds as dichotomous in the lower part, 

like 'N. lieteropliylla, to which, through N. LosMi, it is closely related. 

This view is strengthened by a distinct dichotomy seen in some of the 

fragments of rachis found mingled with the pinnae of this species. 

These rachial fragments are a centimeter or more in Avidth and are distinctly, rather coarsely, striated. The pinnae are at right angles or oblique, 1^-3C1 " apart, usually distant, but sometimes slightly overlapping, 

the secondary pinnae being succeeded in the upper part of the primary 

pinna} by simple pinnules.
WHITE.] FILTCINE^E NEUEOPTERIDEyE NEUROPTERIS. 89

These pinnules at tlio top of the primary pinnai are long, 9"""-3^'"' or 

more in length, 2-20" 11 '1 or more in width, open or close, more or less 

triangular, tapering to a more or less slender acute 6r slightly obtuse 

point. The larger ones have the auricular appendages well developed 

below, those higher up become attached by the whole base, and finally 

decurrent, similar in outline to the corresponding upper pinnules of 

Odontopteris nciiropteroidesNewbeTry^ (nonMarrat,necGrand'Eury, nee 

Eoern.) from the lower coal, Mill Creek, Ohio. In the latter the nervation also is in general like that of Odontopteris. Some of the larger and 

broader pinnules have a certain resemblance in outline to several, of 

Heer's figures of JV. Lcbcrti* though in our species they are almost invariably acute, with the auricles attenuated so as to suggest spines. 

The nervation of Heer's species, judging by the figures, is but half as 

close, however.

The pinnules of the secondary pinna} have the base rounded above 

the point of attachment to the rachis, and, except near the tips of the 

pinnae, are attenuate, auricled below like the mature large.primary 

pinnules just described. The general outline is oblong, the bordersparallel in the lower middle of the pinnule, often concave above, convex 

below, and rounded in the distal half to' meet in a somewhat angular 

or obtusely rounded apex, which is generally higher than the medial 

furrow seen towards the base of the pinnule, often occurring so high that 

the upper margin is nearly straight. These pinnules, which show a 

fair degree of uniformity in proportions, are illustrated in PL iv., Fig. 9. 

In the upper portions of the secondary pinna} the auricular appendages 

become shortened, as seen in the figures, the outline more oval or obovate, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3, the attachment broader, and even decurrent, and the nervation more odontopteroid, as in dewberry's 0. 

neuropteroides,3 or in some specimens of the American N~. LosMi. Frequently the pair of pinnules at the base of the pinnae are elongated, as 

shown in Figs. 6, 8, and 9, that above being rather triangular, narrower, 

and more acute than the succeeding pinnules, while that below is lanceolate and acute, sometimes nearly three times as long as the next pinnule. These basal pinnules are comparable to the upper primary pinnules, but the caudal prolongation is not so fully developed. The 

terminal pinnules of the secondary fronds are spatulateor rhomboidal, 

somewhat lanceolate in some cases, rounded at the tip, generally united 

with one or two of the undeveloped pinnules preceding them, so as to appear more or less sublobate, resembling those of JV. LosMi, though generally more slender. The terminal pinnules of the primary pinna} are 

similar to those of the secondary pinnai, though generally more acute 

and more distinctly sublobate. The pinnules below them of the lanceolate type (PI. iv, Fig. 5) may be quite distant or crowded together in

1 G-eol. Surv. Ohio, Pal. I, 1873, p. 382, PI. XLV1I, Pig. 2. *

2 Fl. loss. Helv., PI. ii, Tig. 8, IQb. 

8 Op. cit., PI. XLVII, p. 3.
90 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [Buu,98.

much the same manner as in Lesquereux's J\r. aspera, at an' acute 

angle to the rachis, or oblique, straight, refiexed, or incurved.

The most striking characteristic of this species is the attenuated 

auricle at the lower side of the base of all the mature pinnules. In the 

upper part of the pinnce it first appears as a rounded lobe, gradually 

elongating in the preceding pinnules until in the more mature leaflets 

it reaches a length of llmin or more, generally terminating in an awnlike point. This auricle may curve outward somewhat, presenting a 

concave side to the rachis, rounding up to the attachment of the pinnule, or it may descend parallel and close to the rachis, or frequently 

it turns inward, crossing the rachis and passing underneath the opposite pinnules. When the pinnules are contiguous or overlapping, as is 

usually the case, the lower part of the pinnule and its appendage is 

covered by the preceding pinnule, as vshown in PL iv, Fig. 8, in which 

case the point seldom appears unless its form shows through the somewhat coriaceous texture of the pinnules, or the pinna is dislocated, or 

the rachis splits, as frequently happens. A similar tendency toward 

an elongation of the lower auricle is often seen in certain species of Neuropteris, especially in N. Loshii.1

The nervation of the species is nephropteroid. The midrib is represented by a band of vascular bundles forking and diverging, arching, 

to the margin, in the manner illustrated by Lesquereux for N. Loshii, 

in the Coal Flora. The secondary nerves, often obscure in the rather 

thick texture of the pinnules, are round, close, forking five or six or even 

seven times at a narrow angle, and are hardly larger at their origin than 

at the margin, equally close together in all parts of the pinnule, arid 

measuring an average of about fifty-five per centimeter. The vascular 

bundles at the base of the leaf are slightly enlarged where they pass 

from the racliis into the pinnule, but they soon dissolve into nervils of 

uniform size. The pinnules are slightly creased along the middle for a 

distance over the thick vascular bundles in the axis, a similar secondary crease marking the position of the smaller band of nerves starting 

to supply the auricle.

Relations. In its general habit, pinnation, secondary, basal, and 

racliial pinnules, and its nervation Neuropteris caudata resembles N. 

Jjosliii more than any other species. However, it differs from this, as 

from others, by its nervation, which is closer, there being no distinct 

midrib as in N. heterophytta,.})y its awn-like prolongation of the loAver 

auricle, and" the linear acuminate forms of pinnule. N~. Leberti, some 

of whose pinnules resemble the larger primary pinnules of this species 

in form, is described as having its pinnules more distant, the midrib more distinct, and its secondary nerves fewer and forking at a very

1 See Coal Flora, atlas, PL xi. See also N. heterophylla Erongn., in Zeiller, Fl. f'oss. Autuu et Epinac, 

pt. 1, p. 142, PL xn, Fig. 1.

These two species are considered as identical hy Kidston and Zeiller. While this may he true 

so far as the European specimens are concerned, it does not appear to he so with the American forms 

referred to N. Losldi, which seem to have several characters not preaeut in the European species.
WITTTE.] PILICINE2E NETJROPTERIDE M NEUROPTERIS. 91

much wider angle. From Odontopteris neuropteroides of Newberry the 

u]»per pinnules of Neuropteris caudata difter by their closer nervation, 

the development of the auricle, and the constriction of the mature pinnules at the base. The pinnules of the Ohio plant are decurrent, 

except the basal pair on the pinna. 

Locality. McClelland's shaft; Hannam shaft.

NEUEOPTEEIS FLEXUOSA Sternb.

PL v, Figs. 1-5.

182G. Neuropteris flexuosa Sternberg, Versuch, i, 4, Tent., p. xvi, IT, 5, p. 71, PI. xxxir, 

Fig. 2. 1847: Bunbury, Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, in, p. 425. 1849: 

Bunbury, Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, v, p. 141. 1858: Lesquereux, 

Geol. Penn., n, p. 858. 1860: F. A. Roemer, Palseontgr., ix, p. 27, PL vru, 

Fig. 6. 1866: Lesquereux, Geol. SUIT. 111., n, Palaeont., p. 428. 1869: 

Schimper, Trait6, i, p. 434, Pl.xxx, Figs. 12, 13. 1869: v. Roehl, Foss.Fl. 

Steink. Westplialens, p. 35, PL xn, Fig. 3ti, PL xv, Fig. 10. 1870: Unger, 

Sit/b. k.-k. Akad. Naturw. Wien, inatli.-nat. CL, LX, p. 783, PL n, Fig. 1. 

1872:.DaAvsou, Kept. Prog. GeoL Surv. Can. 1870-;71, p. 215. 1876: Fertl. 

Roemer, Letliaea geognost., I, PL LI, Figs. 5a, b, text (1880), p. 183. 1876: 

0. Feistniantel, Verst. bohm. Ablag., in, p. 64, PL xvi, Figs, 5, 6. 1880: 

Rotlipletz, Steink. Ostseite d. Todi, p. 5, PL i, Figs. 8, 9. 1881: Weiss, Ana 

d. PI. d. Steink., p. 14, PL xv, Fig. 90. 1883: Sclienk, in Richthofen's China, 

iv, p. 217 (pars.). 1886: Kidston, Cat. Pal. PL Brit. Mus., p. 93. 1887: 

Kidstou, Radstock Ser., p. 359.

1828. Nevropteris flexuosa Sternb., Brongniart, Prodrome, p. 46. 1830: Brouguiart, 

Hist., p. 239, PL LXV, Figs. 2, 3, 3a, b; PL Lxvm, Figs. 2, 2a. 1879: Zeiller, 

V6g. foss. terr. houill., p. 51. 1883: Renault, Cours bot. foss., in, p. 169, 

PL xxix, Figs. 10, 11. 1886: Zeiller, Fl. foss. Valenciennes, atlas, PL XLVI, 

Figs. 2, 2a; text (1888), p. 27?!

1835. Neuropteris flexuosa Sternb., var. a Gutbier, Abdrlicke, p. 56, PL vn, Figs. 1,2,5.

Fronds large bi- or tripiunate, with large rachis, finely but distinctly 

striated, secondary pinnse caducous, at right angles to the racing, or 

oblique, alternate,linear, tapering, obtusely pointed; pinnules caducous, 

alternate, open or oblique, straight or curving slightly upwards, flat, 

usually contiguous or overlapping, sometimes more distant, sessile, 

attached at a single point, oblong, cordate at the base, the lower angle 

sometimes more or less extended, 8-25mm long, 5-10"ltn wide, the borders 

parallel, sometimes contracted toward the base, rounded at the summit, 

those nearer the apex becoming shorter; terminal pinnule much larger 

than those below it, ovate-lanceolate, generally cuneate toward the 

base, which is often united Avith one or two rounded pinnules, the 

lateral borders undulate; median nerve distinct, dissolving about midway but marked by a furrow up to two-thirds the length of the pinnule; 

secondary nerves numerous, very slender, originating at a very narrow 

angle, and forking many times in fine, quite distinct veins.

A number of forms in the collection are specifically inseparable, 

but they include variations that are so nearly identical with, certain 

forms seen in several of the old-world species that it is alike difficult 

to assign them, all to any one of the European species or to find a 

boundary line between those types that should be placed in one group
92 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

belonging to one species and those in another group belonging to another 

species. This difficulty is complicated by the number of old-world 

species to which they are closely related, including Neuropteris heteropliylla, N. tenuifolia, and N.flexuosa, to all of which different specimens 

are perhaps referable, though each identification with one speciesnot only 

involves specifically identical variations not described from the European strata, but also involves a series of intermediate forms representing the steps in the transition to those types apparently referable to 

another of the old established species. Were it not for the minuteness 

of the generally accepted old-world differentiation, by which forms so 

closely related and so commonly found together as some of the forms 

described under the above names, are retained distinct, the circumstances would perhaps justify the separation of some of the American 

forms as a distinct species. Bather than increase the number of species having so much in common, I have followed Lesquereux, referring 

them to the old species, though, as a whole, they illy fit the European 

descriptions, and at the same time I shall try to point out the principal 

differences peculiar to the American plants.

Pinnae and pinnules of the form represented by Brongniart 1 arid 

others, with overlapping, rather oblong pinnules asymetrically cordate 

at the base, are found only among the rarer specimens. The rachis, 

which is often remarkably flexuous, is generally distinctly striated. 

Usually the pinnules hardly touch, but stand about £mi " apart, though 

the distance in rare instances reaches 2mm . PL LXV, Fig. 2, in the 

Histoire, closely represents the prevailing form among the larger 

pinnules. The average length of these larger pinnules is about 2C1U , the 

width lcm. All are more or less distinctly cordate at the base, the 

lower angle sometimes elongated. The specimens show every form in 

transition, from those in which the sides are nearly parallel, the end 

round, to those more or less wedge shaped, approaching the forms figured by Lesquereux as N. tenuifolia in the Arkansas Beport.2 The 

terminal pinnule is more or less sublobate or united to the preceding 

pinnules, as shown by Lesquereux in the Coal Flora, PI. xn, Fig. 2; 

by Gutbier, Abdriicke, PI. vn, Figs. 1, la; and my PL v, Figs. 1, 

2, 4. The number of the nerves at the margin of the pinnules is thirty 

to fifty per centimeter. The specimens figured appear to be so directly 

connected with typical specimens of N. flexuosa that I have placed 

them, not without doubt, under this species. Figs. 1 and 2 may represent portions near the end of the primary pinnce. In the obtuseness 

of the terminal pinnules of the smaller secondary pinnce they are unlike 

any that I have seen figured under this name, but strongly resemble 

the N. mif&ouriensis in the Coal Flora, PI. vil, Figs. 5, G, with which 

they may be identical, or some of those pinnae figured by Zeiller in the 

Valenciennes flora, PL XLIV, as N~. lieteropliylla. They are probably

1 Hist., PI. LXVITI, Pigs. 2, 2a. 

»Yol. I, 1860, PI. v, Fifj. 2.
WHITE.] . FILICINE^E NETJROPTERIDE/E NEUROPTERIS. 93

identical with the specimen figured as 2f. tenuifolia by Lesq uereux in 

the Coal Flora, PL xii, Fig. 5, and, being unable to separate the 

forms represented, I am disposed to regard Figs. 1, 2, and 3 on the 

latter plate as also belonging to N. Jiexuosa, although, so large a united 

portion of a frond as Fig. 1 would be remarkable in that species. Fig. 4 

of the same plate can hardly belong to the same species, while the Cyclopteris pinnules, Figs. 8, 9, were subsequently 1 referred by Lesquereux 

to N. Loshii.

The concavity of the lateral margins, illustrated by Lesquereux and 

seen frequently in the Missouri specimens, is, I believe, peculiar to the 

American representatives of this species.

Among the fragments of pinnse of W. flexuosa in the collection are a 

fe\\r examples in which elongated rounded portions, including most of 

the leaf substance between the nervils, havelbeen removed, leaving only 

a thin brown membranous covering on the stone, while the intact portions of the leaf are black. Corresponding to these thin portions in. the 

petrifaction raised wormlike troughs bordered and mingled with more 

or less carbonaceous matter appear on the counterpart. At first I was 

disposed to regard these appearances, so similar to the supposed Neuropteris fructifications illustrated by Fontaine and I. C. White, Heer, 

Lesquereux,' and others, as indicating a .'fructification comparable, especially in form and position, to that of Scolopendrium. The evidence 

is, however, insufficient, especially in view of the altogether different 

nature of fruiting of the genus as described by Kidston and discovered, 

though not published, by Lesquereux.

Many authors, among them Schimper, Heer, and Schenk, have combined N. Jiexuosa with N. tenuifolia, while Kidston2 regards N.plwatii, 

as figured by Lesquereux,3 as belonging to N. jiexuosa. My present 

distinction between the groups is tentative, especially so far as it concerns the forms of the type illustrated.

