The specimen described by Renault[1098] from the Carboniferous rocks of Autun as Ophioglossites antiqua is equally unconvincing: it consists of a carbonised fragment, 7 cm. × 1·5 cm., regarded as part of a fertile lamina characterised by a vertical series of transversely elongated slits, 7 mm. wide, some of which, on slight magnification, are seen to contain a mass of small orange-yellow granulations. The slits are compared with the surface-openings of the sunken sporangia of Ophioglossum, and the yellow bodies are identified as spores. The material is too imperfect to justify the use of the name Ophioglossites.
Noeggerathia.
This genus of uncertain position may be briefly described here, though it has little claim to recognition as a representative of the Ophioglossales. It is characteristic of Lower Carboniferous rocks and is compared by Stur[1099] with recent Ophioglossaceae. Noeggerathia foliosa Sternb. ([fig. 302]) may be cited as a typical example of the genus. It consists of an axis bearing ovate leaves with numerous spreading veins. The upper part of the axis forms a spike composed of fertile leaves in the form of transversely oval bracts 2 cm. broad with a serrate edge bearing on the upper face several sporangia (3 × 4 mm.) in some of which spores have been seen ([fig. 302], B, C). In another form described by Weiss[1100] the bracts bear a greater number of sporangia characterised by the presence of an arillus-like basal ring.
Fig. 302. Noeggerathia foliosa. (After Stur; A, reduced.) B, Fertile leaf; C, Sporangium.
Geinitz[1101], who first described fertile specimens of Noeggerathia, placed the genus in the Gymnosperms, and O. Feistmantel[1102] was in favour of this view. C. Feistmantel[1103], who described the small bodies in the sporangia, suggested comparison with Schizaeaceae, and Weiss[1104] discussed various possibilities, asking but not answering the question, are the so-called sporangia rightly so named or are they fruits? Potonié[1105] places the genus in the Cycadofilices. An important feature is the occurrence of the sporangia on the upper face of the bracts as in Lycopodiales and Sphenophyllum, but in other respects Noeggerathia bears no resemblance to these two groups. Sterile examples of the genus are similar in habit to Rhacopteris, but in the latter genus the leaves or leaflets are laterally attached and not obliquely inserted. Further, we may assume that in Rhacopteris the segments are leaflets of a compound leaf, whereas in Noeggerathia they are probably single leaves. We must leave the position of this Lower Carboniferous genus undecided, merely expressing the opinion that it is perhaps more nearly allied to the Cycads than to any other group.
Fig. 303. Chiropteris Zeilleri, Sew. [From a specimen in the British Museum (v. 3268). Nat. size.]
The plant figured by Lindley and Hutton from the English Coal-Measures as Noeggerathia flabellata, which some authors quote as a species of Noeggerathia, is generally recognised as a Psygmophyllum and placed with some hesitation in the Ginkgoales.