IS TOR 
 
 FERNS, 
 
IANDSCAPE 
 AftCHfTECTURC 
 
 Ex 
 
 Libris 
 
 BEATRIX 
 JONES 
 
 The Gift of Beatrix Farrand 
 
 to the General Library 
 University of California, Berkeley 
 
 REEF POINT GARDENS 
 LIBRARY 
 
HISTORIA FILICUM; 
 
 AN EXPOSITION 
 
 OP THE 
 
 NATURE, NUMBER, AND ORGANOGRAPHY 
 
 OP 
 
 F 
 
 REVIEW OF THE PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH GENERA ARE FOUNDED, AND 
 THE SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL AUTHORS, 
 
 NEW GENERAL ARRANGEMENT ; CHARACTERS OF THE GENERA ; REMARKS 
 
 ON THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO ONE ANOTHER ; THEIR SPECIES ; 
 
 REFERENCE TO AUTHORS ; GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION ; 
 
 ETC., ETC., 
 
 With 30 Lithographic Plates, by W. H. FITCH, F.L.S., 
 illustrating the Characters of the Tribes. 
 
 BY JOHN SMITH, A.L.S., 
 
 EX-CCBATOB OV THE ROYAL BOTANIC GAEDEIT, KETV ; AUTHOE OP " FEBNS, BBITISH 
 
 FOBEIGN," "DOMESTIC BoTAirr," ETC., ETC. 
 
 LONDON. 
 MACMILLAN & CO. 
 
 1875. 
 
LANDSCAPE 
 
 A Pr H iT^CTU RE 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 H. M. POL LETT, HOBTICTTLTUBAL PBINTEB, 
 12 TO 15 BEIDGEWATEB GABDEN8, BABBICAH", B.C. 
 
 Farrand Gift 
 
QZS23 
 
 LANDSCAPE 
 ARCH. 
 LIBRARY 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 IN submitting this volume to the notice of those in- 
 terested in the study of Ferns I consider it proper, 
 though at the risk of being considered egotistical, to 
 give a brief explanation of the circumstances that have 
 led to its publication. 
 
 My first introduction to Ferns was in acquiring the 
 names of the common British species. In 1823 the 
 collection in the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, came 
 under my care ; it then consisted of about forty hardy 
 species, British and Foreign, and about the same 
 number of tender exotics, the latter dispersed in various 
 hothouses. In 1825 I arranged the tender ones in a 
 group at the end of one of the then lean-to houses, 
 the space they occupied being 12 feet by 6 feet ; 
 these formed the nucleus of the present great collec- 
 tion. 
 
 New species were occasionally imported, and others 
 raised from spores, the spores being obtained from 
 collections of dried specimens, chiefly from the West 
 Indies, Brazil, and Australia, also from a collection of 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 Indian specimens presented to me in 1829 by the 
 late Dr. Wallicb, which led to my commencing a 
 Fern Herbarium, that first received a special addi- 
 tion in the form of a collection of Jamaica Ferns, 
 collected in that island by Mr. Robert Heward. 
 
 In 1841 I purchased a set of the great collection 
 of Ferns made in the Philippine Islands by Mr. Hugh 
 Cuming ; of them I drew up a list, published in 
 Hooker's " Journal of Botany." I then wrote a 
 Memoir, entitled, "An Arrangement and Definition of 
 the Genera of Ferns," which was read before the 
 Linnsean Society, and published in Hooker's "Journal 
 of Botany for 1841-42." In 1842 Hooker and Bauer's 
 "Genera Filicum" was completed, wherein I described 
 twenty new genera. 
 
 Collections of dried specimens were occasionally 
 placed in my hands for naming, among which may 
 be mentioned Schomburgh's "Ferns of British Guiana," 
 published in Hooker's "Journal of Botany" for 1842. 
 The "Ferns of New Zealand," in Dr. Hooker's "Flora 
 of New Zealand," in 1854. Ferns collected during 
 the voyage of the surveying ship "Herald" by Dr. 
 Seemann, contained in the volume of the Botany of 
 that voyage in 1854. I also drew up a list of the 
 great collection of Ferns made in India by Drs. 
 Hooker and Thomson. 
 
PREFACE. V 
 
 My Herbarium continued to increase, not only by 
 the addition of specimens from cultivated plants, but 
 also of dried specimens received from the principal 
 Fern regions of the world, either obtained by direct 
 purchase or by presentation. The collection, number- 
 ing about 2,000 species their various sizes and forms 
 occupying 6,000 large folio sheets were, in 1866, 
 with the exception of one- third duplicates, purchased 
 for the Herbarium of the British Museum. 
 
 In 1846 the Kew Garden collection had increased 
 to 400 species, of which I made up a list, published 
 in the volume of the " Botanical Magazine " for that 
 year. This was followed in 1857 by the publication 
 of a "Catalogue of Cultivated Ferns," 600 species 
 being enumerated. 
 
 In May, 1864, in consequence of failing sight, I 
 resigned the curatorship of the Royal Botanic Garden. 
 I at that time was preparing another catalogue of 
 the Ferns in the Kew collection, which was published 
 in 1866, under the title of " Ferns, British and 
 Foreign,"* consisting of their History, Organograpy, 
 and Classification, including a Treatise on their Cul- 
 tivation. In this work 164 genera are described, each 
 illustrated by a woodcut, and 1,084 species enumerated, 
 including 56 Lycopods and their allies. The Kew 
 * A second edition is now in preparation. 
 
VI PREFACE 
 
 collection at this time occupied three hothouses, cover- 
 ing- an area of 6,570 square feet. 
 
 I should, however, state that the greatness of this 
 collection could not have been attained but for the 
 powerful aid of the late Sir William Hooker, who also 
 took great interest in the study of Ferns, as will be seen 
 by the references to his works in the following pages. 
 In the preface to the "Synopsis Filicum," speaking 
 of the Garden collection, he says, "it is the finest 
 in cultivation," and "the formation of this fine collec- 
 tion is mainly due to the exertions and ability of 
 Mr. John Smith, who for forty-three years held an 
 important position among the officers of the Royal 
 Gardens. His knowledge of Ferns, and his writings 
 on them, justly entitle him to rank among the most 
 distinguished Pteridologists of the present day." 
 
 The above statement will, I trust, be sufficient to 
 show that I have not written this work without long 
 practical acquaintance and the devotion of much time 
 to the study of Ferns, this leads me to hope that it 
 will be found useful to, and worthy of the patronage 
 of, Pterodologists and Botanists in general. I must, 
 however, state that on account of my loss of sight 
 the work is not so complete as I could wish. Lat- 
 terly my materials have been obtained from books 
 kindly lent me by Dr. Hooker, and from various 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 notes furnished by Mr. J. G. Baker, assistant Curator of 
 the Kew Herbarium. 
 
 The original MS. was nearly ready for publication 
 in 1864, since when it has been rewritten and revised 
 under my direction, and before being sent to press 
 submitted to Mr. James Britten, of the Botanical 
 Department of the British Museum. The proof sheets 
 have been (with the exception of a few of the early 
 Ones) corrected by Mr. Robert Heward, F.L.S., I 
 therefore trust that the typographical errors, &c., 
 which may have escaped notice are few. 
 
 I should not have ventured to have added the plates 
 to the work if it had not been that Mr. W. H. Fitch, 
 the eminent botanical artist undertook to prepare the 
 drawings, and to superintend them through the press ; 
 from having drawn all the figures of Ferns published 
 by Sir W. Hooker in his several works, he has become 
 well acquainted with the structure and generic character 
 of Ferns. We have also for many years at various 
 times exchanged views regarding special points of struc- 
 ture, I have, therefore, no hesitation in accepting the 
 plates as correct. 
 
 Although this work is entitled the History of Ferns, 
 it nevertheless must be understood that it does not 
 describe species, nor does it treat of their microscopical 
 structure or chemical products, the chief aim of the 
 
Till PREFACE. 
 
 work being the definition of Genera, and their classifi- 
 cation, founded on the different modes of growth, vena- 
 tion, and fructification. 
 
 JOHN SMITH. 
 
 Eew, September, 1875. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PART 1. 
 
 EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE AND STRUCTURE OP THE PARTS OF 
 
 FERNS ON WHICH GENERA ARE FOUNDED AND CLASSIFIED. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 1. Nature and number of Ferns . 1 
 
 2. Organography. Definitions of the parts of Ferns on which 
 
 genera are founded and classified 8 
 
 3. On the genera of early authors, and their systems of classi- 
 
 fication 20 
 
 4. On the genera of modern authors, and review of their systems 
 
 of classification 25 
 
 5. On the genera and their classification as founded on their 
 
 modes of growth and habit . . . . . .61 
 
 PART 2. 
 
 General arrangement and characters of tribes and genera, with 
 remarks on their relationship one to another, and the 
 number of species 77 to 370 
 
 PART 3. 
 
 1. On the reproduction of Ferns , 371 
 
 2. On the geographical distribution of Ferns . . . .377 
 
 3. On the properties and uses of Ferns . 385 
 
 PART 4. 
 
 1. Names of writers on Ferns, and their works .... 396 
 
 2. Etymology. Derivations of generic names adopted in this 
 
 work 409 
 
 3. Alphabetical list of genera of authors not adopted . , . 422 
 
 4. Index to the tribes and genera adopted in this work . . 427 
 
NAMES OF THE FIGURES ON THE PLATES, 
 ILLUSTRATING THE TRIBES. 
 
 PLATE 1. 
 
 a. Oleandra neriifonnis. b. Oleandra "Wallichii. 
 OBS. "With a portion of the caudex of Polypodium vulgare, show- 
 ing the articulate vernation characteristic of the Division Eremobrya. 
 
 PLATE 2. 
 
 a. Humata heterophylla. b. Davallia pyxidata. c. Leucostegia 
 immersa. 
 
 PLATE 3. 
 
 a. Polypodium vulgare. b. Phlebodium aureum. c. Pleuridium 
 crassifolium. 
 
 PLATE 4. 
 
 a. Drymoglossum carnosum. b. Hymenolepis spicata. c. Lepto- 
 chilus decurrens. 
 
 PLATE 5. 
 
 Platycerium Stemmaria. 
 
 PLATE 6. 
 
 a. Elaphoglossum latifolium. b. Polybotrya osmundacea. c. Gym- 
 nopteris nicotianeefolia. 
 
 PLATE 7. 
 
 a. Meniscium serratum. b. Meniscium simplex. c. Jenkensia 
 undulata (Poecilopteris sp., see Obs., p. 136). 
 
 PLATE 8. 
 
 a. Gymnogramma calomelanos. b. Hemionitis cordata. c. Llavea 
 cordifolia. 
 
Xll LIST OF PLATES. 
 
 PLATE 9. 
 Ceratopteris thalictroides, showing sporangia and spores magnified. 
 
 PLATE 10. 
 
 a. Vittaria elongata. b. Vittaria scolopendrina. c. Pteropsis 
 angustifolia. d. Dictyoxiphium Panamense. 
 
 PLATE 11. 
 
 a. Monogramma furcata. b. Pleurogramma linearis. c. Xipho- 
 pteris serrulata. d. Grammitis furcata. e. Calymmodon cueullatus. 
 /. Calymmodon clavifa. 
 
 PLATE 12. 
 
 a. Ctenopteris trichosora. b. Ctenopteris subtilis. c. Ctenopteris 
 moniliforme. d. Ctenopteris peruviana. e. Ctenopteris rigescens. 
 /. Ctenopteris discolor, g. Adenophorus tamarisci. h. Adenophorus 
 tripinnatifidus. 
 
 PLATE 13 A. 
 
 a. Phegopteris macroptera. b. Goniopteris crenata. c. Dipteris 
 WaUichii. 
 
 PLATE 13 B. 
 
 a. Aspidium trifoliatum. b. Nephrolepis exaltata. c. Lastrea 
 patens. 
 
 PLATE 14. 
 
 a. Woodsia caucasica. b. "VVoodsia obtusa. c. Diacalpe aspidioides. 
 d. Peranema cyatheoides. 
 
 PLATE 15. 
 a. Cyathea arborea. b. Hemitelia horrida. c. Alsophila excelsa. 
 
 PLATE 16. 
 
 a. Dicksonia arborescens. b. Cibotium Schiedei. c. Cystodium 
 sorbifolium. d. Thyrsopteris elegans. 
 
LIST OF PLATES. Xlll 
 
 PLATE 17. 
 
 a. Saccoloma elegans. b. Dennstadtia cicutaria. c. Microlepiu 
 platyphylla. d. Deparia prolifera. 
 
 PLATE 18. 
 
 a. Lindssea trapeziformis. b. Schizoloma ensifolia. c. Synaphle- 
 bium recurvatum. d. Odontoloma repens. 
 
 PLATE 19. 
 
 a. Adiantum Capillus-Veneris. b. Adiantum obliquum. c. He- 
 wardia adiantoides. d. Ocropteris pallens. 
 
 PLATE 20. 
 
 a. Nothochlsena squamosa. b. Cheilanthes radiata. c. Cheilanthes 
 fragrans. d. Cassebeera triphylla. 
 
 PLATE 21. 
 
 a. Pteris nemoralis. b. Campteria biaurita. c. Doryopterishastata. 
 d. Lonchitis pubescens. 
 
 PLATE 22. 
 
 a. Blechnum occidentale. b. Woodwardia radicans. c. Lomaria 
 
 striata. 
 
 PLATE 23. 
 
 a. Asplenium serratum. b. Neottopteris Nidus, c. Diplazium 
 plantagineum. d. Hemidictyum rnarginatum. 
 
 PLATE 24. 
 
 a. Platyzoma microphylla. b. Gleichenia microphylla. c. Gleicli- 
 enia gigantea. d. Matonia pectinata. 
 
 PLATE 25. 
 
 a. Hymenophyllum tunbridgense. b. Trichomanes alatum. c. 
 Hymenostachys diversifrons. In the sterile fronds the veins anasto- 
 mose, which has been inadvertently omitted to be shown on the plate. 
 d. Feea spicata. e. Trichomanes pinnatum. /. Trichomanes reni- 
 forme. 
 
PLATE 26. 
 
 a. Schizsea dichotoma. b. Anemia mandioccana. c. Anemidictyon 
 Phyllitidis. d. Lygodium volubile. 
 
 PLATE 27. 
 a. Osmunda regalis. b. Todea Africana. 
 
 PLATE 28. 
 a. Angiopteris evecta. b. Marattia purpurascens. c. Danea alata. 
 
 PLATE 29. 
 
 a. Ophioglossum vulgatum. b. Botrychium lunaria. c. Helmin- 
 thostachys zelanica. 
 
 N.B. In many of the figures the sori, sporangia, and spors are 
 shown more or less magnified. 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Page 49, line 13, for Lomogramma read Lomagramma. 
 
 49, ,, 13, for Miniscium read Meniscium. 
 
 ,, 56, ,, 24, for Fadyena read Fadyenia. 
 
 63 > 9, for Sellegua read Selliguea. 
 
 64, 22, for Saromanes read Soromanea. 
 
 ,, 77, ,, 13, for Davallie read Davallieae. 
 
 85, ,, 25, for palmatafid read palmatifid. 
 
 ,, 86, 26, for obligatum read obliquatum. 
 
 ,, 90, ,, 2, for hypogaceous read hypogeus. 
 
 ,, 91, ,, 26, for Synaminia read Synainmia. 
 
 ,, 93, ,, 8, for indusaform read indusaefonn. 
 
 ,, 93, ,, 28, for papyaceous read papyraceous. 
 
 ,, 94, ,, 28, for Anexetum read Anaxetum. 
 
 97, ,, 18, for adnescens read adnascens. 
 
 ,, 98, ,, 2, for specie read species. 
 
 98, ,, 16, for Thumb, read Thunb. 
 
 ,, 101, ,, 3, for tenulorus read tenuiloris. 
 
 102, ,. 9, for Borg. read Bory. 
 
 ,,104, ,, 5, for peltedia read peltidea. 
 
 ,,106, ,, 7, for tubicles read tubercles. 
 
 112, ,, 22, for ragadiolepis read rhagadiolepis. 
 
 ,, 111, ,, 25, for to read from. 
 
 ,,192, ,, 24, for cordex read caudex. 
 
PART I. 
 
 EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE AND STRUCTURE OF THE PARTS 
 OF FERNS ON WHICH GENERA ARE FOUNDED AND CLASSIFIED. 
 
 1. NATURE AND NUMBER OF FERNS. 
 
 THE plants which form the subject of this volume con- 
 stitute a special Order in the Vegetable Kingdom, termed 
 Filices, popularly known by the name of Ferns ; they are 
 plants of special habit and structure, and rank highest in 
 the class Cryptogamia of Linnaeus. 
 
 From circumstances explained hereafter, the number of 
 species representing the present Fern flora is not well 
 ascertained ; it is sufficient here to say that about 2,500 
 have been described in books by different botanists, speci- 
 mens of nearly that number being preserved in the princi- 
 pal herbaria of Europe, of which about a thousand have 
 been introduced in a living state, and cultivated in the 
 the gardens of this country. They are widely spread over 
 the earth, being found in the tropics and temperate regions, 
 and extending nearly to the limits of vegetable life in both 
 the northern and southern hemispheres. In habit and 
 mode of growth the greater number come under the 
 category of herbaceous perennials, having seasons of 
 growth and rest according* with the nature of the dif- 
 ferent climates they inhabit, 
 u 
 
2 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 They vary considerably in size, many not being larger 
 than mosses and liverworts and of as delicate a texture ; a 
 very few partake of the character of shrubs, and about one 
 hundred and fifty assume the aspect of trees, some attain- 
 ing the height of fifty or more feet. 
 
 As the special character of their structure is fully ex- 
 plained further on, the above is sufficient to give an idea of 
 the nature of Ferns. 
 
 Although Ferns possess but few economic properties, 
 either as food, medicine, or in the arts, they have never- 
 theless become of great interest to botanists, their study 
 being termed Pteridology, on which many books have been 
 written, and during the last fifty years have also come into 
 special favour with amateur plant cultivators, and lovers of 
 pretty plants. The constant desire for novelty has led 
 both public and private plant collectors and persons living 
 in foreign countries to devote special attention to the col- 
 lecting of Ferns, both for herbarium specimens and also as 
 living plants. By these means the collections of Europe 
 have become greatly enriched. It is recorded that the 
 Koyal Herbarium at Kew contains 50,000 specimens of 
 Ferns, which have been communicated by no less than 
 about 150 public, private, and trade collectors from all 
 regions : the Fern collection in the herbarium of the 
 British Museum is also very extensive. These, with the 
 living collection at Kew, which in 1864 contained above 
 one thousand species, have afforded ample means for study 
 and determining the genera and species of Ferns. Many 
 extensive living collections are also formed by amateurs, 
 who in rivalry enhance their value to such an extent that 
 as much as fifty guineas is frequently given for a single 
 plant of fashionable repute- at the time. 
 
 Of late years many books have been published on Ferns, 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 3 
 
 but the different views entertained by botanists, respecting 
 the data on which genera and species are founded, renders 
 the study of Ferns a task of no ordinary labour. This is 
 owing to many causes, one of which is found in the fact 
 that many species are normally heteromorphous ; separate 
 plants of the same species presenting different forms at 
 the same or at different periods of growth, although grow- 
 ing under the same climatic influences ; in some cases dif- 
 ferent fronds of the same plant, and even portions of the 
 same frond when seen apart, have been characterized as 
 distinct species, and have even been placed under different 
 genera. It also frequently happens that two or more speci- 
 mens present sufficient characters to be considered distinct 
 species, but when the intermediate gradations of the 
 series are supplied, only the most extreme states of any 
 of the forms appear sufficiently distinct to be so con- 
 sidered. It often happens that plants of the same species 
 at one time produce all simple, and at another time all 
 pinnate or more highly divided fronds ; it is therefore not 
 surprising that different forms of individual species should 
 be viewed as representing two or more species when 
 known only from incomplete herbarium specimens. 
 
 It must also be borne in mind that the descriptions of 
 many species found in books are derived from dried speci- 
 mens, obtained in various parts of the world by trade 
 collectors whose object is often only pecuniary gain, and 
 whose profits are dependent on the number of forms found. 
 Great caution is therefore necessary in accepting a collector's 
 idea of species ; it is only on the word of the independent 
 and truly scientific collector that we can rely for correct 
 information on the various aspects assumed by individual 
 species growing in regions far away from where we write 
 their history ; but even under the most favourable circum- 
 
4 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 stances of observation and discrimination, uncertainty often 
 prevails. For instance, no class of plants has of late 
 years been more written about than the Ferns of Great 
 Britain ; and yet much diversity of opinion still exists 
 amongst British botanists regarding the number of species, 
 although they have the opportunity of carefully and 
 leisurely examining them under every circumstance con- 
 nected with the different aspects they assume in their 
 various places of growth. This surely offers some pallia- 
 tion for the errors committed by the general pteridologist, 
 more especially when we consider that the Ferns of Great 
 Britain are in number as one to sixty of the Fern-flora of 
 the earth. 
 
 Having had under my observation for nearly half a cen- 
 tury the Fern collection in the Royal Gardens at Kew, 
 which, as already stated, amounted in 1864 to about a 
 thousand species, and having during that period carefully 
 noted their different modes of growth and aspects, I have 
 been induced to consider that the differences seen in a series 
 of closely allied living Ferns, are much more obvious than 
 in examples of the same when seen in the herbarium. It 
 is, however, often difficult to express their differences in 
 words, but the eye readily distinguishes them, and knowing 
 that each form maintains its own peculiar habit from year 
 to year, reproducing its like from spores (seeds), I am, 
 therefore, induced to consider that although closely allied, 
 they are nevetheless sufficiently different to be regarded as 
 distinct species. 
 
 Another point which renders it difficult to arrive at 
 any satisfactory conclusion as to the correct number of 
 species, is the botanical rule which prescribes that the 
 specific name under which a plant is first described, is to 
 be retained in whatever genus it may be referred to by 
 
OX GENERA AND SPECIES. 5 
 
 subsequent authors ; and in consequence of many species 
 of Linnaeus, Swartz, and other early authors, being but 
 indifferently described, many being- founded on imperfect 
 specimens, and nothing but the meagre description left us 
 for their identification. It frequently happens that some 
 modern author detects or supposes that he has found out 
 that the new species of his contemporary is one of the 
 Linnean or Swartzian doubtful species, and on his decision 
 being confirmed, names long familiar have to be changed. 
 Again, by the distribution of trade and private herbarium 
 collections, sets of the same specimens fall in the hands of 
 different botanists at the same time, and each being eager 
 to describe what he considers new, and not, in some in- 
 stances, having studied the special families, nevertheless 
 does not hesitate to describe new species, or to found new 
 genera. This being done without inter-communication, 
 different names are given to the same plants ; when these 
 are collated by the systematist, it often becomes difficult to 
 decide which to adopt, thus burdening the science with 
 synonyms. 
 
 Under this state of things few Ferns have now less than 
 three names, many have twenty, thus rendering it in many 
 cases impossible to reconcile one author's views with an- 
 other's. For instance, the Fern known by the name of 
 Ceratopteris thalictroides has been described by no less than 
 twelve authors under as many different generic and specific 
 names. 
 
 But the point upon which pteridologists appear to 
 differ most, and upon which their only agreement seems to 
 be an agreement to differ, is the definition of genera and 
 their limits. I say emphatically appear to differ, for in the 
 works of those most at issue the differences are not so 
 much in the limits of the groups themselves as in the 
 
6 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 relative importance assigned to them. For example, while 
 some, as Presl, Fee, Moore, and myself, break up the old 
 Linnean genera, Poly podium, Aspidium, &c., into a greater 
 or lesser number of smaller genera, upon characters derived 
 from differences in their anatomical structure and modes of 
 growth ; others, as Hooker and Mettenius, prefer adhering 
 to the Linnean genera, without greatly altering their 
 characters, and adopting the modern generic names as 
 sectional ones for such divisions as they find themselves 
 compelled to make. 
 
 On reviewing what I have now stated it may naturally 
 be asked, What is a species or genus ? or, by what law of 
 nature can this be determined ? As generally under- 
 stood by naturalists, a species is an organised structure 
 specially created and endowed with an essence or quality 
 peculiar to itself, possessing the power of increase and 
 transmitting its primitive essence and anatomical structure 
 and form without change, to its progeny for successive 
 generations. But the difficulty of defining species becomes 
 evident on taking a general view of the numerous forms 
 which connect one with another. It will then be found be- 
 yond human power to ascertain whether the several grada- 
 tions of allied forms are descendants of primitive specific 
 creations, or are, according to the Darwinian theory of the 
 " origin of species," only deviations from a few primordial 
 creations, endowed with a protean principle which becomes 
 manifest during the lapse of ages, and controlled by the 
 different climatic and local influences under which the 
 progeny of the original have become established, and 
 which now form the flora of the earth. If the latter is 
 admitted to be the case, and we are led to believe that 
 intermediate forms originate during the slow progress of 
 time, then all must be uncertainty, and the number of 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 7 
 
 species will vary according to the evidence possessed by 
 different authors, and the views they take of the apparent 
 transition forms. 
 
 In verification of what is stated above respecting species, 
 I quote the words of an eminent botanist, that " the pre- 
 liminary exact determination of what is a species no one 
 has yet succeeded in giving." It is well known that phaa- 
 nogamous plants assume different forms and aspects brought 
 about by natural causes or the agency of man ; the differ- 
 ence from the original types being often so great, that if 
 evidence of the change were not on record, the botanist of 
 the present day would be justified in describing them as 
 distinct species, and originally created as such. With 
 Ferns, we possess but little evidence of new forms having 
 come into existence in modern times, the chief examples 
 being found in several intermediate states in the genera 
 Gymnogramme and Pteris, which of late years have made 
 their appearance in gardens, some being so different from 
 their supposed parents that, if they had been found wild 
 they would by some botanists be considered sufficiently 
 distinct to rank as species. If such changes do actually 
 take place, and we are to deduce from them that races of 
 intermediate forms originate in the progress of time, and 
 through the causes above alluded to, great difficulty must 
 attend any attempt to define species of Ferns. 
 
 These observations show the principal conflicting causes 
 . that have led to the confusion in the nomenclature of Ferns. 
 
 This may be considered a sufficient history of species. I 
 will now treat of genera and their classification ; but to 
 make the subject well understood, I deem it best to give 
 first a general exposition of the structure of the different 
 parts of Ferns, on which genera are founded and classified. 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 2. ORGANOGRAPHY. 
 
 DEFINITIONS OF THE PARTS OF FERNS ON WHICH GENERA ARE 
 FOUNDED AND CLASSIFIED. 
 
 FILICES or Ferns are flowerless plants, and form the highest 
 order of the division of the Vegetable Kingdom termed 
 Cryptogamia, which includes all plants having their organs 
 of reproduction invisible to the naked eye. They have no 
 true leaves, but produce leaf-like expansions, called fronds, 
 which not only perform the functions of leaves, but also 
 bear the organs of reproduction. The fronds are succes- 
 sively developed from the apex or sides of an accrescent 
 stem (caudex), and before expansion are spirally coiled 
 inwards (circinate). They are traversed by veins in various 
 ways, and produce on their under surface, or on special 
 appendages, round linear, or irregular masses of one-celled 
 (sporangia) or many celled (synanyia) cases, which contain 
 numerous microscopic germs, called spores (seed). The 
 masses of spare cases are called son'. They are either 
 furnished with a special covering of various forms, called 
 the indusium (indusiate), or they are naked (non-indusiate) . 
 
 VERNATION (STEMS). 
 
 The manner in which the fronds are developed from 
 their axis is termed vernation, and their union with the 
 axis is either adherent or articulate. Adherent vernation 
 presents two forms. First Fasciculate when the fronds are 
 produced in a continuous spiral whorl from the apex of the 
 axis with which their bases are adherent, and thus by their 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 9 
 
 successive development form a stem (caudex), which is 
 either erect or more or Isss decumbent. The caudex varies 
 in size, according to the normal nature of the species. It 
 is often very short, even consisting of a bud only, scarcely 
 rising above the surface of the ground such is termed 
 acaulose or it forms a low stem a foot or more in height 
 (arboroid), or it assumes the height of a tree (arborescent). 
 Second Uniserial. This consists of a creeping rooting 
 stem, termed sarmentum, which progresses by the succes- 
 sive evolution of single fronds from its apex, each succeed- 
 ing frond being produced from the base of the preceding 
 one, at more or less distance in advance. It either con- 
 tinues simple or branches, and varies in thickness from 
 that of a thread to an inch or more in diameter, and is 
 either epigeous, hypogeous, or epiphytal. 
 
 Articulate vernation also presents two forms. First- 
 Fasciculate. This is peculiar to a few Tree Ferns and the 
 order Marattiacece, in which the fronds when mature fall 
 away, leaving marks of rhomboid scars on the stem.* 
 Second Solitary. This consists of a creeping stem, 
 termed surculwn, emitting roots from its under surface, 
 by which it adheres to the earth or other bodies, but 
 generally trees (epiphytal), rarely hypogeous. It varies in 
 size from short and thick to long and slender, and when 
 young is densely covered with scales (squamcp). It is 
 either simple or branching, and is distinguished from the 
 sarmentum by its apex being always in advance of the 
 forthcoming fronds. These are produced singly from 
 special nodes on its sides, with which the base of the frond 
 (stipes) is articulate, and there separate on becoming 
 mature, leaving the mark of a round, slightly concave 
 scar or cicatrix. 
 
 * See Tribe Cyatheae. 
 
10 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 FRONDS. 
 
 THE fronds before expansion are involutely coiled, in the 
 manner of a watch spring-, and gradually uncoil during 
 the period of growth, and with a few exceptions have all 
 their parts formed before they begin to unfold (definite), 
 all of which increase in size with the progress of the frond. 
 Fronds present extreme variation in size and form, vary- 
 ing from less than an inch to 15 or 20 feet in length, and 
 in form, from entire, like a blade of grass or ribbon to 
 being compoundly divided. In describing them, the same 
 terms are used as are applied to the leaves of flowering 
 plants, that is, they are simple, entire, linear lanceolate, 
 ovate, elliptical or sub-rotund, or they are pedate or pal- 
 mately lobed, pinnatifid, or they are pinnate, ~bi-tripinnate, or 
 more highly divided, and then termed compound multifid. 
 They also vary considerably in texture, some being thin, 
 pellucid, membranous, and flaccid ; while others are thick, 
 fleshy, or hard and rigid. 
 
 In pinnate, bi-and-tripinnate fronds, the divisions (seg- 
 ments) of the first are called pinnae and the second pin- 
 nules, each of which individually represents a simple 
 frond. The margins of simple fronds, and of pinnae and 
 pinnules, are either entire or variously dentate or sinuose 
 repand, regularly pinnatifid or otherwise divided, the divi- 
 sions being called lobes or lacince. The general form of 
 fronds, whether simple or in any way divided, is linear 
 lanceolate, or oblong elliptical, or deltoid ; in deltoid com- 
 pound fronds, the primary pinnae assume the character of 
 branches, the ultimate divisions of which are often divided 
 into small lacinae or dents, such being termed multifid. 
 The axis of attachment of the pinnas and pinnules is 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 11 
 
 termed the rachis, the primary rachis being a continuation 
 of the foot-stalk (stipes)- its first branches the secondary 
 rachis, that is the rachis of pinnules. The pinnae and pin- 
 nules are as a rule alternate, but are also often opposite or 
 nearly so, and they are either sessile or petiolate, and are 
 either adhering and continuous with the rachis, or arti- 
 culate with it, readily separating at the joint when mature, 
 or earlier by dryness. In such the rachis remains long 
 permanent, and even in some species of Nephrolepis the 
 apex continues to grow, producing pinnae. Their leafy 
 part either tapers down to their base, such being termed 
 sessile, or borne on a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical foot- 
 stalk, but which is not special, being an integral part of 
 the frond. 
 
 They either grow erect or verge in various angles from 
 the axis of development, some being nearly horizontal or 
 bent downwards, their apex in such cases being generally 
 viviparous. 
 
 Fronds before evolution are densely covered with scales, 
 termed ramentce, or articulate hairs, these in most cases are 
 early deciduous, except at the base of the fronds. In Pleo- 
 peltis, Lepecystis, and Geterach, and some others, they are 
 permanent, and specially characteristic. In some the 
 under side is densely covered with silvery or golden- 
 colo tired farina ; others are furnished with various hairs or 
 glands, which are generally viscid. Fronds are in most 
 Ferns of two forms, sterile and fertile, but in the great 
 majority the latter do not differ much from the former, 
 though they are in general narrower in all their parts. 
 In several tribes they are normally of two distinct forms 
 (dimorphous), the sterile presenting the ordinary leafy 
 character, the fertile being specially contracted and thick- 
 ened. In some the contracted segments are very narrow 
 
12 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 (rachiform), in others they are involute, in the form of a 
 pod or siliqua (siliquiform) in others plain, the under 
 surface being densely occupied with sporangia ; in some, 
 the lower portion of the frond is sterile, while the upper 
 portion is contracted and fertile. 
 
 The duration of fronds is variable, some remaining per- 
 manent for several years, but the greater majority, espe- 
 cially those in temperate and cold climates, develope and 
 come to maturity in one year. 
 
 It is, however, otherwise with the genera GleicJienia, Lygo- 
 dium, and Salpichlcena ; in the first the fronds are dicJio- 
 tomous ; and from the axis of the forks are successively 
 produced other dichotomous branches, and the fronds thus 
 continue long permanent. 
 
 As regards Lygodium, the fronds so called continue to 
 lengthen and branch (indefinite), rambling over bushes or 
 climbing the tops of lofty trees ; such is also the case with 
 the blechnoid Fern Salpichlcena. The permanent nature 
 of these climbing fronds (?) may be considered analogous 
 to climbing flowering plants, such as Clematis; to these 
 peculiar growing Ferns I apply the term Pterampelids. 
 
 VENATION. 
 
 The vascular structure of Ferns consists of cords of 
 indurated tissue termed scalariform, which branches from 
 the base of the previous frond into the nascent bud of the 
 forthcoming frond, and lengthen upwards with the growth 
 of the frond. It consists of one, two, or more cylindrical, 
 flat, or channeled cords, which, on reaching the leafy part 
 of the frond, divide and ramify through all its parts, the ul- 
 timate ramifications ending in the leafy part (lamina), being 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. ] 3 
 
 called veins ; these veins, which either radiate from the base 
 of some fronds as also from segments, in a flabellate 
 manner ; but are more generally produced from a midrib 
 (costa), which in simple fronds is a continuation of the 
 vascular cords of the stipes ; and in segments of fronds, a 
 branch of the rachis from which they are produced. 
 
 The costa is generally central, or in some excentric, or 
 even quite on one side of the segment (unilateral) ; it 
 generally terminates at or near the apex of the frond or 
 segment, or it becomes undefined before reaching the apex, 
 or is very short, rudimentary, or absent. It is generally 
 elevated in the form of a ridge on one or both sides of the 
 lamina, or it is in the form of a channel on the upper side, 
 or it is imbedded in the substance of the frond, and then 
 often obscure. 
 
 From the sides of the costa veins are produced at a more 
 or less distance from each other, and generally equal or 
 nearly so, on both its sides ; they form a more or less 
 acute, oblique, or nearly a right (patent) angle with the 
 costa, and when free always directed outwards towards the 
 margin or apex of the frond or segment. They are either 
 straight, curved or flexuose, and are either simple or branch 
 in various ways, the first are termed primary veins, their 
 branches venules, and the branches of these veinlets, each 
 being a diminutive of the preceding. In many cases the 
 primary vein that rises direct from the midrib is very short, 
 and branches sometimes close to the midrib, or even within 
 the substance of the midrib, as in Neottopteris australiaca ; 
 in others they terminate at or near the margin, and when 
 parallel to one another and very evident are termed costce- 
 form, and the diminutive costulce is applied to the primary 
 veins of laceanae. 
 
 Veins are termed free when all the branches of each 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 fascicle terminate before reaching, or at the margin, their 
 apices being free and unconnected ; and anastomosing when 
 the apices of the branches of each proximate fascicle unite 
 with one another, which they do in various ways, forming 
 regular, square, rhomboid, hexagonal, or unequal sided 
 meshes (areoles). When the primary veins are not evident, 
 and all the anastomoses of about equal size, it is termed 
 reticulate venation. 
 
 Both free and anastomosing veins are spoken of as 
 follows : Simple, when each vein proceeds from the costas 
 to the margin without branching. Forked, when they 
 divide at an acute angle into two or more branches, after 
 leaving the costse. Pinnately forked, when the primary 
 veins are scarcely defined, the venules dichotomously 
 branching. Pinnate, when the primary veins that run 
 from the costa8 to the margin are distinctly defined, and 
 produce venules in regular order on both sides, forming a 
 more or less acute or oblique angle with their axis. 
 
 The simplest form of anastomosing venation is when the 
 apices of simple or forked veins are combined or connected 
 by means of a vein close to and continuous with the mar- 
 gin, as in the genera Olfersia and Neottopteris. Pinnate and 
 pinnately-forked veins anastomose by the uniting of the 
 apices of the venules of the proximate fascicles, which they 
 do at various angles, from acute to nearly a right angle, or 
 even arcuate as in Meniscium, or straight as in Blechnum. 
 
 In most of these cases, the connected venules produce from 
 the apex of their angular junction, or from their exterior 
 sides, one or more outward directed veinlets (excurrent}^ 
 which are either free or unite with the next exterior anas- 
 tomose, thus forming in the latter case two or more rows 
 of areoles between the primary veins. When anastomose 
 venules form a right or nearly a right angle with the 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 15 
 
 primary veins, they thus become parallel with the costse, 
 and are then called transverse. In many cases the venules 
 produce veinlets in an irregular manner, which either anas- 
 tomose, or terminate within the areoles. When directed 
 outwards they are termed excurrent, and recurrent when 
 directed inwards ; this is termed compound anastomose 
 venation. In many cases, both in free and anastomose 
 venation, the apices of the venules and veinlets is thickened 
 (clavate) in the form of a gland. 
 
 RECEPTACLES. 
 
 The receptacles are the sites upon which the sporangia 
 are seated, and are generally thickened points, or length- 
 ened portion of some part of the venation. In position 
 they are called terminal when on the apex of the veins or 
 their branches ; lateral when on the sides of the veins ; 
 axillary when on the forking ; compital when on the 
 angular crossing or points of confluence of two or more 
 venules or veinlets. They are superficial or immersed in 
 the substance of the frond, or elevated above its surface, and 
 then columnar or globose. When in the form of a point 
 or dot they are termed punctiform, and, when lengthened, 
 elongated or linear ; and amorphous when of no denned 
 form (as in Acrostichum). 
 
 SPORANGIA. 
 
 The spore cases or sporangia are the organs which con- 
 tain the reproductive spores, and are borne in masses upon 
 the receptacles. They are thin and transparent, or horny 
 
1(5 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 and opaque. In form they are globose, oval or pyriform, 
 pedicellate or sessile, arid are either furnished with a more 
 or less complete articulated elastic ring (annulate), or des- 
 titute of a ring (exannulate) . This ring is said to be 
 vertical when it passes over the apex of the sporangia, 
 being a continuation of the pedicel ; horizontal when it 
 passes horizontally round the sporangium, either at or 
 about its middle, or at the apex (apicafy ; oblique when it 
 passes round the sporangium in some direction interme- 
 diate between vertical and horizontal. 
 
 When the sporangia arrive at maturity, and are under 
 certain conditions as to dryness, the elasticity of the ring 
 causes them to burst open, and the spores are ejected. 
 The opening takes place at or very near to a right angle 
 with the direction of the ring that is, those having a ver- 
 tical ring burst 'horizontally, and those with a horizontal 
 ring, by a vertical slit. 
 
 Exannulate spore cases are in texture coriaceous becom- 
 ing horny. They are either free, or connate and called 
 synangia, which are formed of a greater or lesser number 
 of exannulate sporangia, laterally united, forming a series 
 of cells, disposed in a circle or in two rows, side by side, 
 which either remain united as in Dancece, or separate 
 longitudinally in two valve-like lobes, as in Marattia. 
 The cells open by slits or pores. 
 
 N.B. About thirty species which constitute the order 
 Marattiacece have exannulate sporangia. 
 
 SORI. 
 