Relations. Neuropteris Jiexuosa differs from JV. tenuifolia by its proportionately broader pinnules, more decidedly cordate at the base, its 

nerves more dichotomized and closer at the margin, and its terminal 

pinnule usually broader, larger, and more flexuous. The pinnules of 

N. lieteropliylla are usually smaller, rather less densely nerved, the terminal one usually smaller and more elongated. N. gigantea, as described 

in Europe, has its nerves finer and more crowded, the pinnules less 

often overlapping, usually curved upward, the rachis often provided 

with small cyclopterid pinnules, and the terminal pinnule smaller than 

the lateral ones. Our species differs from N. vcrmieularis by the thickened nerves and the union of the terminal with the upper pinnules in 

the latter, while N~. capitata differs by its pinnules pedicellate, rounded, 

the terminal deltoid, acuminate, the nerves flabellate.

Localiti/. McClelland's shaft.

1 istlillept. Geol. Surv. Ind., pt. 2, p. 52.

2 Cat. Fiilftsozoic Plants, p. 93; Trans. Roy. Soc. Ediub., xxxv, pt. 1, p. 314.

8 Coal Plora, PI. x, Pigs. 1-4.
94 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL.98.

NEUBOPTEEIS TENUIFOLIA (Sehloth.) Sternb.

1820. Filicitcs tcnuifoliua Sclilotheim, Petrefactenkunde, p. 405, PI. xxn, Fig. 1.

1826. Neuropteris tenuifolia (Schloth.) Stemberg, Versuch, J, 4, Tent., p. xvii: II, 

5, 6, p. 72. 1846: Bunbury, Amer. Jour. Sci., 2d ser., p. 231. 1855: Geinitz, 

Verst. Stcink. Sachsens, p. 22, PI. xxvn, Fig. 3. 1857: Lesquereux, Rcpt. Geol. 

Snrv. Ky., in, p. 537. 1858: Lesquereux, Geol. Peim., n, p. 879. 1860: 

Lesquereux, Geol. Snrv. Ark., n, p. 312, PL v, Figs. 2-6. 1866: Lesquereux, 

Geol. Snrv. 111., n, Palseont., p. 428. 1869: ScMmper, Traite", i, p. 438. 

1879: Lesquereux, Coal Flora, text (1880), i, p. 100; atlas, PI. xn; Figs. 6,7. 

1884: Lesquereux, Am. Nat., XVJT.I, p. 922.

1830. Nevropieris tenuifolia (Scliloth.) Sternb., Brongmart, Hist., p. 241, PL Lxx.tr, 

Fig. 3. 1886: Zeiller, Fl. foss. Valenciennes, atlas, PL X.LVI, Figs. 1, 1*, b; 

texb (1888), p. 273.

Fronds large, tripinnate; rachis striate; secondary pinnae alternate 

or subopposite, often short, linear-lanceolate, tapering slowly from 

near the base to the obtusely pointed summit, at right angles or oblique, 

somewhat caducous, often touching or overlapping5 pinnules varying 

much in size, alternate or subopposite, at right angles or oblique, 

straight or slightly curving upwards, usually contiguous or slightly 

overlapping, but often distant, attached at a single point, sessile or 

short pediceled, 5mm-3cm long, l-7mm wide, flat or slightly arched upward, more or less distinctly cordate at the base, oblong and obtuse, 

with borders parallel or possibly laterally concave, or somewhat triangular, the sides tapering to an obtuse apex; terminal pinnule larger 

than the lateral ones, lanceolate, sublobate, with somewhat wedgeshaped base, tapering to a round point at the top, the borders sometimes undulate; midrib very distinct, quite strong at the base, passing 

tAvo-thirds of the way up or more, marked by a furrow on the upper 

side of the pinnule; secondary nerves distinct though thin, originating at a narrow angle and forking two or three times into fine nervils.

To Neuropteris tenuifolia I have referred a series agreeing with specimens in the Museum collection identified by Lesquereux as belonging 

to that species. Some of the variations agree with the European de.

scriptions and figures, and, although I have seen no foreign specimens 

for comparison, the identification seems to be more satisfactory than 

in the case of the preceding species, and fewer forms are left apparently undescribed and unaccounted for. This species, like the preceding, 

is represented by fragments of fronds and pinnae and detached pinnules. 

Forms identical in proportions and nervation with those figured by 

Brongniart,1 with tapering pinnae, contiguous or slightly separated pinnules, the latter cordate at the base, and gradually contracting towards 

the tip, which is rounded, are the most frequent, while transition forms 

lead to a few with the elongated pinnules having the margins more 

nearly parallel, such as those figured by Lesquereux2 or Zeiller.3 

The forms with more triangular pinnules prevail generally, the pinnules seldom overlapping, and often becoming rather broadly triangular. In these phases it approaches the type figured by Lesquereux

'Hist., Pl.LXXir,Fig. 3.

2 Coal Flora, PL xir, Fig. 6. Gool. Snrv. Ark., Vol. it, 1860, PL V, Figs. 3, 4, 5.

8 F1. foss. houill. Valenciennes, PL XLVI, Figs. 1, la, 16.
WHITE.] E1LIC1NE/E NEUROPTEEIDEyE NEUKOPTERJ.S. 95

in the Arkansas report. 1 The intermediate variations between the 

specimens referred to JV. flexuosa and these forms are so many that it 

is in. many cases, especially when the matrix is coarse and the nervation obscure, difficult to decide to which species the specimen should 

be assigned.

As indicated above, the American specimens referred to N~.^ flcxuom 

and N. tcmrifolia seem not only far from being completely identical 

with the European species in all their forms, but these variations very 

strongly indicate a specific unity of the American specimens in a single 

species, perhaps including N. missouriensis, and perhaps distinct from 

the European, but combining characters differentiated in and common 

to both of the old-world forms. The same difficulty in differentiating 

our types, or finding them in complete accord with either or both of the 

Eui'opean species, was mentioned by Bunbury in. his descriptions of the 

plants from Cape Breton,2 and by Lesquereux in the Coal Flora.3 Although I can find no satisfactory dividing line separating our specimens into two species, I have followed my distinguished predecessor in 

assigning to the best of my ability, though undoubtedly with errors, 

the various forms to the old-world species to which they appear to 

approach the most closely. While many of my specimens agree perfectly with specimens in the U. S. National Museum collections, identified by Lesquereux as N. tenuifolia, I am inclined to regard some of 

those figured by him4 under that name as standing nearer the forms 

referable to JV. flexuosa,, though others5 seem to represent the former. 

The reference of Fig. 4, PI. xn, of the Coal Flora Avith the triangular 

cyclopterid pinnules to either of these species seems to me very doubtful. Some of the phases shown in the species approach N. gigantea, as 

figured by Sternberg, Brongniart, and Weiss, in habit, form," and distance of pinnules, but the terminal pinnules are larger, the nervation 

much more distinct, and the small rachial pinnules observed by Sternberg and Zeiller are wanting in our specimens.

Relations. The distinctions between JV. tenuifolia and N. giyantea 

have just been mentioned. The former is said to differ from N. flexuosa 

by its smaller pinnules, more tapering, narrower in proportion to the 

length, and the nervation less crowded, while the pinnules are proportionately longer, with secondary nerves finer and less crowded than 

those of N. IwteropJiylla.

Locality. McClelland's shaft; Hannain's shaft.

NEUEOPTERIS cf. TRICHOMANOIDES (Brongn.) Lx.

PI. iv, Fig. 10.

To Neuropteris tricliomanoides I have compared three specimens of 

Cyclopteris, whose preserved portions agree well with Brongniart's origiVol. ii, 1800, Tl. v, Fig. 2. " "

2 Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc., London, in, 1847, p. 425.

"Vol. i, p. 101.

4 Coal Flora, PI. XII, Pigs. 1, 2, 3, 5.

6Loc. cit.,Fiys. 6,7. Eoport Geol. Snrv. Ark., Vol. n, 1860. pi. v., Figs. 3-6.
96 CARBON [FERGUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

inal description and illustration 1 as well as with those of several other 

European authors.2 While the Missouri fragments have the thin texture, the outline orbicular or oval, and the nerves rather thin, distinct, 

distant in the lower part, dichotomizing several times, to about eighteen 

to the centimeter at the border, I still hesitate to refer them definitely 

to that species, .for the reason that in none of them are the basal lobes 

and attachment shown. The specimen figured is possibly only a small 

representative belonging to the same plants as those described below 

as N. dilatata (L. and H.) Lx., the specimens of both being found mingled with the remains of N~. flexuosa, and N. tenuifolia. They differ 

markedly from the specimen figured by Lesquereux in the Coal Flora,3 

as well as with the specimens from. Cannelton, Pennsylvania, identified 

by him as N. trichomanoides in the Museum collection, in which the 

nerves are much closer in all parts, numbering forty-eight to fifty-five 

per centimeter at the border.4 The latter are much finer veined than 

anything elsewhere described under that name. Yon EoehP and Kidston6 having found Cyclopteris pinnules, which they accept as C. tricliomanoides, attached to Neuropteris hetcrophylla (N. Losliii in part), regard 

them astherachial pinnules of true Neuropteris, but Grand 'Eury 7 and 

Zeiller 8 prefer to consider the pinnules identified by themselves as N. 

trichomanoides to be odontopteroid on account of their association with 

Odontopteris minor and 0. Reichiana. I have placed these and all the 

folio wing Cyclopteroid pinnules in the genus Neuropteris, because among 

all the specimens and blocks broken up in the collection, comprising 

fourteen boxes of material, I have not yet seen a fragment of any species 

of Odontopteris. 

Locality. McOlelland's shaft.

NEUROPTEEIS DILATATA (L. & H.) Lx. 

1833. Cycloi)teris dilatata Lindley and Hiitton [non (L. & H.) Stornb.], Fossil Flora,

II, PI. XCIB.

1849. Ncpliropteris dilatata (L. & H.) Brongniart, Tableau, p. 16 (65). 1869: Schimper,

Traite, i, p. 430. 

1880. Nevroptcris dilatata (L. & H.) Lesquereux, Coal Flora, i, p. 78.

Pinnules very large, transversely oblong or oval-orbicular, asymmetrical, very deeply auriculate, the lobes often overlapping, the basilar 

sinus subceutral; margin more or less undulate; texture rather thick; 

nerves of moderate si/e, quite distinct, though often dissociated and 

spread out, radiating fiabellate from the base, about 6-10 to the cen-

' Hist. V6g. loss., i, (1830), p. 217, PL LXI bis, Fig. 4.

2 Geinitz, "V7 erst. Steink. Sachsens, 1855, p. 23, PI. xxvui, Figs. 2, 3. Heer, FL foss. Hclv., 1874, p. 

17, H. VI, Fig. 10. Breton, fitucle geol. Dourges, 1873, p. 61, PI. VI, Fig. 3 (not 1, 2). Kenault, Cours 

bot. foss., in, 18S3, p. 184, PL xxx, Fig. 5.

3 PL iv, Fig. 4, p. 79.

4 Mr. Laeoo informs me that, these Cannelton specimens were afterwards removed from N. tricJiomanoidesby Lesqitorenx, whose unfinished MS. contains the note that it belongs to a new species, 

although it was not named.

5 Foss. Fl. Steiuk. Westplialens, 1869, PL xvn.

« Cat, Pal. PL Brit. Mus., 1886, p. 90.

 > FL Garb. Loire, .1877, p. 113.

8 FL foss. houill. Conimontry, i, 1888, p. 260.
WHITE.] FILICINE.E NEUROPTERIDE^ NEUROPTERIS. 97

tiineter at one-third of the distance to the border, dichotomizing 5-7 

times in passing, slightly arcuate, to the margin, where they number 

about 22-28 or more per centimeter.

The great variation in the form and peripheral characters, as well as 

in size, that has been observed among the pinnules of the same species 

of Cyclopteris, even when attached to the same rachis, has cast much 

doubt on the prevailing discrimination of the forms in species. Pinnules belonging to the same species .may be more or less cuneate, or 

they may have overlapping auricles. Size is of but little specific 

value. However, while it may well be that the pinnules of the same 

kind of Neuropteris or Odontopteris have been described under different 

names, it does not seem quite probable that Cyclopteris dilatata, C. orbicularis, G. oblata, and C. trichomanoides all are parts of Neuropteris 

heterophylla. The large number of species of Neuropteris, a portion of 

which are known to have borne cyclopterid pinnules, and of Odontopteris, whose rachial pinnules are sometimes cyclopterid, furnishes in 

itself some reason for the attempt to distinguish specific characters 

among the many cyclopterid forms. It appears probable that the 

classification of those whose actual pinnate relations are not definitely 

known will ultimately be based chiefly on the characters of nervation 

and texture. The only illustration of Neuropteris dilatata L. & H. of 

which I am aware is that given in the Fossil Flora. Of the original 

specimen, Mr. Kidston, in his valuable Notes on the Palaeozoic Species 

mentioned in the Fossil Flora, says,1 "The nervation is not sufficiently 

indicated to determine the species. I believe, however, that it is referable to Neuropteris lieteropliylla, Brongn." The enumeration and brief 

description of this species made subsequently by Goeppert, linger, and 

Schimper, seem to have been based wholly upon Lindley and Hutton's 

figure and brief characterization. It appears, therefore, somewhat 

doubtful whether the American species is identical with that represented by the British specimen. I have, however, thought best to 

retain, for the present, the name employed by Prof. Lesquereux for 

this form of pinnule. The identification of my specimens with those 

described by Lesquereux under that name, is based upon a comparison 

with the specimens originally described in the Coal Flora, p. 78, 

placed in my hands through the courtesy of Dr. J. H. Britts of Clinton, Missouri, of whose collection they form a part. The pinnules, 

some of which must have been as much as 25cni in longer diameter, are 

of rather thick texture, and irregularly sinuate at the margin. Some 

of the fragments show evidence of a more or less longitudinally oval 

form similar to that 'seen in C. orbicularis, with which Zeiller2 unites 

Cyclopteris dilatata L. & H. The nerves, as described above, are generally distinct, sometimes appearing narrow and rounded, but usually 

they are spread out, similar to the nervation shown by Goeppert3 in

1 Proc. Koy. Phys. Soc. Edinb., vol. x, 1890-91, p. 366.

2 F1. foss. houill. Valenciennes, p. 298.

3 Gattungen, Lief. 5 u. 6, p. 91, PL nr u. V, Fig. 2.

Bull. 98 7
98 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

Cyclopteris crassinervis, which is perhaps referable to our species, or 

they are separated into two close parallel bundles. Occasionally they 

are dissociated into filaments. It is hoped that these original American 

forms may eventually be illustrated.

Relations. The relations of Neuropteris dilatata to other Cyclopterid 

species is undefined. The American specimens appear to conform more 

closely to the description and characters of N. trichomanoides, from 

which they differ perhaps by their rather thicker texture and coarser 

nerves. The size, which was formerly one of the distinguishing features of N. dilatata, is not much greater than that of the N. trickomanoides figured by Zeiller in the Commentry Flora, 1 the general character 

of which, excepting the very thin nerves, more distant at the margin, is 

very much like that of our specimens. As stated above, it is quite 

possible that the specimen, PI. iv, Fig. 10, compared to N. trichomanoides, is really a small specimen of this species. N. dilatata seems to 

differ from Cyclopteris orbicularis by its nervation, proportionally closer 

at the base, branching more irregularly and at a narrower angle, and 

less dense at the margin.

Locality. McClelland's shaft; Hannam's shaft.

NEUROPTERIS, SPECIES.

PI. v, Fig. 6.

