SOME FERNS from the LOWER CRETACEOUS of MADHYA PRADESH-L

SOME FERNS FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF MADHYA PRADESH-l

SUKH DEV

Birbal Sahni Institut(' of Palaeobotany, Lucknow

ABSTRACT Jabalpur Stage (Lower Cretaceous), which Fossil plants of the families Gleicheniaceae are rich in plant fossils, are exposed near (Gleiehenia nordenskiOldii) and j\Iatoniaceae the village of Bansa (Long. 80' 39' 20", Lat. (Phlebopteris polypodioides) are described here 23° 36" 45', TEXT-FIG. 2G) and in the sur• together with an unclassified fern Weiehselia rounding areas, Shah dol district, Madhya j'e/jelllata from the Lower Cretaceous (Jabalpur Stage) of Bansa and it's neighbouring areas of th(' Pradesh. The majority of the specimens Shahdol district of :\Iadhya Pradesh. here described were found in the carbona• ceous shales, cropping out at three different INTRODUCTION places in the Machrar river; the first (A) about ~ mile NNW, second (B) about t mile NNW and the third (C- Marwar Ghat) about t mile NE of Bansa. Some specimens RECENTLYferns from shortBansa,notesChandiaon theandfossilthe surrounding areas have been pub• were also collected from the freshly dug lished by Rose and Sukh Dev (1959, 1961) out quarries near Patparha (F - about 5 and Sukh Dev (1961). The first two notes miles EEN of Bansa) and Tekan (G - about deal with two genera, Onychiopsis and 9 miles ~E of Bansa). Weichselia with a single species each. In The figured Indian specimens and slides the third note, the aforesaid Weichselia are preserved at the Museum of the Birbal species is again mentioned along with some Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow. other plants belonging to the genera Todites, The figured slide of the English specimen Gleichenia, Phlebopteris, H ausmannia, of Weich selia reticulata is preserved at the Cladophlebis and Sphenopteris. Later, Bose British Museum, ~atural History, London. and Sukh Dev (1961a) described in detail DESCRIPTION the above mentioned single species of Ony• chiopsis as O. paradoxtts n. sp. I now identify O. paradoxus and the Family - GLEIGHENIACEAE other species of Onychiopsis, e.g. O. capsuli• fera (Velenovsky'), O. elongata (Geyler) Yoko• Genus - Gleichenia Smith yama and O. tenttissima Prinada as O. psilo• Gleichenia nordenskioldii Heer toides (STOKES& WEBB) Ward (Reading University Ph.D. Thesis 1965). After the study of the English specimens, I have PI. 1, Figs. 1-5; Text-fig. 1A-D observed keel on the" elliptical fertile pin• nules" of the Indian specimens having a 1. Indian specimens: lump of spores but no separate sporangia. The "concave prolongation" along the 1961 Gleichenites indicus Sukh Dev, 1'.3 75 fertile body and the "keel" are one and (Brief description. L. Cretaceous, the same thing. The "elliptical fertile Bansa & Patparha, Shah dol dist.) pinnule " represents a monosporangiate uni• locular structure. A comprehensive account 2. Greenland specimens: of O. psilotoides, as I interpret, is given in a separate paper (in press). 1874 Gleichenia Norde,~skioldi Heer, p. 50, In the present paper, a detailed account PI. 9, Figs. 6, 7, 9, 10, 11a, 12. of three more ferns, viz., Gleichenia norden• Pecopteris An "ersoniana Heer, p. 41, skioldii, Phlebopteris polypodioides and Wei• PI. 3, Fig. 7. chselia reticulata is given. 1880 Pecopteris (Polypodium ?) Ander• Fossiliferous localities - In the South soniana lleer: Heer, p. 4, Pl.,l Fig. Rewa Gondwana basin the outcrops of the lOb; P~. 2, Figs. 5-9. 197 198 THE PALAEOBOT.\NlST