 The sori are masses of sporangia produced on the recep- 
 tacle. Their form and position correspond with, and are 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 17 
 
 dependent upon the form of the receptacles, which are 
 their foundations. Thus, when the receptacles consist of a 
 point only, the sori are always round, termed punctiform 
 while linear receptacles bear sori of various forms, being 
 oblong, elliptical, or linear, either simple, straight, or arcuate, 
 forked or reticulated. 
 
 The sporangia of each sorus are generally crowded, or, 
 in some cases, few, being side by side on the receptacle, as 
 in Ceratopteris and Gleiclienia. They are either seated on 
 the margin (marginal) or near or close to the costa (costal), 
 or on or about the middle of the disc (medial). When a 
 little within the margin they are termed ante-marginal. 
 In some they are in pedicellate dents, exserted on the 
 margin. They are irregularly scattered over the surface 
 or solitary in multifid lacinise, or in regular rows, or con- 
 tinuous lines (serial). When the lines diverge at an angle 
 from the mid-rib they are said to be oblique, and when 
 parallel with either the margin or the costa, transverse. 
 
 For their position on the veins the same terms are used 
 as those given for the receptacle. 
 
 As a general rule, each sorus is distinct and well defined, 
 but in many cases the receptacles are so very close together 
 that the sporangium of one sorus runs into that of the con- 
 tiguous one (confluent), and thus normally punctiform sori 
 become oblong or linear. In the tribe Acrostichece, in which 
 the fertile fronds are contracted, the sori have no definite 
 form, the sporangia occupying the whole of the under 
 surface or in patches. They are borne on one side of con- 
 tracted spikes, or on simple or compound racemes, as in 
 Schizcea, Lygodium, Anemia, and Osmunda. 
 
18 ON GENERA AND SPECIE?. 
 
 INDUSIUM. 
 
 The sori are either naked or furnished with a special 
 covering called the indusium, or involucrum by some, which 
 presents many well marked different forms, and is highly 
 important for distinguishing genera ; it consists of three 
 kinds special, accessory, and universal. True or special 
 indusia are more or less membranous, or thick and firm 
 in texture, and rise from the receptacles to which they are 
 attached in different ways. Some rise in the form of an 
 orbicular disc, covering the sorus in the form of a shield 
 (peltate) ; more frequently they are attached on the interior 
 or exterior side of the receptacle ; such are termed lateral, 
 which open like a lid (operculiform) when attached on the 
 side next the costa, interior, and when on the side next or 
 on the margin exterior. 
 
 Lateral indusia partake of the form of the sori, being 
 round, oblong, or linear ; in punctiform sori they are 
 attached by a point, or more or less by the base or sides, 
 and are of various forms, being reniform, subrotund, oval, 
 or oblong, sometimes very small (squamiform). Their 
 surface is flat> vaulted, or when attached by their sides 
 cucculate, their free margin being entire or variously 
 lacinated or fringed. 
 
 Besides these two modes of attachment there is a third 
 kind, in which the indusium is attached all round the recep- 
 tacle it is at first globose, and includes the sporangia, 
 but ultimately their apex opens and widens, thus assuming 
 the form of a cup (calyciform), the margin being more or less 
 entire or deeply laciniated, even to be like a fringe ; some- 
 times the attachment is only half round the receptacle 
 (semicalyciform) , 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 19 
 
 Accessory indusia are formed of the entire margin of the 
 frond, or a portion of it being changed in texture and form 
 and inflexed, its margin conniving with the free margin 
 of the interiorly attached special indusium, the two thus 
 combined forming a continuous or interrupted groove, 
 opening exteriorly. When the special indusium is pro- 
 duced on a punctiform receptacle, an urceolate, bilabiate, or 
 tubular cyst is formed, which contains the sporangia, some 
 being exerted beyond the margin (pedicellate) ; while in 
 some cases the cyst is antemarginal, and is then termed 
 cucullate, in all these cases opening exteriorly, but often 
 more or less turned inwards, and then having the appearance 
 of being on the under side of the margin. 
 
 Universal indusia occurs when the segments of the fertile 
 fronds are contracted. They consist of the margins of the 
 segments being more or less changed in texture, becoming 
 membranous, and folded inwards (involute*), the two 
 opposite margins generally meeting, and thus enclosing all 
 the sori upon the segment, whatever may be their form or 
 position upon the veins, the segments thus assuming the 
 form of a pod or siliqua (siliquiform) as in Struthiopteris ; 
 or of a berry (jbacciform) as in Onoclea. 
 
 In some Polypodece the sori are furnished with scales of 
 various forms ; in Pleopeltis they consist of numerous 
 orbicular peltate scales, imbricate over one another, and 
 covering the sporangia of each sori ; in Hymenolepis they 
 are very thin and membranous ; in Lopholepis they consist 
 of numerous slender scales, longer than the sporangia ; in 
 Schellolepis they are irregularly laciniated ; club like and 
 other forms are also common to the genera Vittaria and 
 Tcenitis. Such bodies are considered to be imperfect 
 
 * That is, the margins turned or rolled inwards, so as to face and 
 meet one another on the under side of the frond or segment. 
 
20 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 sporangia, to which the term paraphysis is given. In 
 Ampliidesmium, Lophosoria., Trichopteris^ and several species 
 of Alsophila, numerous simple or articulate hairs are mixed 
 with the sporangia, which impart to the sori a woolly or 
 hirsute appearance. 
 
 The above is a general view of the form and position of 
 the different organisation of Ferns, and furnishes data for 
 the definition of genera and their arrangement ; but as in 
 many instances of botanical definitions, there are always 
 exceptions to normal forms and position of parts, even to 
 the sori being produced on the under side of the frond, as 
 in Polysticlium anomalum, a native of Ceylon ; in some of 
 its fronds the sori are as abundantly produced on the upper 
 side as on the under, and bear the characteristic peltate 
 indusium. The same also occurs in TricJiiocarpe Moorei, a 
 native of New Caledonia. Such seems to be the normal 
 state of these two species even in native specimens, as 
 also in plants cultivated in Kew. 
 
 3. ON THE GENERA OF EARLY AUTHORS AND THEIR SYSTEMS 
 OF CLASSIFICATION. 
 
 HAVING described the principal organs of Ferns, by means 
 of which genera are defined and classified, I now proceed 
 to give a brief review of the progress of Pteridology from 
 the time of Linnaeus to the present, noting' the works of 
 the principal systematic authors who have from time to 
 time collated and characterised the genera and species of 
 Ferns at their respective periods. 
 
 It appears that only about one hundred and ninety 
 species were known to Linnaeus. These he classified 
 under eleven genera viz. : Osmunda, Onoclea, Acrostichum, 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 21 
 
 Remionitis, Polypodium, Asplenium, Pteris, Blechnum, Lon- 
 ckites, and Trichomanes. The data upon which they were 
 founded were derived, as in flowering plants, from the 
 different modifications and position observed in their so- 
 called organs of fructification. The chief difference con- 
 sisted in the fructification spore cases or sporangia being 
 produced either in defined round masses, or in lines, or 
 densely crowded together on the under side of the frond, 
 or in simple spikes or panicles formed by the whole or a 
 portion only of the fertile frond being contracted. Thus, 
 according to Linnaeus' characters, all Ferns having their 
 fructification in simple or racemose spikes belong to 
 Osmunda and Onoclea ; in crowded masses to Acrostichum ; 
 in round masses or spots to Polypodium in lines across 
 one another to Hemionitis ; in lines diverging from the 
 mid-rib to Asplenium ; in a line on each side of the mid-rib 
 to Blechnum ; in a line or dots on the margin to Pteris and 
 Adiantum ; in a sinus on the margin to Lonchites ; and 
 inserted on the margin to Trichomanes. 
 
 These Linnean genera are each composed of a greater 
 or lesser number of species, each of which is presumed to 
 agree in the form and position of the fructification with the 
 respective generic characters as above stated. But the 
 more careful examination by later observers of the same 
 generic forms has revealed additional variations, which 
 will come under notice as we proceed. It is worthy of 
 remark, however, that the whole of the species of Ferns 
 now known are capable of being referred to Linnean 
 genera ; but if such were done, species possessing very 
 different appearances as regards habit and mode of growth 
 would be brought together, and the genera would be of 
 un wieldly dimensions. 
 
 The first author of importance after Linnams was Dr. 
 
22 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 J. E. Smith,* who, after the death of the younger Linnoeus, 
 became by purchase the owner of the Linnean Herbarium. 
 He published many botanical memoirs, and one on Ferns 
 in 1793, in the fifth volume of the "Memoirs of the 
 Academia of Turin," in which he characterised thirteen 
 new genera viz. : Darea, Scolopendrium, Woudwardia, 
 Lindscea (Dryander, MS.), Vittaria, Davallia, Dicksonia 
 (L'Heritier, 1788), Cyathea, Hymenopliyllum, Schizcea, 
 Gleichenia, Maratlia, and Dancea. These, with the Linnean 
 genera, raised the number to twenty-four, which he divides 
 under two sections viz., Annulatce and Exannulatce. The 
 technical difference between these consists in the spore 
 cases being furnished with a ring, or destitute of a ring. 
 This mode of arrangement has since been adopted by all 
 systematic writers on Ferns, as defining two distinct orders 
 which will come under special notice hereafter. 
 
 The next general systematic work was the " Synopsis 
 Filicum " of Dr. Swartz, published in 1806. In that ex- 
 cellent work nearly 700 species are described, and a 
 great many doubtful species enumerated. The de- 
 scribed species are classified under thirty-six genera, being 
 an increase of twenty-five since those of Linnaeus. Eleven 
 of them are founded on species removed from Linnean 
 genera, their separation being due to a special organ which 
 I have already described under the name of indusium, by 
 some called involucrum. Although this organ was noticed 
 by Adanson and Necker, yet it was not employed by 
 Linnaeus in characterising his genera. It was first specially 
 made use of by Sir J. E. Smith, in characterising his new 
 genera, and also about the same time by the German 
 botanist Both, and was adopted by Swartz in the above- 
 named work, in which he arranges twenty-five of the 
 * Afterwards Sir James Edward Smith. 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 23 
 
 genera under two divisions. The first, which he terms 
 " Nudis" consists of six genera, characterised by the sori 
 being naked, that is destitute of indusium, by some termed 
 gymnosorus ; this division contains 167 species. The other 
 genera being furnished with an indusium he terms " In- 
 dusiates" which comprehends 467 species. These two 
 divisions embrace all Ferns which have their sporangia 
 furnished with a vertical ring ; as also the genera Hymen- 
 ophyllum and Trichomanes, in which the ring is horizontal. 
 
 The next systematic arrangement of Ferns appeared in 
 1810, in the fifth volume of the " Species Plantarum " of 
 Willdenow, wherein 1,010 species of circinate Ferns are 
 described, comprehended under forty-one genera, being an 
 addition of five new genera since Swartz. Three of these 
 new genera are founded on species retained by Swartz in 
 Linnean genera, the other two (Polybotrya and Pleopeltis), are 
 each founded on a single species, for which the authority of 
 Humboldt and Bonpland is given. As the characters upon 
 which Willdenow founded his genera do not bring forward 
 any striking new feature of structure, beyond certain modi- 
 fications in the nature of the indusia and contraction of the 
 fertile frond, I do not deem it necessary to speak farther of 
 them in this place. The first pictorial work at that period 
 was the " Kryptogamische Gewachse " (plants), by Pro- 
 fessor Schkuhr, of Wurtemburg, published in 1809 ; it is a 
 quarto volume containing 196 finely executed coloured 
 plates representing 263 species of circinate Ferns, and 
 accompanied by 212 pages of descriptive text. The im- 
 portance of this work is manifested by the fact that all 
 succeeding pteridologists quote the figures as evidence in 
 the identification of species. 
 
 The above were followed by special works and miscel- 
 laneous writings in journals on Ferns, the principal writers 
 
24 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 being Bernkardi, Robert Brown, Bory, Desvaux, Kaulfuss, 
 Gaudichaud, Raddi, Martins, Presl, Don, and others*. In 
 these works a number of new genera are characterised, but 
 it is not necessary to enter into further details regarding 
 them here, more especially as the principal of them are 
 given hereafter, either as accepted genera or as synonyms. 
 
 These authors were followed by C. Sprengel, who, in the 
 fourth volume of his " Systema Yegetabilium," published in 
 1827, brought together and arranged in systematic order 
 the whole of the species of Ferns known to him. Although 
 this work cannot be looked upon otherwise than as a 
 hasty compilation, and is of little value as a work of 
 reference, yet it has the merit of bringing into a brief 
 compass a descriptive enumeration of all the Ferns known 
 at that period, collated from previously published works; 
 the total number of his circinate Ferns being 1,309, which 
 he arranges under fifty genera. This shows that a con- 
 siderable increase of species had taken place since the 
 time of Willdenow, and a glance at the author's names 
 above mentioned proves that the study of Ferns had not 
 been neglected. 
 
 The discoveries of Blume and Reinwardt in Java, led to 
 the publication in 1830 of Blume's enumeration of the 
 Ferns of that and other of the Malayan Islands, in which 
 460 species are described. Of these 300 were new, the 
 whole being arranged under fifty genera, six of which were 
 previously unknown. 
 
 This was followed by the splendid folio work, Blume's 
 " Flora of Java," which contains finely-coloured plates 
 of Ferns ; and in the letter press he gives many new ideas 
 respecting genera. At this period Link and Kunze 
 published several treatises on Ferns, the first an enumera- 
 * See list of authors and books. 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 25 
 
 tion and description of Ferns in the Berlin Gardens, 
 entitled " Hortus Berlinensis ; " the second a work entitled 
 " Analectee Botanicae j " as also a continuation of Schkuhr's 
 "Filices." He also published many articles on Ferns in 
 the " Linnasa," in which many new species are described. 
 
 In 1839 Professor Agardh, a Swedish botanist, published 
 a memoir on the genus Pteris, of which ninety-four species 
 are described. 
 
 4. ON THE GENERA Of MODERN AUTHORS, AND REVIEW OF 
 THEIR SYSTEMS OF CLASSIFICATION. 
 
 It would occupy too much space to enter into a review of 
 the many works and the different views entertained by 
 many of the above authors regarding the characters of 
 genera, especially as all matters of importance relating 
 to genera will be found noticed in their respective places. 
 
 The chief characters adopted by many of the preceding 
 authors for defining genera consist in differences in the 
 form and arrangement of the sori, and in the different forms 
 of the indusium when present, and even some on the texture 
 and pubescens, and in the contraction of the fertile fronds. 
 
 By the conjoint labour of authors the number of genera 
 have been considerably increased since the time of Swartz, 
 making the total number up to the time of Sprengel 
 sixty-five, several of which may be viewed as natural 
 genera. Eight are founded each on a single species, six 
 contain two to four each ; while the old Linnean genera 
 Polypodium, Pteris, and Asplenium, and the Aspidium of 
 Swartz collectively contain 648 species, being nearly one 
 half of the whole number enumerated by Sprengel. 
 Although this great number of species agree in the techni- 
 cal characters of their respective genera, as founded on 
 
26 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 their fructification, yet a great many differ so widely in 
 general habit and mode of growth, that any systematic 
 arrangement, founded on genera so constituted, must be 
 received as purely artificial, and only admissible on the 
 principle of its bringing together under a few brief cha- 
 racters a number of species possessing such characters in 
 common. This being the case, modern Pteridologists have 
 found it necessary to seek for other characters in order to 
 classify the various groups in accordance with their natural 
 relationship to one another, as exhibited by their general 
 appearance in habit and mode of growth. This became 
 the more necessary on account of the great increase in the 
 number of species from time to time brought into notice 
 by botanical collectors as previously explained. Robert 
 Brown was the first to point out and use an additional 
 character for defining genera. In 1810, in characterising 
 the genera Cyathea, Hemitelia, and Alsophila, he took into 
 account the difference of the position of the sori on the 
 veins, and this he again brought into special notice in the 
 character of his genera Matonia and Hypoderris, first de- 
 scribed in Wallich's " Plantae Asiatics Rariores." In 
 Horsfield's " Plantae Javanicse Rariores," published in 
 1838, he enters more fully upon the importance of employ- 
 ing venation as affording auxiliary generic data. He there 
 sketches out a method for dividing the large genus Polypo- 
 dium into groups of species naturally allied in general 
 habit, on characters derived from the structure of the 
 venation and position of the sori on the veins. 
 
 About this period several botanists on the Continent 
 directed their attention to the study of the venation of 
 Perns. The first worthy of notice is Ferdinand Schott, 
 Director of the Imperial Gardens at Vienna, who, in 1834, 
 commenced a work entitled " Genera Filicum." This 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 27 
 
 work consists of quarto plates, each plate illustrating a 
 genus by figures, showing a portion of the fronds natural 
 size and also magnified, in which the anatomical structure 
 (venation) and the form and position of the sori and other 
 parts of the fructification are distinctly shown, each plate 
 being accompanied with descriptive letterpress. At the 
 time of the author's death, only forty plates of this prac- 
 tical and useful work were published. 
 
 With the works of Schott and Brown commenced a new 
 era in the history of Pteridology. It is, however, to Pro- 
 fessor Presl, of Prague, that the credit is due of being the 
 first to publish a general systematic arrangement of 
 genera founded on venation, which appeared in 1836 in 
 his celebrated work entitled " Tentamen Pteridographese." 
 In that work about 1,500 species of annulate Ferns are 
 enumerated (exclusive of the tribes Hyinenophyllece and 
 Osmundece), which he classifies under 115 genera arranged 
 under two sub-orders, technically distinguished by the dif- 
 ference in the direction of the ring that surrounds the 
 sporangium. The first he terms Helicogyratce, which is 
 characterised by the ring being horizontal or more or less 
 oblique with its point of attachment, it contains two tribes, 
 viz. : Gleicheniacece, and Cyatheacece^ the first of which has 
 five genera and twenty-three species ; the second eight 
 genera and twenty-four species. The second sub-order is 
 termed Cathetogyratoe, and contains all Ferns in which the 
 ring of the sporangia is vertical. 
 
 The following is an abridgment of Presl's arrange- 
 ment : 
 
 ORDER I. FILICES. Presl 
 
 Sub-Order I. HELICOGYRAT^S, Bernh. Ring horizontal or 
 oblique. 
 
28 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 Tribe I. GLEICHENIACEAE. 
 (Ex. Platyloma, Br., and Gleichenia, Sm.) 
 
 Tribe II. CYATHEACEAE. 
 
 (Ex. Cyathea, Sm., Hemitelia, Br., Alsophila, Br.) 
 
 Sub-Order II. CATHETOGYRATAE. BernJi. Ring vertical. 
 
 Coliors I. HYMENOPHORE^E, Pr. (indusiate genera.) 
 
 2W6e I. PARANEMACEAE, Pr. 
 (Ex. Paranema, Don., Thyrsopteris, Kze, Cibotium, Kaulf.) 
 
 Tribe II. ASPIDTACEAE, Br. 
 Sect. 1. Nephrodiariae, I?r. (i7aj. Lastrea, Pr., Oleandra, 
 
 Cav., Nephrolepis, Schott.) 
 
 2. Aspidiariae, Br. (Eor. Polystichum, Schott, Aspidium, 
 Schott, Didymochlaena, Desv.) 
 
 Tribe III. ASPLENIACEAE, Pr. 
 
 Sect. 1. Cystopterideae, Pr. (Ifo. Cystopteris, Bernh., Leucos- 
 tegia, Pr., Onoclea, Linn.) 
 
 2. Blechnaceae, Pr. (Ex. Athyrium, Roth., Wood- 
 wardia, Sm., Blechnum, Linn.) 
 
 ,, B. Aspleniariae, Pr. (Ex. Asplenium, Linn., Hemi- 
 dictyum, Pr.) 
 
 4. Diplazieae, Pr. (Ex. Diplazium, Sm., Oxygonium, Pr.) 
 
 5. Scolopendrieae, Pr. (Ex. Scolopendrium, Sm., Anti- 
 gramma, Pr.) 
 
 Tribe IV. DAVALLTACEAE, Gaud. 
 Sect. 1. Davallieae, Pr. (Ex. Microlepa, Pr., Saccoloma, 
 
 Kaulf., Davallia, Sm.) 
 
 2. Lindsaeaceae, Pr. (Ex. Lindseea, Dryand., Schizo- 
 loma, Gaud.) 
 
 Tribe V. DICKSONIACEAE, Pr. 
 (Ex. Balantium, Kaulf, Dicksonia, Pr., Culcita, Pr.) 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 29 
 
 Tribe VI. ADIANTIACEAE, Pr. 
 Sect. 1. Adiantariae, Pr. (Ex. Haplopteris, Pr., Pteris, ., 
 
 Adiantnm, Linn.) 
 2. Lonchitideae, Pr. (Ex. Hypolepis, Bernh., Lon- 
 
 chitis, Z/.) 
 Cohors II. GYMNOSOREJ;, Pr. (non indusiate). 
 
 Tribe VII. VITTARIACEAE, Pr. 
 (Ex. Vittaria, Sm., Prosaptia, Pr.) 
 
 Tribe VIII. POLTPODIACEAE, Pr. 
 
 Sect. 1. Struthiopterideae, Pr. (J&B. Struthiopteris, TFi7Z<.) 
 2. Polypodies, Pr. (.Zfo. Polypodium, Pr., Goniopteris, 
 
 Pr., Phymatodes, Pr.) 
 
 3. Lecanopterideae, Pr. (Lecanopteris, Bl., Calymmo- 
 don, Pr.) 
 
 Tribe IX. GRAMMITACEAE, Pr. 
 Sect. 1. Grammitideae. (Ex. Monogramma, SchJcr., Menis- 
 
 cium, Schrad., Selliguea, Bory.) 
 
 2. Hemionitideae, Pr. (Ex. Heminoites, Linn., Gymno- 
 granuna, Desv.) 
 
 Tribe X. TJCNITIDEAE, Pr, 
 (Ex. Pleurogramma, Pr., Notholaena, Br., Tsenitis, Sw.) 
 
 Tribe XI. ACROSTICHACEAE, Pr. 
 
 (Ex. Polybotrya, H. B. K., Platycerium, Desv. t Acrosti- 
 chum, Linn.) 
 
 In 1845, Presl published a supplement to the above 
 work, entitled, " Supplementum Tentamenum Pteridogra- 
 phiae." It consists of 119 quarto pages (without plates) ; it 
 embraces the tribes Marattiaceae, Osmundaceae, Schizaeaceae, 
 and Lygodiaceae. Of the first he makes two sections 
 Marattiaceae and Danaeaceae of which he describes forty- 
 nine species, arranged under ten genera, five of which are 
 
30 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 now being constituted of species separated from the well- 
 known genera Marattia, Angiopteris, Dancea, the technical 
 characters of which are, however, so slight that I do not 
 consider them worthy of adoption. 
 
 Of Osmundaceae he describes twenty-four species, two of 
 which he characterises as a new genus under the name of 
 Leptopteris, but' which I consider not worthy of being 
 separated from Todea of Willdenow. 
 
 Of Schizaeaceae he enumerates sixty-five species, arranged 
 under eight genera, three of which are new Lophidium, 
 consisting of five species separated from Schizc&a, and the 
 two others upon a single species each, founded upon doubt- 
 ful and even mistaken data, one of them (Spathopteris) 
 having no other authority than a figure of Plumier's 
 " Filices," which, in my " Genera Filicum," published in 
 1841, I show to consist of a barren and fertile frond of 
 two distinct Ferns. 
 
 With regard to Lygodiaoeae he describes forty-one species, 
 thirty-nine of which belong to the genus Lygodium of 
 Swartz, and two to Hydroglossum of Willdenow. The 
 number of species of the three latter genera are also in 
 excess, Anemia alone having thirty-eight. 
 
 In 1848, Dr. Presl published another work, entitled 
 " Hymenophyllaceae," in which he describes 185 species, 
 which had hitherto been comprehended under the well- 
 known genera Trichomanes and Hymenophyllum, but of 
 which Presl makes no less than nineteen genera ; and in 
 his " Epimelia Botanica " he characterises three more, 
 making twenty-two in all, about one-third of which are 
 founded upon a single species each. The data upon which 
 these genera are founded is derived chiefly from the size 
 and form of the cellular parenchyma, and the slight modi- 
 fications observable in the form of the indusium and 
 
ON' GENERA AND SPECIES. 31 
 
 sporangiferous receptacle, differences which, with two or 
 three exceptions, appear to me to be more useful as specific 
 than as generic characters ; indeed, in some cases they are 
 so trifling that I have failed to find them. Under these 
 circumstances I cannot see that any practical advantage 
 will be gained by dividing Hymenophyllacece into so many 
 genera as Presl has done. 
 
 Hymenophyllacece also form the subject of a special mono- 
 graph, published in 1858 by Dr. Van den Bosch, of Goes, 
 Holland. It consists of seventy-nine pages octavo, and is 
 entitled " Synopsis Hymenophyllacearum, Monographic 
 hujus ordinis Prodromus." It contains simply an enu- 
 meration of names of genera and species with references to 
 authors. He enumerates no less than 305 species, being 
 120 above that of Presl, and 156 above that enumerated 
 by Sir William Hooker in the " Synopsis Filicum," here- 
 after to be noticed. The whole are arranged under nine 
 genera, of which Hymenophyllum and Trichomanes alone 
 contain 254 species. The remaining fifty-one are divided 
 amongst seven genera, two of which contain a single 
 species each. He does not characterise any new genera, 
 and only adopts five of Presl's. But his number of species 
 is so much in excess of that of other authors that, if he 
 really had specimens of the whole in his herbarium he 
 must have described his species on the different forms of 
 fronds and other variable structure, which are always to 
 be found in an extensive series of herbarium specimens, 
 many such when carefully collated represent a single 
 species only. 
 
 In 1849, Presl published another work, entitled " Epimelia 
 Botanica," or additions to and emendations of his " Tenta- 
 men Pteridographeas." In this work he characterised no 
 less than thirty-five new genera, and described a consider- 
 
32 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 able number of new species, many of which appear to be 
 founded on very imperfect, and not well-authenticated 
 materials. A few of his new genera are admissible and 
 will be noticed in their respective places ; the greater 
 number, however, are untenable ; for instance, he describes 
 about fifty species of the genus Blechnum, of authors, which 
 he arranges under five genera, namely, Blechnum, Pardblecli- 
 num, Distaxia, Mesothema, and Blechnopsis ; the differential 
 character of these genera is, however, so slight that I do 
 not consider them worthy of adoption (see Blechnum). 
 
 Another instance of creating genera on what may be 
 called fancied differences, is the genus Nipbobolus of Kaul- 
 fuss, of which Presl enumerates thirty-nine species arranged 
 under eight genera. On examining numerous sets of herb- 
 arium specimens said to be species of this genus, I find the 
 intermediate forms are so numerous that it is impossible to 
 collate them, so as to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion 
 as to what number of them are distinct species, for with all 
 the evidence that has come before me, I have not been able 
 to define more than about a third of the species recorded 
 by Presl, all of which I continue to retain under Niphobolus. 
 
 Many other of Presl's genera have as little title to rank 
 as such as those of Blechnum and Niphobolus, and I deem it 
 best not even to notice them as synonyms, as it would only 
 add to the already overburdened Fern nomenclature. 
 
 In the preface to this book it is shown that it is now 
 more than fifty years since the writer commenced to study 
 the collection of Ferns in the Eoyal Botanic Garden at 
 Kew, then amounting to about forty exotic species; and, 
 having had the opportunity of profiting by the verbal 
 observations of Robert Brown, who often directed my 
 attention to the mode of the arrangement of the veins 
 in different species of the genus Polypodium, as forming 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 33 
 
 auxilliary characters in the grouping of species, which with 
 his published observations above noticed, I, in time, consi- 
 dered myself competent to publish my views. This I did 
 in a treatise entitled " On Arrangement and Definitions of 
 the Genera of Ferns," which was read before the Linneau 
 Society in 1840, and afterwards published in Hooker's 
 " Journal of Botany," in the volumes for 1841 and 1842, 
 occupying 131 pages, and accompanied by a plate showing 
 the principal forms of venation. In this I characterised 
 143 genera, accompanied by examples of a few of the most 
 typical species of each genus, and with observations on the 
 natural affinities of the genera. Just as my treatise was 
 completed, but before its publication, I received Presl's great 
 work " Tentamen Pteridographese," and it was gratifying 
 to me to find that my views in general coincided with those 
 of that celebrated Pteridologist. I, however, differed from 
 him in some important particulars, chiefly with regard to 
 the relationship of the genera to one another, consequent 
 on the data on which Presl founded his tribes, placing 
 naturally allied species far apart. My endeavour was to 
 associate the species possessing the same general features 
 in respect to their modes of growth (habit), so as to form 
 natural sequences of genera. This I have endeavoured to 
 complete by drawing up a general arrangement, which 
 forms the second part of this volume. 
 
 The following is an abstract of my arrangement in 
 1841 . 
 
 DIVISION I POLYPODIACE^E, R. Br. 
 
 Sporangia furnished with a vertical ring. 
 
 Tribe I. POLYPODIES, J. Sm. 
 
 Sori punctiform, oblong or linear, naked or included 
 under the universal indusium. 
 Sect. I. Orthophlebieae, J. Sm. Veins free. 
 
34< ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 Ex. Grammitis, Sw., Polypodium, Linn., Struthiopteris, W. 
 Sect. 2. Symplophlebiese, /. 8m. Veins simple or com- 
 pound anastomosing. 
 Ex. Goniopteris, Pr., Meniscium, ScJired., Drynaria, Bory. 
 
 Tribe II. ACROSTICHIEJE. 
 
 Fertile fronds contracted. Sori amorphous, naked. 
 Sect. 1. Orthophlebiese. Veins free. 
 Ex. Elaphoglossum, Schott, Stenochlaena, /. Sm., Polybo- 
 
 trya, Humb. 
 Sect. 2. Symplophlebieae. Veins anastomosing in various 
 
 ways. 
 Ex. Aconiopteris, Pr., Acrostichum, Linn., Platycerium, Desv. 
 
 Tribe III. PTERIDE^}, J. Sm. 
 
 Sori marginal, punctiform or linear, or intramarginal 
 transverse, furnished with a latter exterior attached indu- 
 sium. 
 
 Sect. 1. Chilosorese, J. Sm. Sori seated on the margin. 
 Ex. Cheilanthes, Sw., Pteris, Linn., Adiantum, Linn. 
 Sect. 2. Metasorae, J. Sm. Sori oblong or linear. 
 Ex. Blechnum, Linn., Lomaria, Willd., Woodwardia, Sm. 
 
 Tribe IV. ASPLENIE^, J. Sm. 
 
 Sori oblique, linear, single or binate, furnished with a 
 lateral indusium. 
 
 Sect. 1. Orthophlebiese. Veins free. 
 
 Ex. Asplenium, Linn., Diplazium, Sw., Scolopendrium, Sm. 
 Sect. 2. Symplophlebieas. Veins variously anastomosing. 
 Ex. Neottopteris, J. Sm., Callipteris, Bory., Allantodia, 
 E. Br. 
 
 Tribe V. ASPIDIE^, /. 8m. 
 
 Sori round, furnished with an orbicular, or lateral inte- 
 riorly attached indusium. 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 35 
 
 Sect. 1. Symplophlebiese. Veins anastomising in various 
 
 ways. 
 
 Ex. Aspidium, Sw., Pleocnemia, Pr., Nephrodium, Schott. 
 Sect. 2. Orthophlebieae. Veins free. 
 Ex. Lastrea, Bory., Polystichum, Roth., Didymochlaena, Desv. 
 
 Tribe VI. DICKSONIE M, J. 8m. 
 
 Sori marginal, round or linear, furnished with a special 
 and accessory indusium, which united form a cyst or groove 
 including the sporangia, and opening exteriorly. 
 Sect. 1. LindsseaB, J. Sin. Sori linear, rarely round. 
 Ex. Lindseea, Dry., Dictyoxiphium, Hook, Odontoloma, 
 
 J. 8m. 
 
 Sect. 2. Davalliese, /. Sm. Sori round or vertically oblong. 
 Indusium cystiform, cuculate or tubula^r. 
 
 Ex. Microlepia, Pr., Davallia, Sm., Loxoma, R. Br. 
 Sect. 3 Trichomaneae, /. Sm. Sporangia seated in a free 
 columnar receptacle included in or inserted along the 
 cyst. 
 Ex. Trichomanes, Linn., Hymenostachys, Bory. t Hymeno- 
 
 phyllum, Sm. 
 Sect. 4. Dicksonise. Sporangia included within a concave, 
 
 bilabiate, or calyciform, reflexed cyst. 
 Ex. Sitolobium, Desv., Dicksonia, L'Herit., Cibotium, Kaulf. 
 
 Tribe VII. OATHEJ:, /. Sm. 
 
 Sori round intramarginal, receptacle elevated. Indusium 
 calyciform, or lateral, trichiform or absent. 
 Ex. Cyathea, Sm., Hemitelia, R. Br., Trichopteris, Presl. 
 
 DIVISION II. GLEICHENIACB^}, R. Br. 
 Sporangia furnished with a transverse ring. Sori round 
 intramarginal. 
 Ex. Platyzoma, R. Br. Gleichenia, Sw., Mertensia, Willd. 
 
36 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 DIVISION III.-JSCHIZ^ACE^J, Mart. 
 Apex of sporangia rayed, analag-ous to a transverse ring, 
 generally produced in simple spikes, racemes, or panicles. 
 Ex. Lygodium, Sw., Schizsea, Sw., Anemia, Sw. 
 
 DIVISION IV. OSMUNDACE^B, Mart. 
 Sporangia globose, reticulated, destitute of stria, opening 
 vertically in two valves, produced on contracted fronds. 
 Ex. Osmunda, Linn., Todea, Willd. 
 
 DIVISION V. MARATTIACE^B, Kaulf. 
 
 Sporangia opaque, horny, unilocular, or multilocular, 
 destitute of a ring. 
 
 Ex. Angiopteris, Hoffm., Marattia, Sm., Dansea, Sm. 
 
 More than thirty years have now elapsed since the above 
 arrangement was drawn up and published, and during that 
 time about 1,000 cultivated species have come under 
 my notice, as well as many additional herbarium specimens 
 new to me, the consequence of which has been to greatly 
 alter my views in the definition of genera and their 
 arrangement, which is explained further on. 
 
 The next general arrangement of this family of plants to 
 be noticed is that of Professor Fee, of Strasburg, who in 
 1852 published his '" Exposition dcs genres de la famille 
 des Polypodiacees." This great work consists of 387 
 pages of quarto letter press, in which is given the cha- 
 racters of 188 genera, with observations and examples of 
 species of each genus, which are illustrated by figures 
 occupying thirty-two plates, the whole evincing great 
 talent and research. In this work 2,140 species are enu- 
 merated of annulate Ferns ; he follows Presl's method in 
 dividing them into two divisions founded on the direction 
 of the ring, but restricts Helicogyratese to the tribe 
 Cyatheee, thus excluding- Gleicheniaceae, which is not taken 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 37 
 
 up in the work. He classifies the genera under twenty- six 
 heads, which bear the name of the leading genus of each, 
 and adopts the different modes of venation and character of 
 the sori as part of his generic character, but he introduces 
 new elements in characterising his genera, such as giving 
 the form and structure of the sporangia, and the number 
 of articulations of the ring, also the different form of 
 the spores ; these form an important feature in his generic 
 as well as in his specific characters ; but with regard to 
 their value, I candidly confess that in all my observations 
 and experiences I have failed to satisfy myself that either 
 the number of articulations of the ring, or the form of the 
 spores, can in any way be practically serviceable for 
 defining either genera or species. The little value of such 
 characters become obvious on comparing his descriptions 
 of individual species with their respective generic cha- 
 racters, for example, in the generic character of Aspidium 
 the number of articulations of the ring is stated to be 
 18-20, that is, all his species of Aspidium should not have 
 less or more than the above number ; but in ten of his 
 new species of Aspidium, he describes the number of 
 articulations as much below the number assigned in the 
 character of the genus ; hence, these species according to 
 his own descriptions, should not be placed in Aspidium. 
 As far as regards the characters derived from the spores, 
 I am sensible that their forms are various and in some 
 cases peculiar ; but the spores of Ferns, like the seeds of 
 other plants, will, if gathered before they are mature, 
 shrivel and assume forms that will, in many instances, 
 appear to the microscopic observer to be normal, and 
 figures of such appearances are consequently drawn and 
 published. In my opinion much examination is still re- 
 quired, before either the structure of the sporangium or 
 
38 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 microscopic spores can be made available as auxiliary cha- 
 racters, and this will require the labour of years ; and even 
 when complete, will be of but little service either to the 
 student or general observer ; for I am satisfied that, with 
 our present knowledge of the more obvious outward 
 features that distinguish Ferns from one another, these in- 
 teresting plants can be readily arranged in groups forming 
 natural genera and alliances, without requiring much aid 
 from the microscopist. 
 
 Besides the additional characters derived from the struc- 
 ture of the sporangia, both Presl and Fee attach much im- 
 portance to the difference in the number and forms of the 
 bundles or plates of vascular fibre in the stipes. My 
 observations upon that point tend to show, that, although 
 the bundles are generally uniform in simple fronded spe- 
 cies, yet in many others the number and form appear to 
 vary according to the frond being more or less compound 
 and varying in size, age, and vigour of growth of indi- 
 vidual plants of the same species. In the stipes of a full- 
 sized frond (ten feet in length) of Cyathea arborea, I found 
 thirty-six vascular bundles in the stipes below the lowest 
 pair of pinnae, and this number nearly corresponded with 
 the number of pinnae forming the frond ; in fronds of in- 
 termediate sizes the bundles were fewer, apparently formed 
 suited to the more or less compound development of the 
 frond consequent on the size and age of the plant ; for 
 instance, in fronds of the same species, a foot in length 
 with few pinnae has only three broad vascular plates in 
 the stipes. It is reasonable to suppose that the shape or 
 outward form assumed by every species is based upon a 
 vascular frame- work, developed according to some definite 
 plan inherent to each individual species, but varying 
 according to the circumstances that influence the growth 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 39 
 
 and age of individual plants of the same species. Further 
 investigations, however, are required before the vascular 
 structure of the stipes can be made of service as a distin- 
 guishing character for either genera or species, and this 
 can only be satisfactorily obtained by a series of observa- 
 tions of living plants. 
 
 M. Fee gives a systematic arrangement of his method of 
 classification, which occupies nearly five double-columned 
 pages ; but the many divisions, sub-divisions, figures, 
 letters, and arterisk, renders it necessary to be very care- 
 fully studied before it can be well understood. The fol- 
 lowing is sufficient to show M. Fee's mode of classifying 
 genera, from which it will be seen that plants most 
 opposite in natural habit are associated, consequent on 
 characters derived from the form and position of the sori, 
 and in being naked or indusiate and the different forms of 
 the latter, and therefore cannot be considered otherwise than 
 as an artificial arrangement of complicated construction. 
 
 Abstract of Fee's arrangement : 
 
 ORDER POLYPODIACE^E. 
 
 I. CATHETOGYRATEJ;. 
 Acrosticheae, Gen. 19. (Ex. Acrostichum, Platycerium, 
 
 Leptochilus.) 
 Lomarieae. Gen. 8. (Ex. Blechnum, Acropteris, Hymen- 
 
 olepis.) 
 Vittarieae. Gen. 10. (Ex. Pteropsis, Drymoglossum, 
 
 Lemogramma.) 
 Pleurogrammeae. Gen. 5. (Ex. Monogramma, Adeno- 
 
 phorus, Xiphopteris.) 
 Pterideae. 
 
 1. Lindsayeae. Gen. 5. (Ex. Isoloma, Schizoloma, 
 Dictyoziphium) . 
 
40 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 2. Adiantese. Gen. 4. (Ex. Adiantum, Casebeeria, 
 
 Ochropteris.) 
 
 3. Pterideae. Gen. 8. (Ex. Pellsea, Onychium, Am- 
 
 phiblestra.) 
 
 4. Lonchitideae. Gen. 1. (Lonchitis.) 
 Hypolepideae. Gen. 2. (Hypolepis, Adiantopsis.) 
 Eucheilantheae. Gen. 6. (Ex. Myriopteris, Pleucosorus, 
 
 Nothochlasna ) 
 
 Jamesonieae. Gen. 1. (Jamesonia.) 
 Hemionitidese. Gen. 8. (Ex. Coniogramma, Hemionitis, 
 
 Syngramma.) 
 