Two other forms of cyclopterid pinnules occur in the collection, 

whose specific characters seem hardly sufficient to warrant either their 

reference to any of the well-defined species or the foundation of a new 

one. The first, PI. v, Fig. 6, is a large fragment representing the greater 

part of the right half of an oval-orbicular pinnule, somewhat cuneate, 

apparently without a distinct auricle, with a. sinuate margin, nerves 

rather closer than in the last species, forking five or six times, generally 

at a rather wider angle than in the former, and arching considerably to 

the margins. A conspicuous feature is the nearly uniform dichotomizing of the nerves at about 8mm from the margin, forming a well-defined 

marginal zone, in which the nervation is almost twice as close, thirty 

to thirty-six per centimeter, as it is just central of the line of dichotomy. In nearly all respects the specimen agrees well with the one 

figured by von EoehP as Cyclopteris orbicularis.

Another pinnule is subsemicircular below, its top round-truncate, 

3|cm wide, I6mm long, with thin nerves, sometimes dilated at the base, 

radiating from the long basilar attachment, and forking three or four 

times in passing to the border, where they number about thirty-four 

per centimeter. While its specific relations are unknown, the indentification of the same form in other localities can not be without some 

homotaxial value. I have not therefore attempted to place it in any

i Pt. i, PI. xxm, Fig. 3.

?Foss. Fl. Steint;. Westphalens, p. 43, PI. xxi, Fig. 3,
WHITE.] FILICINE.E NEURUPTERIDE.E DICTYOPTERTS. 99

species. It is slightly suggestive of the rachial pinnules of Odontop 

teris alata Lx./ the Cyclopteris semiflabelliformis of Morris, 2 and C. densa 

Een. and Zeill.3 It is probably a Nevroptcris pinnule, there being no 

fragment of Odontopteris in the collection. 

Locality. McClelland's shaft.

DICTYOPTEEIS G-utbier. 1835.

DlCTYOPTBRIS SQUARROSA Btt. Sp.

1852. Neuropteris squarrosa Ettingsbaueen, Abhandl. K.-k. geol. Reichsanst., I, 3, No. 

4, p. 10, PI. vi, Fig. 3.

1855. Dictyoptcris neuropteroidcs Gutb. in litt., Geinitz, Verst. Steink. Sachsens, p. 23, 

PI. xxv, Fig. 6,e6a. 1864: R. Amlree, N. Jahrb. f. Min., p. 170. 1866: Bureau, 

Bull. Soc. g<5ol. France, [2] xxin, p. 848, PI. xiv, Figs. 3, 4. 1868: Weiss, 

Verh. naturh. Ver. pr. Kheinl. u. Westphal., xxv, p. 83. 1869: Karl Feistmautel, Steink. Klein-PHlep, etc., pp. 34, 61, 94. 1.869: v. Eoehl, Foss. Fh 

Steink. Westpbalens, p. 49, PL xvi, Fig. 6. 1869: Schimper, Trait(5, i, p. 

618. 1873: 0. Feistmantel, Zeitsclir. d. deutsch. geol. Gesell., xxv, p. 598. 

1873: 0. Feistmantel, Jahrb. K.-k. geol. Reichsanst., xxin, p. 277 (29). 

1874: 0. Feistmantel, Abb. k. bohni. Gesell. Wiss., [6] vi, p. 81. 1874: 

O. Feistmantel, Abb. k. bobm. Gesell. Wiss. [6], vii, p. 24. 1874: Areitio, 

Anales Soc. esp. Hist, nat., in, p. 250. 1876: Heer, Fl. foss. Helv., p. 36, PI. 

vii, Fig. 9. 1877: Grand 'Eury, Fl. Garb. Loire, p. 120. 1881: Weiss, Aus 

d. Fl. Steink., PI. xv, Figs. 93, 93a. 1882: Schiitze, Abh. geol. Specialk. 

Preussen, in, 4, pp. 77, 226. 1883: Karl Feistmantel, Mittelbobm. Steinkohlen-Ablag., p. 61. 1883: Kusta, Sitzb. raath.-nat. Cl. k. bohm. Gesell. Wiss., 

pp. 160, 172, 178. 1884: Lesquerenx, Coal Flora, in, p. 833.

Fronds bipinnate, pinnae opposite or subopposite; pinnules opposite 

or subopposite, at right angles to the rachis, sessile, close, contiguous 

or slightly overlapping, entire, 2-3£cm long and 9-12111 " 1 in width, the 

shorter ones oval, those of average length, or longer, somewhat falcate, 

nearly truncate or truncate-cordate, often unequal at the base, oblonglanceolate, tapering towards the end, obtuse; terminal pinnules long, 

rather linear-lanceolate, obtusely pointed; median nerve dissolved 

quickly into slender secondary nerves, at first close and nearly parallel, 

diverging gradually and forking four or five times, and anastomosing 

in passing very obliquely to the border; secondary nerves near the 

base flabellate from the point of attachment; meshes very narrow, 

acute at each end, greatly elongated near the median line, becoming 

shorter near its borders.

The most prominent characters of this species of Dictyopteris, fragments of which are scattered all through the shales sent from Aurora, 

are the rather narrow pinnules, sometimes slightly dilated at the base, 

but hardly auriculate, the larger ones falcate towards the tip, which is 

obtuse; the rather weak median nerve dissolving at about one-third or 

one-half the distance up the pinnule into fine, nearly parallel secondary 

nerves, curving gradually towards the margin, which they meet quite 

obliquely; and the areolation, elon'gated and narrow proportionately,

1 Coal Flora, i, p. 13], PI. xxi, Fig. 1.

2 Trans. Geol. Soc: London [2], v, 1840, p. 448, PI. xxxvni, Fig. 7.

* Fl. foss. houill. Commentry, pt. 1, p. 267, PI. xxm, Fig. 4. '
100 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. IBULL. 98.

even at the margin. The slender secondary nerves hardly anastomose 

until they have passed some distance from the median line, the meshes 

becoming shorter, but continuing narrow nearer the margin. The 

areolae are bounded by irregularly curved nervils and are acute at the 

ends. The general characters of the pinnules are fairly well shown by 

Ettingshausen l in his original figure of Neuropteris squarrosa, although 

the tips of the pinnules are broken, only indicating the falcate upward 

curve towards the end. This is better shown by von BoehP, pinnules 

of whose specimen are proportionately considerably wider at the base, 

the lateral borders converging more rapidly. The figure of Dictyopteris 

neuropteroides given by Geinitz,3 and copied by several authors, indicates a rather more pronounced curvature in the niiddje of the pinnule, 

and an apex rather more acute than that seen either in Ettingshausen's 

figure or my specimens. The pedicel seen in Dr. Geinitz's figure seems 

somewhat doubtful. The shorter and broader pinnules of this species 

are oval and truncate-rounded at the base, similar to the pinnules on 

the main rachis of Gutbier's Dictyopteris .Brongniartii.*

In 1855 Dr. Geinitz, when describing- the Dictyopteris neuropteroides 

Gutb. in litt., inscribed the name Neuropteris squarrosa Ett. in the 

synonymy only with doubt, having only Ettingshausen's figure before 

him. Their identity was verified, however, by E. Andree5 in the examination of a collection of fossil plants from the same source as those 

studied by Ettingshausen, viz, Stradonitz, and his verification has been 

accepted, I believe, by all European paleontologists except Kidston, 

who referred 6 Neuropteris squarrosa to Neuropteris cor data L. & H., 

apparently on account of the original figure and Ettingshausen's comparison of it with N. macrophylla.

Among the fossil plants in the collection of the U. S. National Museum are two specimens (No. 1403) from. Stradonitz, Bohemia, labeled 

Neuropteris squarrosa Ett., apparently in Ettingshausen's own handwriting. These specimens comprise several pinnules whose agreement 

with iny specimens, as well as with the original figures, is clearly identical. In all the characters of form, size, texture, and nervation the 

American and the Bohemian species agree.7 Certainly the Neuropteris 

squarrosa is a Dictyopteris. I can find no reason for disagreeing with 

the European authors in uniting it with Dictyopteris neuropteroides. 

But, such being the case, it appears that conformity with the laws of 

nomenclature demands that Ettingshausen's specific name, published, 

described, and illustrated in 1852, should have priority over Gutbier's 

name Dictyopteris neuropteroides, first published by Geinitz in 1855, as 

"1850 v. Gutbier in litt." Gutbier's manuscript name of 1850 should

'Steinkohlenfl. Stradonitz, PI. vi, Fig. 3.

sFoss. Pfl. Steink. Westphalens, PI. xiv, Fig. 6.

8 Verst. Steiuk. Sachsens, PL xxvni, Figs. 6, 6a.

4 Abdriicke, PL xr, Fig. 7.

8 Die Verstcinernngcnd. Steinkohlenfonnatiou v. Stradonitz in Bolimen, N. Jahrb. f. M'in., 1864, p. 170.

6 Cat. Pal. PL Brit. Mus., p. 98.

7 It is hoped that examples of these pinnules may be hereafter illustrated.
WHITE.] FILICINE^: ANOMALOUS FOEMS APHLEBIA. 101

not obtain when, before its publication, the species had been fully 

described and figured under another designation. I have, therefore, 

recognized Ettingshausen's species, both as identical with the American 

fern, and also, granting it to be identical with Dictyopteris neuropteroidcs, as having priority over the other name.

Relations. This species is most nearly related to Dictyopteris Brongniartii, from which it differs by its insignificant median nerve and its 

secondary nerves, which are much finer and clearer, forming larger and 

narrower meshes. The areolae of Dictyopteris Brongniartii are very 

much shorter near the middle of the pinnae, without so much variation 

in the length between the meshes near the median line and those near 

the border. The form of the pinnules, including the short oval ones of 

D. neuropteroides, is largely similar to that of the Dictyopteris Brongniartii represented by Gutbier.

Dictyopteris Schuteei has a strong midrib, the secondary nerves'arching to the border, and its areoles much smaller. Dictyopteris Scheuchzeri has cordate-acute pinnules, with distinct midrib and nerves archin. strongly, forming very fine, irregular meshes, while Dictyopteris 

obliqua has a rather pronounced midrib, the nerves curving to the border, and the areolation nearly alike in all parts of the pinnule, somewhat polygonal and often hexagonal.

Locality. Aurora; also at Hannams' shaft.

ANOMALOUS FORMS.

APHLEBIA Presl. 1838.

The real nature of these interesting remains, which have been 

described at different times in the genera Fucoides, by Gutbier,' 

Aphlebia, by Presl, Schizopteris, by Brongniart, Jlymenophyllites, by 

Goeppert, Pachyphyllum, by Lesquereux, Rkacophyllum, by Schimper, 

Filicites, by Germer, and in Palmacites, Algacites, Rhodea, Trichomanites, and Laminarites, by various authors, is not yet perfectly clear. 

They are considered by various botanists as primordial fern fronds, 

undeveloped stipal fronds, or anomalous laciniate pinnules sometimes 

occurring at the base of the primary pinnae. They were considered 

by Lesquereux as including types related to several ranks of vegetation, some having affinities with Neuropteris, Hymenophyllum, and 

other ferns, others as being parasitic on fern stems, or as derived from 

thalli, of primary rhizomatic tufts of leaves, while others might be 

fucoidal.

The discovery in recent years of Aphlebice attached to the rachis of 

many species of Pecopteris and Sphenopteris, such as P. dentata, P. 

Biotii, P. abbreviata, and Sphenoptcris crenata strengthens the view now 

generally entertained, that most of the species of Apklebia are stipal 

abortive pinnae .growing from the bases of primary or secondary 

rachises, similar to the foliar growth seen in Semitelia capensis Br., or
102 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

Crleichenia gigantea Wall. However, Xidston's claim to having found 

both sterile and fruiting fronds of Alicornopteris convoluta, 1 a frond apparently closely related to some forms of Aphlebia, indicates that the 

above hypothesis may account for only a portion of the species. It is 

not improbable that more than one group may be represented among 

these anomalous remains. Zeiller points out with justice, when restoring Presl's genus, that the type to which Brougniart applied the name 

Schizopteris does not belong to the genus AphleMa or Rliacopliyllum, 

and that Aphlebia has priority and should be retained in spite of its 

derivative signification, the name of a genus or species being in effect 

a designation rather than a description. A similar misnomer is familiar 

as Catamites.

APHLEBIA ARBORESCENS Lx. sp.

1870. Hymenophyllites arlorescens Lesquereux, Geol. Surv. 111., vol. iv, p. 415, PI.

XVII.

1874. Bachopltyllum arborescens (Lx.) Schimper, Traite", in, p. 525. 1880: Lesquereux, 

Coal Flora, i, p. 314.

Primary pinnae large, linear, acute (?) sympodially dichotomous, the 

axis straight or slightly flexuous; secondary pinnse alternate, oblique, 

rather strong, decurrent, curving outward, not constricted at the base, 

divided into alternate oblique, more or less regularly and deeply lobed 

segments; lobes or pinnules, alternate simple, linear-lanceolate, or bior trifid, the ultimate divisions shorter and more broadly lanceolate; 

nervation usually very obscure, the main axis flat, marked by obscure 

vascular bundles, giving off other thin bundles which pass, mingled 

with cellular tissue, into the secondary divisions.

This fine form of Aphlebia is well illustrated in the Illinois report 

referred to above. The most prominent features of the species are the 

long frond with its axis rather broad and flat; the obscure nervation 

in the cellular tissue; the branches or secondary pinnae, moderately 

broad, ramose, the borders close or slightly overlapping; the divisions 

deeply dissected into broadly diverging lobes; and the lobes broadly 

lanceolate, of varying length, and generally acute.

Aphlebia arborescens is very similar to some of the forms referred to 

A. filiciformis Gutb. The one figured in Gutbier's Abdriicke, Pi. I, 

Fig. 13, is very similar to some of the upper secondary pinnae in my 

specimen, though the former are rather less distinctly dissected. It 

does not seem probable that the large number of forms included by 

Geinitz, Kidston, and some other authors under A.filiciformis are all 

representations of a single species. In view of the fact that a large 

number of species of ferns belonging to several genera have been discovered to bear Aphlebia pinnae, it becomes probable that the number 

of species of the latter genus must be considerable, and that in Aphle6m, as well as in Cyclopteris, a more careful and critical examination 

and differentiation of the forms will better serve the interests of both 

geology and biology.

iTrans. Eoy. Soc. Edinb., vol. xxxni, 1889, p. 152, PI. vin, Pigs. 11-15.
LYCOPODINE^E SlGlLLARl^ SlGILLARlA. 103

Relations. Among the described species of this genus AphleUa arborescens is most nearly related to A. filiciformis and A. elongata Zeill. 

From the former it differs by its broad, flat, rather thin axis and 

branches, with the vascular tissue obscure or invisible, and the welldeveloped ultimate divisions broader, often longer, and more acute. 

The ramification is also more robust. AphleMa elonyata, as described 

by Zeiller, is, on the contrary, more ovate-lanceolate in the contour, 

its primary divisions preserving the same form, the division very much 

more oblique, and deeply dissected, the lobes much closer, more fasciculate in appearance and elongated, the sinuses being narrow and acute. 

The Comnientry species differs further by the presence of a large median 

nerve.

Locality. McClelland's shaft.

LYCOPODINE/E.

SIGILLARIA Brongn., 1822.

