Descriptions of Fossil Plants from the Coal-Field near Richmond, Virginia

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Abstract
The numerous specimens of this fine plant, collected by Mr. Lyell, although none of them complete, are fully sufficient to confirm the propriety of Prof. Rogers's determination of it as a genuine species of Tæniopteris , very nearly allied to T. vittata and T. major , but doubtless distinct, though the differences are not very easily reducible to a strict definition. I observe among these specimens two varieties, in one of which the frond is somewhat obovate and suddenly rounded off at the end, while in the other (though still obtuse at the point) it tapers much more gradually, so that the whole outline is more lanceolate. The manner in which the frond is in many cases creased or crumpled, shows it to have been of a thin and membranous texture, like the recent Oleandra pilosa , not rigid and coriaceous like most of the simple-fronded Ferns. I can perceive no trace of fructification. The midrib is very broad, fiat, striated (without any distinct channel along the middle), tapering gradually, and reaching quite to the extremity of the frond. Veins extremely numerous and close, parallel, quite straight and perpendicular to the midrib, except close to their base, where they are bent at an obtuse angle; they are either perfectly simple or (not unfrequently) forked at their base, close to the midrib; almost always simple throughout the rest of their length. This character clearly distinguishes our plant from T. major (Fossil Flora, t. 92), in which nearly all the veins are repeatedly forked. The

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