and is no doubt referable to G. Nor• denskiijldi "). Gleichenia nervosa Heel', p. 53, PI. 11, Figs. 3-6. 2. The following are possibly identical but the figures are inconclusive: 1874 Gleichenia Nordenskiijldi Heel', p. 50, PI. 9, Fig. 8 (Greenland). 1876 Pecopteris (Cyatheides) tenera Feist• mantel, p. 26, PI. 3, Fig. 5 (Doodye• Kutch, India, Lower Cretaceous). Emended diagnosis - (Based on Heer 1874, Seward, Tutin and my own material). Frond (dichotomous ?) bipinnate, rachis about 3 mm. wide. Pinnae about 5 cm. long, making an angle of 75°-90° to the rachis, broad at the proximal end and narrowing very gradually towards the apex, arising at intervals of about 5-13 mm. on the same side. Pinnules ovate or oblong• ovate, typically 3-11- mm. long, 1·5-2 mm. wide, thick, leathery, slightly convex abo\'e, concave below, crowded, contiguous, occa• sionally overlapping slightly, or sparse and separated by a gap less than 1 mm., attached to the top of the pinna rachis (mid-rib making an angle of 50°-90°) with only a small portion of the base near the midrib. Basal acroscopic edge of pinnule making a short narrow sinus; basal basiscopic edge longer and larger than the acroscopic one, symmetrically rounded, covering usually the entire width of the pinna rachis and frequently projecting slightly beyond it, and fitting into the concavity formed by the sharter acroscopic basal edge of the TEXT-FIG. 1-Gleichenia lIordenski61dii He,,!". pinnule of the opposite side. Margin entire, A, showing the asymmetrical base of pinnu1l's overlapping the pinna rachis, 31164, X 7. E, thickened, cun'ed downwards and some• pinna fragment, 31165, X 1 (Specimen consunwd). times slightly recurved. Apex obtuse or C, venation, the circle marked with cross (X) rounded. Basal two pinnules of each pinna represents the point of a ttachment to the under• normally slightly longer and broader than lying rachis, 31693, .' 6. D, bipinnate fragment as seen from above, 30769, X 3. A, D, Patparha; the rest (sometimes of the same size or E, C, Eansa (Loc. E). smaller), bent backwards and overlapping the rachis (sometimes at right angle to the pinna rachis or occasionally turned towards 1926 Gleichenites N orde/lskiijldi Heel': Se• the distal end of the pinna). Midrib of ward, p. 74, PI. 6, Figs. 22, 25, 26; upper pinnules forming a distinct groove PI. 10, Fig. 97. on the upper side, slightly undulate and 193 2 Gleichenite~ N ordenskiijldii (Heel') Se• breaking up near the apex into 2 or 3 un• ward: Tutir., pp. 506-507 (details forked veins. First lateral vein arising at of sari, spontngia and spores). about right angle or slightly over a right Seward (1926) included the following angle from the midrib at its point of emer• specimens under G. nordeuskiijldii, but the' gence on the side of the rachis (catadromic figures are inconclusive: venation), forking more than twice and 1874 Gleichenia longipem·,is Heel', in part, supplying the entire enlarged basal edge of p.46, PI. 8, Figs. I· '3 (according to the pinnule. Subsequent laterals arising Seward" Fig. 1 is inacc".rately drawn at a wide angle, forking once and twice, SUKH DEV -SOME FERNS FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF M.P. 199

sometimes one of the sister arms forked mens. In both the basal two pinnules are and the other remaining unforked, ending longer, bent backwards and overlap the at the margin at a concentration of about rachis. However, Seward's specimens are 42 veins per centimetre. On under side of relatively much thinner which may be due pinnule midrib and laterals forming ridges to conditions of preservations. Heer's speci• but sometimes inconspicuous. Larger basal mens were not accessible but his description pinnules probably possessing similar \"ena• and illustrations agree well with mine in tion. essentials. In G. nordenskidldii a dichoto• Fertile pinnules similar to sterile ones. mously branched rachis has not so far been Sari many (? 6 per pinnule), borne over found in connection with the pinnae although the anadromic branch of a lateral vein. it is found lying close to the frond fragments Sorus of 2-3 sporangia (Tutin) or 4 sporangia on the same slab in the Greenland specimens. (Heer). Sporangium about 0·36 mm. (Se• Gleichenia nordenskidldii is comparable ward) X 0·3 mm. (Tutin), annulus complete with some living species of Gleichenia. Far (Sward), containing about 128 spores example, bipinnate fragments of G. norden• (Tutin). Spores 30 fJ. wide (Tutin). skidldii are similar in general form and Lectotype - Specimen figured by Heer arrangement to the pinnules of Gleichenia (1874; PL. 9, FIG. 6). polypodioides (L.) Smith, G. dicarpa R. Br., G. circinnata SW., G. boryi Kze., G. semi• Occurrence: vestita Lab., G. alpina R. Br. and G. ban• croftii Hook. In all of these species the jabalpur Stage - South Rewa, Marwar pinnule base is symmetrical and uncon• Ghat about l mile NE, tracted. The lamina is attached to rachis about t mile and t mile by whole base. In G. nordenskidldii the NNW of Bansa and Pat• bases of the pinnules are asymmetrical and parha. the lamina is contracted so that the midrib ? Umia Stage - Kutch, Doodye. alone is attached. In G. polypodioides, TV orld distribution - Gleichenia Ilordenski• G. dicarpa, G. circinllata, G. boryi, G. semi• dldii is recorded from the Lower Cretaceous vestita and G. alpina the pinnules are smaller of the South Rewa basin. It probably and have only one sarus per pinnule. In occurs in Kutch also. Outside India it is G. bancroftii the pinr.ules are roughly of known only from the Lower Cretaceous of the same size and shape as in G. nordenskidldii Greenland. and have many sari with 2-4 sporangia in Description - Fragments of G. nordeus• each. The sporangia are also about the kidldii are preserved near Bansa and Pat• same size. But in G. nordensllidldii, besides parha as compressions, some of which are the other differences mentioned above, the carbonised. Balsam transfers were made veins are much more divided. In G. ban• from two specimens but both proved sterile. croftii the pinnules are connected with one No dichotomously branched rachis was another by a narrow strip of lamina and found in this area. In my specimens the possess simple venation. It is on the close hairs or scales are absent on either side of resemblance of G. nordenskidldii with many the rachis and pinnules. Specimens de• living species of Gleichenia that I describe scribed by Heel' (1874, 1880) were not. acces• this plant under the living genus as was sible and Seward's specimens preserved done earlier by Heel' (1874). at. the British Museum (Natural History) The present specimens are also very like which are well preserved are apparently G. gleichenoides in their small broad pinnules, without either hairs or scales. with a leathery consistency and thickened Comparison and discussion - Gleichenia margins. Their venation is similar (apart nordenskidldii first described by Heer (1874) from the differences relater' to the size and from Lower Cretaceous of Greenland, was shape of the pinnules), anl in both the two revised by Seward (1926). Seward gave basal pinnules of each 'Iinna are enlarged some details of sori and sporangia to which and bent backwards- However, in the Tutin (1932) further added his observations. present specimens the pinnules are attached My specimens are sterile and in the habit by the midrib alone but in G. gleichelloides of a bipinnate frond, shape and size of the they are attachE'r; by their whole base. pinnules and their asymmetrical base and In the present ',Jecimens the basal edge of venation are identical with Seward's speci- each pinnule :" much enlarged but in G. 200 THE PALAEOBOTANIST