With the exception of some rnacrospores which may perhaps belong 

to some of the Carboniferous lycopods, but which are not so preserved 

as to appear identifiable, the only remains of this great order that I 

have observed in the entire collection consist of numerous fragments of 

long leaves which belong probably to the genus Siyillaria. These 

leaves are broad and rather thin, but seldom flattened, the circumstances of preservation having been such as to keep them in nearly 

their original form. Some of the fragments are 20°"' or more in length, 

from 5-llmm in width, quite rigid, and tapering very gradually. From 

the fact that the decrease in width is hardly perceptible in specimens 

of 10-15cm long it is probable that the larger ones may have attained 

a length of 40-50°'" or more. The surface is covered with a thin, black, 

quite smooth, coaly covering in most of the specimens. The upper surface is characterized by a strongly marked, rather broad furrow 2-2£mm 

wide, the sides of which curve slightly downward to a rounded angle 

in the center or to a quite distinct fine rounded medial crease in most 

fragments where the coaly covering is removed. Under the lens the 

surface in the groove is rather distantly striated. Bordering the groove 

are two slender raised lines, one on each side, apparent on most of the 

specimens. These may be nerve bundles or ducts originating in the 

lateral cicatrices of the scar. From these lines to the margin the surface of the leaves is nearly flat or slightly curved upward, the only interruption being a fine line in slight relief from the parenchyma at a 

distance of about £-§mm from and parallel to the border. The lower 

surface of the leaves is marked by a carene about 2mm wide, the edge 

thin and rounded, though not raised very high. On either side of the 

carene is a well-defined crease, probably the stomatiferous crease de-
104 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

scribed by Eenault. A faint secondary crease is seen in some specimens 

situated just within the line near the border noted in the description of 

the upper surface. The latter, which is also quite distinct in a specimen belonging- to the same species in the museum collection from Murphysboro, Illinois, would seem to indicate the presence of a pair of 

nerves-near the border. Such a condition would, however, be contrary 

to the conclusions reached by Eenault from his researches in the internal structure of the lycopodiaceous leaves of the Coal Measures, as 

well as to the results of Kidston's examination of the group represented 

by Cyperites bicarinata L. '& H., 1 which he regards2 as uninerved, and 

belonging to Sigillaria or Lepidodendron. Enough is not yet known or 

described of the leaves of this group to make them of much assistance 

in the identification of species; and considering the known variation of 

proportions of the leaves in the different parts of the same tree it is not 

probable that great assistance can be expected from a special study of 

them. However, comparatively few have ever been illustrated or described. Of these, one of the specimens figured by Ettingshausen3 as 

Flabellaria Sternbergii, subsequently refigured by O. Feistmantel as 

belonging probably to Lepidophyllum,4 is much like our specimens. The 

general aspect of the leaves is much that of the one figured and referred 

to Lepidodendron by Lesquereux5 or the Lomatophloios macrolepidotum 

illustrated by Eenault in the Atlas to the Conmientry flora6 .

Several specimens from the Preston colliery, in Schuylkill county, 

Pennsylvauia; and from Murphysboro, Illinois, containing leaves between which and my specimens I can see no difference, are in the 

fossil-plant collection of the TJ. S. National Museum, but I have no 

satisfactory information as to their floral association on which to base 

more than a supposition as to the identified trunks to which they may 

have belonged.

Locality. Abundant at McClelland's shaft; rare in the shales from 

Carterville.

1 Fossil Flora, i, PI. XLIII, Figs. 1,2.

2 Proc. Koy. Phys. Soc. Ediiib., x, 1890-'91, p. 359.

3 Steinkohlenfl. Radnitz, PI. xxiv, Fig. 2.

4 Verst. bohin. Ablag.. n, PI. xx, Fig. 3, p. 43 (217). 

6 Geol. Surv. 111., n, Palajont., p. 455, PI. XLV, Fig. 6. 

6 Pl.'Lvm,Fig. 1.
WHITB.] GYMNOSPERM^E CORDAITE^ CORDAlTES. 105

II PHAKEKOGAMS. 

GYMNOSPERIVLZE.

COKDAITE^E.

COEDAITES, Unger. 1850.

CORDAlTES COMMUNIS Lx.

1878. Cordaites communis Lesquereux, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc.; xvn, p. 320. 1880: Lesquereux, Coal Flora, i, p. 534. 1880: Fontaine and I. C. White, Permian 

Flora, p. 18. 1890: G. Hambach, Bull. Geol. Surv. Mo., i, p. 85.

Leaves rather large, oblique at the stem, somewhat imbricated, varying in size, the largest reaching a length of 25cm or more and a breadth

of 4CI" or more, quite rapidly narrowed to the base, the borders generally slightly recurved; primary nerves, twenty-four to twenty-six per 

centimeter, distinct, especially on the under surface of the leaf, relatively strong, rounded; intermediate nerves, two to four, rather indistinct; "epidermis apparently minutely shagreened.

I am unable to find any difference between the abundant fragments 

of leaves occurring in the shales of McClelland's shaft and specimens of 

Cordaites communis from Clinton, the locality whence came the types 

described by Lesquereux in the Coal Flora. I have not seen the leaves 

attached to the stem nor examples of the peculiar fructification mentioned by Lesquereux. The density of the nervation remains constant, 

varying only from twenty-two to twenty-four primary nerves per centimeter in the middle portion of the blade, thus apparently constituting 

a definite character for the species in this region, although but little 

weight has generally been given by paleontologists to the density of 

the nervation of the leaves in determining the species of Cordaites. 

The same species is also represented by specimens from Van Buren, 

Arkansas, in the National Museum collection.

Relations. Cordaites communis appears to be closely related to C. 

lorassifolius (Sternb.) Ung., from which it was distinguished by Lesquereux by its smaller leaves, more rapidly narrowed to the base. Its 

nervation appears to be less dense. Small fragments of the leaves are 

suggestive of the foliage of C. principalis (G-erm.) Goepp., as figured by 

Heer1 and Sterzel.2 The leaves of C. principalis as generally described are 

rather smaller, with the primary nerves usually farther apart. The distinction between many of the American species and those of the old world 

Avill remain uncertain until foreign specimens are in hand for comparison. For stratigraphic purposes it will suffice to be content for the 

present Avith identifying the new material so far as possible with the 

types examined and identified by Lesquereux, Newberry, and Andrews.

1 M. foss. Helv., PI. i, Figs. 12-16.

2 PI. Eotbl. nordwestl. Sachsen, p. 32, PI. iv (xxiv), Figs. 1, 2.
106 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI.

Fragments of the leaves of C. serpens Lesq. are also similar to our species, but the primary nerves of the former are farther apart, while one 

of the secondary or intermediate nerves is stronger than the others. 

Locality. McOlelland's shaft; Aurora.

CORD AIT ES cf. COSTATUS Lx.

A few fragments of leaves are present which agree fairly well with 

the corresponding portions of Museum specimens of C. costatus described and illustrated by Lesquereux.1 The leaves are narrow occasionally appearing somewhat palinately divided. The primary nerves, 

eighteen to twenty per centimeter, are sharp, with four thin intermediate 

nerves. While my fragments appear to belong to the same species as 

the specimens in the Museum collection, I hesitate, in the absence of 

the characteristic stems with narrow carinate interrupted ridges decurring from the attachments of the leaves, to refer them definitely to that 

species.

Locality. McClelland's shaft.

COBDAIANTHUS Grand 'Eury. 1877.

CORDAIANTHUS, Species.

Ten specimens of the fruiting spikes of Gordaites, all belonging probably to the same species, are found in the material from Belleville. 

These are included in Grand 'Eury's division, laccifer, having ovules 

in the axils of foliaceous bracts along the raceme. The condition of 

preservation is not such as to allow a satisfactory specific identification 

or description. The spikes are long and slender, one of the specimens, 

both ends of which are broken away, still measuring 18cm in length. 

In width they are 12-15ram'. The axis, 2-3mm in diameter, is fibrous, 

slightly striate and somewhat zigzag, corresponding to the attachments of the ovules, and concave in the intervals, similar to the form 

of the axis in "heads" of wheat or rye. The fruit capsules are sessile, 

close, oblique to the axis, and arranged spirally. The bracts are short, 

slightly exceeding the ovule in the younger state, and apparently falling away when the fruit is more mature. The ovules are ovate-cordate 

about 5mra or 6 ilim in length, and 3ram or 4mra in width, and minutely 

striated. In form they resemble the Cordaianthus subgermarianus 

figured by Grand 'Eury2 or the Antholithus illustrated by Newberry, 3 

from Youngstown, Ohio, but in size and arrangement they must both 

have been nearer Grand 'Eury's Fig. 11, of Cordaianthus, on PI. xxvi,of 

the Loire flora. When broken longitudinally the appearance is much 

like the spikes seen in the Cordaicladus selenoides. Fig. 1, PI. xxv, of the 

latter work. Although I have not yet seen any specimens nor figures

»SeeProc. Am. Phil. Soc., xvn, 1878, p. 323, PI. LI, Figs. 1-3, and xvm, 1879, p. 222, PI. m, Figs. 1,2; 

Coal Flora, vol. n,p. 540, PL LXXX, Figs. 1-3, PI, LXXXVI, Figs. 1, 2.

*FL Garb. Loire, p. 232, PI. xxvi, Fig. 10.

8 Annals of Science, U, Cleveland, 1854, No. 1, p. 3, Fig. 2; Geol. Surv. Ohio, vol. I, pt. 2, Paleont., 

p. 363, PI. xu, Fig. 2.
WHITE.] GYMNOSPERMJfi CORDAITE^E COEDAICAUPUS. 107

anywhere agreeing with these very long, slender spikes with crowded 

ovules and short bracts, the latter often apparently absent, I have 

thought best not to describe them under a new name until seen in 

more abundant material or compared with other collections. 

Locality. McClelland's shaft.

COKDAICAEPTJS Geinitz. 1862.

COBDAICARPUS LINEATUS Lx. 

1884. Cordaicarpus lineatus Lesquereux, Coal Flora, in, p. 805, PI. cxi, Fig. 16.

Endotesta exactly coadate, about 8£ram long and 6J1 "" 1 wide in the 

broadest portion, 4lura thick, finely striated, the apex slightly elongated 

to form an acute or inucronate point, the edges rounded, the sides somewhat convex, the basal sinus distinct, marking the sides for a short 

distance in the lower portion by a shallow vanishing groove; sarcotesta of nearly the same form as the endotesta, except at the apices of 

the lobes, where it is'somewhat dilated or enlarged downward, about 

2mm thick at the edges of the endotesta at the middle, and 3""" or 3£ram 

thick at the base of the lobes, the medial sinus reaching nearly or quite 

to the base of the endotesta, which appears to be provided with a short 

pedicel passing into the chalaza.

Eemainsof several fruits are found, mingled with fragments of the 

leaves of Cordaites,in a specimen of dark laminated sandy shale from near 

Joplin. The more delicate vegetable tissue is carbonized. The fruits are 

replaced by rnarcasite. The best preserved fruit on the block represents 

the nucleus or endotesta, in marcasite, of a Cardiocarpus with its semicarbonized envelope or sarcotesta. The former is exactly cordate, acute 

or mucronate at the apex with the surface longitudinally striate. The 

structure of the coverings of the nucleus is not clear.

Although my specimen is somewhat smaller than the figure of Cordaicarpus lineatus Lx., given in the Coal Flora, 1 the nucleus or endotesta has the same form and character as in that species whose description was based entirely on the nucleus, and it is most probably identical with that, whether or not C. lineatiis-is a good species.

The outline of the nucleus itself is somewhat like Cardiocarpuspacliytesta Lx., as illustrated in Fig. 15, PI. cix of the Coal Flora, though 

not so broad in the upper part; or like G. zonulatus Lx., PL ex, Figs. 

14,15.

The profile in a lateral view in the endotesta is suggestive of several 

forms of fruits, such as the Cordaicarpus major, G. ovatus, and G. congruenSj figured by Grand 'Eury,2 dewberry's Cardiocarpon latum*- Cardiocarpum cornutum Daws,4 Cardiocarpus Ottonis Gutb.,5 C. Guibieri

'Vol.in, PI.cxi, Fig. 16,p.805. 

* Fl. Garb. Loire, PI. xxvi, Figs. 1C, 20,21.

3 Annuls ot Science, i, Cleveland, 1853, No. 13, p. 153, Fig. 3; Geol. Surv. Ohio, i, Pt. 2, Paleont., p. 372, PI. 

XLIII, Fig. 3.

« Foss. PI. Dev. and Upp. Sil. Can., 1871, p. 60, PI. xrx, Fig. 214. 

6 Verst. Kothl. Sachsen, 1849, p. 27, PL IX, Fig. 7.
108 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

Gem./ Cordaicarpus acuminatus E. and Z.,2 and G. sclerotesta Brongn.3 

It is most similar, however, to Cardiocarpum australe Carr.,4 and the 

G. emarginatum Brongn. figured by O. Feistinantel from the Coal 

Measures of Bohemia.5

The relative proportions of the envelope are somewhat like those seen 

in Cardiocarpon. ingens Lx.,6 or the C. latum of Newberry, except that 

the sarcotesta of our species is thinner near the apex, where it is apparently traversed for some distance at least by the elongated apex of 

the endotesta, while its lower portion is emarginate at the base, as in 

G. ingens, in dewberry's G. samarceforme 1 or Dawson's G. cornutum, and 

the G. emarginatum above referred to. The thickening of the envelope 

in the lobes is comparable to that seen in G. Baileyi Daws.,8 G, Sarveyi 

Lx., 9 or the C. sclerotesta minor figured by Brongniart in his beautiful work on the Silicified Fruits. 10

Cordaites is now one of the best known of the Paleozoic plants, its 

trunk, including the pith Artisia and Sternbergia, having been recog 

nized and studied histologically as Dadoxylon Endl. (Araucarites 

Goepp.) and Cordaioxylon Gr. 'E., the branches as Cordaicladus Gr. 'E., 

the leaves as Cordaites (Pyncnophyllum Brougn.), Dory-Cordaites Gr. 

'E., Poa-Cordaites Gr.'E., Dictyo-Cordaites Dn., and Scuto-Cordaites B. 

and Z., the inflorescences as Cordaiantkus (Antholithus L. & H.) and 

Cordaistrobus Lesq., and the fruits Cordaicarpus Gr. ;E. (Cyolocarpus 

and Jordania Goepp. and Eiedler), and Cordaispermum Gr. 'E. To this 

type most authors now refer the whole or the greater part of the 

genus Cardiocarpon Brongn. The argument for the relationship of 

Cardiocarpon to the Cycadacece was forcibly presented by Dr. Newberry 

in his Report on the Fossil Plants in the Paleontology of Ohio. 11 The 

combined researches of several authors have made known the structure of both the male and female flowers of Cordaites, the pollen, the 

fertilization of the ovules, and the developmental stages of the Gordaicarpus (or Cardiocarpon), specimens of which have been found still attached to stems with leaves.

Relations. Cordaicarpus lineatusTjx. most closely resembles C. acuminatus E. and Z., C. australe Carr. sp., and probably C. emarginatus 

Brongn. It is possible that it may belong to the first of these species, the 

faint striation being only the result of abrasion or erosion of the ligneous 

endotest. The latter is described as having the lateral borders straight.

1 Geinitz: Verst. Steink. Sachsens, PI. xxi, Fig. 23 (not 24, 25); Von Koehl, Foss. Fl. Steink. Westpbalens, p. 153, PI. xxn, Fig. 12; KicUtou, Foss.' Fl. Eadstock Ser., p. 403, PI. xxiu, Fig. 5. 

2 F1. foss. Commentry, atlas, PI. LXXII, Fig. 8.

s Ad. Brongniart, Graines foss. silicif., 1881, PI. n, Fig. 1: Eenault and Zeiller, 1, c., Fig. 3. 