 Antrophyeae. Gen. 3. (Antrophyum, Colysis, Selliguea.) 
 Leptogrammesa. Gen. 6. (Ex. Pterogonium,. Hecistop- 
 
 teris, Gymnogramma.) 
 Asplenieae. Gen. 9. (Ex. Neottopteris, Hemidictyou, 
 
 Woodwardia.) 
 Scolopendriese. Gen. 3. (Scolopendrium, Antigramma, 
 
 Camptosorus.) 
 Diplazieas. Gen. 5. (Ex. Diplazium, Callipteris, Didymo- 
 
 chlsena.) 
 
 Menisciesa. Gen. 2. (Meniscium, Dryomenes.) 
 Struthiopteride(3e. Gen. 3. (Struthiopteris, Onoclea, Cera- 
 
 txDdactylis.) 
 Polypodiese. Gen. 19. (Grammitis, Phegopteris, Dry- 
 
 naria.) 
 Cyclodieas. Gen. 8. (Ex. Polystichum, Cyclodium, Cryto- 
 
 mium.) 
 Aspidieae. Gen. 13. (Ex. Cystopteris, Nepkrodiurn, 
 
 Oleandra.) 
 !N"ephrolepidea3. Gen. 5. (Ex. Nephrolepis, Saccolomai 
 
 Humata.) 
 
 Davalliese. Gen. 10. (Ex. Prosaptia, Microlepia, Odonto- 
 loma.) 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 41 
 
 Dicksoniea?. Gen. 6. (Ex. Dicksonia, Hypoderris, Woodsia.) 
 BalantieaJ. Gen. 4. (Ex. Balantium, Leptopleuria, Cysto- 
 
 dium.) 
 Cibotiea?. Gen. 1. (Cibotium.) 
 
 2. HELICOGYRATE^. 
 Cyatheaa. Gen. 7. (Ex. Alsophila, Hemitelia, Amphides- 
 
 minm.) 
 Thrysopteridea?. Gen. 1. (Thrysopteris.) 
 
 Besides his general work on Polypodiacese, M, Fee has 
 also published several memoirs an special genera, accom- 
 panied by figures, one forming a volume devoted to the 
 tribe Acrosticheas, in which he arranges the species under 
 nineteen genera. 
 
 Vittaria and its allies form another memoir ; of Vittaria 
 alone he describes and figures no less than twenty-five 
 species and five doubtful, but the examination of numerous 
 sets of specimens justifies me in reducing the number to 
 less than a dozen. 
 
 I have now given a general view of the systematic 
 arrangements of Presl, my own, and Fee's, by which it will" 
 be seen that the first important divisional character is 
 derived from the different directions of the ring that sur- 
 rounds the sporangium. My reason for again reverting to 
 this subject is in order to show that in some Cyathece the 
 so called obliquity of the ring is more apparent than real. 
 In my arrangement of 184*1 I have stated my views on 
 this point. I have there explained that the apparent 
 obliquity of the ring in Cyathece is due to mechanical 
 pressure, the sporangia of each sorus being crowded and 
 sessile seated round a columnar elevated receptacle, and 
 each sporangium being inclined upwards, consequently the 
 pressure against each other imparts to them an oblong 
 flattened form especially in the lower part on their inner 
 
42 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 side. This, according to my view, accounts for the ring- 
 appearing not to be truly vertical, but it is to be observed 
 that the obliquity is not general, for in the figures of the 
 sporangia of eight Cyatheaceous genera in Hooker and 
 Bauer's " Genera Filicum," the ring is shown to be verti- 
 cal. I therefore follow Robert Brown in placing Cyathece 
 in Polypodiacece. 
 
 The next systematic work to be noticed is that of 
 Professor Mettenius, of Leipzig, who, in 1 858, commenced 
 publishing a work entitled " Uber einige Farngattingen " 
 (" On Some Genera of Ferns "), of which five parts have 
 appeared. In order to explain this author's system of 
 classification of species, I will give a brief outline of the 
 manner in which he treats the genus Polypodium. He 
 enumerates, and mostly describes in full, 258 species of 
 this genus, including in it all the forms possessing puncti- 
 form, oval, or linear, naked sori, thus restoring it to nearly 
 the state in which it was left by Swartz, Willdenow, and 
 Sprengel, and even including in it the genus Grammitis of 
 those authors. His reason for placing so many species 
 under one genus is on account of the numerous interme- 
 diate or transition forms, which he says so pass into one 
 another that he finds it difficult to define any group of 
 species as a distinct genus in the manner that Presl and 
 others had done. Notwithstanding this, however, he finds 
 it quite possible to divide the genera into sections and sub- 
 sections, of which he gives an elaborate synoptical table. 
 He first divides the 268 species, according to their veins, 
 being free or anastomose. Those with free veins are 
 placed under four sections, and those with anastomose 
 veins in thirteen sections. These sections and sub-sections 
 (which are numerous) in most cases bear the names that 
 designate the genera of Presl and others, and consequently 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 43 
 
 contain the same species, or nearly so. His table of 
 arrangement, showing the distribution of the species under 
 the different sections, occupies thirteen pages of quarto of 
 his Treatise, of which the following in an abridgment : 
 
 GENUS POLYPODIUM. 
 
 1. Caenopteris (Adenophorus, Hook. Xiphopteris, Kaulf.). 
 2. Ctenopteris, Eupteris, vel Europteris (Grammites, Sw, 
 
 Blume ; Ctenopteris, J. Sm. Polypodium, J. Sm.). 
 3. Csenopteris, Ctenopteris, rarissime Eupteris (Pleo- 
 
 peltis in part, J. Sm.). 
 
 4. Marginaria ; folia conformia (Lepicystis, J. Sm.). 
 5. Marginaria-Goniophlebium (Goniophlebium, Blume, 
 
 J. Sm.). 
 6. Cyrtophlebium (Cyrtophlebium, R. Br. Campyloneuron, 
 
 Presl). 
 
 7. Doodya ; naculaa exappendiculatas (Dictymia, J. Sm.). 
 8. Doodya ; naculse appendiculataB (Phymatodes in part, 
 
 Presl). 
 
 9. Phlebodium (Pleopeltis in part, J. Sm.). 
 10. Marginaria ; folia difformia (Lopholepis, J. Sm.). 
 11. Phlebodium (Anapeltis, J. Sm. Phymatodes in part, 
 
 Presl). 
 
 12. Anaxetum (Pleuridium in part, Presl, J. Sm.). 
 13. Anaxetum (Pleuridium in part, J. Sm., Selliguea, 
 
 Blume, Loxogramma, Presl). 
 14. Drynaria (Pleuridium in part, J. Sm. Colysis, Presl. 
 
 Drynaria, Bory. Depteris, Beinw. Monosorum 
 
 Linbr). 
 
 15. Pleocnemia (Niphopsis, J. Sm.). 
 16. Pleocnemia (Niphobolus, Kaulf., Spreng., J. Sm.). 
 17. Pleocnemia appendiculata, S., Drynaria (Niphobolus, 
 
 Presl, J. Sm.). 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 I must state that after much study of this arrange- 
 ment I have not been able sufficiently to understand it to 
 make it practically useful. I do not clearly see what 
 object the author gains by introducing sectional names not 
 before used in the genus, more especially as these names 
 (Ccenopteris, Eupteris, Neuropteris, Doodya, Pleocnemia, &c.) 
 are apparently not given as special sectional names, but 
 used comparatively that is, all the species under Ccenop- 
 teris, Eupteris, &c., are presumed to have venation similar 
 to Ferns bearing those names. Therefore, in order to 
 ascertain the venation of one Fern, it is first necessary to 
 be acquainted with the venation of that with which it is 
 put in comparison. As, for example, to know Dictymia, it 
 is first necessary to be acquainted with the character of 
 the venation of Doodia and Pleocnemia. Unfortunately 
 too, the analogy in these two cases is far from obvious, the 
 genera in both cases being in every respect of quite dif- 
 ferent habits. I therefore see no good reason for making 
 such genera as Doodia and Pleocnemia types for arranging 
 other genera by venation. 
 
 With regard to his arrangement of Phegopteris and 
 Aspidium, of which he enumerates in consecutive order 
 299 species thus viewing them as parts of a single genus 
 of these sixty-eight belong to the first part, Phegopteris ; 
 the remainder to the second part, Aspidium. I do not 
 consider it necessary to enter into further details. I will 
 only add that the sectional names are upon the same 
 principle as those of Polypodium, and that, in my opinion, 
 a simple generic name for groups of naturally allied 
 species, would render their study much easier than the 
 complicated comparative similitude with one another. 
 Mettenius has also published a memoir on the genus, 
 Asplenium and several other genera. 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 45 
 
 I have now to notice an important but yet incomplete 
 work, the " Index Filicum," a synopsis with characters of 
 the genera, and an enumeration of the species of Ferns 
 with synonyms, and references, &c., &c., by Mr. Thomas 
 Moore, Curator of the Garden of Apothecaries, Chelsea ; 
 the first part of this work appeared in 1857. The author 
 first gives a synopsis of the orders and tribes, followed by 
 a systematic arrangement and characters of the genera, 
 each genus illustrated by a woodcut showing the character 
 of the venation and position of the sori, also an analytical 
 table of the genera and their synonyms. 
 
 With regard to the number of genera the author tells us 
 that he has endeavoured " to hold a middle course between 
 the excessive sub-division and the equally inconvenient 
 non-division of older genera," and that the classification 
 adopted is based on the plan on which the vascular struc- 
 ture is developed, in conjunction with the nature of the 
 fructification. He enumerates 186 genera*, which he 
 classifies under five orders, namely, Polypodiacece, Maratti- 
 acece, Ophioglossacece, Lycopodiacece, and Marsileacece. 
 
 The following abstract will be sufficient to convey an 
 idea of Mr. Moore's method of classification. 
 
 FILICALES, SPORE-CASES. 
 
 ONE-CELLED. 
 
 * Spore-cases furnished with a jointed ring, which is 
 usually nearly complete, sometimes rudimentary. 
 
 ORDER I. POLYPODIACE^B. 
 || Ring vertical, nearly complete. 
 
 Tribe I. POLYPODINE^E. 
 
 1. Acrostichese (Ex. ElapJtoglossum, Schott. Acrostichum, 
 Linn.) 
 
 * This includes ten genera of the orders Lycopodiaceae and Marsilia- 
 cese, which are not taken up in the present work. 
 
46 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 2. Platycerieaa (Ex. Platycerium, Desv., Jerikinsia, Hook.) 
 
 3. Lomariese (Ex. Lomaria, Willd., Blechnum, Lin.) 
 
 4. Pleurogrammeae (Ex. Monogramma, Schh., Hymenolepis, 
 
 Klfs., Gymnopteris, Bernh. 
 5. Tsenitideffl (Ex. Lomogramma, J. Sm., Drymoglossum, 
 
 Presl, Tceniopsis, J. Sm.) 
 6. Vittarieae (Ex. Vittaria, Sm.) 
 7. LindsaseaB (Ex. Lindscee, Dryand., Dictioxiphwm, 
 
 Hook.) 
 
 S. Adiantese (Ex. Adiantum, Linn., Hewardia, J. Sm.) 
 9. Cheilantheae (Ex. Hypolepis, Bernh., Casebeera, Klfs.) 
 10. Pterideaa (Ex. Onychium, Klfs., Haplopteris, Presl., 
 
 Amphiblestra, Presl.) 
 11. Woodwardiese (Ex. Woodwardia, Sm., includes 
 
 Doodia, B. Br.) 
 12. Meniscieee (Ex. Bmnia, J. Sm., Menistium, Schreb., 
 
 Dryomenis, Fee.) 
 13. Asplenieas (Ex. Actinivpteris, Link., Aspl&nium, 
 
 Presl, Geterach, Willd.) 
 14. DidymochleBneae (Ex. Didymochlaena, Desv., Meso- 
 
 chlsena, R. Br.) 
 15. Hemionitideas (Ex. Polytcenium, Desv., Anetium, 
 
 Klfs., Dictyogramma, Fee.) 
 16. Gymnogrammeae (Ex. Grammilis, Sw. f Stegno- 
 
 gramma, Bl., Selliguea, Bory.) 
 17. Platylomees (Ex. Tlagiogyria, Kze., Llavea, Lagasca, 
 
 Cryptogramma, B. Br.) 
 18. Polpodie (Ex. Struthiopteris, Willd., Jamesonia. 
 
 Hook, et Grev., Drynaria, Bory.) 
 19. Aspidieaa (Gen. 12. Onoclea, Lin., Polystichum, 
 
 Both., Nephrolepis, Schott.) 
 20. Cystopterideas (Gen. 3. Cystopteris, Bernh., Aero- 
 
 phorus, Presl., ffumata, Cav.) 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 47 
 
 21. Davalliese (Gen. 4. Microlepia., Presl., Davallia, Sm., 
 
 Prosaptia, Presl.) 
 22. Dicksonieae (Gen. 7. Dicksonia, L'Herit., Dennstcedtea, 
 
 Bernh., Cionidium, Moore.) 
 23. Paraneme (Gen. 5. Viacalpe, BL, Woodsia, R. Br., 
 
 Hypoderris, R. Br. 
 Illl Ring more or less obliquely vertical, nearly complete, 
 
 narrow. 
 
 Tribe II. CYATHEINE.. 
 1. Thyrsopteredeae (Gen. 1, Thyrsopteris, Kge, T. 
 
 elegans). 
 2. Cyatheae (Gen. 3, Cyathea, Sm., H&mitelia, R. Br., 
 
 Amphicosma, Gard.) 
 3. Alsophileas (Gen. 2, Alsophylce, R. Br., Amphides- 
 
 mium, Schott). 
 
 Tribe III. ^MATONINEJ:. 
 (Gen. 1. Matonia, R. Br., M. pectinata). 
 
 Tribe IV. GLEICHENINEJ;. 
 (Gen. 2. Platyzoma, R. Br., Gleichenia, Sm.) 
 
 Tribe S.TEICHOMANINEJJ. 
 
 (Gen. 5. Loxoma, R. Br., Hymenostachys, Bory., 
 HymenophyUwn, Sm.) 
 
 Tribe VI. SCHIZJIINE^. 
 1. Lygodiese (Gen. 2, Lygodium, Sw., Hydroglossum, 
 
 Willd.) 
 2. Schizaeeas (Gen. 5, Anemia, Sw., Mohia, Sw., 2V0- 
 
 chopteris, Gard.) 
 
 Tn'6e 7. CERATOPTERIDINE^. 
 (Gen. 1. Ceratopteris, Brongn., C. thalictroides). 
 
 Tribe 8. OSMUNDINEJ;. 
 (Gen. 2. Osmunda, Lin., Tofa, Willd.) 
 
48 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 ** Spore cases without a jointed ring, 
 (a). Sori dorsal. 
 
 ORDER. MARATTIACE^E. 
 
 Tribe 1. MARATTINE^. 
 
 1. Angiopterideae (Genus 1, Angiopteris, Hoffm.) 
 2. Marattieas (Gen. 3, Marattia, Sm., Gymnoiheca, 
 Presl, Eupodium, J. Sm.) 
 
 Tribe 2. KAULFUSSINEJ;. 
 (Gen. 1, Kaulfussia, Bl., K. esculifolia). 
 
 Tribe 3. DANJIINE^E, 
 (Gen. 1, Dancea, Sm.) 
 
 (b). Fructification marginal, on rachiform fronds 
 or branches (venation straight). 
 
 ORDER. OPHIOGLOSSACEJ3. 
 
 (Gen. 3. Botrychium, Sw., Helminthostachys, Klfs., 
 
 Ophioglossum, Lin.) 
 Lycopodales. Acrogenous plants with axillary radical 
 
 or one-four-or many-celled spore cases. 
 * Spore cases one-three celled, in the axils of the stem- 
 leaves or bracts. 
 
 ORDER. LYCOPODIACEJ3. 
 
 1. Phylloglosseae (Gen. l^Phylloglossum, Kze). 
 
 2. Lycopodieas (Gen. 4, Tmesipteris, Bernh., Psilotiim, 
 
 Sw., Selaginella, P. B.) 
 ** Spore-cases (conceptacles) one-four-or many-celled, 
 
 radical or petiolar. 
 
 ORDER. MAttSILEACEJS. 
 1. Isoetese (Gen. 1, Isoetes, Lin.) 
 2. Salvinieae (Gen. 2, Salvinia, Micheli, Azolla, Lam.) 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 49 
 
 3. Pilularieao (Gen. 1, Pilulariece, Lin.) 
 4. Marsileee (Gen. 1, Marsilea, Lin.) 
 
 The above classification shows that Mr. Moore has be- 
 stowed great ingenuity upon its formation, but I cannot 
 view it otherwise than as an artificial arrangement founded 
 upon certain technical data that normally characterise all 
 true Ferns, whatever size, habit, or mode of growth they 
 assume. We need not therefore be surprised at finding, 
 associated under the same sections, genera of extreme un- 
 natural habit and mode of growth as also differing essen- 
 tially in their vascular structure, such as Jenkinsia and 
 Platycerium ; Afonogramma, Hymenolepis, and Gymnopteris ; 
 Lomogramma, Drymoglossum, and Tceniopsis ; Brainea, Mi- 
 niscium, and Dryomenes ; DidymocJilcena and MesocJilcena ; 
 Calymmodon, Stegnogramma, Gymnogramma, StrutJiiopteris, 
 Jamesonia, and Drymaria ; Onoclea, Polystichum, and Ne- 
 phrolepis ; Cystopleris and Humata ; and Woodsia and Hy- 
 poderris : the placing of these in their respective sections 
 being entirely guided by the character of the fructification, 
 without regard to natural habit. Any system of classifi- 
 cation of Ferns based upon these principles may be 
 viewed as analogous to the Linnean classification of phaeno- 
 gamous plants. 
 
 I have now to notice the next part of this work, 
 which consists of an alphabetical arrangement of the 
 whole nomenclature of Ferns, collated from the publica- 
 tions accessible to the author, "and blended with such 
 personal information as the author has been able to bring to 
 bear upon the subject." In order to appreciate the extent 
 of this work, it is only necessary to state that up to Sep- 
 tember, 1862,* 39G pages were published, and which 
 
 * Up to the present time, 1874, no addition to the above has been 
 published. 
 
50 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 extended only to Goniophlebinm, being the seventy-third 
 genus in alphabetical order, up to which are enumerated 
 1,738 species with their synonyms ; from this data it may 
 be calculated that the number of species, when the work is 
 complete, will amount to above 4,000. As an instance of 
 the labour and investigation required, I will select the 
 genus Acrostichum. Under this original generic name of 
 Linnaeus, no less than 461 specific names are enumerated 
 in alphabetical rotation, with references to their authorities, 
 occupying twelve pages : with the exception of nine names, 
 the whole are in italics, signifying that they are synonyms, 
 the nine being in roman type, indicating that they are the 
 only true species of Acrostichum as now adopted. When 
 complete, this work will be an invaluable treasure to 
 Pteridologists. 
 
 I have now to notice the works of Sir William Hooker , 
 who in 1820 became Professor of Botany in the University 
 of Glasgow, and in 1841, Director of the Royal Gardens 
 at Kew, but before the first date he had gained reputation 
 as a cryptogamic botanist. His first great work on Ferns 
 was in conjunction with Dr. Greville, of Edinburgh, also a 
 famous cryptogamic botanist, entitled " Icones Filicum," a 
 work of two folio-sized volumes, containing 230 finely 
 executed plates of new and rare Ferns, each plate con- 
 taining magnified portions of the fructification exhibiting 
 the characters of the genera as then defined, with accom- 
 panying descriptive letter-press. In this work two new 
 genera are characterised, viz., Deparia and Jamesonia, each 
 founded upon a single species. 
 
 His next work of importance is Hooker and Bauer's 
 *' Genera Filicum," which commenced with a set of draw- 
 ings begun in 1833 by the late eminent botanical draughts- 
 man Francis Bauer, from specimens from time to time 
 
ON GENERA AD SPECIES. 5 
 
 furnished by me, some from living- plants from the garden, 
 arid others from herbarium native specimens. The draw- 
 ings being highly appreciated by Sir W. Hooker, Mr. 
 Bauer freely placed them in his hands for publication, and 
 in 1842 a splendid volume consisting of 120 plates was 
 completed,* each plate containing natural and highly mag- 
 nified portions of fronds, exhibiting in different states 
 the fructification and venation, accompanied with corres- 
 ponding letter-press, giving the characters of each genus : 
 there are on the whole 135 genera, many being derived 
 from Presl's " Pteridiae Pteridographia," and twenty being 
 named and described by me as new. 
 
 The learned editor, however, says he reserves for him- 
 self the power of rejecting such of them as on further 
 examination he may consider himself justified in doing. 
 With regard to that point he also says, " so completely do 
 the ideas of Dr. Presl accord with my own in regard to 
 the limits of many genera that I should do him injustice 
 were I not in many cases to quote his characters verbatim, 
 and indeed the more attentively I study his book and com- 
 pare the descriptions with the plants themselves, the more 
 satisfied I am that he has produced a work that will not 
 easily be surpassed for accuracy of, and clear and per- 
 spicuous, arrangement." 
 
 In 1854 appeared the tenth volume of his work entitled 
 " Icones Plantar-urn," containing 100 figures of new and 
 rare Ferns, which was soon afterwards followed by another 
 volume called a " Century of Ferns." This was followed 
 by " Filices Exoticae," consisting of 100 plates, which gave 
 place to another volume entitled " Garden Ferns," contain- 
 
 * The drawings for the latter part of this work were executed by the 
 equally eminent draughtsman Mr. Walter Fitch ; this was consequent 
 on the health of Mr. Bauer having failed. 
 
52 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 ing sixty-four plates, the drawings of the latter as well as 
 part of the preceding being derived from living plants of 
 the Kew collection. The practical use of these works is 
 in assisting to determine species, and which, either under 
 the same name or as synonyms, will be found in his last and 
 great work the " Species Filicum," the most important 
 systematic work on Ferns yet published, being a description 
 of all known Ferns, particularly of such as exist in the 
 author's herbarium (previously noticed), and such as are 
 with sufficient accuracy described and figured in the works 
 of other authors. It consists of five volumes, the first of 
 which appeared in 1846, and the fifth in 1864, its prepara- 
 tion having occupied his leisure time for a period of not 
 less than twenty years. It treats of the orders Gleicheni- 
 acece and Polypodiacece only, of which 2,401 species are 
 described, with their synonyms, which amount to about 
 4,300, as also their native countries and names of collectors, 
 illustrated with 300 plates representing 522 species. He 
 arranges the whole under sixty-three genera, fourteen 
 of which contain only one species each, thus present- 
 ing a great contrast to the mass of species which he 
 continues to retain under the characters assigned by Lin- 
 naeus and Swartz, to such genera as Polypodium, Aspidium, 
 Pteris, and Acrostichum, thus avowing his preference for 
 large genera by strictly adopting the characters derived 
 solely from the fructification. With regard to which he 
 says, " Increased study has, he must confess, strengthened 
 his conviction that those botanists who have shown them- 
 selves peculiarly addicted to multiplying genera have not 
 always taken nature as their guide, nor succeeded in 
 eliciting a simple nor tangible arrangement, yet have their 
 close and accurate investigations thrown a new light on the 
 study of Ferns, a light which cannot fail to aid the re- 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 53 
 
 searches of future writers, and which ought therefore to be 
 gratefully acknowledged ; a middle course has been 
 pursued between the highly multiplied genera of Presl and 
 J. Smith, and the too meagre enumerations of Willdenow, 
 Sprengel, Link, Kunze, and others." 
 
 By adopting the above view, hundreds of species become 
 massed under one generic name, regardless of their dis- 
 similar habits and anatomical structure. For instance, the 
 genus Polypodium, as characterised in the " Species Fili- 
 cum," contains 407 species, amongst which are found the 
 greatest diversity of size and mode of growth, as also in 
 anatomical structure. The small grass-like species cha- 
 racterised by Swartz and others under the genus Gram- 
 mitis, and the many small pinnatifid species represented 
 by Polypodium trichomanoides, Swartz, and P. pectinatum, 
 Linn., and others, rank with the large fronded genus 
 Drynaria of Bory, and the large decompound subarbores- 
 cent species of the section Phegopteris. This is consequent 
 on all Ferns having round or oblong sori being placed 
 under the genus Polypodium. Upon such data, setting 
 aside habit, the Tree- Fern genus, AlsopJtila, R. Br., might be 
 correctly referred to Polypodium. The same applies to 
 Aspidium and Neplirodium, which, between them, contain 
 227 species of very varied habit and venation. 
 
 Then, again, all species with linear naked sori diverging 
 from the mid-rib, whether on free or anastomosing veins, 
 and of whatever habit of growth, are placed under Gymno- 
 gramma, of which he enumerates seventy-four species, even 
 including the genus Selliguea of Blume, which differs from 
 the whole of the Gymnogramma alliance in having articu- 
 late venation. With regard to Acrostichum, 167 species 
 are described, which Fee and other authors have placed 
 under fifteen genera, many presenting a very distinct habit 
 
54. ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 of growth and venation, but with the exception of five 
 species of Platycerium he retains the whole under the 
 genus Acrosticlium. 
 
 Of the tribe AspleniecB he describes over 300 species, all 
 comprehended under the genus Asplenium, except two 
 species which constitute the two genera Allantodia and 
 Actinopteris. With regard to Scolopendrium, some authors 
 consider it as a genus scarcely separable from Asplenium, 
 but in the " Species Filicum " it is characterised as a dis- 
 tinct tribe under the name of Scolopendriece. It consists of 
 nine species, which agree in general habit with Asplenium, 
 and present no special character to justify their separation 
 as a tribe from Asplenieee. 
 
 We give another instance, in speaking of Hypoderris, 
 he says : " Considering as I do that the primary divisions 
 should be taken as much as possible from the fructifi- 
 cation, I have no hesitation in placing Hypoderris among 
 the Dicksonice and near to Woodsia" No three genera 
 can be more distinct in natural affinity than these that 
 is, as regards habit and anatomical structure ; the only 
 similitude is between Hypoderris and Woodsia, which have 
 discal punctiform sori, with a very membranous cup 
 indusium, therefore in that character are more properly 
 though artificially related to Cyathea than to Diclcsonia, 
 which has marginal sori with cystiform indusia opening 
 outwards. 
 
 Again, take the case of Matonia, a rare Fern with fan- 
 shaped fronds, in every respect allied to Gleicbenia in 
 habit, and also in the ring of the sporangia being hori- 
 zontal, and differing only from Gleichenia in the sori being 
 furnished with an inverted cup-shaped indusium, attached 
 by its centre as in true Aspidium and Polystichum. 
 Although such is the case. Sir William Hooker follows 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. DO 
 
 Presl by placing Matonia in alliance with Cyathea, with 
 which in habit and even in technical character no generic 
 affinity is traceable. 
 
 In his general arrangement he follows, with a partial 
 exception, the sequence of Presl, arranging the whole 
 under two sub-orders, Gleicheniaccce and Polypodiac&e, the 
 latter consisting of twelve tribes, beginning with Cyatliea, 
 including Hyinenophyllum, and ending with Acrostichum. 
 With regard to Asplenium, Polypodium, and Aspidium, he, 
 in a great degree, follows Mettenius and Fee's arrange- 
 ment and descriptions of Acrost ichum. 
 
 From what has now been stated it will be seen that, 
 although Sir W. Hooker bestows great praise on his con- 
 temporaries, he nevertheless adopts but few of their genera, 
 thus making it appear that but little advance has been 
 made in our knowledge of the natural habit and anato- 
 mical structure of Ferns since the time of Sprengel (1827). 
 He, however, finds himself compelled to divide his large 
 genera into sections, which are equivalent to the genera of 
 authors ; indeed, it is only by the sections that we are 
 saved the labour of wading through 200 or 300 species in 
 order to find out a single individual . 
 
 The following is a tabular view of the sequence of 
 the tribes and genera as arranged in the " Species 
 Filicum " : 
 
 ORDER I. FILICES. 
 
 Sub-Order I. GLEICHENIACEJE. 
 Gen. 2. Platyzoma, Gleichenia. 
 
 Sub-Order II. POLYPODIACE*:. 
 
 Tribe I. CTATHEJ:. 
 Gen. 3. Cyathea, Hemitelia, Alsophila. 
 
56 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 Tribe II. DICKSONIEJE. 
 Sub-Tribe I. HYPODERRIDE^;. 
 Gen. 1. Hypoderris. 
 
 Sub-Tribe II. WOODSIE^. 
 Gen. 4. Sphseropteris, Diacalpe, Arachniodes, Woodsia. 
 
 Sub-Tribe III. EUDICKSONIE^;. 
 
 Gen. 7. Thyrsopteris, Dicksonia, Cibotium, Deparia, 
 Loxoma, Hymenophylluin,.Trichomanes. 
 
 Sub-Order III. DAVALLIEJ;. 
 Gen. 2. Davallia, Cystopteris. 
 
 Tribe IV. LINDS^EACE^:. 
 Gen. 2. Lindsaea, Dictyoxyphium. 
 
 Sub-Order IV. PTERIDEJ:. 
 Gen. 12. Adiantum, Cheilanthes, Pellaea, Pteris, &c. 
 
 Sub-Order V. LOMARIEJE. 
 
 Gen. 5. Lomaria, Blechnum, Sadleria, Woodwardia, 
 Doodia. 
 
 Sub-Order VI. ASPLENIE^. 
 Gen. 3. Asplenium, Allantodia, Actinopteris. 
 
 Sub-Order VII. SCOLOPENDRIEJE. 
 Gen. 1. Scolopendrium, species 8. 
 
 Sub-Order VIII. ASPIDIACB^B. 
 
 (jen. 7. Didymochlcena, Aspidium, Nephrodium, ISTephro- 
 lepis, Oleandra, Fadyena, Onoclea. 
 
 Sub-Order IX. POLYPODIES. 
 Gen. 1. Polypodium, species 409. 
 
 Sub-Order X. GRAMMITEDE^:. 
 
 Gen. 11. Jamesonia, Nothochlsena, Monogramme, Gym- 
 nogramme, Brainea, Meniscium, Antrophyum, 
 Vittaria, Taenitis, Drymoglossum, Hemionitis. 
 
 Sub-Order XI. ACROSTICHEJ;. 
 Gen. 2. Acrostichum, Platycerium. 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 57 
 
 OBS. The genera founded by Sir William Hooker, of 
 which there are five, are marked with an asterisk, and the 
 number of species named and described by him in the 
 " Species Filicum " amounts to about 600. 
 
 In a notice at the end of the fifth volume of the " Species 
 Filicum," he states, that " if his life and health be spared 
 to him, he intends to accomplish a volume to be entitled 
 * Synopsis Filicum,' to contain brief characters of the sec- 
 tions, genera, and species of Ferns, general habitats, and 
 references to the ' Species Filicum/ omitting all really 
 dubious species, and including the sub-orders Osmundacece, 
 Marattiacece, and Ophioglossacece" which it is hoped will 
 form ** a useful vade mecum for the travelling botanist, 
 and the cultivator of Ferns, and for ready consultation in 
 the herbarium." 
 
 Only one part, with the preface of this work, consisting 
 of twenty-two pages, was printed at the time of the 
 author's death (which took place in August, 1865) ; the 
 remaining manuscript was placed in the hands of Mr. 
 J. G. Baker, who, shortly after Sir W. Hooker's death, 
 received the* appointment of Assistant Curator in the Kew 
 Herbarium, and who has carried out the author's views, 
 forming a volume of 482 pages, which was published in 
 1868, accompanied by nine coloured plates illustrating the 
 characters of the genera, of which there are seventy-five. 
 
 In the arrangement of the tribes and genera this work 
 does not differ materially from the " Species Filicum :" the 
 number of species described of Gleicheniacece and Poly- 
 podiacece amounts to 2,122, being 279 less than the 
 " Species Filicum," while 106 are enumerated under the 
 sub-orders Osmundacece, Marattiacece, and Ophioglossacece, 
 thus making a total of 2,228 species, being chiefly founded 
 on specimens in the Hookerian Herbarium, which, at the 
 
58 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 time of the publication of the '* Synopsis," is stated to con- 
 tain 50,000 specimens of Ferns, representing the many 
 different states of the species therein described. 
 
 As might be expected from a new writer on Ferns, 
 many changes have been made in the nomenclature and 
 synonyms, as given in the '* Species Filicum," there being 
 no less than fifty of the names in the " Synopsis" having 
 Mr. Baker's initials prefixed, which is principally con- 
 sequent on his having removed species from one genus to 
 another, and in many cases giving new specific names, as 
 also by the addition of a considerable number of new 
 species. 
 
 I have already noticed that in the " Species Filicum " 
 species of very distinct habits and characters are placed in 
 the same genus ; of this there are several remarkable 
 new examples in the " Synopsis," the most conspicuous of 
 which will be found noticed under the respective genera in 
 my general arrangement. 
 
 In December, 1874, a second edition of the " Synopsis " 
 was published, containing an Appendix to the first edition 
 prepared by Mr. Baker, regarding which he 'says " I have 
 endeavoured in this edition to briefly characterize and fit 
 into their places the new discoveries and the plants found 
 upon fuller information to have been inadequately dealt 
 with in the first." This Appendix contains the names of 
 438 species, 198 of which bear the initials of Mr. Baker ; 
 the principal authorities for the others being Mettenius, 
 Klotzsch, Karstein, Grisebach, Moore, and Kuhn ; with the 
 exception of about twenty, the whole are additions to the 
 2,228 described in the first edition of the " Synopsis;" thus 
 on the authority of that work the total number of known 
 species of Ferns amounts to 2,646. 
 
 Whether the above number is represented by truly dis- 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 59 
 
 tinct species may be doubted by some Pteridologists ; but 
 be that as it may, there can be no doubt but that the 
 " Species Filicum " and " Synopsis " are highly valuable 
 to students of Ferns,* possessing- herbaria or cultivated 
 collections, as also to travellers abroad. 
 
 I have now to notice another important work by 
 Mr. Baker, published in 1870, namely, that part of 
 Martius's " Flora of Brazil," containing the Ferns ; a folio 
 work of 317 pages, with fifty plates, each plate containing 
 many figures of portions of fronds, showing the differential 
 characters of the genera and species. Of the latter there 
 are 887 described, the genera being arranged in the same 
 order as in the " Synopsis Filicum." On taking into consi- 
 deration the extensive territory of Brazil with its various 
 climates favourable to the growth of Ferns, from those 
 growing at elevations that may be termed sub-arctic, to 
 others luxuriating in the lower hot valleys and rocky or 
 forest ravines, the number of 380 species may be con- 
 sidered small ; but here again comes the question, what is 
 a species ? and judging from Mr. Baker's view, it would 
 appear that many plants originally described as species, 
 which successive authors have acknowledged to be distinct, 
 are, nevertheless, in many cases regarded as synonyms ; 
 thus Ferns long accepted by previous pteridologists cease 
 to be so. When I say long accepted, I go upon the 
 evidence of Link, Kunze, Schott, Mettenius, and myself, 
 who have had for many years under their observation 
 living examples of species all well recognised as being 
 different from one another by some important characters 
 seen only in the living state, but Mr. Baker, with herba- 
 rium specimens, makes no scruple of lumping many of such 
 
 * The first published by Dulau and Co., 37, Soho Square, London ; 
 the "Synopsis" by Hardwicke, 192, Piccadilly. 
 
60 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 under one specific name. For instance, under Polypodium 
 lycopodioides there are no less than twenty-two synonyms, 
 and under P. brasiliensis eighteen. These examples are 
 additional proof of what lias already been said of the 
 confusion of the nomenclature of Ferns, brought about by 
 the different views of Pteridologists. 
 
 I conclude this part by noticing a memoir, published in 
 1866, by J. E. Bommer, Secretary of the Royal Botanic 
 Society of Brussels, in the bulletin of the Royal Society of 
 Belgium, vol. 5, No. 3, 1866, entitled " Monographie de la 
 Classe des Fougeres," being a review of the writings on 
 Ferns by different authors, beginning with Bernhardi, 
 1799. He gives an abstract of the classification of the 
 principal authors, but as nothing specially new is brought 
 forward above what is noticed in the preceding pages, 
 it is not necessary to enter into details : he concludes 
 by giving an arrangement of his own which also presents 
 nothing new. 
 
 The memoir is accompanied by six finely executed 
 plates ; the first shows the different forms of the sporangia 
 and synangia ; the other five plates contain portions of the 
 fronds, illustrating the character of forty-one genera. 
 
 Abstract showing the number of genera of the preceding 
 authors : 
 
 Sprengel, " Systema Vegetabilium " (1827), 65. 
 
 Presl, " Tentamen PteridographisD," and other works, 
 including Hymenophyllea 35, 230. 
 
 J. Smith's Arrangement (1841), 143. 
 
 Fee, Polypodiaceee only (1852), 181. 
 
 Moore's "Index Filicum " (1857), 178. 
 
 Hooker's " Species Filicum" 5 vols. (1864), 66. 
 
 Hooker's " Synopsis Filicum " (1874), ed. 2., 76. 
 
 J. Smith, in the present work, 220. 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 61 
 
 5. ON THE GENERA AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION, AS FOUNDED ON 
 THEIR MODES OF GROWTH AND HABIT. 
 
 In the preceding pages I have given a general view of 
 the principal writers on Ferns, and their systems of classi- 
 fication. I will now proceed to explain the reasons that 
 have induced me to attempt to draw up a natural arrange- 
 ment of Ferns, reviewing as I proceed the data upon 
 which the genera are founded. 
 
 In my first general arrangement in 1841, 1 characterised 
 the whole of the circinate Ferns under divisions and tribes, 
 as shown in the abstract of my arrangement, given at 
 page 33, the characters of which are in general obvious, so 
 that any Fern with perfect fructification can readily be 
 referred to its proper tribe. A system of classification so 
 based is therefore practically useful, but it must be viewed 
 as purely artificial, for, although many of the genera in 
 any one tribe are naturally allied in general habit, yet 
 others of totally different habit, but possessing the technical 
 character of the tribe, are found associated with them ; 
 while on the other hand genera closely allied in natural 
 habit and organisation are placed in separate tribes. For 
 example, the genus Goniopteris has naked sori, while its 
 congener Nephrodium has indusiate sori, they are conse- 
 quently placed apart in any arrangement which is based on 
 the absence or presence of indusia. In both these genera 
 the species are numerous, and in many cases are so alike 
 that in the absence of the indusium, specimens of Nephro- 
 dium are referred to Goniopteris. The same applies to the 
 extensive genera Lastrea and Phegopteris, both of which 
 contain closely allied species. 
 
 When the indusium is absent in normal indusiate genera, 
 it is in general impossible, even by the most careful micro- 
 
62 ON .GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 scopic examination to discover that it ever was present ; that 
 organ, therefore, cannot be depended upon for determining 
 the genera of the tribe Phegopteridece by herbarium speci- 
 mens. 
 
 The relation of one genus to another is also governed by 
 the fertile frond being more or less contracted ; for instance, 
 all contracted fronds with naked sporangia closely occupy- 
 ing the whole underside, or in irregular masses, are referred 
 to the tribe Acrosticheoe but in some this character is not 
 always perfect. For instance, in the genus Pcecilopteris, 
 the fertile fronds vary in their degree of contraction, 
 and some being but slightly contracted, the veins being 
 distinct, forming obvious well-defined receptacles,* which, 
 when viewed in conjunction with the general habit and 
 mode of venation, indicates the relationship of Poecilopteris 
 to be with Meniscium. This affinity is further confirmed 
 on comparing it with the original herbarium specimens of 
 Meniscium simplex (Lond. Journ. Bot. v. 1, t. 11), which 
 are strictly characteristic of the genus Meniscium, but since 
 the species was first described it has been introduced in a 
 living state to the garden collection, and has produced 
 fertile fronds so completely contracted, that if such state 
 had been in the first instance observed by the learned 
 author, he would not have hesitated in referring it to 
 Acrosticheoe. Other instances also occur to show that 
 Meniscium and Pcecilopteris are naturally related. 
 