gleichenoides no such regular enlargement mm., and G. gleichenoides 2·2x 1·5 mm.). is seen. Moreover, the pinnules of the However, much smaller pinnules also occur present specimens attain a larger size in both the species. The two species are (largest seen in present specimens 3·5 X 1· 8 mixed at Bansa (A, B, C) and Patparha c

G~V"" F

TEXT-FIG, 2 - Phlebopter;' polypodioides Brongn. A, specimen no, 30723, X 1. B, specimen no. 30318, X 1. C, venation, 30~18, X 7. D, specimen no. 3074,4, X 1. E, showing the position of placentae, 30363, X 5, F, venc,.tion, 30318, X 10. G, map of India showing location of the village of Bansa (B), A, D, Tekan; B (C. F, same specimen), E, Bansa (Loc. B). SUKH DEV - SOME FERNS FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF M.P. 201

(F) but in the other localities (Rajma~al midrib at intervals of less than 1 mm. (rarely up to 1 mm.), forking immediately into hills), where G. gleichenoides occurs, nothmg forward and l1ackward branches which unite resembling the present specimens have been figured. with those of the adjacent ones forming polygonal primary arches on either side Family - MATONIACEAE of midrib. Primary arches of varied size, Genus - Phlebopteris Brongniart 1836: 371 mostly wider (in direction of midrib) than high; devoid of any internal branches. From Phlebopteris polypodioides Brongniart the corners of the primary arches usually one but sometimes two veins run outwards, PI. 1, Figs. 6-9; Text-fig. 2A-F straight or with a slight bend, and meet 1. Indian specimens: the margin at an angle of 50°-70°; veins simple or forked, and sometimes anasto• 1961 Phlebopteris arc~tata Sukh Dev, p. 375. mosing with the adjacent ones to form (Brief description. L. Cretaceous, elongated meshes. Veins reaching the mar• Patparha, Shahdol dist.). gin at a concentration of 40-66 per em. ?1968 Phlebopteris sp., Roy, p. 110, PI. 1, Web connecting the adjacent pinnules show Figs. 6, 7; PI. 2, Fig. 9; Text-fig. 4. a strong forward running vein anastomosing (Fragmentary specimen. L. Creta• with a backward running vein from the ceous, Songad-Kathiawar). next pinnule close to the pinna rachis and giving off branches. 2. Specimens from other countries: Sori arranged in a single row on each See Harris 1961, pp. 101, 102. side of midrib. Sporangium about 550 [J• Description - (Based on my material). long. Isolated pinnae, linear-Ianceolate, maximum available length up to 13 em., rachis up to Occurrence: 1 mm. thick, marked with fine longitudinal striations. Hair-bases probably present on J abalpur Stage - South Rewa, Marwar the lower side of the rachis and the midrib. Ghat about ~ mile NE Pinnules thick, longer in the middle portion and about t mile NNW of the pinna and narrowing towards the of Bansa, Patparha and base and apex, typically 2·4 X 0·3 em., Tekan. (range about 1 mm. to 3·5 mm. wide, base ? Umia Stage - Kathiawar, Songad. slightly wider; up to 2·5 em. long), mostly World distribution - Phlebopteris poly• falcate, sometimes straight, attached closely podioides is widespread in Europe from the at a wide angle, appreciably enlarged at the Rhaetic to the Middle Jurassic. It is also base and narrowing gradually or abruptly known from the Rhaetic of E. Greenland towards the acute or obtuse apex. Bases and Lower Jurassic of Manchuria and Korea. of pinnules connected with a narrow lamina In India it occurs in the Lower Cretaceous. (up to 1 mm. wide) along the rachis. Pin• Remarks - Many detached incomplete nules of the same side orginating at intervals pinnae of P. polypodioides were found. of 1·5-6 mm. In sterile pinnules, upper Most of them are preserved as impressions. surface flat or slightly convex, lower surface A few carbonised compressions were also correspondingly flat or slightly concave. collected but none yielded epidermis or Fertile pinnules slightly convex above and other details. Imprints of the epidermal concave below. Margin entire, flat or slight• cells are poorly preserved. Only a single ly recurved. Pinnules towards the base of fertile specimen was found. It bears the pinna diminishing into short lobes with imprints of placentae. A sporangium is pointed or rounded apex and towards the visible at one place only. apical portion becoming shortly triangular. Comparison and discussion - The present Midrib with fine longitudinal striations, specimens are characterised by their vena• broad up to half or three quarters the length tion of Phlebopteris polypodioides Brongniart of pinnlle and becoming feeble further on, but their pinnules are relatively narrower persisting nearly to the apex, depressed than in most previously described specimens. on upper surface but projecting on lower However, some of the specimens of P. poly• surface. Lateral veins also projecting on podioides described from various places do lower surface. Veins originating from the resemble closely my specimens in the shape 202 THE PALAEOBOTANIST