4 Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc. London, xxvin, 1872, p. 356, PI. xxvn, Fig. 4. . * Verst. bohm. Kohlenablag., n, 1875, p. 40 (221), PI. xx, Figs. 4-6.

6 Geol. Surv. Ark., H, 1860, PI. iv, Figs. 4, 4a ; Coal Flora, Atlas, 1879, PI. LXXXV, Figs. 34, 35.

7 Newberry, op. cit., p. 375, PI. XLIII, Figs. 11, lla. 

s Dawson, op. cit., p. 60, PI. xix, Fig. 219.

9 Coal Flora, m, PI. Cix, Fig. 22.

10 PI. A, Fig. 6.

11 Geol. Surv. Ohio, vol. i, pt. 2, 1873, p. 370.
WHITE.] DIFFICULTIES IN COEEELATION. 109

It appears rather broader and smooth. The envelope or sarcotest is 

unknown in this and Carruther's species, which is described as having "a ridge running along one side of the fruit within and parallel to 

the edge." C. emarginatum Brongn. has the nucleus more ovate and 

the sarcotesta much thicker, especially above, while C. Gufbieri Gein. 

is much broader, thinner, with the endotest less acute, not so distinctly 

cordate at the base, the sarcotest being thin and rounded. C. latum 

Newb. sp. and G. major Gr. 'E. have their endotestae broader, that 

of the former being less distinctly mucronate, with a line from the 

loAver part to the summit, while the endotesta of the latter is less deeply 

cordate. C. zonulatus Lx. often has a central depression on the 

smooth nucleus, the sarcotest thickened above and prolonged downward at the base, and C. pachytesta Lx. has the envelope rounded and 

connivent above and prolonged below, the endotesta being larger, with 

a long slender pedicel. None of these are described as having a thinly 

striated nucleus or endotesta like that of C. lineatus.

Locality. North end of the Bay state lease, Oswego, Joplin, Jasper 

county.

RESULTS.

DIFFICULTIES IN CORRELATION OF WESTERN TERRANES WITH EASTERN SERIES BY MEANS OF FOSSIL PLANTS.

Two obstacles are most important in preventing a satisfactory determination of the age of the plants and the correlation of their containing 

terranes with others whose stratigraphical position has been determined. 

The first one is the want of even a single paleobotanical section of the 

trans-Mississippi deposits with Avhich to compare our flora. With the 

exceptions of the flora from near the base of the Lower Coal-measures 

in Henry county, Missouri, and a supposed subconglomerate flora from 

Washington county, Arkansas, the floras of the entire Carboniferous 

series in the great western regions are essentially unknown. Although 

plant-bearing horizons have been reported in the different state publications as occurring at various localities in the Lower, Middle, and 

Upper Coal-measures of the traus-Mississippi states, no one has ever 

examined them, I believe, nor have we so much as a published list of 

the species from any fixed horizon.1 Considering these circumstances 

it is very earnestly hoped that geologists in these states will cooperate 

in procuring and identifying plants from as many fixed horizons, and 

localities in those horizons, as possible, in order to work out the floral 

associations and characteristics of the various stages in the different 

ascertained sections of the Coal-measures, with a view to their final

1 Two apparent exceptions to this are the two small collections identified by Lesquereux from Ottawa 

and Osage city, Kansas, whose strati graphic position is only indefinitely indicated; and a few plants 

described by the same author in 1860 from Jenny Lind and James Fork, Arkansas, considered by him 

to be subconglomerate, but which appear on a careful analysis to belong to the true Coal-measures. 

However, it is evident that these two isolated fragments, whose position and relation to the entire 

series i» hardly approximately fixed, can at best be of very slight correlative value.
110 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98

utilization in constructing standard paleobotanical sections of the Carboniferous in those areas.1

The second difficulty lies in the unreliability of the recorded geographical distribution of the species and of the geological position assigned 

to some of the localities, seriously impairing the homotaxial trustworthiness of our Carboniferous flora except within broad limits. This 

has already been suggested in the discussion of several species.

No close or accurate correlation, by means of paleobotany, of Carboniferous plant beds in the eastern or western areas can be accomplished until a close study of the plants shall have been made on the 

basis of their exact stratigraphical occurrence as well as from the 

standpoint of systematic botany, and it will always be useless to 

attempt to employ the fossil floras of any region in determining precise 

stages until they shall have been collected and studied by horizons in 

the same sedimentary basin or general region. It is not enough to 

collect and label fossil plants merely by localities; the flora of each 

horizon in the section should be collected and studied by itself. The 

methods so often followed by the paleobotanist must be exchanged for 

the minute and exact method of the best paleozoologist if the paleobotany 

of the Carboniferous or any other series is to fulfill its capacity for 

usefulness and receive the recognition that the paleontology of so comprehensive, highly differentiated and sensitive a class of organic life 

deserves.

Lack of confidence in the recorded .distribution and range of the 

species, in view of known errors in geological and geographical distribution, as well as the want of actual knowledge of the floras of more 

horizons, whose stratigraphical relations to the series in a given region 

has been ascertained, makes it too often impossible to determine the 

age of any undetermined horizon in the eastern region with more precision than to indicate the group to which it belongs. The inaccuracy 

and liability to error involved in attempting definitely to correlate 

isolated horizons at so remote distances as Missouri, Arkansas, or 

Texas, with eastern paleontological sections, even when the latter are 

good, is a common experience among paleontologists.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES.

o

Being in the present case dependent almost wholly on such data as 

have been published on the floras of the Carboniferous in the eastern 

states, I have attempted to reach only some general conclusion as to 

the probable age of the outliers by consulting the recorded distribution 

of the species. The following list, compiled chiefly from the Coal Flora, 

gives their geographical and geological range as stated by various authors. I have not attempted to revise the geological assignment of the 

localities according to more recent geological researches, except in a

1 The incompleteness of the botanical record, even in the. eastern area.8, will be roughly indicated in 

the discussion of the distribution of the species.
WHITE.] DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. Ill

few cases, deeming such errors as remain to be relatively unimportant 

when seeking, as in the present case, only the series to which the terranes belong, rather than their approximate horizon. 1

CALAMITES RAMOSUS Artis.

XI. Sulconglomerate, Helena, Ala. [Lesq.], (XII?); Centerville, Tenn. [Lesq.], 

(XII?); Ark. [Lesq.] (XII? or XIII?).

XII. Conglomerate Series, Campbell's Ledge, near Pl'ttston, Pa. [I. C. W. Lesq.]; 

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio [Lesq. Newby.].

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, B. Mazon creek", Morris, Colchester, Murphysboro, 

111. [Lesq.], C. Darlington bed, Cannelton, Pa. [I. C. W. Lesq.] ; D. Duquoin, 111. 

[Lesq.], D. or E. Ky. [Lesq.], (?) 500 feet above Millstone Grit, near Gadsden, Ala. 

[Russell Lesq.],(?)OsageCity,Lawrence,Ottawa,Kau8. [Lesq.](XV?),R. I. [Lesq.].

Anthracite Series, D. or E. Brown's coll., near Pittston, Pa. [Lesq.]; E. Butter 

mine, Pittston, Pa. [Lesq.]; E. or F. Wilkesbarre, Pa. [Lesq.]; F. ? Orchard-mine vein 

[Lesq.]; M. Gate and Salem vein, Pottsville, Pa. [Lesq.].

Middle Coal Measures, Nova Scotia [Daws.].

ANNULARIA STELLATA (Schloth.) H. C. Wood.

X. Pocono, Berea, Ohio [Lesley].

XII. Conglomerate Series, Campbell's ledge, Pittston, Pa. [I. C. W. Lesq.].

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, B. Murphysboro, Mazon'creek, Colchester, 111, [Lesq.] ; 

Ky. [Lesq.]; C. Darlington bed, Cannelton, Pa. [I. C. W. Lesq.]; Clinton, Mo. 

[Lesq.]; D. Duquoin, 111. [Lesq.].

XIV. Lower Barren Measures, 20 feet below Pittsburg coal, Wheeling, W. Va. [F. 

& W.].

XV. Upper Coal Measures, St. Clairsville, Ohio [Lesq.].

XVI. Permo-Carboniferotis, roof shales of Wa,ynesburg coal, Cassville, W. Va. [I. 

C. W. F. &W.].

Anthracite Series, G. Shamokin, Butler dam, Pittston, Pa. [Lesq.]; E. or F. Port 

Griffith R. R. cut, Pittston, Pa. [Lesq.]; F. Oakwood coll., Pittston, Pa. [Lesq.]; 

G. Olyphant, Pa. [Lesq.].

ANNULARIA SFHENOPHYLLOIDKS (Zenk.) Gutb.

XII. Conglomerate Series, Campbell's ledge, Pittston, Pa. [I. C. W. Lesq.].

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, B. Miirphysboro, Mazon creek, Morris, Colchester, 

111. [Lesq.]; C. Darlington beds, Caunelton, Pa. [I. C. W. Lesq.]; Clinton, Mo. 

[Lesq.]; (?) Jenny Lind, .Tames Fork, Ark. [D. W. Lesq.]; Centerville, Tenn. 

[Lesq.]; R. I. [Lesq.]; Ind. [C. A. W.[; Pa. [Lesq.]; Lawrence, Kans. [Lesq.].

XIV. Loioer Barren Measures, 20 feet below Pittsburg coal, Wheeling, W. Va. [F. 

&W.].

XV. Upper Coal Measures, Pomeroy, 0. ["G" of Lesq.].

XVI. Permo-Carboniferous, Roof shales of Waynesburg coal, Cassville, W. Va. [I. 

C. W. F. & W.].

i In the following catalogue of distribution, when the names of two authors, separated by a dash, 

occur within the brackets, it will be understood that the last named is authority for the identification 

of the species in that particular locality, while the first named fs responsible for the age assigned to 

the deposit. The Koman numbers are those used by the Geological Survey of Pennsylvania. In each 

division or group the localities which have been referred to some horizon are given first. The interrogation points in parentheses indicate that tlte stages or- horizons of the following localities are 

unknown. They do not imply doubt as to the occurrence of the species at a given point. The Roman 

numbers in parentheses with interrogations are used to suggest a different group, as apparently indicated by published flora. Errors will doubtless be found by geologists in the field, and such corrections 

or criticisms as they may give will in the end, I trust, be conducive to a better understanding of the 

Carboniferous flor*.
112 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

Anthracite Series, A. Shamokin [Lesq.]; E. or F. Port Griffith [Lesq.]; G. 

Plainsville [Lesq.]; M. Pottsville, Tremont [Lesq.]. 

Upper and Middle Coals, No\ra Scotia [Daws.].

SPHENOPHYLLUM: CUNEIFOLIUM (Sternb.) Zeill. (=S. erosum.)

XII. Conglomerate Series, Cuyahoga Falls, O. [Lesq.]; Talmadge, O. [Lesq. 

Newby.]; Centerville, Tenn. [Lesq.] (XIII ?).

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, C. : Clinton, Mo. [Lesq.].

XV. Upper Coal Measures, Pittsburg coal at St. Clairsville, 0. [Lesq.].

Middle Coal Formation, Nova Scotia [Daws.].

SPHENOPHYLLUM MAJUS Bronn.

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, B. Spring Creek, Ind. [Lesq.]; Mazon Creek, 111. 

[Lesq.]; C. Clinton, Mo. [Lesq.]; Darlington bed, Cannelton, Pa. [Lesq.]; (?) 

James Fork, Ark. [D. W. Lesq.]; R. I. [Lesq.].

XV. Upper Coal Measures,/G. Barnesville, 0. [Lesq.].

XVI. Permo-Carboniferous, Roof shales, Waynesburg coal, Cassville and West 

Union, W. Va. [F. and W.].

Anthracite Series, E. or F. Port Griffith; Wilkesbarre, Pa. [Lesq.]. 

Upper and Middle Coal Measures, Nova Scotia [Daws.].

PINNULARIA ep. 

Not characteristic of any horizon or group.

DIPLOTHMEMA GENICULATUM (Germ. & Kaulf.) Stur.

Middle Carboniferous and transition to Upper Carboniferous of England, Saxony, 

and Bohemia.

MARIOPTERIS (PSEUDOPECOPTERIS) MAZONIANA Lesq. sp. 

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, B. Mazon Creek, 111. [Lesq.].

MARIOPTERIS (PSEUDOPECOPTERIS) DECIPIENS Lesq. sp.

XL Subcon glomerate, Dade Co., Ga. [Lesq.] (XII?); Helena Coal Mines, Ala. [Lesq.] 

(XII?).

XIII. Loiver Coal Measures. James Fork, Jenny Lind, Ark. [D. W. Lesq.]; Van 

Bureu, Ark: [D. W.]. D.orE. Sullivan Co., Ind. [Lesq.].

Anthracite Series, A. Shamokin, [Lesq.]; F. ? Oakwood Colliery, Wilkesbarre, 

[Lesq.].

Middle Coal Formation, Nova Scotia [Daws.].

SPHENOPTERIS OBTUSILOBA Brongn.

X. Pocono, NewRiA-er, W. Va. [Lesq.].

XI. Subconglomerate, West Va. [Lesq.].

XII. Conglomerate Series, Cuyahoga Falls, 0. [Lesq.] ; Campbell's Ledge, Pittston, 

Pa. [Lesq.].

XIII. Loiver Coal Measures, B. Colchester, 111. [Lesq.]; C. Clinton, Mo. [Lesq.]; 

(?) Jenny Lind, Ark. [D. W. Lesq.].

Anthracite Series, F. ? Oakwood coll., Wilkesbarre, Pa. [Lesq.]. 

Middle Coal Formation^ Nova Scotia [Daws.].
WHITE.] DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 113 

SPHENOPTERIS MACILENTA L. & H.

XI (?). Black Lick seam, Jefferson Co., Ala., along the Black Creek, near Gadsden, Ala. [Lesq.] (XII?)5 (?) Ark. [Lesq.] (XIII?). 

' XII. Conglomerate Series, W. Va. [F. & W.].

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, C. Clinton, Mo. [Lesq.]; Cannelton, Pa. [Lesq.].

SPHENOPTERIS LACOEI D. White. 

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, Clinton, Mo. [D. W.]; Cannelton, Pa. [D. W.].

SPHENOPTERIS HILDKETI Lesq. 

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, Union, Greenup, and Carter Cos., Ky. [Lesq.].

SPHENOPTERIS, species.

* 

This form appears to be related to S. nummularia.

PECOPTEKIS DENTATA Brongn.

XII. Conglomerate Series, Campbell's Ledge, Pittston, Pa. [Lesq.]; Cuyahoga 

Falls, 0. [Lesq. Newby.].

XIII. Loiver Coal Measures, B. Morris, Mazon Creek, Colchester, 111. [Lesq.]; C. 

Clinton, Mo. [Lesq.]; Darlington, Pa. [I. C. W. Lesq.]; D. Duquoin, 111. 

[Lesq.]; (?) R. I. [Lesq.].

XIV. Lower Barren Measures, 20 feet below Pittsburg coal, near Wheeling, W. 

Va. [F. & W.].

XV. Upper Coal Measures, G. Pomeroy, O. [Lesq.].

XVI. Permo-Carboniferous, Roof shales of Waynesburg coal at Cassville, W. Va. 

[F. &W.].

Anthracite Series, D. or E. Brown's coll., Pittston [Lesq.]; G. Olyphant [Lesq.]. 

Middle Coal Formation, Nova Scotia [Daws.].

(?) PECOPTERIS TZNITA Brongn.