 I have now said sufficient to show that the placing of 
 such examples of naturally allied species in different genera 
 must be admitted as only an artificial convenience for 
 arrangement. 
 
 The various forms and direction of the sori also consti- 
 
 * On this state Sir William Hooker founded the genus Jenkinsia. 
 Hook. Gen. Fil., t. 75, B. 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 63 
 
 tute an important part in denning genera ; but in many 
 cases if the characters derived from the form are strictly 
 adhered to, species possessing very different appearances 
 are brought together. For instance, the small grass-like 
 Ferns of the genus Grammitis of Swartz are characterised 
 by having linear naked sori ; but by adhering to this 
 simple character alone, species of very different habit 
 would be included, as Gymnogramma, Stegnogramma, Loxo- 
 gramma, Pleurogmmma, Sellegua, and others, which, as 
 already stated, has to a considerable extent been so done in 
 the " Species Filicum." The sori are also liable to vary in 
 form and size in different specimens of the same species, or 
 even on the same, or different fronds of the same plant. 
 This usually happens by the contiguous punctiform recep- 
 tacles uniting laterally, when they assume on oval, oblong, 
 or linear form. Examples of this may be found in the 
 genera Pleopeltis, Phymatodes, Pleuridium, Drynaria, Aspi- 
 dium, and others. A remarkable instance of this occurs in 
 the splendid Fern Drynaria coronans (Polypodium coronans, 
 Wall.), a species with large pinnatifid fronds, which in the 
 presumed normal state as generally observed, has the sori 
 distinctly punctiform, and produced in a single row between 
 each pair of the primary veins. In some fronds, however, 
 the sori are so completely united in a line as to for-m a true 
 linear sorus, and hence not only agree perfectly with the 
 character of Grammitis, as denned by Swartz, but also with 
 the genus Gymnogramma, as characterised in the " Species 
 Filicum." These examples show that the form of the sori 
 alone cannot be strictly depended upon for defining genera. 
 In previous remarks I have stated that the mode in 
 which the vascular structure traverses the fronds (vena- 
 tion) affords important data in assisting to define the limits 
 of genera. 
 
64 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 This is particularly the case in the extensive tribes 
 Polypodiece, Acrostichece, Phegopteridece, and Aspidiece, each 
 of which contains groups of species possessing similar 
 venation, and agreeing so perfectly in habit and mode of 
 growth, that, in the absence of the fructification, it is often 
 difficult to determine to which genus and tribe they should 
 be referred. For instance, Pkegopteris and Lastrea, Poly- 
 ~botrya and Polystichum, Goniopteris and Nephrodium, Dryo- 
 menes and Aspidium, respectively agree both in habit and 
 venation, and all, with the exception of Polybotrya, have 
 punctiform sori, and, as already stated, these and kindred 
 genera can only be known from one another by the 
 presence or normal absence of the indusium, or by the 
 fertile fronds being contracted, as in Polylotrya. There- 
 fore, taking all these points into consideration, it appears 
 to me that, in order to arrive at the true affinity of Ferns, 
 the vascular structure, in conjunction with mode of growth,- 
 must be viewed as forming the groundwork of any at- 
 tempted natural classification. It must, however, be under- 
 stood that differences in venation do not always indicate 
 distinct modes of growth or habit ; for example, Phegopteris 
 and Goniopteris, Polylotrya and Saromanes, Pteris and Lito- 
 brochia, Adiantum and Hewardia, Lastrea and NepJirodium, 
 Lindscea .and Synaplilebium, respectively contain species 
 perfectly analogous in habit and other characters, and only 
 generically distinguished by the venation being free, or 
 anastomose. Another circumstance to be considered is 
 whether free or anastomose venation is always constant in 
 the same species. In any uncertainty upon this point it is 
 necessary to be first assured that the specimens under 
 examination have arrived at sufficient age to have the 
 normal structure of the species fully developed, for in 
 fronds of young plants the venation is often free while in 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 65 
 
 older or more perfect fronds of the plant, or different 
 plants of the same species, it is anastomose. In some 
 cases, however, the normal structure of the venation is 
 partly anastomose, and partly free, as in the genera Goni- 
 opteris, Neplirodium, Hemitelia, &c. In these genera the 
 lower or basal venules of each parcel are anastomose, 
 while the upper are free. In some genera, such as Adian- 
 tum, Lindsced, and Asplenium y the venation is normally 
 free ; anastomoses occasionally occur in different segments 
 of the same frond, but such seem more accidental than 
 normal. 
 
 From what I have now stated it will be seen that neither 
 the form or position of the sori or venation, the absence or 
 presence of indusium, taken singly or combined, can be 
 depended on for determining natural genera. Such being 
 the case, and having had under my notice examples of 
 nearly 1,000 species of living Ferns, has led me to the con- 
 clusion that in order to form natural genera the different 
 modes of growth must be taken into account, that is the 
 manner in which the developing axis (caudex) increases, 
 its direction, and the mode of evolution and attachment of 
 the fronds. I find that Ferns present two very distinct 
 modes of growth, which are comparatively as distinct as 
 Exogens are from Endogens. My views on this subject 
 first appeared in the " Botany of H. M. S. Herald," pub- 
 lished in 1853, but as that work may not be accessible to 
 all engaged in the study of Ferns, I will repeat the sub- 
 stance of what is there given. 
 
 If Polypodium vulgare be examined, it will be seen that 
 its fronds are produced singly from the sides of a creeping 
 progressing stem, which has its accrescent apex always in 
 advance of its young developing frond, each successive frond 
 being produced singly from special nodes formed at more or 
 
66 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 less distance apart, and in an alternate manner on the sides 
 of the progressing axis, the foot or base of attachment of 
 the frond forming- with the node a distinct and well marked 
 articulation or joint, which ultimately becomes the point of 
 separation of the mature frond, the node remaining per- 
 manent in the form of a round more or less elevated 
 cicacrix. This mode of growth includes all Polypodiacece, 
 as restricted by me to the tribes Oleandrcp, Davallioe, Poly- 
 podece, and Platycerece. To this mode of growth I have 
 given the name Eremobrya, and in characterising the genera 
 the words vernation articulate are employed, and the pro- 
 gressing axis from which the fronds are developed surculum. 
 The number of species referable to Eremobrya, however, 
 are few in comparison with those which possess a very 
 different mode of growth. If, for example, a plant of 
 Lastrea Fili.e-mas be examined, the fronds will be found to 
 be successively produced in a spiral manner from the apex 
 of the stem, in the form of a corona or crown, and thus by 
 successive development the stem is increased in height. 
 All Ferns developing fronds in this manner, even the 
 smallest, the axis of which does not rise above the ground, to 
 lofty tree Ferns, belong to this division as also a numerous 
 class which produce fronds similar to the above, but which 
 form a decumbent stem lying on the ground or but slightly 
 inclined upwards. This I term vernation fasciculate decum 
 bent, and the preceding vernation fasciculate erect. Another 
 mode of growth is common to many Ferns, such for 
 example in Pteris aquilina^ Lastrea serra, Polybotrya osmun- 
 dacea, the fronds are normally produced alternately, in a 
 single series, from the apex of a decumbent or creeping 
 stem (sarmentum). In some cases this mode of growth 
 resembles that of Eremobrya, but from which it is quite 
 distinct, und is readily known by the vascular structure of 
 
OX GENERA AND SPECIES. 67 
 
 the stipes being continuous and intimately connected with 
 the portion of the stem forming the internode between the 
 fronds, from which they cannot be separated without lacera- 
 tion. In these three modes of growth that is, whether 
 the fronds are produced in a fascicle, forming an erect or 
 decumbent axis, or in a single series the principle of at- 
 tachment is identical, and there being no articulation, as in 
 Eremobrya, the bases of the stipes are so united and become 
 indurated, forming the solid portion of the stem. To this 
 mode of growth I have given the term Desmobrya, and 
 in the definitions of the genera the venation is termed 
 adherent. 
 
 The various modifications of Desmobrya I have found 
 useful as auxiliary characters in indicating natural genera, 
 but there are exceptional cases of species of Lastrea and 
 Neplirodium, with erect fasciculate vernation, not distinguish- 
 able by the character of their fronds from other species of 
 the same genera with decumbent uniserial vernation ; 
 nevertheless the adoption of the vernation and the nature 
 of the accrescent axis as part of the definition of genera is 
 of much assistance in determining the relative affinities of 
 many genera. 
 
 In general the difference between Eremobrya and Des- 
 mobrya, as above described, is obvious, and there can be 
 no doubt that the two modes of growth are specially dis- 
 tinct, the plants being endowed with very different natures, 
 the vital power and tenacity of life, and power of resisting 
 drought being much stronger in Eremobrya than in Desmo- 
 brya ; and it is not a little remarkable that so far as obser- 
 vations upon cultivated plants enable me to ascertain, the 
 latter are much more freely reproduced from spores than 
 the former. It is also worthy of notice that in the 
 importation of Ferns from distant countries, those of 
 
(58 OX GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 the division Eremobrya generally arrive in good con- 
 dition, while those of Desmobrya, especially such as have 
 slender stems, are often dead or in a very enfeebled state 
 on their arrival. 
 
 The difference in the structure and mode ot growth of 
 the species of these two divisions may be admitted to be of 
 equal importance for classification with the difference in 
 structure of Exogens and Endogens in flowering plants. 
 In all attempts to determine natural relationship on any 
 special organ or structure, exceptions are never wanting. 
 In the present case, examples of connecting* links are in a 
 few instances found between the two divisions. This is 
 particularly so with the genus Elaphoglossum, which con- 
 sists of numerous simple-fronded Ferns, and may be 
 viewed as a truly natural genus. In many of the species 
 the stipes have an evident articulation situated in some, 
 more than half an inch above its base, and in many 
 of the species it is marked by a slight swelling ; and 
 also by the part below the swelling being of a dark colour. 
 No change, however, takes place in the structure, the bun- 
 dles of vascular fibre pass uninterruptedly through the 
 apparent articulation, but they are evidently weaker at 
 that point ; for, when mature, the stipes separate there, 
 the base portion remaining attached to the developing axis, 
 which is either fasciculate or uniserial and adherent. I 
 therefore place Elaphoglossum in Desmobrya. 
 
 Another instance of the stipes being jointed above its 
 base is characteristic of the original species of the genus 
 Woodsia, as also in species of Arthropteris ; but the base of 
 the stipes being adherent, indicates their position to be 
 in Desmobrya. Also special examples of the articulation 
 of the stipes in fasciculate vernation is exhibited by the 
 genus TricJioptens and several species of Cyatlwa ; for 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 69 
 
 instance, in C. arborea and G. serra, the fronds are terminal, 
 forming the characteristic corona common to tree Ferns. 
 When mature they separate from the stem, leaving- a clean 
 scar similar to Eremobrya, thus differing from the adherent 
 vernation characteristic of the mass of the species of the 
 tribe Cyathea ; but as they agree in all the essential 
 characters as regards the nature of their fronds and fructi- 
 fication, it is therefore necessary to obtain more evidence 
 as to the mode of evolution and structure of these tree 
 Ferns before any satisfactory conclusion can be arrived at, 
 as to enable us to view it as a special character to mark 
 distinct genera.* 
 
 This now leads me to notice another family of Ferns 
 namely, Marattiacece, which have a very distinct and 
 special habit from other Ferns, and are well marked by the 
 sporangia being destitute of a ring. The evolution of the 
 frond is terminal and articulate to the caudex, as in Cyathea 
 arborea above noticed, but differs in the fronds rising 
 from between two stipuliform appendages in the form of 
 a socket, analogous to the stipules of phsenog'amous plants. 
 The speciality of this group of Ferns leads me to view it 
 as constituting a distinct division, which I have named 
 Scaphobrya. 
 
 This division comprehends but a small number of species 
 as compared with Eremobrya and Desmobrya, the number 
 probably not exceeding thirty or forty, the principal part 
 of which are included under the genera Marattia, Angi- 
 opteris and Danea. 
 
 * Since the above was written, a valuable memoir " On the Structure 
 and Formation of the Stems of the Tree Ferns of India," has been 
 published in the thirtieth volume of the Transactions of the Linneau 
 Society, 1874, by Mr. J. Scott, Curator of the Botanic Gardens, 
 Calcutta. It consists of thirty-nine pages of letterpress, accompanied 
 by eighteen plates. 
 
70 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 I have also to notice that articulation is not confined 
 to the stipes alone ; the segments of fronds laciniee, 
 pinnse, and pinnules being in many instances articu- 
 late with their respective rachis, whether primary or 
 secondary. This is particularly characteristic of the 
 genera Drynaria, Arthromeris, Schellolepis, and Photino- 
 pteris in Eremobrya ; and Nephrolepis, Isoloma, Didymo- 
 chlcena, Cystodium, and others in Desmobrya, as also in 
 Scaphobrya. 
 
 By paying attention to these points they are found 
 serviceable in determining the natural affinity of species. 
 Several of the above genera, as also Arthrop teris, Cerato- 
 pteris, Platy cerium, and Amphiblestra, possess characters 
 peculiar to themselves, which necessitates their considera- 
 tion as aberrant genera ; consequently the nature of their 
 fructification, venation, and habit, must be conjointly 
 viewed in determining the tribe to which they seem most 
 naturally to belong. 
 
 On taking a retrospective view of the preceding obser- 
 vations, it will be seen that every defined form of the 
 organs or structure that serve for defining genera, whether 
 artificial or natural, are liable to vary more or less from 
 the adopted typical normal form, and thus afford ample 
 scope for Pteridologists to name and classify genera 
 according to their views of the value of the several 
 organs. On this point two authors seldom agree j hence 
 great confusion is introduced into the nomenclator of 
 Ferns. Some may be called conservative, such as Hooker 
 and Mettenius, who maintain entire the old genera of 
 Linnaeus and Swartz ; while others, as shown in the pre- 
 ceding pages, break up these large genera into a number 
 of smaller ones. 
 
 These different views are consequent on there being no 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 71 
 
 law of nature to mark where a genus begins or where it 
 ends. On this point, in my " Arrangement of the Genera 
 of Ferns," published in 1841, I have said "A gradual 
 transition of form is seen to pervade through the whole, 
 not in a lineal, but in a complex reticulated manner, it 
 becomes very difficult to determine in which genus the 
 extreme or transition species of groups should be placed." 
 
 On considering that in many cases habit is not excluded 
 in assisting to define the genera of flowering plants, and 
 in numerous instances it is allowed by eminent botanists 
 to constitute the chief distinction between allied genera. 
 For example, the order Liliacece is represented by nearly 
 1,700 species, arranged under about 150 genera, which all 
 agree as regards their parts of fructification, the slight 
 variations of which are made use of for defining genera ; 
 and, indeed, if it was not for the difference in habit, the 
 number of genera are capable of being greatly reduced. 
 This and other instances that might be quoted favour my 
 view, that in order to constitute natural genera of Ferns, 
 habit must play an important part ; and so long as any 
 number of species agree in habit, and possessing other 
 characters in common, it matters not whether such groups 
 are called genera, sub-genera, or sections of genera. For 
 my own part, I prefer regarding them as genera, as it 
 saves a great deal of unnecessary trouble in speaking or 
 writing about Ferns, it being much easier to say Drynaria 
 coronans than Polypodium (Drynaria) coronans, or Elapho- 
 glossum conforms than Acrosticlium (Elaplioglossum) con- 
 forme, or Gymnogramma calomelanos than Gymnogramma 
 (Eugymnogramma) calomelanos; also by studying the cha- 
 racter of the smaller groups individually, and treating 
 them as genera, their nature at once becomes fixed upon 
 the mind, without having to think of them being asso- 
 
72 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 ciated with a host of species differing widely in habit. 
 Admitting- that a greater or lesser number of species 
 possess some character in common to entitle them to be 
 called genera, nevertheless, genera may be said to have no 
 real existence in nature, but, by adopting them, we are 
 enabled to study and classify Ferns so as to convey to the 
 mind our ideas regarding the various forms and nature of 
 the numerous plants that come under our observation. 
 
 In the preceding observations I have shown that habit 
 is of great importance as a character for determining the 
 relationship of Ferns to one another, either as individual 
 species or groups of species, but habit is not always avail- 
 able, especially in describing from herbarium specimens 
 alone, for it is only the small growing kinds, with caudex 
 and fronds united, that are suited for the herbarium. A 
 great number consists of single fronds, or even portions of 
 fronds, only, consequently, the nature of their vernation is 
 unknown. Indeed, the great botanists of the present day 
 content themselves with describing plants from dried spe- 
 cimens, many of which are often small and imperfect, and 
 fail to convey the true nature of the plant in its living 
 state. 
 
 The celebrated botanist Mr. Bentham says: "I have 
 published several thousands of new species of plants, I 
 have never published one without examining it in a her- 
 barium, and I have examined very few in botanical 
 gardens." This practice I call unfortunate, for although 
 the living collection at Kew may not at any time exceed 
 one-tenth of the species in the herbarium collection, never- 
 theless it affords ample materials for verifying and assisting 
 to correct errors in many descriptions made from herbarium 
 specimens only. With regard to the collection of living 
 Ferns, which the author of the " Species Filicum " calls 
 
OX GENERA AND SPECIES. /b 
 
 " the finest in cultivation," it in 1864 consisted of nearly 
 one-half of the number of the species described by him in 
 that work, but of these the learned author made less use 
 than might have been expected. This was consequent on 
 finding* a considerable difference in describing species from 
 living plants and herbarium specimens ; for in many cases 
 it was found that it was not till specimens of the cultivated 
 plants were dried that they could be identified with native 
 specimens of the same supposed species in the herbarium ; 
 consequently the descriptions in the " Species Filicum " 
 are, with few exceptions, entirely founded on specimens in 
 the author's herbarium. 
 
 With me it was otherwise : the living collection re- 
 quiring daily care and attention, led me to become 
 acquainted with the special habits and modes of growth of 
 the different species ; and this has enabled me draw up the 
 following natural arrangement. I say natural, but it must 
 be understood that any sequence of allied genera has its 
 limit, and that it is only in individual tribes that genera, 
 in most cases, can be so arranged as to form natural 
 transitions from one to another. By this several tribes 
 become naturally connected, while others, such as Aspleniece, 
 Hymenopliyllew, and Gleicheniece, may be called independent 
 tribes. 
 
 The principle of the following arrangement is based on 
 the different modes of vernation and habit. It begins 
 with the division Eremobrya, followed by Desmobrya and 
 Scaphobrya ; each of these divisions are divided into tribes, 
 of which there are twenty-nine in all ; each tribe contains 
 a greater or lesser number of genera, and the genera of 
 each tribe when possessing any well marked differential 
 characters are arranged under sections. The characters of 
 each genus are given, beginning with the nature of the 
 
74 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 vernation, followed by that of the fronds and venation, and 
 ending with the form and position of the sori and indusium 
 when present. 
 
 As regards synonyms of both genera and species, I have 
 in the preceding pages shown that they may be termed 
 legion, the number of generic names being above 500. To 
 quote all or any considerable number of them, would be 
 the means of making this book much larger than desirable, 
 and add much to confuse students and dismay them from 
 studying Ferns. 
 
 To each genus I have given its authority and date, fol- 
 lowed by its principal synonyms and reference to the genus 
 under which the species stand in Sir William Hooker's 
 " Species Filicum ; " and for their identification I have 
 deemed it sufficient to quote the figures in Hooker and 
 Bauer's " Genera Filicum," the " Synopsis Filicum." 
 Moore's " Index Filicum," and my " Ferns, British and 
 Foreign." These, with plates in this work illustrating the 
 tribes and genera, and with the observations under each 
 genus, will, I trust, be sufficient to convey to the student of 
 Ferns a knowledge of their nature and the data upon which 
 they are classified. 
 
 With regard to species, when few in a genus I have 
 quoted the whole, and for examples of the large genera 
 have quoted the principal and best known species ; in 
 several cases for their identification I have referred to 
 figures in different works. 
 
 I have already shown that it is the rule to retain the 
 original specific name of a species under whatever genus 
 it may be placed by succeeding authors ; some writers, 
 however, in arranging them under different genera affix 
 their initials to the specific name, from which it often 
 appears as though the species were new and named and 
 
ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 75 
 
 described for the first time. To avoid this I have as far as 
 possible followed the plan adopted in my " Arrangement 
 of Ferns," in 1841, where I have said that " The authority 
 for the specific names being in a parenthesis denotes that 
 such species stood formerly under one or other of the 
 genera given as synonyms." 
 
 I have to add that on account of the gradual failure of 
 my sight I have not been able to determine the position of 
 certain species. I therefore direct the special attention of 
 those who adopt my mode of classification, to the mass 
 of species included under the section Eupolypodium of the 
 " Species Filicum," of which the author says the stipes are 
 " articulated upon the caudex, as appears to be all of this 
 group," of which there are 151 described. I have, how- 
 ever, failed to identify more than fifty of the species as 
 having articulate vernation, and which 1 place under Poly- 
 podium as restricted by me, and as far as I have been able 
 to determine the many species represented by P. trichoma- 
 noides, P. moniliforme, and P. peruviana, have adherent 
 vernation, and which I refer to the genus Ctenopteris in 
 Desmobrya. I also direct special attention to the arboroid 
 species of Phegopteris, Lastrea, Goniopteris, and Nephrodiwn, 
 which, on account of their special habit, and the pinnae 
 being articulate with the rachis appears to me of sufficient 
 importance to warrant their separation from the more 
 humble species of their respective genera. 
 
 The extensive genus Elaphoglossum also presents great 
 difference in the nature of its vernation, which appears to 
 be of sufficient importance to justify the species being 
 arranged in separate generic groups. 
 
 I conclude my general observations on the classification 
 of Ferns by saying that my views, like those of other 
 writers, are open to criticism. If the critics have studied 
 
76 ON GENERA AND SPECIES. 
 
 garden and herbarium collections of Ferns as zealously 
 as I have done, whether their criticisms be favourable or 
 unfavourable to my views as regards the genera of Ferns, 
 it is hoped that their observations will, as Sir William 
 Hooker said, be the means of throwing "a new light on 
 the study of Ferns, a light which cannot fail to aid the 
 researches of future writers." 
 
PART II. 
 
 GENERAL ARRANGEMENT AND CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA, 
 WITH REMARKS ON THEIR RELATIONSHIP ONE TO ANOTHER. 
 
 ABSTRACT OF THE ARRANGEMENT. 
 
 1. EVOLUTION OF THE FRONDS CIRCINATE. 
 
 This includes all Ferns except the small tribe Ophiorjlos- 
 facece, in which the vernation is straight. 
 
 A. Ring of Sporangia vertical (Order Potypodia- 
 cea>, E. Br.} 
 
 DIVISION I.-EREMOBRYA. 
 Fronds solitary, lateral, and articulate with the caudex. 
 
 Tribe 1. OLEANDREJJ. 
 Gen. 1. Oleandra, Cav. 
 
 Tribe 2. DAVALLIE. 
 Gen. 3. Davallia, Sm., Humata, Cav., Leucostegia, Pr. 
 
 Tribe 3. POLYPODIES. 
 Gen. 28. Ex. Polypodium, Phymatodes, Drynarla. 
 
 Tribe 4. HYMENOLEPIDLE. 
 Gen. C. Ex. Drymoglossum, Hymenolepis, Neurodium. 
 
 Tribe 5. PLATYCEREJE. 
 Gen. 1. Platycerium. 
 
78 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 DIVISION II. DESMOBRYA. 
 
 Fronds terminal, solitary, fasciculate, adherent to the 
 caudex. 
 
 Tribe 6. ACROSTICHE^E. 
 Gen. 22. Ex. Elaphoglossum, Polybotrya, Gymnopteris. 
 
 Tribe 7. MENISCEJ;. 
 Gen. 2. Meniscium, Dictyocline. 
 
 Tribe 8. GKAMMETIDEJE. 
 Gen. 15. Ex. Hemionites, Gymnogramma, Llavea. 
 
 Tribe 9. CERATOPTERIDEJ;. 
 Gen. 1. Ceratopteris. 
 
 Tribe 10 VITTARIEJI, 
 Gen. 3. Vittaria, Pleropsis, Dictyoxiphium. 
 
 Tribe 11. PLEUEOGRAMMEJ;. 
 Gen. 8. Ex. Monogramma, Grammitis, Xiphopteris. 
 
 Tribe 12. CTENOPTEKIDE^. 
 Gen. 4. Ex. Ctenopteris, Adenophorus, Glyphotcenium. 
 
 Tribe 13. PHEGOPTERIDE^. 
 Gen. 29. Ex. Phegopteris, Aspidium, Dipteris, Lastrea. 
 
 Tribe 14. PHYSEMATEJ;. 
 Gen. 4. Ex. Woodsia, Peranerna, Diacalpe. 
 
 Tribe 15. CYATHEJ;. 
 Gen. 7. Ex. Oyathea, Hemitelia, Alsophila. 
 
 Tribe 16. DICKSONLE. 
 Gen. 5. Ex. Dicksonia, Thysopteris, Cibotium. 
 
 Tribe 17. SACCOLOMEJE. 
 Gen. 7. Ex. Microlepia, Loxoma, Saccoloma. 
 
 Tribe 18. 
 Gen. 4. Ex. lAndscra, Scliizoloma. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 79 
 
 Tribe 19. ADIANTEJ:. 
 Gen. 2. Ex. Adicmtum, Hewardia. 
 
 Tribe 20. CHEILANTHE^;. 
 Gen. 8. Ex. Cheilanthes, Pellece, Cassebeera. 
 
 Tribe 21. PTERIDEAE. 
 Gen. 8. Ex. Pteris, Litobrochia, LoncJiitis. 
 
 Tribe 22. BLECHNEJ:. 
 Gen. 11. Ex. Bleclmum, Lomaria, Woodwardia. 
 
 Tribe 23. ASPLENIE^. 
 Gen. 12. Ex. Asplenium, Scolopendrium, Diplazium. 
 
 B. Ring 1 of sporangia, horizontal, central. 
 
 Tribe 24. GLEICHENIE^:. 
 Gen. 4. Ex. GleicJienia, Matonia. 
 
 Tribe 25. HTMENOPHTLLEJE. 
 Gen. 4. Ex. HymenopJiylhim, Trichomanes. 
 
 C. Ring of sporangia horizontal, apical, in some 
 incomplete. 
 
 Tribe 26. SCHIZE*;. 
 Gen. 8. Ex. Schizcea, Anemia, Lygodium. 
 
 Tribe 27, OSMUNDACE^:. 
 Gen. 2. Osmunda, Todea. 
 
 D. Sporangia destitute of a ring. 
 
 DIVISION III. SCAPHOBRYA. 
 
 Fronds terminal, rising from between two stipuliform or 
 socket-like appendages, and articulate with the caudex. 
 
 Tribe 28. MARATTIACE.E. 
 Gen. 5. Ex. Marattia, Danea, Angiopteris. 
 2. Evolution of the fronds straight. 
 
 Tribe 29. OPHIOGLOSSACEJ;. 
 Gen. 3. Ophioglossum, Helminthostachys, BotrycMum. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENC11A. 
 
 GENERAL ARRANGEMENT, &c. 
 Evolution of the fronds circinate. 
 
 DIVISION 1. EREMOBRYA. (Page G5). 
 
 A. Ring- of Sporangia vertical. 
 
 * Sori Indusiate. 
 
 Tribe 1. OLEANDRE^]. (Plate 1.) 
 Sori round, lateral. Indusium lateral, interiorly attached 
 or sometimes central, plane. 
 
 1. OLEANDRA. Cav. (1801). 
 
 Aspidium sp., Swartz. Newronia, Don. (1825). Ophio- 
 pteris, Eeinw. 
 
 Surculum slender, creeping, or erect, and sub-frutes- 
 cent. Fronds simple entire linear lanceolate, 1 to 1J foot 
 long, smooth or pilose. Stipes short, node of articulation 
 sessile, or more or less elevated. Veins simple, or once or 
 twice forked, venules free parallel, their apices curved 
 outwards, forming a narrow cartilaginous margin. Sori 
 punctiform lateral, scattered or transversely uniserial. 
 Indusium plane, orbicular or reniform. 
 
 Type. Aspidium articulatum, Swartz. 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil. t. 45, B. Moore Ind. 
 
 Fil. p. 72 A. J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For. fig. 1. Hook. 
 
 Syn. Fil. t. 5, fig. 46. 
 
 OBS. By early authors the species oi this genus were 
 placed in 'Aspidium, but their distinct and peculiar habit, 
 together with their articulate vernation, does not accord 
 with any genus of the Aspidece Alliance. 
 
 Fee enumerates thirteen species of this genus, but the 
 great uniformity in the form of the fronds renders it quite 
 impossible to find sufficient and permanent characters for 
 that number ; the most differential characters being in 
 
PI. 2. 
 
 CL. 
 
PI. 2. 
 
 ou. 
 
 W. 
 
CHAEACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENERA. 81 
 
 the decumbent or erect nature of the rhizome, and the 
 more or less elevation of the node of articulation, and in 
 the position of the sori. The following- are admitted in 
 the " Synopsis Filicum " as distinct species. 
 
 Species : 0. neriiformis, Cav. (v v.)* ; 0. musaefolia, 
 Kunze (Bedd. Ferns, Brit. Ind. pi. 264) ; 0. articulata, 
 Cav. (v v.) ; 0. nodosa, Willd. (v v.) ; 0. Wallichii, Hook. ; 
 0. Cumingii, J. Sm. 
 
 The genus is widely distributed, being found in the 
 region of the Himalaya, Malay Archipelago, and Philip- 
 pine Islands, as also in the West Indies and Tropical 
 America. 0. neriiformis is a peculiar Fern, differing from 
 the rest of the genus in having erect frutescent branching 
 stems, about half an inch in diameter, and rising to the 
 height of from four to six feet, bearing lateral whorls of 
 simple fronds. It may be viewed as the only representa- 
 tive of a shrub among Ferns. It is found throughout the 
 tropics of America and India, and in the Malay and Pacific 
 Islands. 
 
 Tribe 2. DAVALLIE^, J. Sm. (Plate 2.) 
 
 Veins free. Sori terminal, marginal, punctiform. In- 
 dusium forming a more or less complete cyst, opening 
 exteriorly. 
 
 OBS. In the "Species Filicum," 112 species of Davallia 
 are enumerated, which, in the " Synopsis," are reduced to 
 seventy-nine. This number consists of species both with 
 articulate and adherent vernation ; the latter consequently 
 comes under the division Desmobrya. About forty species 
 have articulate vernation, and are comprised under the 
 
 * These letters indicate that the species have been cultivated at 
 Kew, as recorded in "Ferns : British and Foreign." 
 
 G 
 
82 CHARACTEKS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 three following- genera. They are all natives of the Old 
 World, not being- represented in America. 
 
 2. HUMATA, Cav. (1801.) 
 Davallia in part ; Smith and oilier authors. 
 
 Surculum slender. Fronds linear, lanceolate, entire, 
 sinuose, pinnatifid, or deltoid bipinnatifid, rigid, glossy, 
 rarely squamose, 4 to 12 inches in height. Veins simple or 
 forked, free, often thickened upwards. Sori marginal or 
 antimarginal. Receptacles punctiform. Indusium sub- 
 rotund, or reniform, entirely attached by its generally 
 broad base, shorter or equal with the margin, forming a 
 bilabiate firm cyst. 
 
 Type. Davallia pedata, Smith. 
 
 Illust. Hook and Bauer, Gen. Fil., 1. 114 A ; Moore, Ind. 
 Fil., p. 74. ; J. Sm., Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 2 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, fig. 18, a. b. c. 
 
 OJBS. This genus consists of about a dozen species, 
 natives of the Malayan, Philippine, and Asian Islands of 
 the Pacific Ocean. It is distinguished from true Davallia 
 by the indusium being attached by its interior base only. 
 
 Ex. H. angustata, Wall. ; H. heterophylla, 8m. (v v.) ; 
 H. pectinata, Sin. ; H. parallela, Wall. ; H. pedata, Sm. 
 (v v.) ; H. sessilifolia, Bl. H. Cumingii, Hook, (v v.) ; 
 H. vestita. Bl. ; H. Tyermani, Moore (App. Hook. Syn. Fil.). 
 
 3. DAVALLIA, 8m. in part (1793). 
 Davallia in part, Hoolc. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum creeping, or sub-erect and sub-frutescent. 
 Pfonds pinnate, bipinnate or deltoid multifid, firm and 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA, 83 
 
 glossy, rarely flaccid, from 6 inches to 3 feet high. Veins 
 forked, venules free ; fertile venules sometimes very short, 
 dentiform. Sori terminal. Receptacle punctiform. Spor- 
 angia vertical, included within an urceolate or tubular indu- 
 sium. 
 
 Type. Davallia canariensis, Smith. 
 
 Illust. Hook and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 27 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 75 B. ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 3 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, fig. 18, c. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of about a dozen or more 
 species, widely distributed over the Eastern Hemisphere, 
 the extreme western limits being the Azores and Canary 
 Islands. It differs from Humata in having the indusium 
 attached by its base and sides, impressed in the substance 
 of the fronds, thus forming an urceolate tubular cyst. 
 
 Ex. D. triphylla, Hook. D. pentaphylla, SI. (v v.) ; D. 
 bullata, Wall, (v v) ; D: mauritiana, Hook.-, D. frjiensis, 
 Hook. ; D. solida, Sw. (vv.); D. ornata, Wall, (vv.) ; D. 
 pyxidata, Cav. (v v.) ; D. divaricata, Bl. (v v.) ; D. elata, 
 Sw. (vv.) ;^D. elegans, Sw. (v v.) ; D. pallida, Hett. (v v) ; 
 D. nitidula, Kze. (v v.) ; D. Vogelii, Hook, (v v.) ; D. canari- 
 ensis, Sm. (v v.) ; D. dissecta, /. Sm. (v v.). 
 
 4. LEUCOSTEGIA, Presl (1836). 
 Davallia, sp. Hook. Sp. Fil. ; AcropJiorus, Moore. 
 
 Surculum slender, or short and thick (hypogeous in L. 
 immersa). Fronds lanceolate, bipinnatifid, or deltoid-mul- 
 tifid, generally membraneous and flaccid, from 2 inches to 
 2 feet high, smooth, rarely pilose, the ultimate divisions 
 mostly bifid and soriferous below the sinus. Veins 
 forked ; venules free, the anterior ones often very short. 
 Sori terminal, sub-marginal. Receptacles punctiform. 
 
84 CHAEACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Indusium sub-reniform, oblong or nearly orbicular, 
 plane, interiorily attached by its base, and partly by 
 its sides, equal with, or shorter than the margin, thin, 
 scariose. 
 
 Type. Davallia immersa, Wall. 
 
 Illust. Hook and Bauer, Gen. Fil, t. 52, A ; Moore, Ind. 
 Fil., p. 73, B. ; J. Sm., Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 4. 
 
 OBS. This genus as founded by Presl consisted of only 
 one species, namely Davallia immersa of Wallich, which has 
 pale deciduous fronds, rising from a hypogeous creeping 
 caudex. Although the character of the sori differs little 
 from that of Humata, its distinct habit does not allow it to 
 be associated with that genus or with Davallia ; which is 
 also the case with other species of Davallia of authors, which 
 I here place under Leucostegia. They are widely distributed 
 throughout the same countries as those of the preceding. 
 
 Sp. L. parvula (Wall.) (v v.) ; L. falcinella (Pr.) ; L. 
 affinis (Hook.) (vv.);L. Grimthiana (Hook.) ; L. cheero- 
 phylla (Wall.) (v v,) ; L. pulchra (Don.) (v v.) ; L. immersa 
 (Pr.) (v v.) ; L. membranulosa (Wall.)', L. hirsuta (/. Sm.) 
 (v v.) ; L. borneensis (J, Sm.) (Nephrodium, Hook.) ; 
 L. assamica (v v.) (Bedd. F. Brit. Ind. Fil. 94). 
 
 OBS. In Moore's " Index Filicum," the above species 
 are all placed in the genus Acrophorus of Presl, which is 
 founded on Aspidium nodosum of Wallich, a large growing 
 Fern of peculiar habit, and having no natural affinity with 
 the species of Leucostegia, its vernation being adherent and 
 fasciculate (see Acrophorus). 
 
 * * Sori destitute of Indusium. 
 
 Tribe 3. POLYPODIES. (Plate 3.) 
 Veins free or anastomosing in various ways. Sori 
 
PI. 3 
 
 J.N.Fitch/hnp. 
 
CHARACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENERA. 85 
 
 terminal, lateral or compital, punctiform, oblong, or by 
 confluence linear naked. 
 
 OBS. This tribe consists of about 200 described species. 
 The greater number come under the genus Polypodium, as 
 characterised by early authors, that is in having puncti- 
 form naked sori. The greater mass of the species have 
 anastomose venation, from simply reticulated to compound, 
 with free veinlets terminating in the areoles. In many 
 cases this difference alone is not sufficient to define natural 
 genera ; to do so it is necessary to make habit and any other 
 special structure of the fronds an important character in 
 arranging the species into natural groups, which, on 
 account of the gradual transition, it in many cases becomes 
 difficult to determine the group in which the transition 
 species should be placed. Authors are much divided on 
 this point, for instance, the venation of Phymatodes as 
 characterised by Presl, I in 1841, considered it did not 
 differ from the earlier founded genus Drynaria of Bory, 
 while Moore, in his " Index Filicum," places the whole of 
 Presl's Phymatodes, with the exception of the section Dry- 
 naria, under the early named genus Pleopeltis, also in- 
 cluding under it the whole or a portion of the species of no 
 less than twenty-four genera of different authors. Of 
 Drynaria of Bory he says, "We have kept separate the 
 very distinct-looking little groups of Drynaria and Dipteris, 
 the former distinguished by its peculiar sessile, sterile 
 fronds, the latter by its peculiar dichotomo-palmatafid 
 fronds, rather perhaps than by differences of higher value." 
 After having carefully considered the different views of 
 authors, and having had examples before me of the greater 
 number of known species, I have been led to arrange the 
 tribe Polypodece as follows : 
 
86 CHAEACTERS OF TEIBES AND GENEEA. 
 
 * Veins free. 
 
 Sect. 1. POLYPODE2E. 
 
 5. PEOSAPTIA, Presl (1836). 
 DavallicB sp., Swartz. Hook., Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum short, caespitose. Fronds contiguous, linear- 
 lanceolate, pectinate-pinnatifid, 6 to 12 inches high ; lacinia? 
 oblong or linear, obtuse. Veins simple, free, internal. 
 Receptacles terminal, seated in a marginal cyst formed of 
 the substance of the frond and containing the sporangia. 
 
 Type. Davallia contigua, Swartz. 
 
 lllust. Hook and Grev., t. 105, 141. Moore, Ind. Fil., 
 p. 76 B. 
 
 OBS. The urceolate marginal cyst containing vertical 
 sporangia is analogous to the indusiate sori of Davallice, 
 but differs entirely in being formed in the substance 
 of the frond, and in having no indusiate membrane. The 
 texture and pinnate character of the fronds indicates the 
 affinity to be with the pinnatifid section of Polypodiuin. 
 
 Sp. P. contigua (Sw.). P. Emmersoiii (Hook). 
 
 Natives of Ceylon, Malay, and Polynesian Islands. 
 
 6. CEYPTOSOEUS, Fee (1843). 
 Polypodium, sp., HI. Hook. Sp. Fil. Ccelopteris, A. Br. 
 
 Surculum short. Fronds contiguous, linear-lanceolate, 
 pinnatifid-pectinate, 1 to 1J feet long. Veins of lacinise 
 simple, internal. Receptacles immersed, forming an oval 
 cyst, the margin surrounded by incurved rigid hairs in. 
 closing the sporangia. 
 
 Type. Polypodiuin obligatum, Plume. 
 
 lllust. Fee, Gen. Fil., t. 19. Blume, Fl. Jav., t. 58. B. 
 84. B. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 87 
 
 OBS. In my " Genera of Ferns," 1841, I noticed the 
 peculiarity of the species in the preceding genus, and also of 
 this, but then did not deem the characters sufficient to 
 separate it as a genus from Poly podium. Later observa- 
 tions, and the views of both Presl and Fee, induce me now 
 to separate them from true Polypodinms. 
 