A B c o E

G !

-~ I

TEXT-FIG. 3 - Weichselia yP/icltlata (Stokes & 'Vebb) 'Yard. .\. n, fragments of pinnae, 30223, 30195, X 1. C, venation, 30223, X 5. D, E, fragments of pinnae, 32762, 31680, X 1. F G upper epidermis, the two figures showing :variation in the shape and size of the cells from two speci~ mens. sl1de nos. 3852 (prepared from specimen n~. 30195), 3853 (prepared from specimen no. 34021), X 200. H. sca1anform trachclds, slide no. 38:>4 (prepared from specimen no. 34020). X 1600. A, B, C, D. F, Bansa (Loc. C); E. G, H, Bansa (Loc. A).

and size of their pinnules, e.g. Harris (1961, same in the specimens of :\I6Uer and those specimen no. \'. 32518, England), Lundblad of Lundblad too. (1950, TEXT-FIG. 6, Sweden), Schenk (1867, PL. 13, FIG. 1, \\'. Germany), Hirmer and UNCLASSIFIED FERN Hoerhammer (1936, PL. 7, FIGS. 1, 5, Ger• Genus - Weichselia Stiehler 1857 many), :\1611er (1902, PL. 4, FIGS. 2-4, Born• holm) and Kawasaki (1925, PL. 11, FIG. 41; TVeichsel1'a reticulata (Stokes & Webb) Ward PL. 12, FIG. 42, Korea). The concentration PI. 1, Figs. 10-15; Test-fig. 3A-H of veins in P. polypodia ides from various localities (for synonyms see Harris, loco cit.) l. Indian specimens (complete biblio• is very variable (counted/estimated about graphy) 18-60 per centimetre at the margin of the 1936 rJ'eichselia reticulata: Salmi, p. 155, pinnule, mostly 20-40). This variation is PI. 22, Fig. 5; PI. 23, Figs. 1-7. noticed in the specimens even from the (Fragments. L. Cretaceous, Himmat• same locality (about 18-43 veins/cm. at nagar). the margin in Yorkshire 'ipecimens, about 1959 Ifleichselia sp.: Bose and Sukh Dev, 20-60 in the German specimens described p. 130, Figs. 1,2 (Pinna, venation. by Hirmer and Hoerhammer, loc. cit.). L. Cretaceous, South Rewa). In my specimens 40-66 ,·eins/cm. occur at 1966 If'eichselia retiCl/lata (Stokes & Webb) the margin of the pinnule and it is also the Ward: Surange, p. 130, Fig. 85A-D SUKI-J DE\' -SO:\lE FER\'S FRO:\l TliE LOWEH CRET.\C¥';Ol·S OF \l.P. 203