The species to which our specimens are most closely related, perhaps being identical, has a record of distribution as follows:

XIII. Lower Coal Measure?, B. Mazon Creek, Colchester, Grape Creek, 111. [Lesq.]. 

Union Co., Ky. [Lesq.]; C. Darlington bed, Cannelton, Pa. [Lesq.]; D. Duquoin, 

111. [Lesq.] E. Buchtel, 0. [Lesq.]; (?) R. I. [Lesq.].

Anthracite Series, D. or E. Brown's coll., Pittston [Lesq.]; E. or F. Stanton and 

Empire mines, Wilkesbarre [Lesq.] ; Port Griffith [Lesq.]; F. ? Wilkesbarre [Lesq.]; 

G. Olyphant [Lesq.] ; M. Gate and Salem veins, Pottsville [Lesq.].

Middle and Upper Carboniferous, Nova Scotia [Daws.].

PECOPTERIS LESQUEREUXII D. White.

Perhaps identical with forms indentified as P. aspidioides from Rhode Island 

(XIII). It belongs to the group including P. arborescens, P. cyathea, etc.

NEUROPTERIS FIMBRIATA Lesq.

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, B. Mazon Creek, Murphysboro, Morris, 111. [Lesq.]; 

C. Darlington bed, Cannelton, Pa. [Lesq.]; E. Buchtel, O. [Lesq.]; (?) Jenny 

Lind, Ark. [D. W. Lesq.].

XV. Uppei- Coal Measures, G. St.Clairsville, Athens, O. [Lesq.]; (?) Marietta, 0. 

[Lesq.].

XVI. Permo-Carboniferous, Roof shales of Waynesburg coal, Carmichael's, Pa. 

[F. &. W.]; W. Va. [I. C. W. F. & W.]. 

Bull. 98 8
114 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

Anthracite Series, D. or E. Brown's colliery, Pittston [Lesq.]; E. Bntler mine, 

Pittston [Lesq.]; F. ? Oakwood coll., Wilkesbarre [Lesq.]; G. Olyphant [Lesq]; 

M. Gate vein, New Philadelphia [Lesq.] ; Pottsville [Lesley].

NEUROPTERIS SCHEUCHZERI Hoft'm.

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, B. Morris, Murphysboro, Mazon Creek, Colchester, HI. 

[Lesq.]; Spring Creek, Ind. [Lesq.]; Union Co., Ky. [Lesq.]; C. Darlington bed, 

Cannelton, Pa. [Lesq.] ; Clinton, Mo. [Lesq.] ; D. or E. Sullivan Co., Ind. [Lesq.]; 

(?) Shirley Knob, Cass township, Pa. [I. C. W.]; R. I. [Lesq.]; Ottawa, 111. 

[Lesq.]; Jenny Lind, James Fork, Ark. [D. W. Lesq.]; Ottawa, Osage City, 

Kans. [Lesq.]; Mansfield, Mass. [Marcou].

XIV. Lower Barren Measures, 20 feet below Pittsburg coal, near Wheeling, W.Va. 

[F. & W.] ; ? Bellaire, 0., 20 feet below Pittsburg coal [F. & W.].

XV. Upper Coal Measures, G. St. Clairsville, Porneroy, O. [Lesq.] ; Pittsburg coal, 

near mouth Redstone Creek, Pa. [Lesley].

XVI. Permo-Carboniferous, W. Va. [F. & W.].

Anthracite Series, A. Shamokin; C. Ontario coll., Pittston; D. Carbon Hill tunnel; 

D. or E. Bro\vn's coll., Pittston; E. Yatesville; F. Wilkesbarre; G. Olyphant, M. 

Gate Vein, Pottsville, Pa. [all Lesq.].

NEUROPTERIS JENNEYI D. White.

Nearest related to N. Scheuchzeri, but with a facies somewhat Odontopteroicl, comparable to 0. Wortheni.

NEUROPTERIS RARINERVIS Btmb.

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, B. Murphysboro, Mazou Creek, Morris, Grape 

Creek, 111. [Lesq.]; Union Co., Ky. [Lesq.]; C. Cannelton, Pa. [Lesq.]; Clinton, 

Mo. [Lesq.]; Kittarming coal, W. Va. [F. & W.]; D. Duquoin, 111. [Lesq.].

XIV. Lower Barren Measures, 20 feet below the Pittsburg coal, near Wheeling, 

W.Va. [F. & W.].

Anthracite Series, E. Yatesville; E. or F. Wilkesbarre; F. Wilkesbarre; G. Olyphant, Pa. [Lesq.].

Middle Carboniferous, Cape Breton [Bunb.]; Nova Scotia [Daws.].

NEUROPTERIS CAUDATA D. White. 

Nearest related to N. Loshii, as seen in specimens from the Kittanning.

NEUROPTERIS FLEXUOSA Sternb.

X. Pocono, Lewis tunnel, W. Va. [Lesq. Font.].

XL? Sttbconglomemte, New river, W. Va. [Font.] (XII?).

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, B. Murphysboro, Mazon Creek, Morris, 111. [Lesq.]; 

C. Cannelton, Pa. [I. C. W. Lesq.]; Kittanning coal, W. Va. [F. & W.]; (?) near 

base of series at Dudley, Pa.; Shirley Knob, Pa. [I. C. W.].

XIV. Lower Barren Measures, 20 feet below the Pittsburg coal, near Wheeling, W. 

Va. [F. &. W.].

XVI. Permo-Carboniferous, Roof shales of Waynesburg coal, West Union, W. Va. 

[F. & W.]; Carmichaers, Pa. [F. & W.].

NEUROPTERIS TENUIFOLIA (Schloth.) Sternb.

XI. Subconglomerate, W. Va. [Lesq.]; Chester group, 111. [Lesq.]; Tracy City 

and Lower Sewanee, Tenn. (Lesq.]; Male's Coal, Ark. [Lesq.] (XII?).

XII. Conglomerate Series, Tipton Run, Pa. [I. C. W.].
WHITE.] DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES. 115

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, B. Murphysboro, Mazon Creek, Morris, Colchester, 111. 

[Lesq.]; C. Cannelton, Pa. [Lesq.]; Clinton, Mo. [Lesq.]; D. or E. Ky. [Lesq.] (?) 

Jenny Lind, James Fork, Ark. [D. W. Lesq.]; E. I. [Lesq.]; Tuecaloosa, Ala. 

[Bunb.].

XV. Upper Coal Measures, G-. St. Clairsville, O. [Lesq.].

Anthracite Series, A. Shamokin; E. orF. Wilkesbarre; G. Olyphant, Pa. [all Lesq.].

NEUROPTERIS cf. XTRICHOMANOIDES Brongt.

Quite different from specimens of N. trichoinanoides Lesq. from Qannelton, though 

corresponding closely to the figures and descriptions of foreign specimens under that 

name.

NEUROPTERIS DILATATA (L. &. H.) Lesq.

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, Clinton, Mo. [D. W.]. 

XV. Upper Coal Measures, Pomeroy, O. [Lesq. Lyell].

NEUROPTERIS, species.

Related to N, trichomanoides, and possibly representing cyclopterid pinnules of 

N.-jlcxuosa or N. tenuifolia.

DlCTYOPTERIS SQUARROSA Ett. Sp.

Middle Carboniferous of Europe.

APHLEBIA ARBORESCENS Lesq. sp.

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, B. Morris, 111. [Lesq.]; (?) Mo. [Hambach].

SIGILLARIA, species.

Apparently identical with specimens from Murphysboro, 111., and Preston coll., 

Schuylkill Co., Pa.

CORDAITES COMMUNIS Lesq.

XI. Waverlij Sandstone, Rushville, 0. [Lesq.].

XIII. Lower Coal Measures, Darrlingtonbeds, Pa. [Lesq.]; C. Clinton, Mo.[Lesq.].

CORDAITES cf. COSTATDS Lesq.

C. coslatus has as yet been identified, I believe, only from the Kittanning (Lower 

Coal Measures) at Cannelton.

CORDAIANTHUS, Species.

Of no correlative value.

CORDAICARPUS LINEATUS

XI. Subconglomerate, Ark. [Lesq.]. (XII ? or XIII?). 

XIII. Lower Coal Measures. C. Cannelton. Pa. [Lesq.].

WHITE.] AGE OF THE BEDS. 117

AGE OF THE OUTLIERS AS DETERMINED BY THE DISTRIBUTION AND 

FACIES OF THE FLORA.

A brief inspection of the tabulated summary of the twenty-two species recorded from other regions shows the occurrence in the Lower 

Coal-measures of all the old species of our flora, though only four, less 

than one-fifth, are confined thereto. Three are said to occur in the Pocono or Waverly and eight, or a little more than one-third, in the Subconglomerate. Only nine, including five of the above, are recorded in 

the Conglomerate series, or Interconglomerate, though there is probably confusion between xi and xn, some geologists believing several 

of the plant beds referred to in the Coal Flora under xi to belong in 

reality to xn. However this may be, it is clear that, so far as known, 

less than one-half of our species occur below the Lower Productive Measures. Six only are reported from the Lower Barren Measures, a singularity doubtless due to ignorance of the flora of that series, as will be 

explained later. But nine species have been described from the Upper 

Coal-measures or Monongahela river series, and seven species, all but one 

the same as in the preceding column, are also reported from the PerraoCarbouiferous, above the Waynesburg coal. However, six of the plants 

which5 appear in the Upper or Pertno-Carboniferous, having survived 

the deposition of the Barren Measures, are also included aaiong those 

occurring below the Lower Productive Measures (xm). These species, 

of great vertical distribution, can therefore be of little assistance in correlation. The remaining six .species which have been found below the 

Lower Coal-measures have all a distribution also within xm. This 

ancient element is, however, fully counterbalanced by that occurring 

in xv and xvi, of which four species have not been found below xin, 

while eight, perhaps more, do not go below the Conglomerate series 

(xn), and this without taking into consideration the time interval and 

the almost unknown flora represented by the Barren Measures (xiv). 

Judging, therefore, by the recorded distribution in the bituminous regions, the identity of our flora is evidently with that of the Lower Coalmeasures (xin).

Passing now to the anthracite region, we find five represented in 

the lower coals, eight in coal G of the Olyphant section, and five 

in the Gate and Salem veins of the upper anthracite. The largest 

representation, twelve species, is, however, in coals D, E, and F of this 

series, and taking this into account, together with the affinity of the 

flora of the Olyphant horizon (G-), the. age of our flora, judged by the 

recorded anthracite distribution, would be apparently synchronous 

with E or F of the anthracite series, a horizon higher than that indicated strictly by the recorded distribution in the bituminous series.

Eeturning again to the distribution in the Lower Coal-measures of 

the bituminous fields, it is of some interest to see in what horizon the 

greater number of species appear to be represented, though the con-
118 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

elusions that may be drawn from such a comparison are of little actual 

value. We find fourteen species in the coal B at Mazon creek, Morris, 

etc., in Illinois, eighteen in the Middle Kittanning (0) at Cannelton, 

Pennsylvania, or its supposed chronologic equivalent at Clinton, according to Lesquereux, while nine come from coal D or E in Illinois and Kentucky. The percentage of identity with the Cannelton-Clinton flora is 

very striking, comprising eighteen out of twenty-two old species, and 

furnishes a strong argument for considering our-flora as of nearly the 

same age, i. e., about the middle of the Lower Coal-measures.

But the materials for the distribution of our coal flora are as yet too 

scanty to warrant great faith in mere percentages and numerical identities. Until the floras of all the stages of all the Coal-measures shall 

have been worked out systematically from a greater range of localities 

proofs by numerical comparisons will always be liable to mislead. 

Other things being equal, a flora from a horizon but little known paleobotanically will, in correlating on the numerical basis, be attracted 

towards the nearest allied flora that is relatively well known, though the 

horizon may be quite different. Fragmental floras derived more or less 

remotely-from the same horizon may seem to have more in common with 

the developed flora of an entirely different stage than with each other. 

It may even happen that none of the small collections contain or represent the floral associations really more characteristic of that horizon. 

As yet the flora of no horizon or series in the bituminous coal fields, 

except, perhaps, the Permo-carboniferous, has been systematically 

studied and published. Only a few horizons have been specially 

worked, and these have been examined only in single localities or restricted vicinities. The collections of Mr. Lacoe from Campbell's ledge 

(xn) in the anthracite area, of Mr. I. F. Mansfield from the Darlington 

bed, just above the Middle Kittanning, at Cannelton, Pennsylvania, 

the collection from the Mazon creek horizon (B) at that place arid at 

Colchester, Murphysboro, and Morris, Illinois, and the collections made 

by Dr.- Britts from the Lower Coal Measures in the neighborhood of 

Clinton, Missouri, developing these respective floras in isolated regions, 

are loadstones toward which the new floras of unexplored horizons or 

of remote regions, when developed in a different environment, are inevitably attracted, for want of a relatively equal elaboration of a more 

closely allied flora, coming either from the same horizon or one stratigraphically nearer. No paleozoologist of good standing will insist that 

collections made from one or two strata in a single locality, or even a 

narrow area, represent the fauna existing under various conditions 

throughout a complex group of great geographical extent. Owing to 

the greater bulk of the specimens and the greater labor of collecting 

them, it is seldom that a collection of fossil plants includes more than 

a portion of the flora of the locality where they are obtained.

Without stopping to discuss the meager materials, representing local 

floras, from various regions in the Conglomerate (xn) and subjacent
WHITE.] LACK OF PALEONTOLOGICAL DATA. 119

series, the stratigraphical relations of whose habitats are not yet understood or agreed upon, a brief review of the work done on the paleobotanically more important portion of the series is sufficient to indicate in 

the most general way the fragmentary condition of our knowledge of 

the floras of the various stages and regions of the American Coal-measures. In Pennsylvania, whose Carboniferous paleobotany is best 

known, the only flora that has been published from any horizon in 

the whole bituminous measures above the Conglomerate series is that 

of the shales just below the Middle Kittanning, and this is known only 

from collections made at Cannelton, though the horizon is said to be 

nearly always well filled with good plant remains. A few plants from 

the Permo-Carboniferous (xvi) of this state are described in Fontaine 

and I. C. White's Permian Flora. In "West Virginia only a few species 

from the Kittanmg and Upper Freeport (xm) ? mostly without localities, mentioned in the above work, are known between the Conglomerate series (xn) and a horizon twenty feet below the Pittsburg coal. The list of plants, about thirty in number, from the latter 

stage at a single locality, Wheeling, constitutes essentially all that is 

published of the entire flora of the Barren Measures (XIV) throughout 

their extent. A few unimportant fragmentary lists from the Lower 

Coal-measures and the Upper Coal-measures represent all the species 

known from any stage betAveen the Subcarboniferous and the PermoCarboniferous of that state. Nothing is known of the plants above 

xili in Indiana or Kentucky, although higher horizons are present 

here as well as in Tennessee, whose Paleozoic flora above the Conglomerate series is supposed to be wholly unknown. .Nothing better can 

be said of Georgia or Alabama, except to mention a few plants which 

are definitely stated to belong to a horizon above the Millstone Grit, in 

the latter state, near Gadsden. The exploited flora of Illinois is practically limited to that of the Lower Coal-measures (xm), only about 

twenty species having been described among four localities of uncertain position in the Upper Coal-measures. Passing westward and southward, we find that essentially nothing is known of the floras of the entire thickness of the Carboniferous in Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Indian 

Territory, and Texas, with the exception of a flora, mostly without 

definite localities, recorded as Subconglomerate in Arkansas, and the 

plants collected in the vicinity of Clinton, in the Lower Coal-measures 

of Missouri.