 Sp. C. obliquatus (5Z.) (Bedd. F. Brit. Ind. pi. 167), 
 C. celebicus (Bl.\ C. venulosum (#.), C. blechnoides 
 (/. 8m.) , (Grammitis llechnoides, Grev. 1848*, Cryptosorus 
 Seemannii, /. $ra., Bonplandia, vol. 9), C. Khasyanus 
 (Hook.). 
 
 Natives of Java, Celebes, Luzon, Fiji, Ceylon and India. 
 
 7. THTLACOPTERIS, Eze. Herb. (1856). 
 Polypodium, sp. Blume. Hook, Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum slender. Fronds distant, stipate, linear, pinna- 
 tifid, membraneous, smooth, 1 to 2 feet high, 2 inches 
 broad, laciniae articulate with the rachis. Veins once 
 forked, venules free, the exterior branch soriferous. 
 Receptacles punctiform, terminal, deeply immersed in a cyst, 
 forming elevated papillae on the upper side. Sori trans- 
 verse, uniserial near the margin of the lacinias. 
 
 Type. Polypodium papillosum, Blume. 
 
 Illust. Bl. Fl. Jav., p. 191, t. 88. Horsf. PI. Jav. Rar., 
 p. 6, t. 2. 
 
 OBS. Finding that the Polypodium papillosum of Blume 
 does not well associate with any of the species of Polypo- 
 dium as here restricted, I therefore deem it best to follow 
 Kunze in adopting it as a distinct genus. The forked 
 venation distinguishes it from Prosaptia and Cryptosorus 
 and the deeply-impressed receptacles and the articulation 
 of the segments with the rachis from true Polypodium. 
 
 * Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 2nd ser. vol. 1, p. 17. 
 
88 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Sp. T. papillosa (Bl). 
 
 A native of Java and the Philippine Islands. With the 
 exception of P. vulgare this is the only representative of the 
 forked free- veined Polypodice in the Eastern Hemisphere. 
 
 8. POLYPODIUM, Linn, in part (1737). 
 
 Surculum generally short and thick, in some hypogeous. 
 Fronds pinnatifid, pinnate, or rarely bi-tripinnatifid or 
 simple, smooth, villose or squamiferous, from a few inches 
 to two or three feet high. Veins once or more times forked 
 free, exterior branch soriferous. Receptacles terminal, punc- 
 tiform, superficial. Sori round, rarely oval, transversely 
 uniserial or solitary on lacinise of multipartate fronds. 
 
 Type. Poli/podium vulgare, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook and Bauer, t. G9, B. Moore Ind. Fil., p. 
 56, fig. 1. J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 5. 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 5, fig. 48, a, b. 
 
 OBS. This genus as now restricted by me contains between 
 thirty and forty known species, which, with the exception 
 of P. vulgare of Europe, are all natives of West Indies and 
 the Continent of America, P. pellucidum extending west to 
 the Sandwich Islands. The following are the principal 
 species arranged in sections : 
 
 1. Suspensum Group. 
 
 Fronds linear, pinnatifid or subpinnate, villose, rarely 
 smooth. Stipes long, slender, wiry, often arcuate. Veins 
 sometimes simple, or with the soriferous branch very short. 
 
 Ex. P. comptoniaefolium, Desv. (P. scolopendrioides, 
 Hook et Grev., p. 42) ; P. suspensum, Linn. ; P. asplenii- 
 folium, Linn. ; P. cultratum, Willd. ; P. Phlegmaria, /. 
 Sm. ; * P. lanigerum, Eat. ; P. semiadnatum, Hook. ; P. 
 alternifolium, Hook. ; P. melanopus, Grev. 
 
 * Lond. Journ. Bot., p. 196, vol. iv. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 89 
 
 2. Pectinatum Group. 
 
 Fronds linear or broadly elliptical, erect, somewhat 
 rigid, more or less deeply pinnatifid. 
 
 Ex. P. Schkuhrii, Radd. (v v.) ; P. laxifolium, Linn. ; 
 P. pectinatum, Linn, (v v.) ; P. Paradiseas, Lang et FiscJi 
 (v v.) ; P. pulchrum, Mart, et Gal. 
 
 3. Sororium Group. 
 
 Fronds erect, pinnate, pinnae sessile or petiolate, smooth 
 or pubescent. Veins three to four times forked. 
 
 Ex. P. Martensii, Mett. (v v.), ; P. Hartwegianum, 
 Hook. ; P. puberulum, Schlecht. ; P. subpetiolatum, Hook, 
 (v v.) ; P. sororium, H.B.K. (v v.) ; P. fraternum, Schlecht. 
 
 (vv.) 
 
 4. Vulgare Group. 
 
 Fronds erect, generally thick, coriaceous, smooth, fari- 
 nose or squamiferous, elliptical-lanceolate, pinnatifid, rarely 
 simple or deltoid, and bi-tripinnately laciniated. 
 
 Ex. P. chrysolepis, Hook. ; P. farinosum, Hook. ; P. 
 argyratum, Eory. ; P. vulgare, Linn. P. macrocarpum, 
 Pr. ; P. plebejum, Schlecht. (y v.) ; P. madrense, /. 8m. ; 
 P. Skinneri, Hook. ; P. fallax, Schlecht. ; P. Frederich- 
 sthalianum, Kunze. ; P. murorum, Hook. P. onustum, 
 Hook. ; P. pellucidum, Kaulf. 
 
 OBS. The fronds of the latter species and P. vulgare 
 yary from pinnatifid to bi-pinnatifid, and even more divided 
 and crested, of which P. vulgare presents many forms. 
 
 ** Veins anastomosing in various ways. 
 Sect. 2. GONIOPHLEBIJ:. 
 
 9. GONIOPHLEBIUM (1828) (Presl in part, 1836). 
 Polypodium, sect. Goniophlebium, Blume. ; Marginaria, 
 in part Presl ; Polypodium ; sp., auct., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
90 CHAEACTERS OF TEIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Surculum thick and fleshy, or slender and sub-hypoga- 
 ceous. Fronds pinnatifid or pinnate, rarely simple, uni- 
 form, 1 to 3 feet high, smooth or slightly pubescent, 
 segments and pinna? adherent with the rachis. Veins 
 once or more times forked, or equally pinnate, the lower 
 anterior venule always free, the rest angularly anasto- 
 mosing, and generally producing an excurrent free veinlet 
 from their angular junctions. Receptacles punctiform, super- 
 ficial, terminal on the anterior free venules, and also often 
 on the excurrent veinlets. Sori round or rarely oblong, 
 solitary in the areoles, transverse one to six serial, naked. 
 
 Type. Polypodium loriceum, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, t. 70, B. ; Hook. Syn. Fil. t. 
 5, fig. 48, h. ; J. Sm., Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 7. 
 
 OBS. The name Goniophlebium was originally given by 
 Blume to a section of Polypodium, consisting of a few 
 species, natives principally of the Malayan Islands. Presl 
 in his " Tentamen " raised the name to the rank of a 
 genus, under which he enumerates eight species, three of 
 which constitute Blume's section Goniophlebium, the others 
 being natives of the West Indies and Tropical America. 
 He also characterises another genus, and adopts for it the 
 name Marginaria, first given by Bory to P. incanum of 
 Swartz. Under this genus he enumerates thirty-six 
 species, which he arranges under two sections. The 
 first contains nine species, which differ entirely in habit 
 from his second section, which consists of twenty-five 
 species, sixteen of them, with the exception of If. amcena, 
 being natives of America, and possessing no character 
 either in habit or venation to distinguish them from 
 Presl's American species of Gonioplilebium. The other 
 nine like those of the first species, although agreeing in 
 venation, nevertheless differ entirely in habit. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 91 
 
 Under these circumstances, in my " Enumeration of 
 Genera," in 1841, I deemed it proper to unite Marginaria 
 with Goniophlebwm, and stated that "the peculiarities 
 of habit of the species forming this genus admit of 
 their being arranged under several sections, which may 
 with no great impropriety be considered as genera." And 
 now (1875) finding that the species are variously arranged 
 by different authors under at least ten or twelve different 
 genera, although on bringing them together according 
 to their natural habits, I find I cannot amend my original 
 arrangement, I deem it best to rank the sections as genera. 
 
 In the " Species Filicum," Goniophlebium and Marginaria 
 of Presl, are united and treated as a section of Polypodium 
 in which are enumerated twenty-nine species, and in the 
 " Synopsis," the number is increased to thirty-nine ; but I 
 must here observe that in consequence of determining 
 species from herbarium specimens great confusion pervades 
 the synonymy. 
 
 The following are examples of the best known species, of 
 which fifteen have come under my notice in a living state : 
 * Fronds simple. 
 
 G. glaucophyllum (Kze). 
 
 ** Fronds pinnatifid. 
 
 G. Scouleri (Hook et Grev.), G. pectinatum (/. Sm. Bot. 
 Voy. Herald), G. patens (/. 8m. Bot. Voy. Herald), G. tri- 
 loba (Cav.), (Synaminia triloba, Presl), G. appendiculatum 
 (Klot.), (v v.), G. plesiosorum (Kze.), G. pubescens (Hook et 
 Grev.), G. surrucuchense (Hook.), G. plectolepis (Hook.), 
 (v v.), G. punctulatum (Hook.), G. loriceum (Linn.), (v v.), 
 G. latipes (Lang, et FiscJi.), G. Catherine (Lang, et Fisch.), 
 (vv.), G. glaucum (Radd.), (v v.), G. harpeodes (Link), 
 (vv.), G. calpodes (Kze.), (v v.), G. Isetum (Eadd.), (vv.), 
 G. vacillans (Link), (vv.). 
 
92 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 *** Fronds pinnate. 
 
 G. fraxinifolium ( Jacq.), (vv.), G. distans (JRadd.\ (vv.), 
 G. menisciifolium (Lang et Fisch."), (v v.), G.dissimile (Z/mn.), 
 (vv.), G. chnoodes (Spring), G. attenuatum (H" B. K.\ G. 
 ineequale (/. Sm.), (v v.), (Phlebodium, Moore}, G. neriifolium 
 (SM.), (vv.), G. cordata (Kze.). 
 
 The whole of the above are natives of West Indies and 
 America, extending to California and Chili ; the greater 
 number being found in the tropics. 
 
 No representative of the genus is recorded from Africa 
 except the aberrant species, G. ensiforme (Polypodium 
 ensiforme, Thunb.), a native of South Africa, which, although 
 agreeing in venation, nevertheless differs essentially in the 
 texture of the frond, which is thick and coriaceous, with 
 immersed obscure veins, and large uniserial sori. In these 
 respects it has the appearance of a Pleopeltis or Phymatodes, 
 but is entirely destitute of scales. 
 
 The genus Synamia of Presl is founded on P. trilola of 
 Cavanilles, and with it is associated Gratnmitis elongata of 
 Swartz. The first is recorded above, and differs only from 
 true Gonioplilebium in having oblong sori ; the other, which 
 has also oblong sori, but differs essentially in habit, as also 
 in venation, I place under Pleopeltis. 
 
 In G. incequale the costal areoles are void that is, desti- 
 tute of a free venule, in that respect agreeing with the 
 allied genus Phlebodium. 
 
 10. SCHELLOLEPIS, J. 8m. (1866). 
 
 Gonioplilebium sect. Schellolepis, J". Sm. 9 1841. Polypodium 
 sp. ; auct. t Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum slender, sub-hypogeous. Fronds pinnate, 
 rarely pinnatifid, generally slender and pendulous, l to 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 93 
 
 12 feet long, smooth, rarely pilose ; pinnae 5 to 10 inches 
 in length, linear lanceolate, obtuse or acuminate, generally 
 opposite or nearly so, and articulate with the rachis. 
 Veins one or more times forked or pinnate, the lower 
 exterior venules free and soriferous, the others angularly 
 anastomosing. Receptacles punctiform, terminal, generally 
 immersed. Sori transverse uniserial, furnished with indu- 
 saform lacinate scales. 
 
 Type. Polypodium verrucosum, Wall. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 14. Hook. Gard. 
 Ferns, t. 41. Moore Ind. Fil., p. 59, figs. 14. J. 
 Sm. Ferns Brit, and For, fig. 8. 
 
 OBS. The different aspect, and the pinnse being articu- 
 lated with the rachis, has induced me to separate the 
 species of this genus from Gonioplilelyium. The species 
 are also distinct geographically, being entirely natives of 
 the eastern tropics. 
 
 * Fronds pinnatifid. 
 S. lachnopus (Wall.), S. amcena (Wall.). 
 
 ** Fronds pinnate. 
 
 S. arguta (Wall.), S. cuspidata (Bl.) t (v v.), S. subauri- 
 culata (SI), (vv.). S. pallens (BL), S. verrucosa (Wall), 
 (vv.). 
 
 11. PHLEBODIUM, R. Br. (1838). 
 Polypodium sect. Phlebodium, R. Br. Polypodium sp. ; auct., 
 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum thick and fleshy. Fronds large, 2 to 6 feet 
 high, pinnatifid or subpinnate, papyaceous, smooth, gene- 
 rally more or less glaucous, segments adherent. Veins 
 pinnate, venules arcuately or angularly anastomosing, pro- 
 ducing two or three excurrent veinlets, terminating in the 
 
94 CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 areoles ; the costal areoles always vacant. Receptacles 
 punctiform on the combined apices of the excurrent vein- 
 lets. Sori round, transversely one to two serial, naked. 
 
 Type. Polypodium aureum, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, t., 112. Moore Ind. Fil., p. 58, 
 figs. 13. J. Sm. Ferns. Brit, and For, fig. 9. Hook. 
 Syn. Fil., t, 5, fig. '48, g. 
 
 OBS. This is a well-marked genus, containing about 
 half a dozen species, all natives, of the West Indies and 
 Tropical America. In general habit it resembles Gonio- 
 phlel)ium, but is distinguished by the sori being borne on 
 the combined apices of at least two excurrent veinlets, and 
 by the costal aeroles having no free veinlet. 
 
 Ex. P. aureum (Linn.\(v v.), P. sporodocarpum ( Willd.}, 
 (vv.), P. areolatum (Willd.\ (v v.), P. pulvinatum (Lirili), 
 (v v.), P. decumanum (Willd.\ P. dictyocallis (Pee), (v v.). 
 
 Sect. 3. PLEURIDE^E. 
 
 12. PLEURIDIUM, Presl (1836). 
 Polypodium, Sp. aufh. y Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Phymatodes, section 
 
 Pleuridium, Presl in part. 
 
 Surculum short, or elongating. Fronds simple, rigid, 
 papyraceous, or coriaceous, from 6 inches to 2 feet in 
 length, thick marginate. Primary veins costeeform, elevated, 
 straight. Venules compound anastomosing. Receptacles 
 compital, punctiform. Sori round or oblong, obliquely one 
 or two serial between the primary veins. 
 Type. Polypodium crassifolium, Linn. 
 Illust. Schott. Gen. Fil. t. 1 (Anexetum). Hook, and 
 Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 29. J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., 
 fig. 22. 
 OBS. Presl arranges the species of Pliymatodes under 
 
CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 95 
 
 three sections, namely, Euphymatodes, Pleuridium, and 
 Vrynaria. Under Pleuridium he places sixteen species, 
 which although they all agree in having compound vena- 
 tion and compital sori, nevertheless as they differ in habit, 
 I restrict the species to those bearing the above character. 
 
 * Sori oblique uniserial. 
 
 P. crassifolium, (Linn.), (v v.) ; P. albo-punctissimum 
 (Linden's Cat.) (v v.) ; P. crassinervum (Bl.) (v v.) ; P. 
 vulcanicum (Bl.) 
 
 ** Sori oblique biserial. 
 
 P. rupestre (Bl.) (v v) ; P. triquetrum (Bl.) (v v.) 
 The two first are natives of West Indies and Tropical 
 America, the others of Malay and Philippine Islands. 
 
 13 CAMPYLONEUBUM, Presl (1836). 
 
 Cyrtophlelium, E. Br. ; J. Sm. Gen. Fit., 1841 ; Polypodium, 
 sp. auct. Hook. Sp Fit. 
 
 Surculum short, csespitose, or elongated, often sub- 
 hypogeous. Fronds simple, linear lanceolate or broad 
 elliptical, or pinnate, firm, rigid, 1 to 2 feet high. Primary 
 veins costceform or undefined, elevated, or internal and 
 obscure. Venules arcuately or angularly transversely anas- 
 tomosing, producing two or more excurrent free veinlets, 
 uniform, or sometimes irregular. Receptacles punctiform, 
 terminal, or medial on the free veiniets. Sori round, 
 oblique biserial, or irregular, destitute of scales. 
 
 Type. Polypodium repens, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer., Gen. Fil. t. 71 A. Moore, Ind. 
 Fil. p. 60 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 27 ; Hook. 
 Syn. Fil. t. 5, fig. 48, j. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of about a dozen described 
 
96 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 species, all natives of the West Indies and Tropical 
 America. The principal character which distinguishes it 
 from Plilebodium is the sori being produced on free ex- 
 current veinlets, that rise from the arch formed by the 
 venules between the primary veins, and which character in 
 the greater number of the species is well defined, but in a 
 few species with narrow linear opaque fronds the venation 
 is obscure and not so regular, which is due to the narrow- 
 ness of the fronds ; great confusion exists as regards the 
 synonyms of the species of this genus. 
 
 In Seeman's " Botany of the Herald " I have stated " that 
 the general features of the so-called species of this genus 
 are so much alike that the words used to describe one are 
 in many cases quite applicable to others, the species 
 varying merely in degree as to length, breadth, &c. The 
 differences in the anastomosing of the veins would appear 
 to indicate distinctions, uniformity is not, however, the 
 rule ; fronds of the same individual plant, and even 
 different parts of the same frond, are observed to vary in 
 the more or less branching and anastomosing of the veins ; 
 so that I fear venation is of little value for specific dis- 
 tinctions." It is only by seeing them growing side by 
 side under cultivation that the difference of their appear- 
 ance appears manifest. 
 
 * Fronds simple. 
 
 Sp. C. ensifolium (Willd.) v v.) ; C. angustifolium (Sw.) 
 (vv.) ; C. lucidum (Bory) (v v.) ; C. rigidum, (/. 3m. Ferns, 
 Brit, and For.) ; C. fasciale ( Willd.) (v v.) ; C. repens (Linn.) 
 (v v.) ; C. Phyllitides (Linn.) (v v.) ; C. costatum (Kze.) 
 (v v.) ; (C. nitidum, J. 8m. Ferns, Brit, and For.) ; C. brevi- 
 folium (Link) (v v.) ; C. sphenodes, (Kze.) ; C. immersum, 
 (.7. 8m. Bot. Voy. Herald). 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 97 
 
 ** Fronds pinnate. 
 C. decurrens (Eadd.} (v v.) ; C. Fendleri, Eaton. 
 
 14. NIPHOBOLUS, Kaulf (1824). 
 Polypodium sp., auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Surculum short or elongating. Fronds csespitose or dis- 
 tant, simple linear-lanceolate, oblong elliptical or obovate- 
 subrotund, rarely lobed, from less than an inch to two or 
 three feet long, thick and fleshy or coriaceous, covered with 
 sessile or stipate, white or brown stellate pubescence ; 
 the fertile usually more or less contracted and longer than 
 the sterile. Veins obscure, undefined, or evident and 
 costseform ; venules compound anastomosing. Receptacles 
 punctiform, immersed, terminal or medial, on simple or 
 brachiate free veinlets, or compital. Sori round or oval 
 sub-transverse multiserial or biserial between the primary 
 veins, or irregular and confluent, protruding through the 
 dense stellate pubescense. 
 
 Type. Polypodium adnescens Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil. t. 83 ; Hook., Ex, Fil. 
 t. 162 ; Moore, Ind. Fil. p. 61 ; J. Sin., Ferns, Brit, 
 and For. fig. 26 ; Hook, Syn. Fil. fig. 48. k. 
 
 OBS. This genus is readily known by the thick coria- 
 ceous fronds being covered with stellate pubescence, which 
 gives them a hoary appearance when young ; in some 
 species this pubescence nearly disappears in age, especially 
 on the upper side of the frond. 
 
 About forty species have been named and described by 
 different authors, but a critical examination has led me to 
 believe that not more than one-half of that number are 
 distinct species. In the " Species Filicum," the number 
 is reduced to twenty-two, which I believe might be still 
 H 
 
98 CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 further reduced. Presl, however, not only maintains the 
 highest number of specie but goes the length of creating 
 no less than six additional genera. It is true that their 
 venation and position of the sori is variable, but in all 
 cases it is simple modifications of compound anastomosing, 
 which is principally due to the more or less contracted 
 state of the fronds, and which has led Presl to place the 
 same species under different genera. The only very 
 evident distinction is in habit, which admits of their being 
 arranged under two sections, one having an elongated 
 caudex, and the other with contiguous csespitose fronds. 
 
 * Caudex elongated surculate. Fronds distant, the fertile 
 specially contracted ; primary veins undefined. 
 
 Sp. N. nummularifolius (Sw.) ; 1ST. rupestris (E. Br.) (v v.) 
 N". serpens (Forst.) N. acrostichoides (Forst.) ; N". albicans 
 (Bl.) ; N. Lingua (Thumb.) (v v.) ; N. tricuspe (Thumb.) 
 (vv.) 
 
 OBS. The numerous and intermediate forms and sizes 
 of the preceding species from different localities render it 
 almost impossible to collate and separate them into distinct 
 species when many specimens are brought under view. 
 The different form and colour of the scales of the caudex 
 indicate specific characters, but even that seems to alter 
 according to age. 
 
 ** Caudex short, ccespitose. Fertile and sterile fronds 
 nearly uniform. Primary veins defined. 
 
 N. Gardneri (Metten.) (v v.) ; N. africana (Kunze) ; N. 
 porosus (Wall) ; N. flocculosus (Don) ; Bedd, F. Brit. Ind. 
 pi 162 sub. ; N. costatus (Wall.) (v v.) ; N. splendens (Pr.) 
 N. Penangiana (Hook) ; N. subfurfuracea (Hook.) ; N. 
 Boothii (HooJc.). 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 99 
 
 OBS. Representatives of this genus are widely spread 
 over the Eastern hemisphere, extending from New Zealand 
 and Australia to the Polynesian and Malayan islands, Japan, 
 India and South Africa, bat none as yet have been observed 
 in the Western hemisphere. 
 
 15. NIPHIDIUM, /. Sm. 
 Polypodium sp., auct ; Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Surculum thick cgespitose. Fronds stipate, linear lanceo- 
 late 1J to 2 ft. long, attenuated, firm coriaceous, the upper 
 side smooth and glossy, the under side densely stellato- 
 tomentose. Primary veins straight oblique. Receptacles 
 compital, forming a row (of about four) of large oval sori, 
 between each pair of primary veins. 
 
 Type. Polpodium americanum, Hook. 
 
 OBS. The only representative of this genns is a native 
 of Ecuador and Quito, observed by Dr. Jameson and Spruce, 
 from whom Sir Wm. Hooker received specimens, and 
 I possessed a specimen of it collected by Hartweg. In 
 general appearance it resembles narrow fronds of Pleuri- 
 dium crassifolium, with which it also agrees in the sori 
 being large and in an oblique row between the primary 
 veins, but differs in the under side being densely stellated 
 tomentose, as in Nipliobolus, but from which it differs in 
 having oblique uniserial sori, which also distinguishes it 
 from Niphopsis. 
 
 Sp. N. americana, /. Sm., Houlc. 
 
 16. COLYSIS, Presl. (1849.) 
 
 Polypodium sp. Gymnogramma sp. auct. and Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 Surculum short, sub-hypogeous. Fronds simple, lobed or 
 pinnatifid, generally membraneous, flaccid, 1 to 3 feet long. 
 
100 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Veins compound anastomosing ; primary veins costaeform, 
 elevated or internal, generally flexuose, in some immersed. 
 Receptacles compital, superficial. Sori punctiform, or by 
 confluence oblong or linear, irregular or partially obliquely 
 1 $ serial. 
 
 Type. Polpodium normale, Don. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil. t. 109, B. Hook, and 
 Grev. Ic. Fil. t. 65. J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 24. 
 
 OBS. The species of this genus agree with Phymatodes 
 and Pleuridium, but differ in the nature of the caudex, and 
 the fronds of the greater number of the species being thin 
 and flaccid, as also in the irregular disposition of the sori. 
 With Selliguea it is connected through C. membranacea, 
 in which the punctiform sori are united, forming linear 
 oblique sori, which character has led the author of the 
 " Species Filicum " to place it in Gymnogramma. The 
 irregular arrangement of the sori is also conspicuous in 
 G. Samarense ; in some fronds the sori are punctiform, 
 while in others the receptacles unite, forming linear, or 
 even transverse continuous sori, and also at the same time 
 punctiform sori. This apparently double character induced 
 me to elevate this species to the rank of a genus, which in 
 1841 I characterised under the name of Diblemma, but 
 later observations have shown me that it cannot with pro- 
 priety be separated from the present group. 
 
 The genus consists of about sixteen species, all natives of 
 the Eastern Hemisphere, extending from Western Tropical 
 Africa through India, the Malayan Islands, China, Australia, 
 and Polynesian Islands. 
 
 * Fronds simple. 
 
 Sp. C. zosterfflforme (Wall.); C. normale (Don.) (Poly, 
 podium longifrons, Wall.) ; C. Ovata (Wall.) ; C. membra- 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 101 
 
 nacea (Don.) (v v.) (0. undulata, J. Sm.) ; C. longissiraa 
 (Bl.) ; C. Zippelii (BL) ; C. Samarense, /. Sm. (Diblemma, 
 J. Sm. 1841) ; C. tenulorus, /. Sm. ; C. superficial (Bl.) ; 
 C. erioides (Poir.) (Microsorum erioides, Link.) 
 
 ** Fronds lobed or pinnatifid. 
 
 C. tridactylon (Wall.) ; C. Labrusca (Hook.) ; C. spec- 
 trum (Kaulf.) ; C. insigne (Bl.) ; C. dilatatum (Wall.); C. 
 affine (Bl.) 
 
 17. SELLIGUEA, BORT. (1829). 
 Grammites, Blume ; Gymnogramma, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum slender, elongating, epigeous, and squaraose, 
 or sub-hypogeous and naked. Fronds stipate, 1 to 2 feet 
 long, simple, linear lanceolate or broad elliptical, rarely 
 pinnatifid, smooth, opaque, the fertile longer than the 
 sterile, and often sub-contracted. Primary veins costeeform, 
 straight. Venules compound anastomosing, with free vein- 
 lets terminating in the areoles. Receptacles compital, 
 elongated, oblique, forming a continuous or sub-interrupted 
 linear sorus between the primary veins. 
 
 Type. Selliguea Feei, Bory. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Grev. Ic. Fil. t. 5 and 6; Hook. Bot. 
 Mag. t. 5328 ; Moore, Ind. Fil. p. 52 A. ; J. Sm. 
 Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 23. 
 
 OBS. The species comprehended under this genus agree 
 in many respects with Pleuridium, but are technically 
 distinguished by the fertile fronds being generally sub- 
 contracted, and the sporangia produced in a continuous 
 line parallel with and between each two of the primary 
 veins ; this linear form of the sori may readily be conceived 
 to be formed by the complete confluence or union of the 
 normal punctiform receptacles of such species as Pleuridium 
 crassifolium or P. crassinervum ; indeed, it is difficult fco 
 
102 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 deny some states of 8. heterocarpa and S. Feei a place in 
 Pleuridium. 
 
 This genus consists of about 8 to 10 known species, all 
 natives of Tropical India, Malayan Peninsular and islands. 
 
 The genus Loxogramma contains species analogous in 
 habit, venation, and linear sori, but differs in having 
 adherent vernation. 
 
 * Fronds simple. 
 
 Ex. S. caudiforme (Bl.) (v v.) ; S. Feei, Borg. ; S. ma- 
 crophylla, Bl. ; S. Wrightii (Hook.) ; S. heterocarpa, Bl. ; 
 S. Hamiltoniana, Wall. 
 
 ** Fronds pinnatifidly pinnate. 
 S. pothifolia (Don.) (v v.) 
 
 Sect. 4. PHYMATODEJ;. 
 
 18. PHYMATODES, Presl (1836). 
 Polypodium sp. auct., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum generally thick, short, or much elongated, 
 becoming smooth. Fronds simple, pinnatifid, or pinnate, 
 smooth, coriaceous, or thin, flaccid, segments adherent with 
 the rachis. Primary veins undefined or evanescent, rarely 
 defined. Venules compound anastomosing, with free vein- 
 lets terminating in the areoles, internal, obscure, or 
 evident. Receptacles compital, in some deeply immersed. 
 Sori round or oblong, sub-medial, transversely uniserial, or 
 irregular by confluence, naked. 
 
 Type. Poli/podium Phymatodes, Linn. 
 Illust. Hook. Fil. Exot. t. 22, 25 ; Hook. Gard. Ferns, 
 t. 47 ; Moore Ind. Fil. p. 62, fig. 7 ; J. Sm. Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 21 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 5, fig. 
 48m. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 103 
 
 OBS. This genus is distinguished from Pleopeltis prin- 
 cipally by the venules being more compoundly anastomose, 
 the fronds being smooth, and the sori destitute of indusae- 
 form scales. It comprehends a considerable number of 
 species, all, with two or three doubtful exceptions, natives 
 of the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Eastern 
 hemisphere. 
 
 P. pustulata (Forst.) (v v.) ; P. Billardieri (E. Br.) (v v.) ; 
 P. vulgare, Pr. (v v.) ; P. longipes, J. 8m. (v v.) ; P. pel- 
 tidea (Link.) (v v.) ; P. terminales (Link.) (v v.) ; P. 
 glauca,/. 8m. (v v.) ; P. nigrescens (Bl.) (v v.) ; (P. toccata, 
 /. Sm., 1857) ; P. longissima, Bl. (v v.) ; P. Schom- 
 burghiana, J. Sm. Lond. Jour. Bot. i. p. 196 (Polypodium 
 Scliomburgiana, Kze. in ScJik. Supp. Fil. t. 42). 
 
 OBS. This is a native of British Guiana, and is peculiar 
 in being an example of Phymatodes, thus showing that the 
 genus is not entirely restricted to the Eastern hemisphere. 
 It, however, may be called an aberrant species ; it has a 
 remarkable caudex, from half an inch to an inch in 
 thickness, densely covered with long lanceolate, acumi- 
 nate, silky scales, very much resembling the well-known 
 Hare's-foot ~Fern,Davallia canariensis ; the fronds are distant, 
 short, stipate, oblong, elliptical, 1 to H feet in length, and 
 
 2 to 3 inches in width, smooth, coriaceous, with thickened 
 margin; the sori are large, round, or oblique oblong, 
 forming a medial row on each side of the mid-rib. The 
 peculiarity of this Fern has led Klotzsch to place it under 
 a distinct genus, which he names Mecosorus. Another 
 remarkable American species is Polypodium (PJiymatodes) 
 lifrons, Hook. "Species Filicum," and Hook. Fil. Exot., 
 t. 52. The character of the caudex is described as being 
 long, slender, naked; the sterile fronds being elliptical, 
 
 3 to 4 inches in length, the fertile narrow, linear, 5 to 6 
 
104 CHARACTEES OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 inches long ; the sori large, oblong, parallel with and in a 
 row on each side of the mid-rib. I have not had the 
 opportunity of examining this Fern, and therefore place it 
 here on the supposition that the vernation is articulate. 
 In the " Species Filicum," P. terminates, P. peltedia, and 
 P. longipes, are united under the original name of Poly- 
 podium PJiymatodes, but having observed them for many 
 years under cultivation, I have been led to consider 
 them to be as good species as many others described in the 
 " Species Filicum." 
 
 19. PHTMATOPSIS, J. Sm. 
 Polypodium sp., auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum slender, elongating. Fronds simple, pinnatifid, 
 or sub-pinnate, 6 to 12 inches in height, smooth, sub- 
 coriaceous. Primary veins evident, costaeform, terminating 
 at or near the margin, which is thickened, and with a 
 notch between each two veins. Venules compound, anasto- 
 mosing. Receptacles compital, punctiform, superficial, one 
 between each two primary veins. Sori tranverse, uni- 
 serial, naked. 
 
 Type. Polypodium palmatum, Plume. 
 
 Illust. Blume, Fl. Java, t. 64. ; Hook. Ic. PI., t. 951. 
 
 OBS. In general habit the species of this genus are 
 similar to Phymatodes, but the well-defined costaeform 
 veins, thickened and notched margin, marks them as 
 being worthy of being adopted as a distinct group ; it 
 consists of about a dozen species, all natives of India, 
 Malay, and other tropical islands. 
 
 * Fronds simple. 
 
 P. accedens (Bl.) ; P. oodes (Kze.) ; P. rostrata (Hook.) ; 
 P. rhynchophylla (Hook.) P. Griffithiana (Hook.) 
 
CHAEACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 105 
 
 ** Fronds pinnatifid. 
 
 P. ebenipes (Hook.) (Poly, melanopus, Wall.) ; P. tri- 
 fidum (Don.) (v v.) (Poly, oxylobum Wall.') ; P. palmata 
 (Bl.) (v v.) ; P. laciniatum (Bl.) P. incurvata (Bl.) (v v.). 
 
 20. NIPHOPSIS, J. 8m. (1857). 
 Polypodium sp., auct. ; Hook. 8p. Fil. 
 
 Surculum short, slender. Fronds simple, linear lanceo- 
 late, coriaceous, opaque, 6 to 12 inches long, densely 
 covered with stellate scales. Veins internal, obscure, com- 
 pound, anastomosing. Primary veins indistinct. Receptacles 
 punctiform, compital. Sori oval, large, transverse uni- 
 serial. 
 
 Type. Polypodium angustatum, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Grev. Ic. Fil., t. 94 ; Hook. Gard. 
 Ferns, t. 20 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 14. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a single species, which 
 agrees in general habit with Nipliobolus, but differs in the 
 sori being large, oval, and arranged in a regular trans- 
 verse row on each side of the mid-rib, in that respect 
 agreeing with the normal character of Phymatodes, to 
 which it bears the same relationship as Niphidium does 
 to Pleuridium. 
 
 Sp. N. angustata (Sw.) (v v.) (Polypodium sphceroce- 
 phalus, Wall. ; Hook, and Grev. Ic. PL, t. 94). 
 
 A native of India, Malayan, and islands of the Pacific 
 and North Australia. 
 
 21. LBCANOPTBRIS, Eeinw. (1825). 
 Polypodium sp. t auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 Surculum thick and fleshy, branching, thickly covered 
 with large peltate imbricate scales, branches short, con- 
 
106 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 tiguous, the stipes raising from the apex of conical nodes. 
 Fronds firm, coriaceous, the fertile partially contracted ; 
 perfect ones deeply pinnatifid, in some states simiose 
 only or simple, 6 to 18 inches long. Primary veins 
 indistinctly costseform. Fenules compound, anastomosing. 
 Receptacles transversely oval, compital, deeply impressed 
 in a cavity, forming tubicles on the upper surface. Sori 
 large, round, or oval, transverse uniserial. 
 
 Type. Lecanopteris carnosa, Blume. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil.. t. 90, B. (abnormal 
 state) ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 64, B. 
 
 OBS. This genus was originally founded on an abnormal 
 state of a very remarkable Fern, having fronds of different 
 forms, one state having simple and sinuose fronds on the 
 same plant, known as Poly podium sinuosum of Wallich. 
 (Hook. Sp. Fil., t. 274) ; the more perfect state being a 
 Luzon plant, which, in my " Enumeration of Philippine 
 Island Ferns " (1841), I named 'Drynaria lomarioides, which 
 has equal pinnatifid fronds, and as in Polypodium vulgare, 
 the pinnae occasionally become laciniated, each lacinia 
 bearing a single sorus, and being concave, presents some 
 similitude to the fructification of the Lichen called Lecanora 
 (NepJiroma) resupinata. Besides these characters, the very 
 remarkable thick scaly rhizome marks it as a very peculiar 
 Fern, worthy of being considered a distinct genus. 
 
 The different states have been found in Java Peninsula 
 of Malacca, Borneo, Philippine and other eastern islands. 
 
 Sp. L. carnosa, Bl. (Polypodium sinuosum, Wall. ; Dry- 
 naria lomarioides, J. Sm.) 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 107 
 
 t. 5. DRYNARLE. 
 
 22. DRYNARIA, Sory. (1825). 
 PTiymatodes, Presl ; Polypodium sp., auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum short, thick, and fleshy. Fronds rigid, the 
 sterile (when present) sessile, broad cordate, sinuose, or 
 laciniated ; the fertile stipitate or sessile, pinnatifid or 
 pinnate, rarely simple, the segments articulated with the 
 rachis ; when sessile, the base is dilated similar in form to 
 the sterile frond. Veins external, elevated, compound 
 anastomosing, forming quadrate or hexagonal areoles. 
 Primary veins costseform or obsolete. Receptacles compital. 
 Sori round, small, numerous, and irregular, or transversely 
 or obliquely serial, sometimes confluent, forming a linear 
 BOrus between the costaeform veins. 
 
 Type. Polypodium quercifolium, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Gard. Ferns, t. 1 and 31 ; Fil. Exot., t. 13 ; 
 Moore, Tnd. Fil., p. 63, A ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and 
 For., fig. 28. 
 
 OBS. This is a well-marked and distinct genus of Ferns, 
 its typical representative being the well-known Polypodium 
 quercifolium of Linnaeus, which receives its specific name 
 from the fanciful likeness of the sterile frond to the leaf of 
 the common oak. In some species, however, it is much 
 larger, even to a foot in length, oblong cordate, entire 
 sinuose or deeply laciniated, and of a firm woody texture. 
 
 This genus consists of about nine known species, widely 
 distributed over the Eastern hemisphere, in Mauritius, 
 Ceylon, India, China, Malayan, Philippine and Tropical 
 Polynesian Islands, and Australia. 
 
 In general they are epiphytal, their large broad fronds 
 imparting a special character to the trees on which they 
 grow. 
 
108 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 A. Fronds uniform, base dilated. 
 
 * Sori numerous, irregular. 
 
 f Fronds simple. 
 D. museefolia (PL) (v v.) 
 
 ft Fronds pinnatifid. 
 D. Heraclea (Kze.) (v v.) 
 
 ** Sori oblique serial. 
 f Fronds pinnatifid. 
 D. coronans (Wall.) (v v). 
 
 B. Fronds dimorpJious. 
 
 * Sori oblique, I to 2 serial. 
 
 f Fronds pinnatifid. 
 
 D. Fortune! (Kze.) ; D. quercifolia (Linn.) (v v.) 
 ** Sori transversely uniserial. 
 
 f Fronds pinnatifid. 
 D. propinqua (Wall.) (v v.) ; D. Willdenovii (Bory.) 
 
 ft Fronds pinnate (Poronema.) 
 D. diversifolia (R. Br.) (v v.) ; D. g-laucistipes (Wall.) 
 
 OBS. The two last species differ from the rest in having 
 pinnate fronds, and are specially marked by having a 
 small impressed pore at the base of each pinnee, which, 
 with their pinnate fronds, is sufficient to mark them as a 
 distinct group, under the sectional name of Poronema. 
 
 23. DRYOSTACHYUM, J. Sm. (1841). 
 
 Surculum short and thick. Fronds contiguous, sessile, 
 rigid, 1 to 3 feet high, pinnatifid, segments articulated 
 with the rachis, sterile below, the base dilated, the upper 
 segments pinnate, contracted and fertile. Veins of sterile 
 segments costseform ; venules and veinlets compound 
 anastomosing, forming nearly equal quadrangular areoles. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 109 
 
 Fertile pinnae linear, 6 to 8 inches long, broad rachiform. 
 Primary veins evident, short. Receptacles compital, forming 
 a large quadrate sorus, in two transverse, nearly confluent 
 rows on each segment (acrostichoid). 
 
 Type. Dryostachyum splendens, J. Sin. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 95 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 10, A. 
 
 OBS. As a genus, this is distinguished from Drynaria 
 by the upper portion of the frond being contracted into 
 long linear sessile pinnae, bearing large quadrangular sori. 
 The receptacle of each sorus may be viewed as formed by 
 the confluence of four (normal) punctiform receptacles, 
 brought together by the contraction of the fertile disk, 
 forming a broad sporangiferous area between each two of 
 the primary veins, the sporangia thus forming two rows of 
 squares on each pinnee. According to Mr. Moore's classifi- 
 cation, the seemingly amorphous sori leads him to place 
 this genus in Acrostichece, but he admits that in habit and 
 aspect it resembles Dryna^ia. 
 