(FIGS. B & (' after S.\H:\ I, 1936, 1910 TVeichselia .\{an/eLli: BomlTIer, p. 297, Himmatnagar; :\ & D, Songad. L. PI. 1, Fig. 11. (Wealden, Belgium). Cretaceous). 1910 Weich selia reliCitlata: Gothan, p. I, 1968 Ireicliselia reticulata (Stokes & Webb) Figs. 1-6. (Some bipinnate, venation. \\'ard: Roy, p. 110, PI. 1, Fig. 8; ~eocomian, Gault, Germany). PI. 2, Figs. 10, 11 - both figs. in 1915 Weicliselia reticlliata (Stokes & Webb) Surange 1966, 85 .\ & D; Text-fig. Ward: Stopes, p. 4, Text-fig. 1. S (Fragments. L. Cretaceous. Songad• (Fragment. Aptian, England). Kathiawar). 1919 Weichselia reticulata (Stokes & Webb) 2. Selected specimens from other countries Ward: Florin, p. 305, Figs. 1, 2-5. (sterile leaves). (Leaf, stomata. L. Cretaceous, Ger• 1824 Pecopteris reticulata Stokes & Webh, many, Belgium). p. 423, PI. +6. Fig. S; PI. +7, Fig. 3 1921 Weic1tselia reticlliata: Got!lan, p. 772, (Pinnae, venation. Wealden, Eng• Fig. 3. (Poor Figure. L Cretace• land). ous, Germany). 1827 Pecopteris reliclliata: )[antell, p. 56, 1923 We1'cllselia: Lipps, p. 337, Figs. 6-15. PI. 3, Fig. 5; PI. 3*. Fig. 3 (Figures (Bipinnate. L. Cretaceous, Ger• of Stoke,; and Webb reproduced). many). 1836 LOl1chopteris .~fal1telli: Brongniart. p. 1925 TVeichselia reliCitlata Stokes & \Vebb 369, PI. 131, Figs. 4, 5 (Bipinllatc spec.: Hi rmcr, p. 3, PI. 1, Figs. 1, 2. ",ith good variation in pinnules, (Pinnae, \Tenation. Cenomanian, Ba• venation. Fig. 4 reproduced from hariya Oasis - Egypt). )[antell. Fig. 5. L. Cretaceous, 1926 Weicllselia reticulata (Stokes & Webb): France). Edwards, p. 94, Figs. 1, 2. (Venation. 1857 TVtJichstJlia J.1tdovicae Stiehler, p. 73, L. Cretaceous, Sudan). Pls. 12, 13. (Bipinnate. L. Creta• 1927 Weicliselia retiCitlata (Stokes & Webb) ceous, Germany). Ward = W. mantelfi Brongt.: Car• 1871 Lonchopteris recentior: Schenk, p. 4, pentier, p. 52, PI. 12, Figs. 6-10; PI. I, Figs. 2-6. (Pinnae, venation. Text-fig. 21. (Fragments. Wealden, L Cretaceous, Austria). France). 1876 AsplenittJs klinensis Trautschold, p. 1928 Weichselia reticulata: Berry, p. I, 209, in part, PI. 20, Figs. 1-6, 8. Fig. 1. (Bipinnate, pinnules on the (Bipinnate, venation not shown. L. main rachis, venation not clear. L. Cretaceous, U.S.S.R.). Cretaceous, Texas). Polypodites (Lonchoptu'is) Mantelli: 1929 WeichseUa reticulata (Stokes & Webb) Trautschold, PI. 19, Fig. 8 (Pinna, Edwards, p. 396, PI. 6, Figs. 1, 2; venation not shown). p. 403, PI. 6, Fig. 4 - Venation. 1891 Weichselia erratica ~athorst, p. 23, (L. Cretaceous, Syria and Transjor• PI. I, Figs. 3, 4, ?1 & 2. dania). 1933 (Fragment. Cretaceous,? Sweden). TV eichselia reticulala: Edwards (Weich• 1894 Weich selia M an/eUi (Brong.) Seward, selia and Paradoxopteris. Recorded p. 114, PI. 10, Fig. 3; Text-figs. 12, 13. W. reticulata from the Albian of (Bipinnate, venation. Wealden, Eng• England, p. 339). land). 1933 Weichselia reticulata (Stokes & Webb) 1899 Weicliselia retimla/a (Stokes & Webb) Ward: Kryshtofovich, PI. 6, Fig. 2. Ward, p. 651, PI. 160, Figs. 2-4. (Pin• (Bipinnate. L. Cretaceous, U.S.S.R..). nae, venation. L. Cretaceous, U.S.A.) 1945 Weichselia sp.: Berry, p. 158, PI. 11 1900 Weichselia .11antelli (Brongn.): Se• (L. Cretaceous, Colombia). ward, p. 20, PI. 1, Figs. 3-16; PI. 3, 1965 Weichselia reliettlala Stokes & Webb: Figs. 41, 42, 47; Text-fig.!. (Varia• Reymanowna, p. 16, PI. 1, Figs. 8, 11; tion in pinnules. Fig. 56 rejected, Text-fig. lA-H. (Fragments. Epi• being without pinnuJes. Wealden, dermis - Stomata. Papilla men• Belgium). tioned in Fig. IB by Reymanowna ?1907 Weichselia M antelli (Brongn.) Se• is an abortive stoma. Similar ward: Neumann, p. 74, PI. 1, Fig.!. structures, which are few in num• (Bipinnate. Not certain of venation ber, are seen in English specimens and sori. L. Cretaceous, Peru.) also in th@ slides prepared by me at 204 THE P.\LAEOBOT,\NlST \' the British Museum Nat. Hist. L. less than 1 mm. (sometimes at 1 mm. in the Cretaceous. Lipnik and Przenosza, larger pinnules - size 9 X 2·5 mm.), forking Poland). immediately into forward and backward 1968 Weichselia reticulata: Daber, p. 78, branches which on uniting with the adjacent PI. 1; PI. 2, Figs. 2, 3; Text-figs. 3, 4, ones form a single row of meshes on either 6, 7 (very good leaves. L. Cretaceous, side of midrib. Single veins given off from Germany). the angles of these meshes, which on further 1969 Weichselia reticulata (Stokes & Webb): division and union with the adjacent ones Watson, p. 239, PI. 6, Fig. 5. form subsequent meshes in the lamina. (Wealden, England). Long axes of meshes next to midrib parallel Description - (Based on my material). with it while those of the rest sharply in• Pinnae imparipinnate. Pinna rachis about clined towards margin. Usually two or 1 mm. wide. Hairs absent on rachis and three veins arising from the pinna rachis pinnules. Pinnules typically 6 X 1·5 mm. at the basal portion of the pinnule, and (largest seen 9 x2·5 mm.), slightly broader joining with others to form basal meshes. at the base, attached closely at an angle of The basal veins of the adjacent pinnules 50°-75°, in apical pinnules angle reduced to usually united with one another. About 40°, falcate, sometimes straight, entire, 32-60 veins/em. reaching the margin (about fleshy, usually connected at their base with 32-42 in pinnules of 9 X 2·5 mm. size, and a narrow web (up to about 0·5 mm. wide). about 50-60 in pinnules of 4-6 X 1·5 mm. Distal pinnules shorter and triangular, to• size). wards the base pinnules diminishing into Upper epidermal cells polygonal, elongate small lobes with rounded apex. Margin or as long as broad. Anticlinal walls thick curved downwards and slightly thick. Apex (2·5-6·5 IL), strongly looped. Loops smooth• obtuse. Midrib thick, moderately undulate, ly rounded or pointed. Cells over the veins disappearing near the apex. Secondary narrower, elongate. Anticlinal walls mode• veins numerous, arising at an interval of rately undulate to almost straight.