It thus becomes quite probable that correlations made now on a basis 

of percentages may require serious revision when the floras of the 

respective stages, many of which are yet wholly unexplored, shall 

have been made known, by means of collections gathered from many 

and more widely distributed stations. We shall probably continue to 

find in the flora of any new region or horizon corresponding to a stage 

in xni or xiv the highest percentage of species identical or allied with
120 CARBONIFEROUS FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI. [BULL. 98.

the flora listed from Cannelton in Pennsylvania or that from the Morris 

horizon of Illinois, until the floras of the Freeport horizons, the Barren 

Measures (xiv), and the stages of the Upper Coal-measures (xv) are 

at least as well known, relatively, as those represented at Cannelton or 

Morris. Even the more ancient or more recent types can not have their 

proper weight until the presence or absence of those types in the intermediate or adjacent stages is more satisfactorily indicated by searching at various localities in those stages and studying the plants.

The occurrence of more ancient or modern types in a local flora is as 

liable, when used as coordinative evidence within too narrow limits, to 

lead to error as is correlation by percentages, and from the same remote 

cause. The best relative resul ts should be obtained by employing both 

methods.

While on the basis of numerical affinities our flora is largely identical 

with that from Clinton, it appears when considered as To its facies to 

present a rather more recent aspect. Although the round-pinnuled 

sphenopterids are present the lycopods are almost wholly absent. 

This may be due to the upland character of the flora, a condition 

that may otherwise disturb any arguments based on the aspect, or 

facies, of the flora. The number of neuropterids, comprising over one 

third of0 the flora, is very remarkable and may perhaps be due to the 

above circumstance. But the occurrence among them of several thicknerved species would seem to indicate a younger flora. No forms 

peculiar to the Lower Carboniferous are present, while the affinities of 

the new Pecopteris and Sphenopteris species are also among more recent 

forms. Finally, as a negative argument, may be mentioned the considerable number of forms which are either new species or which differ 

somewhat from anything described from the Lower Coal-measures, or 

found among the great quantities of material from the coals near Clinton, Henry County, now in my hands. It is not improbable that an 

exploration of the measures above the horizons at Clinton, all as yet 

wholly unknown, may reveal there new forms among the interesting 

but unstudied Middle and Upper Carboniferous floras of the transMississippi regions.

CONCLUSIONS.

The flora of the outliers in southern Missouri, so far as exhibited in 

these collections, is, as is indicated above, comprised chiefly of ferns, a 

number of which are new, while others have not been identified in this 

continent before. It is characterized by a. preponderance of neuropterids, the presence of several thick-pinnuled spenopterids, the scarcity 

of calamarian remains (unless we include Spenophyllum), and the almost 

entire absence of the Lycopodinew the only vestiges of the latter being 

the leaves of a single species.

From this examination of the identities and affinities of its species 

and their distribution, as well as from the facies and elements of the
WHITE.] CONCLUSIONS. 121

flora, the conclusion is reached that the plant-bearing terranes in question belong to the Lower Coal-measures, while the horizon indicated, 

though not proved by the flora as a whole, appears to be rather younger 

than that which has furnished the Clinton plants. If such be the case 

the lead and zinc ores of the region must have been deposited at some 

period subsequent to the formation of a stage probably about the middle of or in the upper half of the Lower Coal-ineasures.

PLATES

PLATE I

125
PLATE I.

DIPLOTHMEMA GENICULATUM (Germ. & Kaulf.) Stur. (pp. 44-46).

Figv 1. Fragment of compound pinna, natural size, 

la. Pinnule, enlarged two diameters. 

2. Segment from lower iu the frond, better indicating the subpalmate division

of the pinnules, natural size. 

2a Typical pinnule, enlarged two diameters.

SPHENOPXKRLS, species (pp. 59,60). 

Fig. 3. Small pinnse, .showing acorn-shaped pinnules.

SP.HENOPTKRI.S (PSEUDOPECOPTEIUS) MACILENXA L. & H. (pp. 55,56).

Fig. 4. Fragment of pinna, natural size.

4«. Similar fragment with detail of nervation, slightly enlarged.

MARIOPTERIS (PSEDDOPECOPXERIS) DECIPIENS Lx. sp. (pp. 47-52).

Fig. 5. Portion, of secondary (?) pinna, natural size.

5fl. Detail of ordinary pinnule, enlarged two diameters.

6. Pinna, with marginal wing, natural size.

7. Fragment of compound pinna, probably adjacent to a dichotomy, natural

size.

8. Apex of secondary pinna, natural size.

NEUROPTKIUS JENNEYI: n. sp. (pp. 82-84).

Fig. 7ft 1). Fragments of two pinnules, on same rock with Mariopleris decipiens, Fig. 

7, natural size.

126
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 98 PL I

DIPLOTHMEMA. MARIOPTERIS, SPHENOPTERIS, NEUROPTERIS.
PLATE II.

127
PLATE IT.

MARIOPTERIS (PSEUDOPECOPTER'IS) DECIPIENS Lx. sp. (pp. 47-52).

Fig. 1. Small pinna1 , natural size.

2. Fragment from compound pinna, with nervation, natural size.

3. Segment of compound pinna, natural size. 

3a. Pinnules, enlarged two diameters.

PECOPTERIS (ASTEKOTHECA) LESQUEREUXII n. sp. (pp. 65-67). 

Fig. 4. Portion of pinna, natural size.

SPHENOPTERIS LACOEI n. sp. (pp. 56-58).

Fig. 5. Fragment of compound pinna, natural size. 

5a. Pinnule, enlarged two diameters. 

6. Another pinnule, enlarged two diameters.

NEUROPTERIS JENNEYI n. sp. (pp. 82-84).

Fig. 7. Pinnule from low in the frond, natural .size.

8. Small rachial pinnule, natural size.

9. Pinnules on penultimate rachis between the ultimate pinnae, natural size.

10. Cyclopterid pinnule, natural size.

11. Large rachial pinnule, natural size.

12. Rachial pinnule, natural size.

128
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 98 PL. II

MARIOPTERIS, SPHENOPTERIS, PECOPTERIS, NEUROPTERIS.
PLATE III.

Bull, 98 9 129
PLATE III.

NEUROPTERIS JENNJKYI n. sp. (pp. 82-84).

Fig. 1. Portion of lobed pinnule, or ultimate pinna.

2. Upper part of a similar pinnule.

3. Top of secondary pinna.

4. Fragment on rock with Figs. 3 and 5.

5. Broad pinnule, showing the development of the basal lobes or pinnules.

6. Fragment from lower part of pinnule. 

6a. Pinnule slightly enlarged.

7. Dentate-crenulate tip of pinnule.

8. Pinnules from which the basal lobes or pinnules have fallen.

9. Top of average pinnule.

10. Small rachial (?) trilobate pinnule. 

All natural size.

130
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 93 PL. Ill

f-i

NEUROPTERIS.
PLATE IV.

131
PLATE IV.

NEUROPTERIS CAUDATA, n. *sp. (pp. 87-91).

Fig. 1. Pinna.

2. Typical pinnule.

3. Small pinna.

4. Base of pinnule.

5. Fragment from upper pinna.

6. Base of pinna, with elongated inferior pinnule.

7. Broad pinnules.

8. Basal portion of pinna.

9. Portion of middle secondary pinna.

NEUROPTERIS cf. TRICHOMANOIDES (Brongu.) Lx. (pp. 95,96),

Fig. 10. Fragmentary pinnule.

All natural size. 

132
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 98 PL. IV

NEUROPTERIS.
PLATE Y

133
PLATE V.

t 

NEUROPTERIS FLEXUOSA Sternb. (pp. 91-93).

Fig. 1. Upper part of secondary pinna.

2. Short pinna, resembling N. misHourieusis.

3. Tip of pinna.

4. Similar tip.

5. Tip of small pinna.

NEUROPTERIS, species (pp. 98,99).

Fig. 6. Cyclopterid pinnule, possibly belonging to the preceding species, associated 

with pinnules of the latter. It may represent the following species.

NEUROPTERIS RARINERVIS, Bunb. (pp. 85-87).

Fig. 7. Cyclopterid pinnule, apparently belonging to this species. 

All natural size.

134
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 98 PL. V

NEUROPTERIS.
INDEX.

[Pages on which descriptions of species occur are printed in black-faced type.]

A.

Alabama, extent of knowledge of coal flora

of.................................. 119

Algacites.................................. 101

Alicornopteris convoluta Kidst............ 102

Altitude of plant habitat.................. 11

AnnulariaSternb ...................... 25-85,43

brevifoliaBrongn................ 31,32,33,34

Emersoni Lx........................... 34

fertilis Sternb.......................... 25,28

Geinitzii Stur.......................... 26,28

inflata Lx.............................. 30

longifolia Brongn................... 25,27,30

microphylla Roomer................... 31

microphylla Sauveur................... 23,34

mucronata Schenk..................... 26,30

radiataBrongn................... 17,18,23,30

ramosa Stur......................... 17,23,28

ramosa Weiss................. 17,28,24,30.32

sarepontana Stur.................... 31,33,34

sphenophylloides (Zenk.) Gutb........30-82,

35,111,116 

spinulosa Sternb........ ............ 25

stellata (Sohlotb.) Wood............... 25-30,

32, 34, 111, 116 

westphalicaStur......... ........... 20,28

AntholithusL. andH.....................106,108

Aphlebiaa.................................. 63

AphlebiaPresl.......................... 101,108

arborescens (Lx.)............ 102-108,115,116

elongataZeill.......................... 103

flliciformis (Gutb.) Zeill..............102,103

Apparinee densius foliate Luidius......... 25

Araucarites Goepp......................... 108

ArchEBOcalamites Star ..................... 19,36

Arkansas, extent of work done on coal

flora in............................. 119

Artisia.................................... 108

Aspidites macilentus (L. and H.) Goepp.... 55

Asterocalamites Schimper ................ 19

Asterophyllites Brongn.................... 43

equisetiformis (Schloth.) Brongn....... 26

foliosueLebour........................ 24

Jackson ............................... 26

longifolius (Sternb.) Binney............ 26

(f) Morton............................. 26

tnberculata(Sternb.) Brongn........... 26

westphalicusStur...................... 26,28

relations to sphenophyllum ............ 35

Anrbra, occurrence of plants at............ 12

B.

Bay State lease, occurrence of plants at.... 12

Belleville, occurrence of plants at.......... 11

BorniaSternb ...........................19,25,35

stellata Sternb......................... 25

Bristow land, occurrence of plants on...... 12

Britts, J. H., acknowledgments to......... 16

collection of plants from Clinton, Mo.. 118 

Bruckmannia tuberculata Sternb........ 26,28,30

Burlington limestone, relations of to outlying coal basins......... ......... 12

C. 

Calamarite...............................17-48,35

CalamitesSuokow.......................... 17-25

nodosus Schloth........................ 17,24

ramifer Stur....................20,24,25,32, 35

ramosusArtis............... 17-25,32,111,116

SnckowiiBrougn ....................22,24,25

nndulatusSternb ...................... 25

(Eucalamites) ramosus Artis........... 17-25

(Stylocalamites) Suckowii Brongn..... 20

Calanritina Weiss.......................... 19,36

Calamostachys calathifeia Weiss .......... 31

ramosa Weiss......................... 17-24

tuberculata (Sternb.) "Weisa............ 26

Galloway County, Mo., carboniferous outliers in............................. 12

Cardiocarpon Brongn. (See Cardiocarpus.) 

Cardiocarpum. (See Cardiocarpus.) 

Cardiocarpus Brongn .......... ............ 108

australe Carr .......................... 108

 Baileyi Dawaon ........................ 108

cornutuin Dawson...................... 107

emarginaturn Brongu................. 108,109

Gutbieri Gein.......................... 107

Harveyi Lx............................ 108

ingensLx.............................. 108

latumNewb...................... 107,108,109

Ottonis Gutb..........................107,109

pachytestaLx ........................107,109

samarteforme Newb.................... 108

zonulatn&Lx .........................107,109

Casuarinites stellatns Schloth.............. 25

Cheilanthites irregularis (Sternb.) Goepp.. 52,53 

ob tusilobus (Brongn.) Goepp........... 52

Chouteau limestone........................ 12

Cole county, Mo., Carboniferous outliers in. 12 

Cordaianthus Gr. 'E.....................106-107

species..............................106-107

135
136 INDEX.

Page. 

Cordaianthus baccifer Gr. 'E .............. 106

subgermarianus Gr. 'E................ 106

Cordaicarpus Gr. 'E .....................107-109

acuminatus E. and Z................... 108

congruens Gr. 'E....................... 107

lineatus Lx................. .107-109,115,116

major.................................107,109

minor Brongn ......................... 108

ovatus................................. 107

sclerotesta Brongn ...................... 108

Cordaicladus Gr. 'E........................ 108

selenoides Gr. 'E....................... 106

Cordaioxylon Gr. 'E ....................... 108

Cordaispernmm Gr. 'E..................... 108

Cordaistrobus Lx .......................... 108,

Cordaitese ...............................105-109

CordaitesUng............................ 105-107

borassifolius (Sternb.) TJng............ 105

cf. costatus Lx.......................106,115

commnnis Lx ............... 105-106,115,116

costatus Lx. '. .......................... 106

principalis (Germ.) Goepp ............. 105

serpens Lx............................. 106

Correlations of different organs of fossil

plants ............................. 18

Cyatheites dentatus (Brongn.) Goepp...... 60

plumosus (Artis?) Goepp.............. 61

Cyathocarpus dentatus (Brongu.) Weiss... 61 

Cycadacese................................. 108

Cycloearpus, Goepp. and Fiedl............ 108

Cyclopteris crassinervis Goepp ........... 98

dentata K. and Z... ................. 98

dilatata L. and H...................... 96,97

fimbriata Lx........................... 68

lacerate Heer........................... 68

oblataL. and H ........................ 97

orbicularis Brongn..................... 97,98

semiflabelliformis Morris............... 98

trichomanoides........................ 97,98

valida Dawsou......................... 56

Wilsoni Wood.......................... 68

Cyperites bicarinata L. and H ............. 104

D.

Dactylotheca dentata (Brongn.) Zeill ...... 61

plumosa (Artis?) Kidst ................ 61

plumosa var. dentata Kidst............ 61

Dadoxylon Endl ........................... 108

Dictyo-Cordaites Dawson.................. 108

Dictyopteris Gutb ...................... 99-101

Brongniartii Gutb ................... 100, 101

eordata (Brongn.) Roem ............... 78

obliqua Bunb .......................... 101

neuropteroides Gutb................. 100,101

Scheuchzeri(Hoffim.) Roem........... 78,101

Schiit7,ei Stur.......................... lOi

squarrosa(Ett.)sp................ 99-101,115

Diplazites longifolius (Brongn.) Goepp..... 64

Diplothmema Stur .............43,44-46,55,56,59

furcatum (Brongn.) Stur.............45,46,59

geniculatum (Germ. &KauJf.) Star ... .44,46,

59,112,126 

irregulare (Sternb.) Stur............... 53

Jacquoti, Zeill......................... 51

lobatum (Gutb.)Stur................... 55

Page.

Diplothmena macilentum (L. and H.) Stur.. 55 

obtusilobum (Brongn.) Stur............ 53

stfbgeniculatum Stur .................. 45,46

(Hymenopbyllites) Hildreti (Lx.) Stur.. 58 

(Sphenopteris) irregulare (Sternb.) Stur 53 

(Sphenopteris) obtusilobum (Brongn.)

Stur ............................... 53,54

Diplothmemie............................. 43-46

Dory-Cordaites Gr.'E...................... 108

E. 