 Sp. D. splendens, /. 8m. (Pedd. F. Brit. Ind. pi. 316) ; 
 D. pilosum, /. Sm. 
 
 OBS. First discovered in the Island of Luzon, by 
 Cumings, and latterly in Singapore. D. pilosum is a much 
 smaller plant than D. splendens, and is specially distin- 
 guished by the sporangia being pilose. 
 
 24. AGLAOMORPHA, Schott. (1835). 
 Psygmium, Presl, 1836; Polypodiwm sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Swrculum thick. Fronds sessile (the base dilated), rigid, 
 2 to 3 feet long, pinnatifid and sterile below ; pinnate, 
 contracted, and fertile above. Veins of sterile segment 
 costaeform; veinlets and venules compound anastomosing, 
 
110 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 forming nearly equal quadrangular areoles. Fertile pinnae 
 contracted linear, sinuously moniliform, 8 to 10 inches 
 long. Receptacles compital, solitary on each lobule, forming 
 a row of punctiform sori on each side of the mid-rib. 
 
 Type. A. Meyeniana, Schott. 
 
 Illust. Schott. Gen. Fil., t. 19 ; Hook, and Bauer, Gen. 
 Fil., t. 91 ; Moore, Ind., p. 63, B. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a remarkable and very 
 splendid Fern, possessing the general habit of Drynaria 
 coronans, but differing in the upper half of the frond being 
 contracted into narrow sinuose pinnae, and bearing a round 
 sorus on each lobule, which latter character distinguishes 
 it from Dryostachyum. It is also a native of Luzon. 
 
 Species. A. Meyeniana, Schott. 
 
 Since the publication of " Ferns, British and Foreign," 
 this rare and remarkable Fern has been introduced in a 
 living state to the gardens of this country. 
 
 25. ARTHROMERIS, /. Sm. 
 
 Pleopletis, sect. Artliromeris, Moore's Index ; Polypodium sp., 
 auct. and Hook. sp. Fil. ; Pleuridium sp., J. 8m. Ferns, Brit, 
 and For. 
 
 Surculum short and thick. Fronds pinnate, stipitate, 
 2 to 3 feet long. Pinnce elliptical, lanceolate, 6 to 8 inches 
 long, 1 to 2 inches wide ; opposite petiole short, articulated 
 with the rachis ; margin entire, with a narrow membra- 
 neous border. Primary veins evident, costaeform, straight ; 
 venules compound anastomosing. Receptacles punctiform, 
 compital. Sori transverse, 1 or 3 to 5 serial. 
 
 Type. Polypodium juglandifolium, Don. 
 
 OBS. In my Catalogue of Cultivated Ferns, and also in 
 "Ferns British and Foreign," I placed the two known 
 species that constitute this genus under Pluridium, but 
 
CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. Ill 
 
 farther consideration induces me to separate them. The 
 chief distinction lies in the pinnae being articulated with the 
 rachis, and in the margins not being notched as in 
 Pleuridium ; the same character also distinguishes it from 
 Phymatodes. The species are natives of India, Nepaul, 
 Sikkim, and Boutan. 
 
 Species. A. venusta (Wall) (v v.) ; A. juglandifolium 
 (Don) (v v.). 
 
 Sect. 6. PLEOPELTE^E. 
 26. LOPHOLEPIS, /. 8m. (1841). 
 
 Poly podium sp., auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. Craspedaria in part, 
 
 auct. 
 
 Surculum slender. Fronds simple, entire, 1 to 4 inches 
 in length, the fertile contracted, linear, squamose. Veins 
 forked ; venules anastomosing, the lower exterior branch 
 free and soriferous. Receptacles punctiform, superficial. 
 Sori transverse uniserial, each furnished with a dense tuft 
 of elongated scales. 
 
 Type. Polypodium piloselloides, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 51 ; J. Sm. Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 10 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 5, fig. 48, i. 
 
 OBS. On account of the venation being similar to that 
 of Goniophlebium, I originally characterised this as a section 
 of that genus. By Presl and others, the species have been 
 placed in different genera ; and as their habit is entirely 
 different from that of true Goniophlebium, I deem it best 
 to adopt Lopholepis as a distinct genus. 
 
 Sp. L. piloselloides (Linn.) (v v.) ; L. ciliata (Willd t ) ; 
 L. vaccinifolia (Lang et Fisch.) (v v.) ; var. albida (v v.), 
 /. 8m. F. B. and F. 
 
 Natives of the West Indies and Tropical America. 
 
112 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 27. LEPICYSTIS, /. 8m. (1841). 
 
 Marginaria sp. Bory and Presl; Polypodium sp., auct. and 
 HooJc. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum short and rigid ; slender. Fronds pinnatifid, 
 6 to 18 inches high, densely covered with round or 
 elongated fringed scales. Veins pinnately forked, anasto- 
 mosing, lower exterior venules free. Receptacles punctiform, 
 terminal on the free venules in the costal areoles, immersed. 
 Sori protruding through the dense scales, transverse 
 uniserial. 
 
 Type. Polypodium incanum, Linn. 
 
 Illust. J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 6. 
 
 OBS. In venation and position of the sori this genus 
 agrees with Goniophlebium, but differs in the fronds being 
 densely covered with elongated fringed scales, through 
 which the sporangia protrude in a manner analogous to 
 being contained within a calyciform indusium. In general 
 habit the species agree in the squamose nature of the 
 fronds, which indicates its natural affinity to be with 
 Polypodium macrocarpum and P. madrensea. 
 
 Species. L. incana (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. lepidopteris (L. et F.) 
 (v v.) ; L. squamata (Linn.) (v v.) ; L. ragadiolepis (Fee) 
 (vv.) 
 
 Natives of West Indies and Tropical America, extending 
 to south of the United States to South of Brazil. 
 
 28. PLEOPELTIS, H. et B. (1810). 
 Polypodium sp., auct. HooJc. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum elongating ; slender. Fronds simple, sinuose 
 or pinnatifid, 4 to 12 inches long, opaque, squamiferous, 
 rarely smooth. Veins more or less obscure, arcuately anas- 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 113 
 
 tomosiug. Receptacles punctiform or oblong linear, pro- 
 duced on the confluence of two or more excurrent arcuate 
 veinlets, terminating in the medial areoles. Sori transverse 
 uniserial, furnished with indusiform peltate scales. 
 Type. Polypodium percussum, Cav. 
 
 Illust. Hook and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 18 ; Moore Ind, 
 Fil., p. 62, figs. 1, 2, 3, 4; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and 
 For., fig. 12. 
 
 OBS. In my genera of Ferns (1841) I made the genus 
 Pleopeltis, as founded by Humboldt, a section of the genus 
 Phlebodium of R. Brown, but now considering that habit 
 assists to define groups of naturally allied species, and as 
 the species of Phlebodium and those of the present group 
 (Pleopeltis) differ entirely in habit, I deem it best to retain 
 the two as distinct genera. 
 
 In order to show the diiferent views entertained by 
 Pteridologists respecting* the limits of genera, I may here 
 mention that Mr. Moore, in his " Index Filicum," includes 
 under the genus Pleopeltis, the whole, or in some cases 
 part only, of the species of no less than twenty-five genera 
 of authors, of which he makes eight sections, which in 
 most cases differ not only in habit, but also possessing other 
 special characters ; I am, therefore, induced to adopt them 
 as distinct genera. 
 
 The following are the principal species that represent 
 Pleopeltis as here restricted. The greater number are 
 natives of the West Indies and Tropical America, the three 
 first are natives of the Eastern Hemisphere. 
 
 * Fronds smooth, glabrous. (Lepisorus, J. Sm. 1846). 
 
 P. lineare (Thunb.) ; (P. nuda, Hook. Ex. FL, t. 63) (v v.) ; 
 P. excavata (Bory}\ (P. nuda, Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., 
 t.18, non Hool'. Ex. FL} (v v.) 
 
114 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 ** Fronds scaly. 
 
 P. lepidota (Pr.) ; P. lanceolata (Linn.) (v v ) ; P. pur- 
 cussa (Oav.) (v v.) ; P. squamata (Linn.) (v v.) ; P. elongata, 
 /. 8m. (Grammitis, Sw.) (v v.) ; P. angusta (H. and B.) ; 
 P. leucosporum (Klot.) ; P. tridens (Kze.) 
 
 OBS. In P. elongata the receptacle is transversely 
 elongated, forming oblong linear sori, which character led 
 Swartz to refer this species to Grammitis. On this same 
 character Klotzsch separates it as a genus, under the name 
 of Mecosorus ; but as other species of the genus have a 
 tendency to produce oblong sori, I do not deem it worthy 
 of adoption. 
 
 29. PARAGRAMMA, Blume (1828). 
 Polypodium sp. auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum short csespitose or slender elongated. Fronds 
 simple, linear lanceolate, obtuse, i to 1J foot in length, 
 J to 1 inch broad, smooth, coriaceous. Veins compound 
 anastomosing, internal, obscure, nearly uniform. Recepta*- 
 cles compital, deeply immersed, forming oblong or short 
 linear cysts near to, and parallel with, the margin. Sori 
 oblong linear, marginal, furnished with indusioid stipitate 
 squamee. 
 
 Type. Grammilis longifolia t Blwme. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 20 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 19, B ; 
 J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 13. 
 
 OBS. The oblong linear sori led Blume to place the 
 typical species of this genus under Grammitis, for which he 
 constitutes the section Paragramma; from Grammitis it 
 differs in having articulate vernation, and having anasto- 
 mosing veins and marginal sori. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 115 
 
 Sp. P. longifolia (Bl.) (v v.) (Polypodium contiguum, 
 Wall.) P. stenophylla (BL) 
 
 Natives of the Malay and Philippine Islands. 
 
 30. DICTYMIA, /. 8m. (1846). 
 Polypodium sp. R. Br, and Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum short. Fronds simple, linear, or lanceolate, 
 coriaceous, smooth, 6 to 18 inches long, half an inch broad. 
 Veins reticulated, uniform, obscure. Receptacles punctiform, 
 compital. Sori oval, transverse uniserial, destitute of 
 scales. 
 
 Type. Polypodium attenuatum, R. Brown. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil. t. 71, B ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 57, B ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 15. 
 
 OBS. On account of the similarity of the venation, 
 Presl associated the typical species of this genus with 
 several of the large compound fronded species constituting 
 his genus Dictyopteris, which belongs to the division Des- 
 mobrya. In habit the species agree with Phymatodes, but 
 differ in the venation being simply reticulated. 
 
 Sp. D. attenuata (R. Br.) (Polypodium Brownii, Hook. 
 Sp. Fil. and Gard. Ferns, t. 30) (v v.) ; D. lanceolata 
 (Polypodium lanceolatum, A. Cunn. HSS., Dictyopteris 
 attenuata, Hook, and Bauer t. 71, B, not Dictymia atten- 
 uata above given), 
 
 The first is a native of Australia, the second of New 
 Zealand. 
 
 31. ANAPELTIS, J. Sm. (1846). 
 Polypodium sp. auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 Surculum slender. Fronds simple, linear-lanceolate or 
 elliptical, 1 to 6 inches long, smooth, generally opaque, the 
 
116 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 fertile usually contracted. Veins arcuately or angularly 
 anastomosing. Receptacles punctiform, produced on the 
 confluent apices of two or more excurrent veinlets, ter- 
 minating in the medial areoles, sometimes partially com- 
 pital. Sori round or ovate, transversely uniserial, naked. 
 
 Type. Polypodium lycopodioides, Linn. 
 
 Illust. J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 11. 
 
 OBS. In venation and position of the sori the species of 
 this genus agree with Pleopeltis, but their smooth, generally 
 shining fronds and naked sori is sufficient to rank them as 
 forming a distinct group. 
 
 Sp. A. ovariensis (Desv.) (v v.) ; A. serpens (Sw.) ; 
 A. lycopodioides (Linn.) (v v.) ; A. nitida (/. Sm.) (v v.) ; 
 A. stigmatica (Pr.) (v v.) ; A. squamulosa (Kaulf.) 
 (v v.) ; A. geminata (Schrad.) (v v.) (Polypodium iteophyl- 
 lum, Kze.) 
 
 OBS. With the exception of A. ovariensis, a native of 
 West Tropical Africa, the species are all natives of the 
 West Indies and Tropical America. 
 
 32. MICROGRAMMA, Presl. (1836). 
 Polypodium sp. auct. ; Hook. sp. Fit. 
 Surculum slender, branched. Fronds distant, rising 
 from a short branch-like node, elliptical lanceolate, 4 to 8 
 inches long, firm, membranaceous. Veins irregular, com- 
 pound anastomosing. Receptacles linear, compital, forming 
 oblique linear sori. 
 
 Type. Polypodium persicarifzfolium, Mayer. 
 
 Illust. Schk. Fil. p. 187, t. 8, C. ; Presl Tent. Pterid., t. 9, 
 
 f. 7. ; Hook and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 73 A. 
 OBS. This genus is founded by Presl upon a single 
 species, native of Trinidad, Guiana, and Brazil. In general 
 
Pl.4. 
 
 Jj 
 
 W. H .ntdi, del. eb Mil . 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 117 
 
 appearance and venation it is evidently allied to Anapeltis ; 
 but its linear oblique sori being special not formed by the 
 confluence of punctiform receptacles is considered sufficient 
 character to retain it as a distinct genus. 
 Sp. M. persicariaefolia, Presl. 
 
 Tribe 4. HYMENOLEPIDEJ3 (Plate 4). 
 
 Fronds simple or pinnatifidly lobed, the fertile wholly or 
 partially contracted. Veins anastomosing. Sori linear, 
 continuous, transverse. 
 
 OBS. This Tribe consists of about a dozen or more 
 species agreeing in general habit and venation with the 
 sections Pleopeltidece and Phymatodece of the preceding tribe, 
 differing only in the fertile frond being usually more or 
 less contracted, generally in the form of rachiform spikes, 
 on which account several of the genera which I now place 
 here have been placed by authors in the genera Tcenitis 
 and Acrostichum, such relationship being consequent on the 
 fertile frond, or in some, the fertile portion only, being 
 contracted, thus bringing the normal punctiform recepta- 
 cles so contiguous to one another as to form a general 
 linear sorus ; this view is borne out by fronds of some 
 species bearing punctiform sori as well as linear. 
 
 33. DEYMOGLOSSUM, Presl (1836). 
 Hook. Sp. Fit. ; Tcenitis sp. auct. 
 
 Caudex slender surculose. Fronds simple, entire, 1 to 
 4 inches long, of two forms, the sterile subrotund, elliptical, 
 the fertile contracted, linear. Veins obscure ; venules com. 
 poundly anastomosing. Receptacles elongated, compital. 
 Sori linear, continuous transverse, ultra marginal, furnished 
 with stellate indusioid scales. 
 
118 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Type. Pteris piloselloides, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 78, A; J. Sm. 
 Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 16; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, 
 fig. 58. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of the following species, all 
 natives of India, China, Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 
 The first, D. piloselloides, has the sorus when young fur- 
 nished with stellate pubescence, similar to Niphobolus, 
 while D. carnosum has the line of sporangia covered with 
 orbicular scales, analogous to Hymenolepis. This difference 
 led Presl to characterise this latter species as a distinct 
 genus, under the name Lemnophyllum, but I do not think 
 the character is of sufficient importance to warrant its 
 adoption as a genus. 
 
 Sp. D. piloselloides (Linn.) (v v.) ; D. carnosum (Wall.) 
 (Lemnophyllum, Pr.) D. Cunningham i, Moore (D. carnosum, 
 J. Sm. non Watt.) ; D. ? rigidum, Hook. Sp. Fil. Ic. PI. t. 
 996. This is a native of Borneo, and on account of its 
 having no free veinlets, is probably not a true Drymoglossum. 
 Moore refers it to Schizolepton. 
 
 34. HYMENOLEPIS, Kaulf. (1824). 
 Acrostichum sp. Linn. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum short, csespitose. Fronds simple, 6 to 12 inches 
 long, linear lanceolate, coriaceous, smooth, the upper por- 
 tion contracted and fertile, plicate and indusaeform, forming 
 a linear spike. Veins obscure. Venules compoundly anas- 
 tomosing. Receptacles elongated, compital. Sori linear, 
 continuous, transverse, confluent on the upper portion of 
 the fronds, furnished with numerous suborbicular hyaline 
 scales. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum spicatum^ Linn. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 119 
 
 rilust. Hook. Ml. Exot., t. 78 ; Hook. Gard. Ferns, t. 3 ; 
 Moore Ind. Fil., p. 15, A; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and 
 For., fig. 19 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 8, fig. 60, cc.,dd.,ee. 
 
 OBS. This genus is distinguished from Drymoglossum 
 by the fronds being uniform, and their contracted upper 
 portion bearing the sporangia, which become confluent, 
 and which led some authors to place it in the genus Acros- 
 tichum. 
 
 Sp. H. spicata (Linn.) (v v.) ; H. platyrhynchos, J. Sm. ; 
 H. brachystachys, /. Sm. (H. spicata var. brachystachys, 
 Hook. Gard. Ferns) (v v.). 
 
 H. spicata is found very generally throughout the tropics 
 of the Eastern Hemisphere, while H. platyrhynchos is as yet 
 only known as a native of Luzon. 
 
 35. LEPTOCHILUS, Kaulf. (1824). 
 Acrostichum sp. auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum caespitose, or slender elongating. Fronds 
 6 to 18 inches long, of two forms ; the sterile simple, 
 lobed, or pinnatifid, smooth ; the fertile contracted, linear- 
 rachiforrn, its margins revolute and indusaeform. Primary 
 veins of sterile frond evident, straight or flexuose, venules 
 compouudly anastomosing. Receptacles elongated, compital. 
 Sorus linear, continuous, uniserial, on each side of the 
 costa, ultimately confluent, destitute of scales. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum a,cillare, Cav. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Gard. Ferns, t. 6 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and 
 For., fig. 20. 
 
 OBS. I have already stated that on account of the 
 contraction of the fronds in the preceding genera, the 
 individuality of the normal punctiform receptacle is des- 
 troyed, and they become so connected as to form a continuous 
 
120 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 line. This is also the case with Leptochilus, and on the 
 same grounds that Hymenolepis differs from PJtymatodes, 
 does Leptochilus differ from Colysis, with which it agrees in 
 habit. 
 
 Sp. L. axillaris (Cav.) (v v.) ; L. decurrens (Bl.) (v v.) 
 L. lanceolata (Linn.). 
 
 Natives of India, Malay and Philippine Islands. 
 
 36. DICRANOGLOSSDM, /. Sm. (185i). 
 Tcenitis sp. auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum short, caespitose. Fronds contiguous, furcately- 
 pinnatifid, to 12 inches long, coriaceous, sparsely squami- 
 ferous, segments lanceolate-cuspidate, the fertile slightly 
 contracted. Veins obscure, simple or forked, free, or their 
 apices arcuately anastomosing, forming linear transverse 
 superficial receptacles, which by contiguity constitute a con- 
 tinuous or interrupted, linear, intramarginal, naked sorus. 
 
 Type. Tcenitis furcata, Willd. 
 
 Illus. Hook, and Grev., Ic. Fil., t. 7 ; Moore Ind. Fil., 
 p. 20, A ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 18. 
 
 OBS. In 1851 Fee separated the species of this genus 
 from Tcenitis, and constituted of them the genus Cuspidaria ; 
 but as that name had been previously occupied by both 
 Link and De Candolle for two plants of different orders, 
 I therefore in the " Botany of the Voyage of the Herald " 
 substituted the above name. Fee enumerates three species, 
 two of which I adopt ; the third having fasciculate adherent 
 vernation comes under the genus Pteropsis. In habit and 
 texture of the fronds, the species of this genus, seem to 
 mark their relationship to be with Fleopdtidece, but differ 
 in the venules anastomosing, forming arches near the 
 margin, on which the sporangia are produced. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENEBA. 121 
 
 Sp. D. rarcata (Wttld.) (v v.) ; D. subpinnatifidum, 
 (Moore) . 
 
 OBS. The latter species is probably a variety of the 
 first, the chief difference being that in some specimens the 
 venules of the lower part of the frond when sterile are 
 free. 
 
 Natives of the West Indies and Tropical America. 
 
 37. NEURODIUM, Fee (1842). 
 Tcenitis sp. Sw. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum short, csespitose. Fronds contiguous, simple, 
 entire, 6 to 12 inches long, lanceolate, thick, the upper 
 portion partially contracted and fertile. Veins obscure. 
 Venules compoundly anastomosing. Receptacles compital, 
 forming a continuous marginal sorus. 
 
 Type. Tcenitis lanceolata, It. Br. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 45 ; Moore Ind.Fil.,p. 18, B ; 
 J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 17. 
 
 OBS. In my " Genera of Ferns," 1841, I placed this 
 genus under Drymoglossum ; but later observations lead 
 me to adopt Fee's view in separating it as a distinct genus. 
 It differs from Drymoglossum in the fronds being uniform, 
 and bearing the sporangia towards the apex, which is but 
 slightly contracted. 
 
 Sp. N. lanceolatum (Sw.) (v v.) 
 
 Native of the West Indies and Tropical America. 
 
 38. SCHIZOLEPTON, Fee. (1842). 
 Lindsece sp. auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Surculum short. Fronds dimorphous, 6 to 12 inches long, 
 stipitate, opaque and subcoriaceous, the sterile ones 
 cordate, entire, or trilobed ; fertile frond linear, more or 
 
122 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 less contracted. Veins uniform, reticulated, immersed, 
 areolae narrow, oblique. Receptacles marginal, immersed 
 in an indusioid groove, forming a continuous linear sorus. 
 
 Type. Schizoloma cordata, Gaud. 
 
 Illust. Fee Gen. Fil., t. 8, B, fig. 1 ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 1, 
 t. 66, A; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 17, B. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a very rare Fern, hitherto 
 only found in the Moluccas and New Guinea. On account 
 of the sporangia being seated in a marginal groove, analo- 
 gous to that of the tribe Lindsceece, consequently it has been 
 by authors placed in that alliance ; but it differs entirely 
 in habit and texture, and in having no membraneous 
 indusium. Fee has very properly characterised it as a 
 distinct genus, and places it in alliance with Tcenitis, with 
 which it has some points of affinity in texture and venation, 
 but it differs in the vernation being articulate, that of 
 Tcenitis being adherent. 
 
 Sp. S. cordata, Gaud, in Frecen. Voy., t., 6, 18. 
 
 Tribe 5. PLATYCERIE^] (Plate 5). 
 
 Fronds dimorphous, sterile depressed, conchiform, fertile 
 fronds broad, repeatedly forked, the upper portion of the 
 segments or lobes densely sporangiferous (amorphus^. 
 
 39. PLATYCERIUM, Desv. (1827.) 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Acrostichum sp., auct. 
 
 Vernation articulate. Surculum short, scarcely evident. 
 Sterile fronds sessile, oblique reniform, round or elongated, 
 depressed, the new successively overlapping the old, form- 
 ing an epiphytal spongy convex mass, often 1 to 3 feet in 
 diameter. Fertile fronds stipitate, rising from the sinus of 
 
PI. 
 
 A/V: H. Fitch, del et Titti . 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 123 
 
 the sterile, once or many times dichotomously forked, 2 to 
 6 feet in length ; segments broad, obtuse, densely covered 
 with stellated scales, coriaceous. Veins internal, compound 
 anastomosing. Receptacles amorphous, occupying more or 
 less of the under side of the segments, or on a sessile or 
 petiolate lobe, forming dense masses of sporangia. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum alcicorne, Swartz. 
 
 Illust. Hook and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 80 B. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 9. B. ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 46 ; 
 Hook., Syn. Fil. t. 8, fig. 61. 
 
 OBS. The whole habifc and character of the species 
 forming this genus is very peculiar, and totally distinct 
 from any other genus of Ferns, but agreeing in the amor- 
 phous production of the sporangia with Acrostichum, but 
 although the axis of the vernation is scarcely defined, 
 it nevertheless exhibits the articulate node of Eremo- 
 brya. I therefore place it in this division. The thick 
 coriaceous texture, and the stellated pubescense, show 
 some analogy to Niphobolus. Besides its peculiar habit, 
 the sporangiferous receptacle also presents a structure 
 peculiar to this genus, being formed of an accessory layer 
 of minute veinlets, which appear independent of the vas- 
 cular structure. 
 
 Five species are described as belonging to this genus, 
 which until lately were considered to be entirely natives of 
 the tropics and extra tropics of the Eastern hemisphere, 
 extending from Western Tropical Africa through the 
 islands of the Indian Ocean, Malayan, Philippine, and other 
 islands in the Eastern Pacific, as also the eastern coast of 
 Australia, extending to about the latitude of Sydney. This 
 wide eastern range is not now special, Mr. Spruce having 
 recently discovered P. alcicorne at Tarapota, in the Andean 
 regions of Brazil. 
 
124 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Sp. P. alcicorne (Sw.) (v v.) ; P. Stemmaria (Desv.) (v v.) 
 (P. JEthiopicum, Hook. Gard. Ferns, t. 9) ; P. grande 
 (J. Sm.\ Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 86 ; Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 
 326 ; P. biforme (Bl. Fil. Jav., t. 18) (v v.) ; Bedd. F- 
 Brit. Ind., pi. 109 ; P. Wallichii (Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 97), 
 (v v.) ; Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 108.* 
 
 OBS. In Queensland P. grande grows to a large size on 
 trees. The barren fronds overlapping each other, and 
 forming a round or oblong convex mass, 2 to 3 feet in 
 diameter, and as much high ; which often becomes so sur- 
 charged with water, that the whole mass in time falls to 
 the ground. 
 
 DIVISION II. DESMOBRYA. 
 Vernation terminal, adherent, uniserial, or fasciculate. 
 
 I. Ring of Sporangia vertical. 
 
 Tribe 6. ACROSTICHE^E (Plate 6). 
 
 Fronds dimorphous, the fertile wholly or some portion of 
 it contracted. Veins obscure. Sori amorphous. 
 
 OBS. This tribe is composed of species of the genus 
 Acrostichum, of Linnaeus, Swartz, and other authors, as 
 now restricted, the number of described species being about 
 140f They vary greatly in size and in the circumscription 
 of their fronds, which, with the difference of their vernation 
 and venation, afford sufficient characters to admit of the 
 
 * In the Gardeners' Chronicle, March 6th, 1875, Mr. T. Moore 
 described a new bpecies under the name of P. Willinickii, a native of 
 Java. Its fructification is terminal, on narrow segments like that of 
 P. alcicorne. 
 
 tin the Appendix to " Syn. Fil." forty additional species are 
 enumerated. 
 
PI. 6. 
 
 W. K mab, daL.etlih. . 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 125 
 
 species being arranged in natural groups, which are now 
 by most authors ranked as genera. They are distinguished 
 from the preceding and following tribes by the sporangia 
 not being produced in denned, round, or linear masses (sori), 
 but closely occupying the whole of the under side of the 
 fertile fronds or segments, which are often contracted into 
 rachiform spikes or panicles. By this contraction the 
 venules are brought so close together that in many cases 
 they seem to be entirely wanting, the whole disc becomes 
 a sporangiferous receptacle ; but in others this is a character 
 of degree only, the contraction being often more or less 
 definite in the same frond, there being instances of the 
 veins being evident and sporangiferous, this variation has 
 led to the different states being characterised by some 
 authors as genera. Setting aside the contraction of the 
 fertile frond, and the amorphous sori, many of the species 
 agree in natural habit and venation with genera of the 
 tribe Phegopteridecp, which will be specially noticed under 
 the respective genera. 
 
 Section 1. ELAPHOGLOSSE^E. 
 
 Fronds always simple. Veins free or rarely combined at 
 the margin, or reticulate. 
 
 40. ELAPHOGLOSSUM. Schott. (1834). 
 Acrostichum sp. Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial or fasciculate. Fronds simple, entire, 
 sessile, or stipitate, from 2 inches to 2 J feet long, smooth or 
 squamose. Stipes often pseudo-articulate. Veins simple or 
 forked, their apices free and clavate. Fertile fronds mode- 
 rately contracted, the under side wholly sporangiferous. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum conforme, Swariz. 
 
126 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Ml.,t. 105, A ; Hook. Ml. 
 
 Exot., t. 42, 29 ; Moore Ind. Ml., p, 2, B ; J. Sm. 
 
 Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 29 ; Hook. Syn. Pil., t. 7, 
 
 fig. 60, a. b. 
 
 OBS. At page 68 of the Introduction I have shown that 
 the vernation of ElapJioglossum is apparently intermediate 
 between JEremobrya and Desmobrya, but more in favour of 
 the latter. 
 
 In the "Synopsis Filicum" sixty-five species are described, 
 and nearly as many more names recorded as doubtful ; 
 and in the Appendix thirty-four new species are described. 
 M. Fee enumerates 116 species, of which sixty are repre- 
 sented by figures. On considering the very uniform 
 character of the fronds, as regards circumscription and 
 size, and that the principal differences consist in their 
 being smooth or more or less villose or squamose, to 
 which may be added slight variations in the venation, 
 it becomes difficult to regard them as affording distinct 
 characters for even the smaller estimate of species. As 
 the evidence upon which the species are founded is 
 entirely derived from herbarium specimens, the number 
 consequently depends upon the views of authors. 
 
 The species are widely spread, being found very gene- 
 rally throughout the tropics, and extending to the latitude 
 of Tristan d'Acunha in the southern hemisphere, and to 
 Madeira in the northern, abounding in the West Indies 
 and Tropical America, and in the Islands of the Indian and 
 Malayan Archipelago in the east. 
 
 * Fronds smooth, or nearly so. 
 f Vernation sarmentose. Fronds distant. 
 
 Ex. ft. stigmatolepis (Fee) (v v.) ; Bedd. F. S. Ind., 
 pi. 196 ; B. Funckii (Fee) (v v.) 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 127 
 
 ft Vernation fasciculate, decumbent. 
 
 E. conforme (Sw.} (v v.) ; E. callsefolium (Bl.) (v v.) ; 
 E. Sieberi (Hook, and Grev.) (v v.) ; E. crassinerve (Kze.) 
 (v v.) ; E. latifolium (Sw.) (v v) ; E. L'Herminieri (Bory) 
 (v v.) ; E. microlepis (Kze.) (v v.) 
 
 ** Fronds more or less densely squamiferous. 
 E. piloselloides (Pr.) (v v.) ; E. rubiginosum (Fee) (v v.) ; 
 E. cuspidatum (Willd.) (v v) ; E. muscosum (Sw.) (v v.) ; 
 E. squamosum (Sw.) (v v.) ; E. vestitum (Hook, and Grev.) 
 
 (v v.) 
 
 *** Fronds fringed or squamiferous at the margin only. 
 E. apodum (Hook, and Grev.) (v v.) ; E. undnlatum 
 (Willd.) (v v.) ; E. scolopendrifolium (Eadd.) (v v.) 
 
 41. ACONIOPTERIS, Presl (1836). 
 Acrostichum sp. ; Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation uniserial ; sarmentum short, thick, squaraose. 
 Fronds contiguous, elliptical, or linear lanceolate, 6 to 12 
 inches long, smooth or squamiferous. Veins simple or 
 forked, parallel, their apices combined near the margin 
 by a straight or zigzag vein. Fertile frond linear, plain, 
 wholly sporangiferous on the under side. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum nervosum, Bory. 
 
 lllust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 79, B; J. Sm. 
 Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 30 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 7, 
 fig. 60, p q. 
 
 OBS. This as a genus was founded by Presl on Acros- 
 tichum nervosum of Bory, a native of St. Helena, to which 
 has been added Acrostichum longifolium of Jacquin and 
 A. gorgoneum of Kaulfuss, natives of the West Indies and 
 Sandwich Islands. In habit they are allied to Elapho- 
 
128 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENEEA. 
 
 glossum, but are distinguished by the veins being connected 
 at the margin by a continuous zigzag or straight vein, 
 similar to that of the genus Olfersia, but which has pinnate 
 fronds, and also differs in the nature of its vernation. 
 
 Sp. A. nervosa (JBory) (v v.) (J.. subdiaphanum, Hook, 
 and Grev.) ; A. longifolia (Jacq.) (v v.) ; A. gorgoneum 
 (Kaulf.) 
 
 42. HYMENODIUM, Fee (1844). 
 Dictyoglossum, /. Sm. t 1846 ; Acrosticlium sp., Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, decumbent, thick. Fronds con- 
 tiguous, stipitate, simple, entire, from 1 to 2 feet in length, 
 broad elliptical, smooth or squamiferous, subcoriaceous, 
 Veins uniform, reticulated, forming elongated oblique 
 areoles. Fertile fronds the same shape as the sterile ones, 
 but smaller. 
 
 Type. AcrosticJium crinitum, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Grev., t. 1 ; Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 6 ; 
 Moore Ind. Fil., p. 6 A. ; J. Sm., Ferns Brit, and For., 
 fig. 31. 
 
 OBS. The reticulated venation distinguishes this genus 
 from the two preceding ; it consists of three known species, 
 two being natives of the West Indies and one of the 
 Sandwich Islands. 
 
 Sp. H. crinitum (Linn.) (v v.) ; H. reticulatura (Kaulf.) 
 (v v.) ; H. pachyphyllum (Kze.). 
 
 43. ANETIUM, Splitg. (1840). 
 Hemionitis, Hook. Sp. Fil. Antrophyum Fee. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum slender. Fronds distant 
 simple, oblong elliptical, acuminate, 6 to 20 inches long, 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 129 
 
 smooth, membraneous. Veins uniform reticulated, forming 
 trapezoid or hexagonal areoles. Receptacles undefined, 
 the sporangia being thinly scattered, or collected in small 
 irregular groups, over the whole under surface of the frond, 
 or evident on the veins. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum citrifolium, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Moore Ind. Fil., p. 44, B. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and 
 For., fig. 32 ; Hook. syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 59, B. 
 
 OBS. In my definition of the genera of Ferns, 1841, 
 I noticed the peculiarities of this Fern, and in 184G 
 I adopted it as a distinct genus under Kunze's sectional 
 name, Anetium. It is decidedly what may be termed an 
 aberrant species. Sir. Wm. Hooker places it in Hemionitis 
 and Fee in Antrophyum, but the sporangia being thinly 
 scattered over the whole under-disk indicate its relationship 
 to be with Acrostichese. 
 
 Sp. A. citrifolium (Linn.) (v v.). (Hemionitis parisitica, 
 Linn.). 
 
 A native of the West Indies, growing on trees. 
 
 Sect. 2. POLYBOTRYEJ;. 
 
 Vernation generally uniserial, distant or contiguous. 
 Fronds pinnate or bi-tripinnate, rarely flabellate, segments 
 adherent. Veins free or combined at the margin or 
 variously anastomosing. 
 
 * Veins free. 
 
 44. RHIPIDOPTERIS, Schott. (1834). 
 
 Acrostichum sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum slender. Fronds flabel- 
 liform, stipate, 3 to 6 inches long, the sterile dichotomously 
 
130 CHARACTERS OF TEIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 multipartite, or sub-entire, cuniform, the fertile sub-rotund, 
 entire or bilobed. Veins flabellately forked, free. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum peltatum, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Moore Ind. Fil., p. 2, A ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and 
 For., fig. 33 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 7, fig. 60, k. 1. 
 
 OBS. The slender sarmentose vernation and stipate 
 small flabelliform frond marks the three species known of 
 this genus as peculiar, having no direct affinity with any 
 form of AcrostichecBy their nearest being the following 
 genus, Microstaphyla. 
 
 They are natives of the West Indies and Tropical 
 America. 
 
 Sp. R. peltata (Sw.) (v v.) ; B. flabellata (JET. , 1C); 
 E/. fbeniculacea (Hook.). 
 
 45. MICROSTAPHYLA, Presl (1849). 
 Polybotrya sp,, Moore ; Acrostichum sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum short. Fronds numerous, 
 contiguous, 3 to 8 inches high, the sterile linear lanceolate, 
 sub-entire, unequally crenate, or laciniately pinnatifid, 
 glandulose, segments and Iacina3 cuneiform, entire or bi- 
 trilobed. Veins simple or forked. Fertile fronds contracted, 
 shorter and less divided than the sterile. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum bifurcatum, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Seed. Cent, of Ferns, t. 91 ; Schk. Fil., 
 t. 2 ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 3i. 
 
 OBS. The typical species of this genus is found only in 
 the Island of St. Helena. It is a small-growing slender 
 Fern, and like other genera of this tribe, distinguished 
 more by habit than any technical difference of fructi- 
 fication. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 131 
 
 Sp. M. bifurcatum (Sio.) (v v.) ; M. dimorphum (Hook, 
 and Grev., t. 145). 
 
 This species is also a native of St. Helena, and is con- 
 sidered by some to be only a form of the preceding-. 
 
 46. PSOMIOCARPA, Presl (1849). 
 
 Polybotrya sp., J. Sm. ; Acrostichum sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds sub-bipin- 
 natitid deltoid, Ahe sterile 6 to 18 inches high, pilose, with 
 articulate hairs, segments oblong lanceolate. Veins forked, 
 venules free. Fertile fronds 8 to 12 inches high, long 
 stipate, slender, wholly contracted, forming a sporangi- 
 ferous panicle. 
 
 Type. Polybotrya apiifolia, J. Sm. 
 
 Illust. Moore Ind. Fil., p. 1, fig. 8 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit. 
 and For., fig. 36. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded upon a very peculiar Fern, 
 a native of the Philippine Islands, and was originally 
 placed by me under Polybotrya. Setting aside the con- 
 traction of the fertile fronds, it might be taken for a small 
 multifid species of PJiegopteris or Laslrea. 
 
 Sp. P. apiifolia (/. Sm..) (v v.) (Polybotrya apiifolia, 
 J. Sm., 1841. Kunze in Schk. Fil., t. 62. Gard. in Field, 
 Sort. t. 30, 31), 
 
 47. EGENOLFIA, Scliott. (1843). 
 
 Polybotrya sp., auct. ; Acrostichum sp., Hnok. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation sarmentose, short, sub-hypogeous. Fronds 
 contiguous, stipate, pinnate, rarely bipinnatifid, 1 to 3 feet 
 high, generally viviparous ; sterile pinnse linear lanceolate, 
 sub-entire or dentate, laciniated or pinnatifid, sinus mu- 
 cronate. Veins forked or pinnate, venules free. Fertile 
 
132 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 segments more or less contracted ; venules evident, con- 
 tiguous, forming a concrete amorphous receptacle, some- 
 times forming moniliform spikes. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum appendiculatum, Willd. 
 
 Illust. Schott. Gen. Fil., t. 35 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and 
 For., fig. 35 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 7, fig. 60, h., i., j. 
 
 OBS. The species forming this genus are natives of the 
 Eastern hemisphere, and were originally included by most- 
 authors under Polybotrya ; but as they do not well asso- 
 ciate in habit with the original species of that genus, I 
 therefore adopt Schott's genus Egenolfia. At least eight 
 species have been described as belonging to this group, but 
 after comparing specimens representing the different 
 species, the greater number of them seem to me to be only 
 different forms of one or two, or at most three, species. 
 The chief difference is in the pinnae, which are entire or 
 more or less laciniated, and the whole seem to run into 
 one another. 
 
 Sp. E. asplenifolia (Bory) ; E. appendiculata (Willd.) 
 (v v.) ; E. bipinnatifida, /. Sm. (A. appendiculata var., 
 costulata, Hook. sp. Fil.). 
 
 OBS.' The regular bipinnatifid character of the fronds 
 and their great length seems to mark the last as a 
 distinct species. 
 
 48. POLYBOTRYA, H. B. K. (1810). 
 
 Acrostichum, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum thick, elongating, scan- 
 dent, epiphytal, squamose. Fronds pinnate or bi-tripinnate, 
 2 to 4 feet long, glabrous, rarely villose. Veins pinnate, 
 venules free. Fertile segments pinnatifid or spicaeform, 
 convolute, wholly sporangiferous. 
 