B C

TEXT-FIG. 4 - Weich selia reticulata (Stokes & \Vebb) \Nard. A, lower epidermis, slide no. V2174 a-3. X 400. E, reconstructed~~,transverse seclion of stomata of the above along the line denoted by arrows. C, epidermal cells of the lower surface over the veins, slide no. V2174 a-3, X 200. A, C, Ecclesbourne, England. SUKH DEV - SOME FERNS FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF M.P. 205

Occurrence: culum. The Indian and the English speci• mens also agree in the characters of the Jabalpur Stage - South Rewa, Marwar upper epidermis. In both the anticlinal Ghat about t mile NE, walls of the upper epidermis are thick and about t mile and t mile strongly looped. The French Wealden spe• NNW of Bansa. cimens also possess a similar upper epider• Umia Stage - Kathiawar, Songad. mis. The lower epidermis in the Indian Lower Cretaceous - Western India, Him• and the French specimens is not known. matnagar. The lower epidermis was first described TV arld Distribution - Weichselia reticulata by Florin (1919) in the Belgian specimen. occurs in the Lower Cretaceous flora (Neo• I macerated certain English specimens and comian and Barremian) of England, France, found that the stomatal structure is essen• Germany, Austria, Belgium, Poland, tially the same as in Florin's. The English U.S.S.R., ? Sweden, U.S.A., ? Peru, Colom• specimens are well preserved and gave bia, Sudan, Syria, Transjordania and more details of the lower epidermis (TEXT• India. FIG. 4A-C). Recently Reymanowna (1965) In the younger strata this fern is found in figured similar epidermal structure in her the Aptian of England and U.S.S.R., Albian specimens from Poland (see Synoynms). of England, U.S.S.R. and Germany, and In the past some species of the genus Cenomanian of Egypt (Bahariya Oasis). Weichselia had been created on small diffe• Systematic Position - The fertile organs rences. While others found it difficult to of W. reticulata are not yet found from the differentiate them specifically. Edwards South Rewa basin. Therefore, the syste• (1933) gives the fullest reasons. My views matic position of this fern is not discussed for uniting them all is that while there is here. On this topic one may refer to Alvin indeed a great range, the specimens inter• (1968). grade in form and venation. The finding Comparison and Discttssion - The pinnu• that there is agreement in epidermis also les in my specimens are mostly narrower fully supports this conclusion. and falcate with an obtuse apex. Some are however almost parallel-sided and straight. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Venation is formed of a loose reticulum. The specimens having pinnules with paral• I am most grateful to Professor T. M. lel sides, as mentioned above, resemble Harris for his kind guidance in this research the English Wealden specimens, where the work at the Botany Department of the pinnules are typically short, massive, paral• University of Reading. lel-sided and with broadly rounded apex. I am also thankful to the Colombo Plan Venation in the English specimens is very Authorities for their financial assistance variable from a loose to a compact reti- to me during my stay in England.