Eqirisetinepe .............................. 17-43

Equisetites lingulatus Germ............... 28

Equisetum Parkinson ..................... 25

stellifolium Harlan..................... 26

Eucalamites Weiss ........................ 19,25

(calamites) rauiosus (Art.) Kidst...... 17

ramosua................................ 17

F. 

Filicineaj..................................43-103

Filicites ................................... 101

plumosus Ai tis ........................ 63

tenuifolius Schloth .................... 94

Flabellaria Sternbergii Ett ................ 104

Fucoides, Gutb............................ 101

G. 

Galium album latifolium Rupp ............ 25

album vulgare Tourn .................. 25

sphenopnylloides Zenk ................ 31, 35

Geograpbical distribution of species ....... 110

Geological relations of flora ................ 11

Georgia, extent of work done on coal flora of 119 

Gleichenia gigantea Wall................... 102

Grand' Eury,researches in French coal fields 18 

Gymnospermse...........................105-109

H.

Hannam's shaft, occurrence of plants at... 12 

Hapalopteris Stur ......................... 57

(Sphenopteris) rotundifolia (Andra)

Stur................................ 58

Hemitelia eapensia Br...................... 101

Heteropteris Brongn ...................... 46

Hydatica Artis............................. 43

Hymenophyllites Goepp ...................57,101

arborescens Lx......................... 102

Hildreti Lx .... 3........................ 58,59

Hymeuophyllum........................... 101

I.

Illinois, extent of -work done on coal plants

of...:.............................. 119

Indian Territory, ignorance of paleontology

of.................................. 119

Indiana,work done on Carboniferous plants

of.................................. 119

Iowa, condition of Paleozoic paleobotany of 119

J.

Jenney, W. P., investigations of lead and

zinc deposits by.................... 11

plants collected by...................... 11

Joplin, Mo., occurrence of fossil plants near 12 

Jordania Goepp. & Fiedl .................. 108
INDEX. 137

K.

Page.

Kentucky, work done on Carboniferous

plants of........................... 119

Kidston, reference of Pothocites Grantoni

to Bornia........................... 19

L.

Lacoe, ~R. D., acknowledgments to.......... 16

collections of plants from Campbell's ' 

Ledge.............................. 118

description of Stems of Aiinularia stellata...............--............---. 27

Laminarites................................ 101

Leonhard, report ou lead ami zinc deposits

of Missouri........................ 12

Lepidodenclra.............................. 35

Lepidopliyllum, Brongn.................... 104

Lesquereux, Leo, description of stein-bases

of Calamites ramosus.............. 20

work on American Paleozoic flora..... 16,67

Lincoln county, Mo., Carboniferous outlying basins in..................... 12

Lomatophloios macrolepidotumGold...... 104

Lower barren measures, extent oi' knowledge of fossil plants of............. 119

Lower Carboniferous, relations to carboniferous outliers .................... 14

Lower Coal-measures, extent of knowledge

of fossil plants of ................. 119

Lycopodiaceaa.............................. 35

Lycopodine8B..............-......--.103,104,120

M. ' 

McClelland's shaft, Belleville, Mo., description of...........................11,12,13

Macrostachya, Scbimp..................... 36

Mansfield, I. F., collections of plants from

Canneltoii ......................... 118

Mariopteris Zeill .......................4(5-5;!, 55

latifolia Brongn......................... 47

muricata (Brongn.) Zeill................ 49,51

polyphylla............................. 52

speciosa Lx. sp ......................47.49,52

(Pseudopecopteris) deoipiens (Lx.) ....47-52,

112,116,126,128 

mazoniana (Lx.) ...........°....46-47,112,116

Minerals deposited in Carboniferous basins. 14 

Missouri, extent of knowledge of coal flora

of.................................. 119

Montgomery county, Mo., outlying coal

basins of........................... 12

If.

Nephropteris dilatata (L. and JEL), Schimp 96 

Keuropterideoe........................... .08-101

Neuropteris Brougn ...................... 68-99

acntifolia Brongn .......70, 71, T2,74, 75, 77, 80

angustifolia Brongn....................69, 70,

71,72,73,74,75,76,77,79,80 

var. hirsuta Lx..................... 70,77

.ispera Lx.............................. 90

auriculata Brongu..................... 84

capitata Lx............................ 93

caudata D. W .................. 87-91,114,132

of. trichomanoides (Brongn) Lx . 95-96,115,132

Page.

Neuropteris ClarksoniiLx...............79,81,84

CollinsiiLx............................ 80

cordata Brongn...................... 69,7.1-77,

80, 81, 84,100 

var. angustifolia Bunb............. 69

coriacea Lx ............................ 86,87

decipiens Lx..........72,73, 75, 76, 77,80, 81,84

dentata Lx............................. 69

DesoriiLx............................. 86,87

dilatata (L. and H.) Lx....... .9(5-98,1.15,116

fasiculata Lx........................79..80, 81

flmbriataLx...................68-t!9,113,116

flexnosa Stemb......................... 09,74,

91-93,95,114,115,110,1K4 

fructification............................ 93

gigantea Stemb........................ 93,95

bksutaLx .............................69,70,

72, 73,74,75,76,77, 79, 80,81, 84 

heteropbyila Brongn. ..................68,86,

87, 88, 90,92, 93, 95, 96. 97 

Jemieyi D. AT.......... .82-84,88,114,128,130

laciniata Lx ............................ 69

Leberti Heer........................... 89, 90

LosLii Brongn.............88,89,90,93,96,114

macropliylla Brongu...................79,100

missouriensis Lx ...................... 92, 95

plicata Stornb......................... 93

rarinervis Bunb ...........85,87,114,116,134

Rogersii Kiiuball...................... 70,77

Sclieucbzeri Hoftin.......... (59-81,84,114,116

Smithsii Lx............................ 87

species......................... 98-99,115,134

squarrosa Ett..........................99,100

tenuifolia (Schlotb.) Stemb ............92,93,

94-95, 96,114, il.5,1.16 

trichoinauoides (Brongn.) Lx ... .95,96,99,11.5

vermiciilaris Lx........................ 93

Ifevroptcris acutifolia Brongn............. 69

augustil'olia Brongn ................... 69

Hexuosa Sternb ........................ 91

heteropbylla Brongn .................. 85

rariiiervis Bunb ....................... 85

Sclieucbzeri Hoffni..................... 69

tenuifolia (Schloth.) Sternb ............ 94

Newberry, J. S., theory of filiform leaves

of sphenophyllum ................. 39

0. 

Odontopteris alata Lx ..................... 98

lingulata Goepp .._.................. 84

minor Bron.cn ......................... 96

neuropteroides Newb.................. 89,91

obtnsiloba Ifaum ...................... 83,84

Reichiana Gutb........................ 96

Worthen i Lx .......................... 84,114

Oligocarpia Goepp......................... 57

Ozark uplift, relation's of, to coal formation 11

P. 

Pachypbyllum Lx ........................ 101,102

Paleobotunical sections, lack of.......109,110,1.1.8

Paleobotany, method of.................... 110

stratigraphio .........................110,118

Paleontologioal ............................ 15

Palmacites Brongn......................... 101
138 INDEX.

Page. 

Pecopteridegs .................... .. . 60-67

Pecopteris Brongn........... .......... 60-67

abbreviataBrongn..................... 101

acuta Brongn.......................... 62,63

arborescens (Schloth.) Brongn.. .65,66,67,113 

aspera Brongn......................... 64

aspidioides Brongn ................ 65,67,113

Biotii Brongn.......................... 101

Brongniartiana Preal.................. 61

Candolliana Brongn.................... 66,67

cyatheaBrongn.................... 66,67,113

dentata Brongn........... 60-63,101,113,116

dentata var. delicatula Zeiller.......... 63

delicatula Brongn...................... 62

emarginata Presl ...................... 65

hemitelioides Brongn .................. 66, 67

incompletaLx......................... 51

lepidorachis Brongn ................... 66,67

longifolia Brongn...................... 65

MonyiZeiU............................ 66,67

paleacea Zeill.......................... 66

pennteformis Brongn................... 62,63

platyrachis Brongn .................... 66

plumosa Artis......................... 60

plumosa (Artis?) Brongn........... 60,62,63

triangularis Brongn.................... 60

unita Brongn...................... 64,113,116

venulosaLx ........................... 66,67

(Aspidites) silesiaca Goeph............ 63

(Asterotheca) Lesquereuxii D. "W.... 65-67,

113,128 

(Cyatheites) dentata Brongn........... 61

(Dactylotheca) dontata (Brongn)

Zeill ............................... 61

(Ptychocarpus) unita Brongn .......... 64,65

Pennsylvania, extent of knowledge of paleozoic plants of..................... 119

Permo-Carboniferous, present knowledge of

fossil flora of....................... 119

Phanerogams........................... 105-109

Phytolithus stellatus Martin .............. 25,30

Pinuularia L. &H. ........................ 48

species.....--....-...--..--------..--- 43,112

capillaceaL. & H ...................... 43

fucoidesLx............................ 43

horizontalis Lx........................ 43

pinnata Lx............................. 43

Plants as a means of limiting time of ore

formation.......................... 13

matrix of............................... 11,14

mode of occurrence of.................. 12

circumstances of deposition of ......... 13,14

value and relation of study to geology.. 15 

use of high differentiation of species... 15 

progress of knowledge of Paleozoic in

recent years ....................... 18

Poa-Cordaites Gr.' E ......!............. 108

Pothocites Grantoni Patterson........... 19

Peeudopecopteris Lx.....................46,55,56

anceps Lx.............................. 50

cordato-ovata (Weiss) Lx .............. 50,51

decipiens Lx........................ 47,50,51

irregularis. (Sternb) Lx......... .... 53,54

macilenta (L. & H.) Lx ................ 55

mazoniana Lx.......................... 46

Page

Pseudopecopteris nnmmularia (Gntb.) Lx.. 56,57 

obtusiloba (Brongn.) Lx................ 53

relations to Mariopteris and Diplothmema............................... 46

(Sphenopteris) macilenta (L. &H.) Lx .. 55 

Pyncnophyllum Brongn .........._._. 108

E. 

Renault, on fruit of Annularia .. _........ 29

study of paleozoic plants by........... 18

Eenaultia Zeill............................. 57

Ehacophyllum Schimp......__.......... 101

arborescens (Lx.) Schimp .............. 102

Ehizocarpeae............................... 35

Ehodea.................................... 101

Eotularia asplenioidea Sternb .............. 36,40

cuneifoliaSternb ...................... 36,40

erosa (L.&H.) Goepp.................. 37

major Bronn. .......................... 40

polyphylla Sternb...................... 37

pusilla Sternb.......................... 36,40

Eubeola mineralis Luidius ................. 30

Eubia sylvestris Volk ..................... 30

S. 

Schizopteris Presl........................ 101,302

Schmidt, Adolf, and Leonhard, report on

lead and zinc deposits of Missouri. 13 

Scuto-Cordaites E. and Z .................. 108

Senftenbergia acuta (Brongn.) Stur........ 61

dentata (Brongn.), Stur................ 61

plumosa (Artis) Stur .................. 61

Sigillaria Brongn........................... 108

leaves of.......... .................... 103

species ..........................103-104,115

Sigillarise ............................ 35,103-104

Sinks in zinc region........................ .13

Sphenophyllum Brongn................... 35-43

bifurcatum Lx......................... 38

cuneifolium (Sternb.) Zeill ..36-40,42,112,116 

var. saxifragsefolium Zeill............. 37

dentatum Brongn...................... 36

dichotomumGerm. &Kaulf ............ 37

emarginatum Brongn .................. 37,40

erosum L. & H ..................... 36,37,40

var. Saxifragsefolium Schimp........ 36,37

fimbriatum Brongn.................... 37

latifolium F.&W ..................... 42

latifolium E.andZ..................... 43

latifolium "Wood ....................... 41,42

longifolium (Germ.) Gein. & Gntb... .40,41,42

majus Bronn ...............:. 40-43,112,116

multifidum Sauveur.................... 37,40

oblongifolium Germ.................... 36,40

saxifragsefolium (Sternb.) Goepp. .37,38,39,41 

Schlotheimii Brongn.............._.. 40

var.dentatum Ett............__.. 37

erosum Ett............................ 37

var. saxifragaefolium Ett........... 37

trifoliatum, Lx ........................ 37

Sphenopterideae............................ 43-60

Sphenopteris Brongn ......................52-60

adiantoides L.and H................... 56

bifldaL. andH........................ 45

Bockingiana Weiss.................... 60
INDEX. 139

Page. 

Sphenopteris caudata L. and H............ 60

coarctata Koehl.......................... 51

crenataL. &H ........................ 101

decipiens Lx.....^..................... 47,50

dilatataLx ......................... 47,50,52

geniculata Germ. and Kaulf ........... 44

graoilis Brongn........................ 58

Harveyi Lx ............................ 46

Hildreti Lx................ 46,58-00,113,116

irregularis Sternb ..................... 52,53

Lacoei D. W. ............. 56-58,113,116,128

lanceolata Brongn...................... 46,59

latifoliaL. and H...................... 52

Laurentii Andra....................... 58

Lesquereuxii Newb.................... 50

lobata Gutb ........................... 55

macilenta L. and H.................... 55

marginata Dn.......................... 58

nummularia Gutb ................. 57,58,113

obtusiloba Brongn............... 53,54,57,58

quercilblia Goepp...................... 58

species .......................... 69,113,126

stipulate Gutb......................... 58

snbfurcata Dn.......................... 59

trichomanoides Brongn................ 59

trifoliolata (Art. ?) Brongn..... 52,5354; 56,58

(Aneimioides) decipiena L x............ 47

macilenta Lx. & H..................... 55

obtusiloba Brongn..................... 52

(Gyninogrammides) irregularis

Sternb ............................. 53

(Hymenophyllites) Hildreti Lx ........ 58

(Pseudopecopteris) macilenta (L. & H.)

Lx.....................55,50,113,116,126

(Pseudopecopteris) obtusiloba (Brongn.)

Lx....................-.52,54,56,112,116

(Trichomanites) Kaulfussii (Goepp.)

Schimp ............................ 44

Stachannularia calathifera, "VVeiss ..........31,34

tuberculata(Sternb.) Weiss............ 26

Sternbergia. ...... ............ 108

Page.

Strati graphical relations of the fossil plants. 11 

Stur, work on European material.......... 18

Stylocalamites Weiss...................... 19,25

T.

Table of distribution of species............ 116

Texas, extent of work done oil Paleozoic

plants of........................... 119

Topography of zinc region and relation to

outliers .................... ....... 13,14

Trichomariites Kaulfussii Goepp...... ^.... 44

Trichomauitea Goepp..................... 101

U.

Upper Goal-measures, extent of knowledge

of fossil plants of .................. 119

V.

Vascular cryptogams......................17-104

Volkmannia............................... 36

pseudosessilis Gr. 'B ................... 32

W.

Ward, Lester F., letter of transmittal...... 9

Warren county, Mo., outlying carboniferous basins of....................... 12

Weiss, classification of Calamites.......... 19

work on German collections.......... 18

West Virginia, extent of knowledge of Paleozoic flora of....................... 119

Winslow, description of Carboniferous

river............................... 14

Z.

Zeiller, on fructification of Sphenophyllutn

cuneil'olium........................ 40

on paleobotany of French coal-measures 18 

paleontological method used by........ 15

Zeilleria delicatula (Sternb.) Kidst......... 46

Zinc and lead deposits, occurrence and relations of plants to.................. 14