CHARACTEES ON TRIBES AND GENERA. 133 
 
 Type. Polybotrya osmundacea, H. B. K. 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 78, B; Schott. 
 Gen. Fil., t. 7 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 1, fig. 1 to 7 ; 
 J. 8m. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 37; Hook. Syn. 
 Fil., t. 7, fig. 60, c. d. e. 
 
 OBS. I now restrict Polybotrya to the species allied in 
 general habit to the original type of the genus, Polybotrya 
 osmundacea, of which there are about ten all natives of the 
 West Indies and Tropical America. In general habit they 
 are allied to the Tectaria section of Polystichum, the fronds 
 of some of the latter being very similar in every respect to 
 those of P. osmundacea, and in Polystichum ascendens the 
 fertile fronds are contracted similar to those of Polybotrya. 
 
 * Fronds pinnate, pinnce dentate, or pinnatifid. 
 Sp. P. plumbicaule (Baker Syn. Fil.) ; P. fractiseriale 
 (Baker Syn. Fil.) ; P. pubens, Kunze. 
 
 ** Fronds bi-tri-quadripinnate. 
 
 P. acuminata Link, (v v.) ; P. caudata, Kze. ; P. nutans, 
 Kze. ; P. incisa, Link. ; P. osmundacea, H. B. K. (v v.) 
 (P cynlindrica, Kaulf.) P. caniculatum, Klot. ; P. Lech- 
 leriana, Mett. 
 
 ** Veins combined at the margin. 
 
 49. OLFERSTA. Radd. (1819). 
 Acrostichum, sp. Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum thick, scandent, squamose. 
 Fronds pinnate, 1 to 3 feet long ; pinnae ovate lanceolate, 
 adherent and oblique at the base, smooth coriaceous. Veins 
 uniform, simple, or forked, direct parallel, their apices 
 combined by a transverse marginal vein. Fertile pinnce 
 linear or pinnatifid, convolute, wholly sporangiferous. 
 
134 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum cervinum, Sw. 
 
 ' Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 79, A; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 4, A ; J. Sin. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 39 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 7, fig. CO, m. n. o. 
 
 OBS. This genus agrees with Polybotrya in general 
 habit, but is technically distinguished by the veins being 
 combined by a transverse marginal vein. Olfersia was 
 originally founded by Raddi on a Brazilian Fern which 
 he named 0. corcovadensis, which is described as having 
 the fertile pinnse linear entire, thus differing from the 
 usual forms of 0. cervina, in which the fertile pinnas are 
 pinnatifid. Presl in his " Epimellia Botanica," raises 
 0. corcovadensis to the rank of a genus, which he names 
 Dorcapteris, but which is not tenable, for I have observed 
 both forms produced on the same plant. 
 
 Sp. 0. cervina, Sw. (v v.) (Hook, and Grev., Ic. FiL, t. 81 ; 
 0. corcovadensis, Radd. Fil. Bras., t. 14). 
 
 Native of West Indies and Tropical America. 
 
 *** Veins angularly or compoundly anastomosing. 
 
 50. SOROMANES, Fee (1844). 
 
 Polylotrya sp., auct. ; Acrostichum sp., Hook. Sp. FiL 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum thick, scandent, elonga- 
 ting, squamose. Sterile jronds pinnate, 1 to 3 feet long ; 
 pinnge ovate lanceolate, 4 to 6 inches long, the lower pairs 
 pinnatifid. Veins pinnate ; venules arcuately anastomosing, 
 forming oblique elongated areoles, apices next the margin 
 free and clavate. Fertile fronds bipinnate, segments con- 
 volute, wholly sporangiferous. 
 
 Type. Polybotrya serratifolia, Klot. 
 
 Illust. Moore Ind. Fil., p. 4, B ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and 
 For., fig. 40 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 7, fig. 60, r. s. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 135 
 
 OBS, This genus is founded on a solitary species, a 
 native of Venezuela and Mexico, which in general habit 
 agrees with Polybotrya, but is distinguished by the venules 
 being combined, forming oblique elongated areoles. In 
 general the sterile fronds are pinnate, with nearly entire 
 pinnae ; but in cultivated plants fronds are often produced 
 with deeply laciniated pinnae, similar to the states observed 
 in Olfersia. In these specimens the veins of each of the 
 lacinse are partially thickened, and more or less united ; 
 and often towards the apex of the frond the lacinae show 
 some degree of contraction, and produce distant round 
 masses of sporangia on their apex or margin, thus showing 
 that the fertile fronds are only a highly contracted state of 
 the sterile. 
 
 Sp. S. serratifolium, Fee Acrost., t. 43 (v v.). 
 
 51. STENOSEMIA Presl (1836). 
 Polybotrya sp. auct. ; Acrosticlium sp. Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, acaulose. Fronds few, erect, del- 
 toid, ternately pinnate, 6 to 18 inches long, segments 
 laciniately lobed, bulbiferous. Veins pinnate ; the lower 
 venules transversely anastomosing, forming elongated costal 
 and sub-costal areoles, the exterior venules free. Fertile 
 segments linear, rachiform, involute, nearly wholly sporangi- 
 ferous. 
 
 Type. Polybotrya aurita, Blume. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Gard. Ferns, t. 81 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 6 B. ; 
 J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 41 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., 
 t. 7, fig. 60, t. u. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of a single species, a native of 
 the Malayan and Philippine Islands, which to a certain 
 extent in the character agrees with the following genus, 
 
136 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Poecilopteris, but differs in its erect fasciculate vernation, 
 and in the fertile segments being involute. 
 
 Sp. S. aurita (Blwne Fil. Jav., t. 1) (v v.) (Polybotrya 
 cicutaria, BL). 
 
 52. PCECILOPTERIS, Presl. (1836). 
 Acrostichum sp. auct., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum short or elongated. 
 Fronds contiguous or distant, pinnate, 1 to 3 feet long, 
 bulbiferous. Primary veins costaDform, pinnate, venules 
 arcuately or angularly anastomosing, producing on their 
 exterior sides or angles one or more free or anastomosing 
 veinlets, forming unequal areoles. Fertile pinnoe some- 
 times scarcely contracted, the venules then distinctly 
 eporangiferous. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum punctulatum Linn. 
 
 Illus. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 75, B ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 7 ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 42. 
 
 OBS. The various and very different states exhibited by 
 this genus has led not only to the forming of many species, 
 but also to genera having been founded on different states 
 of the same species, chiefly on the variations of the fertile 
 frond being more or less contracted. 
 
 In some fronds of the same species the contraction of 
 the fertile pinnse is often very little, the venation is then 
 more or less evident, and are then distinctly sporangiferous, 
 forming linear anastomosing sori ; this state constitutes 
 the genus Jenkinsia of Hooker, figured and described in 
 Hook, and Bauer's Gen. Fil., t. 75, B, which in some cases 
 scarcely differs from Meniscium or Stegnogramma, and with 
 which Pcecilopteris agrees in habit, differing only in the 
 veins of the sterile fronds being more compound anastomosed 
 
CHAEACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENERA. 137 
 
 than in these two genera, but even in that character 
 there are instances of different degrees of anastomo- 
 sing found in the same or on different fronds of the same 
 plant, therefore, setting aside the general acrostichoid 
 character, Pcecilopteris naturally associates with Meniscium. 
 
 Fee refers sixteen species to this genus which in the 
 " Species Filicum " are reduced to twelve, and in the 
 " Synopsis Filicum " the species are placed under two 
 sections, Gymnopteris and Chry sodium, which between them 
 contain 36 species, part of which have no natural affinity 
 with either the original species of Poecilopteris or Gymnop- 
 teris; several even have articulate vernation and consequently 
 belong to the division Eremobrya. 
 
 Sp. P. flagellifera (Wall. HooJc. and Grev., t. 23) (v v.) ; 
 P. Quoyanum (Gaud.) ; P. repanda (Bl.) ; P. crispatula 
 (Wall.) (v v.) ; P. virens (Wall., Hook, and Grev., t. 221) 
 (v v.) ; P. prolifera (Bl. Hook. Ic. PL, t. 6812) (v v.) ; 
 P. costata (Wall.) ; P. punctulatum (Linn.) (v v.) ; P. flu- 
 viatile (Hook.). 
 
 The two latter are natives of Tropical West Africa, the 
 others of India and Malayan region. 
 
 53. GYMNOPTEEIS, Bernh. (1800). 
 Acrostichum sp., Hook. Sp., Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum short or elongated. 
 Fronds distant or contiguous and subfasiculate, simple, 
 lobed or pinnate, rarely bipinnatifid, from 6 inches to 2 or 3 
 feet high, pinnae 6 to 8 inches in length, ovate lanceo- 
 late. Primary veins costaeform, venules compound 
 anastomosing, with free variously directed veinlets, termina- 
 ting in the areoles. Fertile pinnce sometimes broad, densely 
 sporangiferous on the under side. 
 
138 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum nicoliance folium, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 85 ; Moore Tnd. 
 Fil., p. 8, A ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 43. 
 
 OBS. This genus was founded by Bernhardi in 1800, on 
 the Acrostichum quercifolium of Retzius. As a genus it is 
 technically distinguished from the preceding by the more 
 compound venation, which is similar to that of the genera 
 Dryomanes, Dipteris, Cheiropleuria, and Aspidium, which, 
 with Gymnopteris, form a very natural group of Ferns, the 
 several genera being distinguished from each other more 
 by the grouping and position of the sporangia than by any 
 great diversity in mode of growth or general habit of the 
 fronds. 
 
 The genus consists of about sixteen species, natives of 
 the Old and New World. 
 
 * Indian and Malayan region. 
 
 Sp. G. quercifolia (Eetz.) (v v.) ; G. trilobata, /. Sin. ; 
 G. tacca3folia, /. Sm. ; G. Harlandi (Hook ) (G. decur- 
 rens, Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 94) ; G. subrepanda, /. Sm. ; 
 G. semicordata (Bak.) ; G. Presliana (Hook.). 
 
 ** Tropical West Africa. 
 
 G. Gaboon ense (Hook.) (v v) ; G. Heudelotii (Hook.) 
 G. salicina (Hook.) 
 
 *** West Indies and Tropical America. 
 
 G. pandurifolia (Hook.) ; G. oligarchica (Bak.) ; G. nico- 
 tianaefolia (Sw.) (v v.) ; G. aliena (Sw.) (v v. ); G. semi- 
 pinnatifida (Fee) ; G. acuminata (Willd.) (v v.) (Plum. 
 Fil., t. 115). 
 
 OBS. Acrostichum variaHle, Hook. Sp. Fil. (Gymnopteris 
 decurrens, Hook. Gard. Ferns, t. 6), is LeptocJiilus decurrens. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AED GENERA. 
 
 54. CHEIROPLEURIA. Pr. (1849). 
 Acrostichum, sp. Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation sarmentose. Fronds distant or contiguous, 1| or 
 more feet in length, long stipate, flabellately bi- tripartite, 
 firm, coriaceous. Main veins, two to three, radiating from 
 the base, venules compoundly anastomosing. Fertile fronds 
 wholly, or the central lobes only, sporangiferous. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum licuspe, Hook. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Sp. Fil. 5, t. 304. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of two species, which in 
 venation agree with Gymnopteris, but differ so much in 
 aspect and texture that I deern it best to follow Presl in 
 viewing them as a distinct genus. 
 
 Sp. C. bicuspis (Hook.) ; C. vespertilio (Hook.), Lond. 
 Journ. Bot., p. 193, t. 7 and 8 ; C. tricuspe (Hook.). 
 
 Sikkim, Java, and other Malayan islands. 
 
 OBS. It is probable that the above three species are 
 different forms of one only. 
 
 Sect. 3. ARTHROBOTR.E. 
 
 Vernation sarmentose. Fronds pinnate or bipinnate, 
 segments articulated with the rachis. Veins free or an- 
 gularly anastomosing. 
 
 * Veins free. 
 
 55. LOMARIOPSIS, Fee (1844). 
 
 Polybotrya sp., auct. ; Acrostichum sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial ; sarmenturn scandent. Fronds pin- 
 nate, 1 to 3 feet high ; pinnae linear, elliptical, broad 
 lanceolate, acuminate, 2 to 10 inches long, articulate 
 with the rachis. Veins uniform, simple, or forked, direct, 
 
140 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 free. Fertile pinnae plain, sometimes only partially con- 
 tracted, sporaiigiferous on the under side ; margin mem- 
 braneous, sub-induseeform. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum sorbifolium, Linn. 
 
 Jllust. Hook. Gard. Ferns, t. 57 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 3, A ; 
 J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 38. 
 
 OBS. In my "Arrangement of the Genera of Ferns," in 
 1841, 1 adopted Acrostichum scandens, Linn., as the type of 
 a distinct genus, which I named Stenochlcena, to which I 
 also referred A. sorbifolia of Linn., and A. longifolia, Kaulf. ; 
 but not long after this was done, the three species came 
 under my notice in a living state, and I then found that 
 A. scandens differed from the two latter in having a trans- 
 verse anastomose costal vein like that of Blechnum ; this 
 character indicates its relationship to be with Blechnum , 
 the other two species being truly acrostichoid, and allied 
 to a group of fifteen species which Fee places under the 
 present genus ; but on account of the variableness of the 
 forms which come under this genus, it is difficult to 
 determine which are species. In the " Species Filicum " 
 no less than eighteen specific names and five genera are 
 given as synonyms under L. sorbifolia; but it is quite 
 probable that when seen under cultivation some of these 
 forms may be found to be quite distinct species, of which 
 L. sorbifolia and L. longifolia are proofs. They are 
 widely dispersed over the Tropics of the Western and 
 Eastern Hemisphere, and also represented in New 
 Zealand. 
 
 Sp. L. sorbifolia (Linn.) (v v.) ; L. longifolia (Kaulf.) (v v.), 
 (Lowe's New Ferns, t. 37) ; L. Tapurense, Hook. (Gard. 
 Ferns, t. 57) ; L, Smithii, Fee Acrost. p. 74, t. 33, fig. 2, 
 (Stenochlcena longifolia, J. Sm.) L. Boryana, Fee Acrost., 
 t. 27 j L. leptocarpa, Fee (Acrost., t. 29) ; L. cuspidata, Fee 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 141 
 
 (Acrost., t. 27) ; L. heteromorpha, /. Sm. (LomariajUiformis, 
 A. Cunn., Hook. Sp. Fit. 3, 1. 149; L. pimpinellce folia Hook.fil. 
 in Hook. Lond. Journ. of Bot. 3, p. 412). 
 
 OBS. This last is a native of New Zealand, and very 
 variable in the form of its fronds ; in what may be termed 
 the perfect state, the pinnae are lanceolate, and 2 to 3 inches 
 in length, whereas in the variety termed pimpinellcefolia 
 they are numerous, small, and nearly round, not exceeding 
 a quarter of an inch in diameter. 
 
 With regard to L. leptocarpa, it is peculiar in having a 
 thickened base to the stipes, analogous in appearance to 
 the articulate node that characterises the division Eremo- 
 brya. Fee describes it as "frondibus articulatis." My 
 own observation, however, is that it is not jointed with 
 the sarmentum. 
 
 56. ARTHROBOTRYA. /. Sm. 
 Polybotrya, J. Sm. t 1841 ; Acrostichum sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentose. Fronds distant, bipinnate, 
 3 to 4 feet high, pinnae alternate, 6 to 8 inches long, patent, 
 articulate with the rachis ; sterile pinnules contiguous, 
 twenty to thirty pairs, obliquely oblong, inch in length, 
 short petiolate and articulate with the rachis, which is sub- 
 alate. Veins forked, free. Fertile pinnules linear falcate, 
 smaller than the sterile, the under disk wholly sporangi- 
 ferous. 
 
 Type. Polybotrya articulata, J. Sm. 
 
 Illust. Fee's Acrost., p. 74, t. 37. 
 
 OBS. The Fern bearing the above character being so 
 different in general habit from true Polybotrya, I am induced 
 to separate it as a distinct genus. The articulate pinnae 
 and pinnules distinguishes it from Polybotrya, and the 
 bipinnate fronds from Lomariopsis. 
 
142 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 This remarkable Fern has as yet only been found in the 
 island of Leyte, Philippines. 
 
 Sp. A. articulata, J". Sm. (Acrostichum Wilkesianum, Hook., 
 is probably the same ; it is a native of New Caledonia and 
 Society islands and shows that A. articulata has a wider 
 range than the island of Leyte). 
 
 ** Veins anastomosing in various ways. 
 
 57. CYRTOGONIUM. J". Sm. in part. (1841). 
 Acrostichum sp., auct. Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum slender scandent. Fronds 
 pinnate, 1 to 2 feet long, pinnse linear, lanceolate, acumi- 
 nate, crenate-serrate, petiolate, articulate with the rachis. 
 Veins short, pinnate, venules anastomosing, the costal 
 areoles trigonal, larger than the exterior ones, which are 
 obliquely rhomboid. Fertile pinnce contracted. Receptacles 
 confined to the concentrated venules, forming reticulated 
 lines of confluent sporangia. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum serratifolium, Mert. 
 
 Illust. Schotts. Gen. Fil., t. 12 ; Hook, and Bauer, Gen. 
 Fil., t. 81, B ; Fee's Acrost., p. 94, t. 55, fig. 3. 
 
 OBS. Gyrtogonium, as originally characterised, included 
 species of Pcecilopteris, but as now restricted it is distin- 
 guished by the pinnee being articulate with the rachis. 
 
 Sp. C. serratifolium (Mert.} (G. fraxinifolium Hook, and 
 Bauer.) C. scandens (RaJd. Fil Bras., t. 18) (A. Ead- 
 dianum, Kze.) ; C. pinnata J. Sm. (Neurocallis, Moore 
 Ind. Fil.) 
 
 The two first are natives of Brazil, and the last of 
 India. 
 
CHARACTEES OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 143 
 
 58. LOMAGRAMMA, /. 8m. (1841). 
 
 Clietlolepton, Fee (1844) ; Neurocallis, Pr. and Moore ; Lepto- 
 chilus sp., Blume; Acrostichum sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum scandent. Fronds stipate, 
 pinnate, or bipinnate, 2 to 3 feet high, membraneous, 
 flaccid. PinncB numerous, lanceolate, 6 to 8 inches long, 
 base truncate, sessile, and articulate with the rachis. Veins 
 uniform, reticulate ; areoles oblong, hexagonoid. Fertile 
 segments contracted, wholly sporangiferous, or sometimes 
 the contraction only partial, and then the* sporangia 
 forming a broad marginal line ; both states furnished with 
 numerous peltate scales. 
 
 Type. Leptochilus lomaroides, Bl. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 98 ; Fee Acrost., 
 t. 51 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 18, A. 
 
 OBS. This genus was originally founded on specimens 
 of a Fern from the Philippine Islands, which I afterwards 
 found had been previously described by Blume under the 
 name of Leptochilus lomaroides. In general habit it agrees 
 with Cyrtogonium as now restricted, but the numerous and 
 curious peltate scales that cover the sporangia marks it as 
 a distinct genus ; it was originally supposed by me that 
 the marginal sori was its normal character, but this is 
 now found to be due to the fertile pinnae being only par- 
 tially contracted. 
 
 * Fronds pinnate. 
 
 Sp. L. lomarioides (Bl.) (L. pteroides, J. Sm. 1841, 
 Acrost. Blumeanum, Hook. Sp. Fil. 5, p. 268.) 
 
 ** Fronds bipinnate. 
 L. polyphylla, Brack. Fil. U. S. E-xpl. Exp., p. 83, 1. 12, f. 3. 
 
144 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 59. PHOTINOPTERIS, /. Sm. (1841). 
 Lomaria sp., Blume ; Acrosticlium sp., Watt. ; Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum scandent. Fronds distant, 
 pinnate, 2 to 3 feet long, smooth, coriaceous, rigid, shining, 
 the upper pinnas contracted and fertile. Sterile pinn<v 
 distant, alternate, elliptical, acuminate, 6 to 8 inches long, 
 2 to 3 inches wide, petiole short, attached to the rachis by 
 a scutiform lobe. Feins costseform, venules and veinlets 
 compound anastomosing, forming quadrangular areoles. 
 Fertile pinnae linear, rachiform, 8 to 12 inches in length, 
 their under side wholly sporangiferous. 
 
 Type. Lomaria speciosa, Bl. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 92 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 9, A ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 8, fig. 60, ff, gg, hh. 
 
 OBS. My first knowledge of the singular Fern on 
 which this genus is founded, was obtained from a specimen 
 in the herbarium of Dr. Horsfield, which had been collected 
 in Java, which led me to give it the specific name of 
 Horsfieldii; in 1822 it was found near Singapore by 
 Wallich, and was named by him Acrosticlium rigidum. It 
 was, however, first described by Blume, under the name of 
 Lomaria speciosa. It was also found by Cuming in the 
 Philippine Islands, who described it to me as growing on 
 trees, and being conspicuous by its shining fronds. In 
 vernation it agrees with Gymnopteris, but its peculiar habit 
 and articulate pinnae does not admit of its being associated 
 with that genus ; in these characters it agrees with Drynaria 
 and Dryostachum, but its adherent vernation prevents its 
 alliance with these genera. 
 
 Sp. P. speciosa (BL} (Acrostichum rigidum, Wall, M. S. 
 Cat. Herb. ; Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 211 ; P. Horsfieldii, J. Sm. 
 Journ. of Bot., 1841 ; P. simplex, J. Sm.} ; P. drynarioides, 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 145 
 
 J. Sin., Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., 325 (Acrostichum Photinopteris 
 drynarioides, Hook. Sp. Fit.) 
 
 A native of Penang and Solomon Islands. 
 
 X 
 
 Sect. 4. ACROSTICHEJ;. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate erect, or decumbent. Fronds pin- 
 nate. Venation reticulated, without free veinlets. 
 
 60. NEDROCALLIS, Fee. (1844). 
 Acrostichum sp., auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, decumbent. Fronds pinnate, 
 3 to 4 feet high, smooth. Sterile pinnce elliptical, lanceo- 
 late, acuminate, entire, 8 to 10 inches long, 2 inches 
 wide, sessile adherent with the rachis. Veins uniform, 
 reticulated ; areoles oblong, hexagonoid. Fertile fronds 
 contracted, pinnae linear, acuminate, plane, wholly sporan- 
 giferous on the under side. Sporangia destitute of indusioid 
 scales. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum prcestantissimum, Bory. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Gard. Ferns, t. 58 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 5, 
 fig. 1 and 5 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 44. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded upon a splendid pinnate- 
 fronded Fern, found only in the islands of Guadaloupe and 
 Dominica. In the character of its venation it agrees with 
 Lomagramma, from which it differs in the pinnee not being 
 articulate with the rachis. 
 
 Sp. H. praBstantissima (Bory.) (v v.) 
 
 61. ACROSTICHUM, Linn, (in part) (1737). 
 Chrysodium, Fee. ; Acrostichum, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 Vernation fasciculate erect. Fronds coronate, pinnate, 
 smooth, 2 to 8 feet high ; pinnae entire, from 6 to 18 inches 
 L 
 
146 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 long, 2 to 3 inches broad, the upper pairs of pumas con- 
 tracted and fertile. Veins uniform, reticulated, forming- 
 numerous elongated subquadrangular parallel areoles. 
 Sporangia densely occupying the whole of the under surface 
 of the fertile pinnae. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum aureum, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 81 A.; Moore 
 Ind. Fil., p. 8, B; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For.> 
 fig. 54. 
 
 OBS. This genus was founded by Linnaeus in 1737, 
 the typical species being Acrostichum aureum, but subse- 
 quently he, and other authors, added numerous other 
 species to the genus, indeed it may be said that all Ferns 
 in which the sporangia were not evident in well defined 
 Tound or linear masses were referred to this genus, as 
 shown by Moore's " Index Filicum," in which no less than 
 473 generic and specific names are recorded, of which 
 about 140 now constitute the tribe Acrosticlieoe : the prin- 
 cipal are given as examples under the respective new 
 genera as above defined. 
 
 The genus Acrostichum, as here restricted, consists of 
 only one species, namely, A. aureum, which is found in 
 most Fern regions throughout the tropics of both hemi- 
 spheres, which under the different influences of climate, 
 and growing in wet or dry places assumes very different 
 aspects as regards size and texture, such being the case, 
 has led to a dozen or more specific names being given by 
 authors to the different states. In the " Species Filicum " 
 they are all recorded as synonyms, in which I concur. 
 
 Sp. A. aureum, Linn. (A. marginatum, Schk., A. incequale, 
 Willd., A. speciosum, Willd., A. dancefolium, Lang, et Fisch., 
 A. fraxinifolium, JR. J5r., A. sculpiuratum, Presl, A. obliquum, 
 1., Chrysodium Jiirsutum, Fee.*). 
 
PI. 7. 
 
 W. H.TSfcda, del. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 147 
 
 OBS. A. dbliquum of Blume is founded on simple fronds, 
 which may be considered as an abnormal state. 
 
 Tribe 7. MENISCEA (Plate 7.) 
 
 Fronds pinnate, rarely simple. Veins anastomosing, 
 evident. Sori linear, arcuate transverse or reticulated, 
 often confluent. 
 
 OBS. This tribe consists of about a dozen species, the 
 principal number being comprehended under the genus 
 Meniscium. 
 
 Hitherto I have associated Meniscium with Dictyopteris 
 and Goniopteris, and there is no doubt that it forms a 
 natural connection between Poecilopteris and these genera ; 
 but on viewing what I have stated under P<ecilopteris, I 
 now consider it to have more relationship with that genus 
 than with its former allies, I therefore rank it as a transition 
 tribe between Acrostichew and Phegopterideoe, of which 
 Meniscium simplex is an example, and, as already stated 
 at page 62, cultivated plants become truly acrostichoid, 
 but as the venation of the sterile frond is more in character 
 with that of Meniscium than with Poecilopteris, I therefore 
 retain it under the former. 
 
 62. MENISCIUM, Schreb. (1791). 
 
 ' Vernation decumbent, subfasciculate. Fronds contiguous, 
 pinnate, rarely simple, 1 to 8 feet high. Primary veins 
 eostaeform, pinnate, each opposite pair of venules angularly 
 or arcuately anastomosing, and sporangiferous, producing 
 from their junction an excurrent, free, sterile veinlet. 
 Receptacles linear, continued across the junction of the 
 venules, forming arcuate transverse sori. Sporangia in 
 some species pilose. 
 
148 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Type. Meniscium reticulatum, Schreb. 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 40 ; Schott. Gen. 
 Fil., t. 14 ; Moore Tnd. Fil., p. 34 B. ; J. Sm., Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 63 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 54. 
 OBS. In the " Synopsis Filicum " ten species are 
 described, six of which are natives of the tropics of the 
 Eastern and four of the Western hemispheres. 
 
 * Fronds simple. 
 Sp. M. simplex, Hook, (v v.) ; M. giganteum, Hook, (v v.). 
 
 ** Fronds pinnate. 
 
 M. triphyllum, Sw. (v v.) ; M. serratum, Ca/o. (v v.) (M. 
 palustre, Eadd.) ; M. dentatum, Pr. (v v.) ; M. reticulatum, 
 Sw. (v v.) ; M. angustifolium, Willd. ; M. salicifolium, 
 Wall. ; M. pauciflorum, Hook. 
 
 63. DICTTOCLINE, Moore (1855). 
 Hemionitis, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation decumbent, sub-sarmentose. Fronds long 
 stipitate, pinnatifid and pinnate, 3 to 4 pairs, petiolate, broad 
 lanceolate, acuminate, falcate, 5 to 6 inches long, 1 to 1J 
 inches broad. Primary veins costseform, combined by 
 transverse arcuate or zig-zag anastomosing venules, the 
 lower forming one oblong costal areole, the others, three 
 series of unequal sub-hexagonal areoles between the primary 
 veins. Sori reticulate. Sporangia furnished with one or 
 two straight setea. 
 
 Type. Dictyocline Griffithii, Moore. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 93 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 46, A. 
 
 OBS. The present genus was founded by Mr. Moore 
 upon a Fern from Assam, and placed upon account of its 
 sori being reticulated, next to Hemionites, but it possesses 
 
PI. 
 
 W. H . Hfcch, dfiL etlith- 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 149 
 
 no other point of relationship with that genus, its whole 
 habit and structure resembling Goniopteris and Stegno- 
 gramma, while from Meniscium it is distinguished only by 
 the more zig-zag anastomosing of the venules. Although 
 it thus differs from these genera only in degree, I never- 
 theless think it desirable to adopt it as a genus. 
 
 Sp. D. Griffithii, Moore, Bedd. F. Brit. Ind. pi. 150; 
 D. Wilfordi, J. Sm. (Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 93). 
 
 These two species are very local, the first being a native 
 of Assam, the other of Formosa. 
 
 Tribe 8. GRAMMITIDE^ (Plate 8). 
 
 Fronds varying from simple to decompound multifid, and 
 from a few inches to several feet in height. Veins free or 
 anastomosing. Sori linear, free or united, discal ; sporangia 
 superficial or immersed in grooves, naked or included under 
 an universal indusium. 
 
 OBS. According to the " Synopsis Filicum " this tribe, 
 as restricted by me, contains about one hundred species, 
 the greater number being represented by the genus Gymno- 
 yramma. In some genera of the section Cryptogramma the 
 sori are very short and even, nearly punctiform ; the 
 reasons for retaining such in this tribe are specially notified 
 under the genera of that section. 
 
 GrammitidecB is represented in all Fern regions, especially 
 within or near the tropics. 
 
 SERIES 1. Veins anastomosing in various ways. 
 
 Sect. 1. HEMIONITIDEJJ. 
 
 Venation uniform, reticulated, or the venules parallel and 
 angularly anastomosing, near to, or at the margin only. 
 Sori equally reticulate or connected on or next the margin. 
 
150 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 64. HEMIONITIS, Linn., in part. 
 
 Hemionitis, Acrostichum, and Gymnogramma, sp. Hook. 
 Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation erect or sub-decumbent, acaulose. Fronds 
 simple, cordate, palmate or pinnate, smooth, villose or 
 squamose, 6 to 12 inches in height. Feins uniform, reti- 
 culate ; in some the venules free next the margin. Sporangia 
 occupying the whole of the venation, forming reticulate, 
 often confluent, superficial sori. 
 
 Type. Hemionitis palmata, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 74 B. ; Hook. Ex. 
 Fil., t. 33 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 45, B ; J. Sm. Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 54 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 59, A. 
 
 OBS. The type of this genus is the well-known Hemionitis 
 palmata of Linnaeus, to which several other species have 
 been added. Four of these possess the same general habit 
 as the type ; but this cannot be said of H.cordata, H.vestita, 
 and H. Muelleri, which, although I retain them as sections 
 of Hemionitis, are nevertheless almost worthy of being 
 regarded as types of distinct genera. 
 
 * Hemionitis vera. 
 
 Fronds palmate or lobed, pinnatifid or sub-pinnate, villose. 
 
 H. hedersefolia, /. Sm. (Hook. Syn. Fil.) ; H. palmata 
 (Linn.) (v v.) ; H. podophylla (Hook.) (v v.) (H. pedata, 
 J. Sm.non Sw.) ; H.pinnatifida, Baker ; H. pinnata, /. Sm. 
 (Hook. Syn. Fil.) 
 
 Natives of the West Indies and parts of Tropical 
 America. 
 
 ** Sericonitis. 
 
 Caudex decumbent, sub-sarmentose, short. Fronds con- 
 tiguous, pinnate, 6 to 14 inches long ; pinnae, contiguous, 1 to 
 
CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 151 
 
 1J inch long, 6 to 12 pairs, oblong elliptical, short petiolate, 
 densely sericeo squamose. Veins uniform, anastomosing towards 
 the margin. Sporangia obscure, hidden by the silky squama. 
 
 H. vestita, /. Sm. (Grammitis, Wall., Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., 
 pi. 154) ; H. Muelleri, /. Sm. (Gymnogramma, Hook.) ; 
 H. aureo-nitens, /. Sm. (Acrostichum, Hook.) 
 
 OBS. The fine silky hairs and squamae common to these 
 three species is sufficient to indicate that they are naturally 
 allied ; the latter, however, differs in having two kinds of 
 fronds, the sterile being simple, oblong spathulate, and the 
 fertile pinnate. 
 
 In the " Species Filicum," H. Muelleri is described as 
 having free veins, but in the specimens which I have 
 examined I found them to be netted. 
 
 These three species are very local, the first being a native 
 of Nepal, the second of Queensland, and the third found 
 only in the Galapagos. 
 
 *** Cardinitis. 
 
 Caudex decumbent, sub-sarmentose, short. Fronds stipitate, 
 cordate hastate, firm, smooth. Sori copious, contiguous, be- 
 coming confluent. 
 
 H. cordata, Roxb. (v v.) 
 
 Throughout India, the Malay, and the Philippine Islands. 
 
 OBS. For H. Griffithii, Hooker, and Wilfordii, Hook., see 
 Dictyocline ; and for H. citrifolia, Hook., see Anetium. 
 
 65. SYNGRAMMA, /. Sm. (1845). 
 Gymnogramma sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum short. Fronds stipitate, 
 contiguous, smooth, entire, simple, linear lanceolate, oblong 
 elliptical, or rarely pinnate, 6 to 12 inches long. Veins 
 forked close to the mid-rib, venules direct parallel, their 
 
152 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 apices anastomosing at the margin, forming a continuous 
 marginal vein, or one or more series of marginal areoles. 
 Sporangia occupying the whole of the venules, forming 
 linear parallel and reticulated sori. 
 
 Type. Syngramma alismce folia, J. Sin. 
 
 lllust. Lond. Jour. Bot., v. 4, t. 7, 8, B ; Moore Ind. Fil., 
 p. 46, B ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 52, d. e. f. 
 
 OBS. The species on which this genus is founded was 
 originally described by Presl., in his Bel. Haenkeance, as a 
 species of Diplazium; but his original specimen having 
 come into my possession, with the addition of others, 
 clearly showed that the sori were destitute of indusium, 
 having the true character of Gymnogramma, but differing 
 in the venation being anastomose, this led me to characterise 
 it as a distinct genus under the above name. 
 
 Sp. S. alismsefolia, J. Sm., (Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 240) ; 
 S. vittseformis, J. Sm. ; S. obtusifolia, Hook.; S. Lobbiana, 
 Hook. ; S. Borneensis, Hook. ; S. Wallichii, Hook. ; S. 
 pinnata, Hook. 
 
 Natives of Malayan, Borneo, and Polynesian islands. 
 Besides the usual pinnate fronds of S. pinnata it also 
 produces simple fronds, which in the specimens seen by 
 me were sterile ; they are, nevertheless, extremely like 
 the Hemionitis lanceolata, described and figured by Sir 
 W. Hooker, in the Second Cent. Fern, t. 55, but the 
 venation is more uniform reticulated and wholly sporangi- 
 ferous, as in true Hemionitis. 1 am, however, inclined to 
 consider it a state of S. pinnata. 
 
 66. DICTTOGRAMMA, Fee. (1851). 
 Gymnogrdmma sp.^ Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sub-fasciculate, decumbent. Fronds 
 contiguous, pinnate, or sub-bipinnate, 1 to 3 feet high,, 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 153 
 
 smooth, flaccid, pinnae elliptical lanceolate, 6 to 10 inches 
 long. Venation sub-uniform, reticulated, areoles sub- 
 hexogonoid, oblique. Sporangia occupying the whole of 
 the venules, forming netted sori. 
 
 Type. Hemionitis japonica, Thurib. 
 
 Illust. Fee Gen. Fil., 1. 15, A ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 47, A ; 
 J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 53 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., 
 t, 6, fig. 52, c. 
 
 OBS. This genus differs from the preceding chiefly in 
 habit and in the venaiion being more uniform reticulated. 
 
 Sp. D. japonica, Fee (v v.) (Gymnogramma japonica, Kze. 
 in SM. Fil. Suppl., t. 116). 
 
 Native of Japan. 
 
 67. T2ENiTis, mild. (1806). 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sub-fasciculate. Fronds contiguous, 
 long stipitate, smooth, firm, coriaceous, 1 to 2 feet in length ; 
 pinnae 4 to 6 pairs, linear-lanceolate or elliptical-acuminate, 
 entire, 6 to 10 inches long, by 1 to 2 inches broad. Veins 
 uniform, reticulated ; areolea oblong, hexagonoid, oblique. 
 Receptacles compital, oblong, oblique coalescing, forming a 
 transverse line between the mid-rib and margin. Sporangia 
 crowded, forming a broad compound continuous, sometimes 
 interrupted, sorus. 
 
 Type. Tcenitis llecJinoides, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 77, B. ; Moore 
 Ind. Fil., p. 17, A. ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 57. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a single species, which 
 agrees in general habit and texture of its fronds with 
 Syngramma pinnata, but is distinguished by the sori being 
 oblique oblong, and laterally confluent, forming a compound, 
 transverse, medial sorus, but in some the line is interrupted, 
 and then constitutes Tcenitis interrupta of Hooker and 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Grevelle, t. 62. In some Fijian specimens the sori are 
 scattered over the disk, being- round or oval, and compital 
 on the anastomoses of the veins, which may be considered 
 an abnormal condition consequent on local influences. 
 
 Sp. T. blechnoides, Sw. (T. pteroides, ScU. Fil., t. 6, B) 
 T. obtusa, Hook. Ic. PL t. 994. 
 
 OBS. This is described as having fronds only 1| to 2 
 inches long, and is probably only a young state of T. blech- 
 noides. They are natives of Borneo, Malay, Philippine and 
 Fiji islands. 
 
 68. ANTROPHYUM, Kaulf. (1824). 
 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Hemionitis sp., Linn, and auct. 
 Polytoenium, Desv. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum, short, squamose. Fronds 
 contiguous csespitose, simple, linear-lanceolate, or oblong- 
 elliptical, or subrotund, smooth, coriaceous, with or without 
 a defined mid-rib. Veins uniform, reticulated. Receptacles 
 discal, immersed, forming grooves in which the sporangia 
 are seated. Sori reticulated or interrupted. 
 
 Type. AntropJiijum plantagineum, Kaulf. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., 1. 109 A. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 16, A., 44, A., 45, A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and 
 For., fig. 55 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 55. 
 
 OBS. The general aspect and mode of growth indicates 
 the affinity of this genus to be with Vittaria, from which 
 it is technically distinguished by its reticulate venation. 
 Representatives of this genus are widely distributed 
 throughout the tropics, being found in the islands of the 
 Pacific and Indian Oceans, the continent of Asia, the West 
 Indian Islands, Tropical America and Mauritius, and have 
 also lately been found in West Tropical Africa. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 155 
 
 With such a wide range many species have been described 
 by authors on very slight characters, chiefly in difference 
 in size, for instance, in Moore's Index 55 names are recor- 
 ded, of which only twenty-one are adopted as true species, 
 and these in the "Synopsis Filicum" are reduced to sixteen. 
 In many Aspleniece, plants while young and small produce 
 fructification, and have been considered as distinct species, 
 such is the case with Antrophyum nanum, Fee (A. obtusum, 
 BL}, which is described as not more than an inch in length, 
 but on collating numerous sets of specimens it is impossible 
 to come to any other conclusion than that the intermediate 
 sizes, even from the smallest to 2 feet in length, are only 
 the graduations of a single species, the difference being 
 consequent on age and climatic influences. The principle 
 of creating species of Antrophyum upon difference of size, 
 might with equal justice be applied to the common Harts'- 
 tongue Fern (Scolopendrium officinarum), fronds of which 
 may be found in fructification from a little more than an 
 inch to two feet in length. 
 
 The species vary in the sporangia being immersed or 
 superficial, of which the following are examples. 
 
 * Sporangia immersed. 
 
 A. lineatum, Kaulf. (v v.) (Polytcenium, Desv.) ; A. im- 
 mersum, Bory. ; A. plantagineum, Kaulf. ; A. Cumingii, 
 Fee (A. latifolium, Reinw. non Bl.) ; A. reticulatum, Kaulf. ; 
 A. semicostatum, Bl. 
 
 ** Sporangia superficial or slightly immersed. 
 
 A. ensiforme, Hook. (Ic. PI., t. 394, Second Cent. t. 70) ; 
 A. lanceolatum, Kaulf. (v v.) ; A. Cayennense, Kaulf. (v v.) ; 
 A. latifolium, Bl. ; A. Boryanum, Kaulf. ; A. giganteum, 
 Bory. 
 