REFERENCES

ALVIN, K. L. (1968). The spore-bearing organs of basin - Onychiopsis paradoxus n. sp. Proc. the Cretaceous fern Weichselia Stiehler. 48th Indian Sci. Congr. (3): 374. J. Linn. Soc. (Bot.). 61(384): 87-92. Idem (1961a). Studies on the fossil flora of the BERRY, E. "V. (1928). Weichselia from the Lower Jabalpur series from the South Rewa Gondwana Cretaceous of Texas. J. Wash. Acad. Sci. basin-2. Onychiopsis paradoxus n. sp. Palaeo• 18(1): 1-5. botanist. 8(1, 2): 57-64. Idem (1945). The Weichselia stage in the Andean BRONGNIART,A. (1828-37). Histoire des Vcgctaux Geosyncline. Johns. HopI/ins Univ. Stud. Ceol. fossiles, ou Recherches botaniques et geologi• 14: 151-170. ques sur les Vegetaux renfermes dans les divers BOMMER, C. (1910). Contribution a l'etude du couches du globe. Paris. 1: 1-488. genre Weichselia. Bull. Soc. 1'. Bot. Belg., 47: CARPENTIER, A. (1927). La Flore Wealdienne de 1-9. Feron-Glageon (Nord). Mem. Soc. geol. N.I0: BOSE, M. N. & SUKH DEV (1959). Occurrence of 1-15t. two characteristic \Vealden Ferns in the DAHER, R. (1968). A Weichselia - Stiehleria• Jabalpur series. Nature, Land. 183: 130-13t. Matoniaceae community within the Quedlinburg Idem (1961). Studies on the fossil flora of the Estuary of Lower Cretaceous age. J. Linn. Soc. Jabalpur series from the South Rewa Gondwana (Bot.), 61(384): 75-85. 206 THE PALAEOBOTANIST

EDWARDS, VV'. N. (1926). Fossil plants from the NEUMANN, R. (1907). Bt'itrage zur Geologie und Nubian sandstone of Eastern Darfur. Q. fl. Pa laontologie von Siiclamerika - xiii. Beitrage geol. Soc. Land. 82(1): 94-100. Zl1r kenntnis del' Kreideformation in Mittel• Idem (1929). Lower Cretaceous plants from Syria Peru. Neues fb .. Uiner Ceol. PalCionl. Beil Bd. and Transjordania. AlIn. N[ag. nat. Hist. Ser. 24: 69-132. 10, 4: 394-405. REYMANOWNA,l\I. (1965). On Weicliselia reliculata Idem (1933). On the Cretaceol1s fern Paradoxop• and Frenelopsis hoheneggeri from the Western teris and its connexion with Weichselia. Ann. Carpathians. A cia palaeobot. Cracov. 6(2): 15• Bot. 47(186): 317-341. 25. FEISTMANTEL, O. (1876). Jurassic (Oolitic) Flora Roy, S. K. (1968). Pteridophytic remains from of Kach. Palaeont. indica, Ser. 11. 2(1): Kutch and Kathiawar, India. Palaeobolanisl. 1-80. 16(2): 108-114. FLORIN, R. (1919). Zur Kenntnis del' Weich selia SAHNI, B. (1936) The occurrence of Malollidium reticulala (Stokes et IiVebb) Ward. Svensk. bot. and Weichselia in India. Ree. geol. Sun'. India, Tidskr. 13(3-4): 305-312. 71(2): 152-165. GOTHAN,W. (1910). Weich selia reticulata. Abbild. SCHENK, A. (1867) Die fossile Flora del' Grenz• u. Beschreib. lossiler Pflanzen - Reste. 7(126): schichten des Keupers und Lias Frankens 1-14. Wiesbaden : 1-232. Idem (1921). Ein vollsHindiges Exemplar von Idem (1871). Beitrage zur Flora del' Vorwelt; III. Weich selia reticulata im Neocomsandstein von Die fossilen Pflanzen del' VlTernsderfer Schichten Quedlinburg a. H. PaUiobot. Mitteilungen (2). in den Xordkarpathen Palaeolliographica 19: fb. preuss. geol. Lal1desansl. 42: 772-777. 1·34. HARRlS, T. M. (1961). The Yorkshire Jurassic SEWARD, A. C. (1894). The VlTealden Flora I. Flora, I. Thallophyta - Pteridophyta. British Thallophyta, Pteridophyta. Catalogue of the Museum (Nat. Hist.) London: 1-212. l\Iesozoic Plants in the Department of Geology, HEER, O. (1874). Die Kreide-Flora del' Archtischen British Museum (:\'atl1ral Rist'ory), LOlldon. Zone, Gegriindet auf die von den Schwedischen 1-179. Expeditionen von 1870 und 1872 in Gronland Idem (1900) La Flore vVealdiennc de Bernissart. und Spitzbergen Gesammelten Pflanzen. IC Mbn. Mus. r. Hisl. 1Ial.Belg. 1: 1-37. svenska Velensk-Akad. Handl. 12(6): 1-138. Idem (1926). The Cretaceous plant-bearing rocks Idem (1880). Nachtragc zur fossilen Flora Gron- of Western Greenland. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. lands. Ibid. 18(2): 1-17. .. Ser.B. 215: 57-175. HIRMER,M. (1925). Die fossilen pflanzen Agyptens: STIEHLER, A. W. (1857). Die Flora des Lange• D. Filicales. Abh. bayer. Akad. Wiss. 30(3): bel'ges bei Quedlinburg. Palaeo1llograpliica. 5: 1-18. 71-80. HIRMER, M. & HOERHAMMER,L. (1936). Morpho• STOKES,& WEBB (182-+). Description of some Fossil logie, Systematik und Geographische Verb· Vegetables of the Tilgate Forest in Sllssex. reitung der fossilen und rezenten Matoniaceen. (The authors' names do not appear in the title Palaeontographica. 81: 1-70. of this paper). Trans. geol. Soc. Land. Ser. 2.1: KAWASAKI,S. (1925). Some Older Mesozoic Plants 421-424. in Korea. Bull. geol. Surv. Chosen. 4(1): 1-71. STOPES, M. C. (1915). Catalogllc of the Mesozoic KRYSHTOFOVICH,A. (1933). Baikal Formation of Plants in the British Museum (Nat. Rist.). The the Angara group. Trans. geol. prosp. Servo Cretaceous Flora. Part 11.- Lower Greensand U.S.S.R. 326: 1-136. (Aptian) Plants of Britain. London.: 1-360. LIPPS, T. (1923). Ueber die Unter- kreide-Flora SUKH DEV (1961). Studies on the fossil flora of Nordwest-Deutschlands besonders die Flora des the J abalpur series from the South Rewa Barremien von Hildesheim. Bot. Arch. 4(5): Gondwana basin - Filicales. Proc. 48th Indian 329-381. Sci. Congy. (3): 375. LUNDBLAD, B. (1950). Studies in the Rhaeto• SURANGE, K. R. (1966). Indian fossil Pterido• Liassic floras of Sweden, 1. Pteridophyta, phytes. Botanical Monograph ~o. 4, C.S.I.R. Pteridospermae, and Cycadophyta from the New Delhi: 1-209. Mining district of NW Scania. g. svenska TRAUTSCHOLD,R. (1876). Die Klin'sche Sandstein. Vetensk-A kad. H andl. 1(8): 1-82. Nouv. Mtfrn. Soc. (i:llp.) Nat. Mosc., 2. 13: 189• MANTELL, G. (1827). Illustrations of the Geology 236. of Sussex. London: 1-92. TUTIN, T. G. (1932). A Cretaceous Gleicheniaceous MOLLER, H. (1902). Bidrag till Bornholms fossila fern from Western Greenland. Ann. Bot. flora. Pteridofyter. Lunds Universitets arss• 46(183): 503-508. krift. 38(2, 5): 1-63. WARD, L. F. (1899). The Cretaceous formation of NATHORST, A. G. (1891). Ueber das angebliche the Black Hills as indicated by the fossil plants. Vorkommen Von Geschieben des Horsandsteins 19th (A) Rep. U.S.geol. Surv.2: 521-946. in den norddeutschen Diluvial-ablagerungen. WATSON, J. (1969). A revision of the English Arch. Ver. Freunde Nalurg. Mecklenb. 44: Wealden Flora, I. Charales-Ginkgoales. Bull. 17-40. Br. Mus. nat. Hist. (Ceol.). 17(5): 207-254. THE PALAEOBOTANIST, VOL. 18 SUKH DEV - PLATE 1

IS SUKH DEV - SOME FERNS FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF M.P. 207

EXPLANATION OF PLATE

PLATE

1. Gleichenia nordenski6ldii Heer. No. 30769, X 1. 8. P. polypodioides. No. 31154, X 1. Patparha. Patparha. 9. A portion of the specimen shown in Fig. 7 2. G. nordenski6ldii. No. 31693, x 1. Bansa magnified, showing venation. X 5. (Loc. B). 10. Weichselia reticulata (Stokes & Webb) Ward. 3. Above specimen magnified, showing vena• No. 31680, X 1. Bansa (Loc. A). tion and the asvmmetrical base of pinnules. 11. W. reticulata. 1\0. 31689, X 1. Bansa X 5. • (Loc. A). 4. G. nordenski6ldii. No. 31691. X 1. Bansa 12. W. reticulata, venation. No. 30226, X 5. (Loc. A, Specimen consumed). Bansa (Loc. C). 5. Above specimen magnified, showing asym• 13. W. reticulata. No. 30654, X 3. Bansa metrical base of pinnules. X 5. (Loc. A). 6. Phlebopteris polypodioides Brongniart. No. 14. W. reticulala. No. 31682, X 1. Bansa 30869, X 1. Patparha. (Loc. A). 7. P. pulypodioides. No. 30318, X 1. Bansa 15. W. reliculala. No. 30230, X 1. Bansa (Loc. B). (Loc. C).