156 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 OBS. Mr. Moore in his " Index Filicum," has made 
 A. ensiforme a type of a new genus which he names 
 Scoliosorus, of which he says, " This plant, having neither 
 netted veins nor netted sori, cannot belong to Antropliyum, 
 and is quite distinct from every other established genus." 
 This view is consequent on his having derived the cha- 
 racter of his genus from Hooker's figure in the " Icones 
 Plantarum," tab. 394, in which the sori are shown to be 
 interrupted, and with no veins visible. An examination 
 of herbarium specimens, however, shows that the fronds 
 are traversed by veins which form irregular hexagonoid 
 areoles. The sporangia are superficial and only partially 
 occupy the venules, forming linear forked generally 
 tortuous sori, their incomplete reticulation is not sufficient 
 character to warrant the adoption of Scoliosorus as a 
 separate genus. 
 
 69. LOXOGRAMMA. Presl., in part. (1836). 
 
 Gymnogramma sp., Hook. Sp. Fit. ; Grammitis, sp., 
 El. and Wall. 
 
 Vernation sub-fasciculate, decumbent, rarely short, 
 sarmentose. Fronds simple lanceolate, 6 to 18 inches in 
 length, coriaceous. Veins internal, obscure, rarely evident, 
 uniformly reticulated, forming oblique elongated areoles. 
 Receptacles compital, linear, forming oblique, naked sori. 
 
 Type. Grammitis lanceolata, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 73, B ; Hook, and 
 Grev., Ic. PI., t. 53 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 51, B. 
 
 OBS. Hitherto this genus has been placed in alliance 
 with Selliguea, but the vernation of Loxogramma being 
 adherent, brings it more in alliance with Antrophyum, 
 from which it differs in the sporangiferous receptacles 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 157 
 
 crossing the angular junctions of the venules, thus forming 
 compital linear sori. The species are entirely Indian and 
 Malayan, L. lanceolata being found in Mauritius and 
 Bourbon. On account of the variations of size and texture, 
 consequent on localities, about a dozen specific names have 
 been applied to them, but the whole seems to resolve into 
 a few species, of which the following are examples. 
 
 In the " Species Filicum " the species of Loxogramma 
 form part of the genus Gymnogramma, but they have no 
 character in common with them except the oblique linear 
 naked sori. 
 
 Sp. L. lanceolata, Sw. ; L. involuta, Don. (Grammitis 
 flavescens, Wall. ; G. mavrophylla, Wall. ; G. acuminata, 
 Wall.) ; L. advena, El. ; L. coriacea, Pr. 
 
 SERIES 2. Veins free. 
 
 Sect. 2. GYMNOGRAMMA^. 
 
 Veins generally forked, nearly their whole length occu- 
 pied by the sporangia, forming forked, linear, naked sori, 
 which are often confluent. 
 
 70. GYMNOGRAMMA, Desv., in part (1811). 
 Hook. sp. Fil.j in part. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose, in some becoming 
 csespitose. Fronds varying from entire to decompound 
 multifid, and from a few inches to 2 to 3 feet in length, or 
 their apex continuous, indefinite, and climbing, smooth, 
 villose, squamose, or farinose. Veins forked, venules free, 
 generally sporangiferous their whole length, forming linear 
 sori, which are often confluent, naked. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum calomelanos, Linn. 
 
158 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENEKA. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 37 ; Hook. Gard. 
 Ferns, t. 50; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 48; J. Sin. Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 50 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 32, A. 
 
 OBS. This genus as here restricted, includes a consider- 
 able number of species varying greatly in size and circum- 
 scription of the fronds, but all agreeing in having the 
 sporangia produced on forked free veins, forming linear, 
 naked sori, examples of the extreme sizes being represented 
 on the one hand by G. leptophylla, an annual a few inches 
 high, and the magnificent species, G. javanica and G. pro- 
 cera (Coniogramma, Fee\ which have fronds 2 to 5 feet 
 high, with broad pinnae. 
 
 These differences have induced some authors to cha- 
 racterise the different groups as distinct genera, of which 
 Professor Link has five, and with some alterations M. Fee 
 makes ten, the whole including about forty species. Sir 
 William Hooker, in his " Species Filicum," goes much 
 beyond this ; he includes all Ferns with oblong, linear, 
 oblique, naked sori, thus including species with both free 
 and anastomosing venation, under which he describes 
 seventy-five species, thus making it a more unnatural 
 genus than when it was in its original state ; he, however, 
 divides them into six sections, the last including the genus 
 Selliguea of Bory, which belongs to the division Eremobrya, 
 and therefore has no natural relationship with Gymno- 
 gramma. With regard to true Gymnogramma, I consider it 
 best to adopt, so far as I find convenient, Link and Fee's 
 generic names as sectional names only. 
 
 1. Fronds simple, entire, reniform, smooth (Pterozonium, Fee). 
 G. reniformis, Mart. Hook. Second Cent, of Ferns, t. 9. 
 
 2. Fronds simple, entire, linear lanceolate, smooth (Asple- 
 
 nitis, J. 8m.'). 
 G. marginata, Mett. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 159 
 
 3. Fronds pinnate or lipinnate, densely villose with arti- 
 
 culated hairs. 
 
 G. rufa, Desv. (v v.) ; G. tomentosa, Desv. (v v.) ; G. 
 pedata, Kaulf. 
 
 4. Fronds pinnate or lipinnate, 2 to 4 feet high pinnae 
 
 bi-tripinnate, segments entire, covered with white or 
 yellow farina on the under side (Trismeria^ Fee). 
 G. trifoliata, Desv. (v v.) Hook. Gard. Ferns, t. 4. 
 
 5. Fronds 1i-tripinnate, 1 to 3 feet in length, ultimate seg- 
 
 ments numerous, small, lobed, dentate or serrate, the 
 whole of the frond, in some, under side only covered 
 with white or yellow farina (Oeropteris, Link.) 
 
 * Farina white. 
 
 G. ornithopteris, Klot. (v v ) ; G. tartarea, Desv. (v v.) ; 
 G. peruviana, Desv. (v v.) ; G. calomelanos, Kaulf. (v v.) ; 
 G. pulchella, Linden's Cat. (v v.) ; G. rosea, Desv. 
 
 ** Farina yellow. 
 
 G. triangularis, Kaulf. (v v.) ; G. chiysophylla, Kaulf. 
 (v v.) ; G. L'Herminieri, Bory. (v v.) ; G. Martensii, Kaulf. 
 (v v.) ; G. sulphurea, Desv. (v v.) ; G. decomposita, Bak. 
 Hort. Kew. 
 
 6. Fronds li-tripinnate, 4 to 10 inches high, smooth, fragile 
 
 (Anogramma, Link.). 
 
 G. leptophylla, Desv. (v v.) ; G. chaerophjlla, Desv. (v v.) ; 
 G. conspersa, Kze. (v v.) ; G. microphylla, Kze. (v v.) ; G. 
 Pearcei, Moore (v v.). 
 
 7. Fronds pinnatifid, pinnate, or tripinnate, multifid, pilose, 
 
 lanose, or viscose glandulose, from a few inches to 2 to '3 
 feet in length (Pleurosorus, Fee). 
 G. trichomanoides, /. Sm., Mss., Indian Fil. Fronds 2 
 
160 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 to 3 inches long 1 , linear pinnatifid, densely covered with 
 clavate viscid glands. Ceylon. 
 
 G. rutsefolia, Hook, and Grev., Ic. Fil, t. 90 (v v.) (G. 
 glandulosa, Hook, and Grev., Ic. Fil., t. 91) ; G. Pozoi, Kze., 
 Hook. Ic. t. 935 ; G. immersa, Moore ; G. papaverifolia, 
 Kze. ; G. Schomburghkiana, Kze. ; G. ottonis, Klot. ; G. 
 filipendulsefolia, Desv. ; G. incisa, Mart, and Lind. ; G. my. 
 riophylla, Sw.; G. flabellata, Hook.; G. ferruginea, Kze. 
 (vv.); G. Hookeri, J. 8m., Hook. Syn. Fil. ; G. aureo- 
 nitens, Hook. Ic., t. 820 ; G. Matthewsii, Hook., Hook. Sp. 
 Fil, 5, t. 290. 
 
 8. Vernation sarmentose. Fronds indefinite, climbing, li- 
 tripinnate, rachis flexuose, pinnce refracted, pinnules 
 small, cuneiform. Ampelogramma, J. Sin. 
 
 G. flexuosa, Desv. (vv.) (G. retrofracta, Hook, and Grev., 
 Bot. Misc., 13, t. 112). 
 
 The above are the principal representatives of the genus, 
 with few exceptions they are natives of the West Indies and 
 Tropical America, extending to Chili ; one of them, G. 
 calomelanos, is found in Western Tropical Africa, and also 
 in Mauritius, but is believed to have been introduced. 
 G. leptopliylla, a small annual, has still wider geographical 
 range, being found in Jersey, South of Europe, and regions 
 of the Mediterranean, Western African Islands, Tropical 
 America, South Africa, India (Neilgherries), and New 
 South Wales ; and G. Pozni, a native of the South of 
 Europe, is represented in New South Wales and New 
 Zealand by G. rutoR/olia and G. glandulosa. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 161 
 
 71. CONIC-GRAMMA. Fee. (1854). 
 Gymnogramma sp. auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Grammitis, Wall. 
 
 Vernation decumbent, sub-sarmentose. Fronds contiguous, 
 pinnate, or bi-pinnate, 2 to 5 feet high, smooth, pinnae 
 and pinnules broad, elliptical lanceolate, distant, smooth. 
 Veins forked, parallel, free. Eeceptacles medial, elongated, 
 occupying nearly the whole length of the venules. Sori 
 linear, forked, contiguous, naked. 
 
 Type. Gymnogramma javanica, Blume. 
 
 Illust. Blume Fil. Jav., p. 95, t. 41 and 42 ; J. Sm., 
 Fern, Brit, and For., fig. 51. 
 
 OBS I agree with Fee in thinking that this magnificent 
 Fern is worthy of being considered as a distinct genus ; its 
 decumbent vernation distinguishes it from true Gymno- 
 gramma. It presents three distinct forms, which have 
 been named as species, but they are united in the " Species 
 Filicum." According to Hooker they are found in the 
 Malayan Archipelago, India, Ceylon, and West Tropical 
 Africa, and Sandwich Islands. 
 
 Sp. C. javanica, Blume (v v.) ; C. serrulata, Blume ; 
 C. procera, Wall. 
 
 Sect. 3. CRYPTOGRAMMJ:. 
 
 Veins forked, sporangiferous nearly their whole length 
 or their upper portion only, included under the involute 
 margin of the segments, which are often contracted, the 
 margins conniving, forming a universal indusium. 
 
 72. -LLAVEA, Lag. (1816). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Ceratodactylis, J. Sm., 1839. 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds tri-quad- 
 ripinnate, 1 to 2 feet long, smooth, contracted and fertile 
 
162 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 above. Sterile pinnules oblong, elliptical, oblique sub- 
 cordate, serrulate, 1 to 1J inches in length. Veins forked ; 
 venules free. Fertile pinnules linear, 2 to 3 inches long, 
 revolute, margins conniving and forming an universal 
 indusium. Sporangia occupying nearly the whole length 
 of the short venules, forming linear forked confluent sori. 
 
 Type. Llavea cordifolia, Lagasca. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 36 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 53, A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 52 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 3, fig. 28. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a Fern which I originally 
 described in Hooker and Bauer's "Genera Filicum" as a 
 new genus, under the name of Ceratodactylis, without at 
 the time being aware that it had been previously described 
 under the name of Llavea, by Lagasca. In habit the sterile 
 portion of the frond resembles Osmunda regalis, and the 
 fertile pinnules by their revolute membraneous margins, 
 have much the character of the fertile pinnae of Strutldop- 
 teris and Allosorus, while the forked linear sori gives it a 
 claim to be associated with Gymnogramma. 
 
 Sp. L. cordifolia, Lag. (v v.) (Ceratodactylis osmundioides, 
 J. Sm. Hook, and Bauer, I. c.). 
 
 This Fern has only been found near Oaxaca in Mexico. 
 
 73. PLAGIOGTRIA, Mett. (1858). 
 Lomaria sp. Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose, naked. Fronds 
 pinnate, l to 2 feet high, dimorphus ; stipes 3 or 4 
 sided, thickened at the base, and furnished with spongy 
 glands ; sterile pinna3 4 to 6 inches long, lanceolate acu- 
 minate, sessile or with a short petiole and articulate with 
 the rachis. Veins simple or forked. Fertile frond con- 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 163 
 
 tracted ; pinnae rachiform. Venules evident contiguous, 
 parallel, and sporangiferous nearly their whole length. 
 Sporangia confluent, forming a broad, transverse, compound 
 sorus. Indusium narrow, attached on the interior edge of 
 the margin, involute. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum triquetrum, Wall. 
 
 OBS. In my herbarium Acrostichum triquetrum of Wallich 
 and the species now associated with it long stood as a distinct 
 group of Lomaria, and had also been early noticed as 
 such by Kunze, and afterwards by Mettenius, who separated 
 them as a distinct genus under the above name, in allusion 
 to the obliquity of the ring of the sporangia ; but this I 
 find to be only partially the case in one species, and as a 
 generic character I consider it not worthy of consideration. 
 
 Six species are at present known referable to this genus, 
 which in the " Species Filicum " are retained as a section 
 of Lomaria, with which they agree in general aspect, but 
 are destitute of squama? and are peculiar in the base of the 
 stipes being swollen ; as also the fertile segments not being 
 furnished with a transverse anastomose, the venules rising 
 direct from the costa, and bearing the sporangia nearly 
 their whole length, sufficiently distinct to be viewed as 
 linear sori, similar to that of Gymnogramma, but differing 
 in being furnished with a re volute indusium as in Lomaria. 
 Under these circumstances I find it difficult to determine 
 its natural position ; the character of the fertile pinnae, 
 however, indicates its affinity to be with Llavea. 
 
 Sp. P. triquetra (Wall.) (Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 165) ; 
 P. adnata (Bl.\ Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 51 (Hook. Sp. Fil. t 
 3, t. 147) ; P. glauca (Bl.), Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 90 ; 
 P. pycnophylla (Kze.\ Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 52 (Hook. Sp. 
 Fil., 3, t. 148); P. euphlebia (Kze.) (Hook. Seed. Cent., t. 
 89) ; P. biserrata (Mett). 
 
164 CHARACTEES OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 OBS. The last named is a native of Mexico, Cuba, and 
 other parts of Tropical America, the other five are natives 
 of India, Malayan Peninsula and islands, and Japan. 
 
 74. PLATYLOMA, /. 8m. (1841). 
 
 Pellcea, sp. Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, erect or decumbent, acaulose. Fronds 
 pinnate or bipinnate, smooth, 1, 2, or more feet high ; 
 segments articulate with the rachis. Veins forked, their 
 venules free, their upper portion sporangiferous, forming 
 oblong sori, which become laterally confluent, forming a 
 broad compound, continuous, marginal sorus, sub-included 
 under the revolute indusa3form margin of the segments, 
 which in some is very narrow. 
 
 Type. Adiantum paradoxum, R. Br. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 115, A ; Hook. 
 Fil. Exot., t. 21 and 48 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 52 B ; 
 J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 92. 
 
 OBS. Hitherto the species of this genus stood under 
 the tribe Pteridece, but the sporangia being borne on free 
 veins, and as they agree in habit and general aspect with 
 Llavea, I therefore deem this section their natural place ; 
 but I must remark that several species of the genus Pellcea 
 have a strong claim of relationship with Platyloma, and 
 are only distinguished from the latter by the sporangia 
 being- borne on the combined apices of the veins, forming a 
 continuous sorus on the axis of the indusium, as in true 
 Pteris. 
 
 This genus consists of about a dozen species, widely 
 distributed, being represented in Australia, New Zealand, 
 South Africa, as also tropical and temperate North America. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 165 
 
 * Fronds pinnate. 
 
 P. Brownii, J. Sm. (v v.) (Adiantum paradoxum, JR. Br.) ; 
 P. falcata (R. Br.) (v v.) ; P. rotundifolia (Forst.) (v v.) ; 
 P. Bridgesii (Hook.) 
 
 ** Fronds Hpinnate or more compound. 
 
 P. atropurpurea (Linn.) (v v.) ; P. sagittata (Cav.) ; 
 P. cordata (Cav.) P. calomelaiios (Sw.) (v v.) ; P. dura 
 (Hook.) ; P. flexuosa (Kaulf.) (v v.) ; P. andromedeefolia 
 (Kaulf.) 
 
 OBS. In the " Synopsis Filicum," P. flexuosa is made a 
 synonym of P. cordata, but in cultivation they are seen to 
 be quite distinct, P. flexuosa being scandent like Lygodium, 
 and attaining considerable length. 
 
 75. CINCINALTS, Desv. in part. (1811.) 
 Nothochlcena sp. Hook. Sp. Fil, 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds tripinnate, 
 4 to 12 inches high, slender, pinnee distant, spreading, 
 pinnules ovate, hastate-lobed or trifoliate, plain, smooth, 
 glaucous, or farinose. Veins forked, free. Receptacles 
 terminal. Sporangia, large, globose, sessile, few, in a 
 short series on the upper portion of the venules, becoming 
 laterally confluent, forming a broad sub-entire marginal 
 sorus. Indusium narrow, rudimentary only. 
 
 Type. Pteris nivea, Swartz. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, t. 76, A ; Fee Gen. Pil., 5, t. 30 ; 
 J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 90. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of about six species of small 
 delicate Ferns, which, under cultivation, are almost annuals, 
 but are freely propagated by spores ; in habit they re- 
 semble Platyloma calomelanos and its allies, but are more 
 
166 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 delicate, their imperfect indusium and broad compound 
 sorus shows them to be related to Platyloma. 
 
 They are natives of Tropical America, extending from 
 Chili to Mexico. 
 
 * Fronds smooth. 
 
 C. tenera, Fee (Bot. Mag., t. 3055) (v v.) ; C. pulchella, 
 /. 8m. (v v.) (Mart, and Gal. Fil. Hex., t. 10, /. 1) ; C. 
 Fendleri, Kze. 
 
 ** Fronds farinose. 
 
 C. nivea, Desv. (v v.) (Kze. Fil., t. 22, /. 1 ; Lowe's Ferns, 
 1, t. 19, C.) ; C. Hookeri, /. Sm. (Lowe's Ferns, t. 10, /. 1) 
 (v v.) ; C. dealbata, Kze. ; C. flavens, Desv. (v v.) (Gymno- 
 gramma, HooJc. Fil. Exot., t. 47). 
 
 76. ALLOSORUS, Bernh. (1806). 
 Cryptogramma, R. Br., 1823 ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, ceespitose, acaulose. Fronds of two 
 forms, 6 to 10 inches high, tri-quadripinnatifid. Fertile 
 segments contracted, oblong or linear, 1^ inch in length, 
 margins membranous, revolute, oppositely conniving, 
 forming a universal indusium. Veins forked, free. Recep- 
 tacles terminal, elongated, or punctiform, becoming laterally 
 confluent, forming a broad or narrow transverse sorus on 
 each side of the mid-rib, and both included under the 
 universal indusium forming a siliqua. 
 
 Type. Pteris crispa, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, t. 115 B. ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 
 53 B, and 54, A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 
 89 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 3, fig. 29. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded upon the well-known Euro, 
 pean Fern, Pteris crispus, of Linnaeus, and is represented 
 in Himalaya by A. Brunoniana, and in North West America 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 167 
 
 by A. acrostichoides and A. Stelleri, all of which are in the 
 " Species Filicum " considered as representing- one species 
 only. Many other species have been added from time to 
 time to this genus, but, on account of their having a spe- 
 cially well-defined indusium, are now most of them referred 
 to the genera Cheilanthes and Pellcea, several of which, such 
 as Pellcea marginata and P. angmtifolia, have a strong 
 claim in habit to be associated with Allosorus. Their 
 special indusium however marks them as being distinct, the 
 terminal oblong sori of Allosorus indicates its relationship 
 to be with Gymnogramma. 
 
 Sp. A. crispus, Bernh. (v v.) ; A. Brunoniana, Wall. ; 
 A. acrostichoides, R. Br. ; A. Stelleri, Rupr. (Pteris gracilis, 
 Micnx ) ; A. glauca, Cav. (Pellcea hirsuta, Hook. Syn. Fil.). 
 
 OBS. The last two species are placed under Pellcea in 
 the " Synopsis Filicum." See observation under Pellcea 
 for my reason for placing them here. 
 
 77. JAMESONIA, Hook, and Grev. (1831). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation sarmentose, slender, elongating, naked, sub- 
 hypogeous, Fronds short stipate, distant, linear, pinnate, 
 erect, 1 to 1 foot long, rigid, densely covered with tomen- 
 tose articulate hairs when young ; pinnae numerous 
 subrotund, J to \ inch long, coriaceous, short petiolate, 
 generally deflexed, contiguous and imbricate, margin 
 re volute, indusaeform. Veins flabellately forked. Sporangia 
 occupying the lower part of the venules, forming short 
 sori, which become confluent into one central sorus, covered 
 with crinoid jointed hairs, and partially hid by the indusae- 
 form margin. 
 
 Type, Pteris imbricata, Cav. 
 
168 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Grev. Ic. Fil., t. 178 ; Hook, and 
 Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 13; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 55, A.; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 49. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a very peculiar Fern, 
 which 011 account of the reflexed margin of the pinnae was 
 referred to the genus Pteris by Swartz, but it having been 
 found that the sporangium was produced in the centre of 
 the pinnae, in the form of a single round sorus, led to its 
 being characterised as a distinct genus by Hooker and 
 Greville, under the above name, in the " Genera Filicum," 
 however, Sir William Hooker says that " Mr. Bauer's 
 dissections, and Mr. Smith's investigations, show that there 
 are several small sori, which eventually become confluent." 
 
 This is one of the peculiar Ferns spoken of at page 12 
 of the Introduction, that continue to form and develope 
 pinnae from the apex of the frond, which lengthens indefi- 
 nitely as long as the plant continues to receive influences 
 favourable to its growth. 
 
 It is found only in the Andean regions of Tropical 
 America, where it has a wide range, presenting different 
 appearances in the various localities in which it is found : 
 the different states being described by Kunze under at least 
 five distinct species, which in the " Species Filicum " are 
 considered as only synonyms of J. imlricata. Mr. Spruce, 
 however, who has studied them in their native localities 
 informs me that he considers there are at least two distinct 
 species, and also refers Gymnogramma elongata to this genus. 
 
 Sp. J. imbricata, Hook, and Grev. Ic. Fil., t. 178 (/. sea- 
 laris, Kunze Fil., t. 71 ; /. verticalis, Kunze Fil., t. 82 ; 
 /. canescens, Kunze, in Schk. supplt., t. 133 ; /. cinnamonea, 
 Kunze, in Schk. Fil. supplt. t. 71) ; J. elongata, Fee. 
 (Gymnogramma elongata, Hook., in Journ. of Sot., 1834, 
 p. 61, t. 119). 
 
CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 169 
 
 Jamesonia cannot be considered otherwise than a truly 
 aberrant genus ; according to my view its nearest relation- 
 ship appears to be with Gymno gramma, and its revolute 
 indusaeform margin seems to warrant its being placed in the 
 present section. 
 
 78. PLECOSORUS, Fee (1851). 
 Cheilanthes sp. Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds stipate, 
 lanceolate, li to 3 feet high, bi-tripinnatifid, densely pilo- 
 squamose ; pinnas numerous, contiguous, sessile, linear 
 lanceolate, 4 to 6 inches long ; pinnules oblong lanceolate, 
 5 to | of an inch long, laciniately lobed, lobes small, 
 margins inflexed, forming cucullate scariose universal 
 indusia. Veins forked, obscure ; venules free. Sporangia 
 sub-terminal. Sori punctiform, contiguous, included under 
 the cucullate indusia, ultimately confluent. 
 
 Type. Cheilanthes speciosissima, A. Braun. 
 
 Illust. Fee Gen. Fil., t. 13, fig. 1; Moore Ind. Fil., 
 p. 28, A. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a solitary species, a 
 native of Mexico. It is a Fern of peculiar aspect, pos- 
 sessing characters that makes its relationship doubtful. 
 The multifid and squamose fronds point towards Notho- 
 chloena and Cheilanthes, but from which it differs in having 
 lateral, intramarginal sori, which are involved in numerous 
 hair-like scales, and which, being included under the indu- 
 sesform margin, seems to indicate its affinity with Allosorus ; 
 under these circumstances I deem it best to place it in the 
 present section in proximity to Jamesonia. 
 
 Sp. P. speciosissima, Moore (P. mexicana, Fee; Cheilanthes 
 speciosissima, Kze. Analct., t. 23). 
 
170 CHAEACTEES OF TRIBES AND GENEEA. 
 
 Tribe 9. CEEATOPTERIDB^ (Plate 9). 
 
 This tribe consists of one species only, originally named 
 by Linnaeus AcrosticTium thalictroides, and by later botanists 
 it has been characterised under no less than nine different 
 generic and a dozen specific names. 
 
 79. CEEATOPTEEIS, Brongn. (1821). 
 Ellobocarpus, Kaulf. ; Parkeria, Hook. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose (plant annual). 
 Fronds fragile ; the fertile decompound ; segments forked, 
 linear ; margins revolute, membranaceous, conniving, 
 induseeform. Veins transversely elongated, distantly anas- 
 tomosing. Sporangia occupying the transverse venules, 
 superficial, large, disposed in a simple series, constituting 
 two linear sub-parallel sori. 
 
 Type. Ceratopteris thalictroides, Brongn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, 1. 12 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 94 A. ; 
 J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 60 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., 
 t. 3, fig. 32. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a very remarkable and 
 peculiar Fern, being one of the few that are annual. It is 
 found widely spread in the tropics of both hemispheres, 
 growing in wet places or even in shallow water, the sterile 
 fronds floating on the surface, and being viviparous, and with 
 the ready germination of the numerous spores, and rapid 
 growth of the fronds, makes it abundant in the places of its 
 growth. Besides the special habit of the plant, the sporangia 
 exhibit a peculiar structure, being large globose, and either 
 furnished with a broad nearly vertical or short imperfect 
 ring, which is described by some authors as horizontal, 
 and consequently has led Ceratopteris to be associated with 
 
n.9 
 
 W. H. Hbck, a el. et litk. 
 
 iciximp 
 
H.IO 
 
 c, 
 
 etlibk. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 171 
 
 Gleiclienece and Cyathece, with either of which it has no 
 natural relationship in habit. This may be termed a truly 
 paradoxical Fern, for I find it difficult to fix its position in 
 any sequence of genera ; its partially reticulated sori 
 seem to point to Hemionites, and the form of its fertile 
 segments to Llavea and Allosorus, I therefore place it in 
 proximity to these genera. 
 
 Sp. C. thalictroides, Brongn. (v v.) (farkeria Lockliarti, 
 Hook, and Grev., Ic. Fil., t. 97). 
 
 OBS. In the Fern houses at Kew this Fern sprouted 
 abundantly on all moist surfaces, and grew luxuriantly in 
 the Victoria Lily tanks. 
 
 Tribe ] 0. YITTARIE^] (Plate 10). 
 
 Fronds simple, entire. Veins simple, reticulated or 
 compound anastomosing, combined at the margin in a 
 sporangiferous receptacle, which is seated in a slit or 
 groove. 
 
 OBS.- This tribe contains about a dozen species of grass- 
 like Ferns, and as they do not well naturally associate with 
 other genera I follow Presl (in part) in ranking Vittariece 
 as a distinct tribe. Setting aside the difference of venation 
 as a divisional character, they would then rank with the 
 genera of the tribe Hymenolepidiece. 
 
 80. YITTARIA, 8m. (1793), Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 Haplopteris, Pr., 1836 ; Tceniopsis, J. Sm., 1841. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum, short, furnished with 
 hyaline scales. Fronds contiguous, caespitose, simple, linear, 
 grass or tape like, from a few inches to 2 or 3 feet in 
 length, often pendulous or rigid sub -erect. Veins simple, 
 
172 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 forming- an acute angle with the mid-rib, their apices pro- 
 longed into a transverse, marginal vein, which becomes 
 the receptacle. Sporangia seated in an extrose slit of the 
 margin which represents an indusium, forming a continuous 
 linear sorus. 
 
 Type. Vittaria lineata, Sm. 
 
 Ulust. Hook and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 76, B ; Moore, Ind. 
 Fil., p. 21 ; J. Sm. Brit, and For., fig. 56. 
 
 OBS. This genus is abundantly represented throughout 
 the tropics and sub-tropical regions of both hemispheres, 
 generally growing on trees, their pendulous linear fronds 
 looking like bunches of grass. A considerable number 
 of species have been described by different authors. 
 They differ very little in general appearance, the most 
 obvious difference consisting in the sporangia being seated 
 either in a slit of the margin open exteriorly, or in a groove, 
 formed by the margin being involute. In my " Genera of 
 Ferns," 1841, I separated the species possessing the latter 
 character from Vittaria, and characterised them as a genus 
 under the name of Tceniopsis, which I afterwards found 
 was synonymous with Haplopteris of Presl. Since then I 
 have examined numerous herbarium specimens, and find it 
 difficult in many cases to place them under the respective 
 genera, and as there is no difference in general habit, and 
 no practical advantage gained by the separation, I have re- 
 united them, and given up Tceniopsis as a genus. 
 
 M. Fee has adopted the same course in his memoir of 
 this genus, published in 1852. In that work he describes 
 twenty-five species, eighteen of which are exemplified by 
 figures. In his descriptions he attaches much importance 
 to the fronds being membraneous or coriaceous, and to the 
 mid-rib being more or less evident, but on comparing the 
 figures with one another and with specimens, they appear 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 173 
 
 to differ chiefly in degrees of length and breadth, the whole 
 presenting but few obvious points of difference of specific 
 value. He also attaches much importance to the different 
 forms of the abortive sporangia (paraphyses), the number 
 of articulations forming the ring, and the form of the 
 sporangia, but much more investigation is wanted before 
 these microscopic characters can be made available for 
 determining species. The following are the principal 
 well-marked species. 
 
 * Sporangia intramarginal Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 56, b. c. 
 Ex. V. scolopendrina (Pteris, 'Bory Haplopteris, Presl ; 
 Tceniopsis, J. Sm.) (v v.) ; V. falcata, Kze. ; Y. Gardneriana, 
 Fee ; Y. stipitata, Kze. ; Y. stricta, Carm. ; Y. lineata, Sw. 
 (v v.) (Tceniopsis, Bedd. F. 8. Ind., t. 54) ; Y. remota, Fee. 
 
 ** Sporangia in an extrose slit, margin not involute, 
 Hook. Syn. Fil, t. G,fy. 56 A. 
 
 Y. elongata, Sw. (V. zosterce/olia, Willd) (v v.) ; Y. ensi- 
 forrnis, Sw. 
 
 OBS. In the " Synopsis Filicum " this with eight other 
 species are included as synonyms of V. elongata. V. stricta 
 is a native of Tristan d'Acunha, and in general appearance 
 is similar to V. lineata, but differs in the short sarmen- 
 tum being covered with undulate, crisp squamae, not stiff 
 and filiform as in V. lineata. Specimens collected by 
 Griffiths in Bootan have the same kind of crisp squamas 
 as those from Tristan d'Acunha. 
 
 81. PTEROPSIS, Desv. in part (1827). 
 
 Pteris sp., Linn. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum short. Fronds contiguous, 
 simple, linear acuminate, 6 to 18 inches long, rigid, smooth. 
 
174 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Veins uniform, reticulated, forming transverse elongated, 
 hexagonoid areoles. Receptacles compital, elongated on the 
 exterior, transverse anastomose, forming a linear, con- 
 tinuous, marginal sorus. 
 
 Type. Pteris angustifolia, Swartz. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, t. 77 A. ; J. Sin., Ferns, Brit. 
 and For., fig. 58. 
 
 OBS. In general habit this genus agrees with Vittaria 
 and Antrophyum, being distinguished from the first by its 
 reticulated venation, and from Antrophyum by its strictly 
 transverse marginal sorus. As now restricted, the genus 
 consists of one species only ; a native of the West Indies, 
 and many parts of Tropical America. 
 
 Sp. P. angustifolia, Desv. (v v.) (Tcenitis, Hook. Sp. Fil). 
 
 82. DICTYOXIPHIUM, Hook. (1838). 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds simple, 
 linear-lanceolate, attenuated and decurrent on the stipes, 
 1 to 3 feet long. Veins compound anastomosing, trans- 
 versely combined at the margin by the sporangiferous 
 receptacle, which is seated in an unequal-sided extrorse 
 groove, the upper side being indusaBform and inflexed. 
 
 Type. Dictyoxiphiuin panamense, Hook. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 62.; J. Sin., 
 Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 59 ; Hook., Syn. Fil., t. 2, 
 fig. 30, b. c. ; Moore, Ind. Fil., p. 23 B. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a very distinct and 
 peculiar Fern, a native of the district of New Granada, and 
 the Isthmus of Panama on the coast of the Pacific. 
 
 It is with some hesitation that I place this genus in 
 alliance with Vittaria, from which it differs in having fas- 
 ciculate erect vernation, and in the veins being compound 
 
FIJI 
 
 J.N. "Fitch, imp. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENEEA. 175 
 
 anastomose, but agrees in the sporangia being seated in a 
 marginal groove. The upper of these is the largest, repre- 
 senting an indusium analogous to that of I/indscea, with 
 which it is associated in the " Species Filicum," but its 
 very different habit prevents its being associated with 
 Lindscea. It is otherwise peculiar in being the only Fern 
 in Desmobrya having transverse marginal sori, and com- 
 pound anastomosing venation. 
 
 Sp. D. panamense, Hook (v v.)., Hook. Fit. Exot., t. 54. 
 
 Tribe 11. PLEUROGRAMME^E (Plate 11). 
 
 Fronds simple, 1 to 10 and 12 inches in length, entire, 
 serrate, rarely dentate or laciniated. Sori linear, transverse 
 costal, or oblong sub-linear, oblique. 
 
 OBS. This tribe contains about thirty small, and with 
 the exception of a few, grass-like Ferns, and although the 
 character of the sori does not technically differ from 
 Gymnogramme, they nevertheless are so different in habit 
 that they do not form a natural connection with that 
 genus ; I therefore deem it best to characterise them as a 
 distinct tribe. 
 
 83. MONOGRAHMA, SchJc. (1809). 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum slender. Fronds simple, 
 distant, linear, graminoid, 1 to 4 inches high. Veinless. 
 Costa sporangiferous on its disk, or seated in a deep groove 
 on one or both sides, forming a continuous or interrupted 
 linear soris near the apex of the fronds, the margins of 
 which are generally more or less incurved. 
 
 Type. Monogramma graminea, Sclik. 
 
176 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Illnst. Schk., Fil., p. 82 ; Fee, Gen. Fil., p. 97, t. 9 B. ; 
 Moore's Ind. Fil., p. 13 A.; Hook., Syn. Fil., t. 6, 
 fig. 51, a. b. 
 
 OBS. This genus represents the simplest state of vena- 
 tion in Ferns, the fronds being so small and narrow that 
 no lateral veins are produced, the whole vascular structure 
 consisting of the mid-rib only. In the typical species of 
 the genus, M. graminea, the sporangia are produced on the 
 face of the mid-rib ; but in an additional species of recent 
 discovery, the sporangia are seated in grooves on each side 
 of the mid-rib, and although this is a very special cha- 
 racter, it nevertheless does not seem to me sufficient to 
 warrant their separation as a distinct genus. 
 
 Sp. M. graminea, Schk., Fil., p. 82, t. 9 ; M. trichoidea, 
 J". 8m. ; M. daresecarpa, Hook., Sp. Fil. 5, t. 287 A. ; 
 M. subfalcata, Hook., Sp. Fil. 5, t. 219 A. ; M. rostrata, 
 Hook., Sp. Fil. 5, t. 287 B. 
 
 OBS. These species are widely distributed, being found 
 in South Africa, Mauritius, Borneo, Philippines, New 
 Hebrides, also in the West Indies and Central America. 
 
 In M. trichoidea the line of the sporangia is interrupted, 
 forming several short sori, each included in a fold of the 
 frond, similar to a sheath, which M. Fee has considered 
 worthy of being characterised as a distinct genus which 
 he has named Vaginularea, but which I do not adopt. 
 
 84. DICLIDOPTERIS, 'Brack. (1854). 
 Monogramma sp. Hook. Sp. FiL 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum short. Fronds con- 
 tiguous, caespitose, linear, 6 to 12 inches long, narrow, 
 graminoid, flaccid, with a central costa and sub-parallel vein 
 on each side, which are sporangiferous nearly their whole 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 177 
 
 length, forming a continuous linear immersed sorus on 
 each side of the mid-rib, and which become confluent. 
 
 Type. Diclidopteris angustissima, Brackenridge. 
 
 lllust. Brack., United States Expl. Exped. XVI. 135, 
 t. 17 ; Moore, Ind. Fil., p. 13, B. 
 
 OBS. The grass-like fronds of this Fern not exceeding 
 a line in width, renders it difficult to determine the exact 
 nature of its venation. Careful examination induces me 
 to draw up the above character, which agrees with that 
 given by Brackenridge ; but in the " Species Filicum " the 
 line of sporangia are described as only occupying one side 
 of the costa. 
 
 Sp. D. angustissima, Brack. (Monogramma Junghulmii, 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 5, t. 289, B ; Bedd. F. 8. Ind., pi 210). 
 
 Native of Ceylon, Java, Philippines and Polynesian 
 Islands. 
 
 85. PLEUROGRAMMA, Presl. (1836). 
 Monogramma sp. Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Taenitis sp. Kaulf. 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds caespitose, 
 1 to G inches high, simple linear or forked, opaque, the 
 upper portion concave or folded. Veins in the lower part 
 simple, direct, oblique, the upper or fertile part absent. 
 Sporangia produced in a line on each side of the costa, 
 becoming confluent, forming a central sorus. 
 Type. Pleurogramma linearis, Presl. 
 
 lllust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil, t. 75, A; Schott., 
 Gen. Fil., t. 17, under Cochlidium ; Moore, Ind. Fil., 
 p. 14, A; Hook., Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 51, c. d. 
 OBS. This as a genus differs from Monogramma by the 
 presence of lateral veins, and in the sporangia being pro- 
 duced in a line on each side of, and close to, the mid-rib, 
 also in having fasciculate vernation. 
 N 
 
178 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Sp. P. linearis, Pr. ; P. graminifolia, Pr. (Tcenitis grami- 
 nifolia, Hook. Exot. Fil., t. 77) ; P. seminuda, /. Sm. 
 (Grammitis seminuda, Willd. ; P. pumila, Pr.) ; P. furcata, 
 J. Sm. (Grammitis, Sw. ; Monogramma furcata, Desv. ; 
 Cocnlidium graminoides, Kaulf., Schott. Gen. Fil., t. 19). 
 
 Small grass-like Ferns, growing in tufts ; natives of 
 the West Indies and Tropical America. 
 
 86 HECISTOPTERIS, J. Sm. (1842). 
 Gymnogramma sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation sarmentose, slender, squamose, producing the 
 fronds in fascicles. Fronds simple, linear, cuneiform, forked 
 or more divided (palmoid), half an inch to 2 inches high, 
 plane. Veins simply or flabellately forked, radiating from 
 an evanescent costa ; venules terminating in the lacinas, 
 sporangiferous nearly their whole length, forming linear, 
 simple or forked sori. 
 
 Type. Gymnogramma pumila, Spreng. 
 
 Illust. Fee, Gen Fil., t. 16 B. ; Hook., Seed. Cent, of 
 Ferns, t. 8. 
 
 OBS. This small Fern was originally described by 
 Sprengel as a species of Gymnogramma ; but as it did not 
 appear to me to form any natural alliance with any of the 
 groups of species of that genus, I, therefore, in the Journal 
 of Botany for 1842, deemed it best to characterise it as a 
 distinct genus. The fronds in some states being simple, 
 and bearing only one sorus, seems to indicate its relation- 
 ship with Monogramma and Pleurogramma. 
 
 Sp. H. pumila, /. 8m. (Gymnogramma, Spreng., Kze. 
 Analec.,t.S,f.l). 
 
 West Indies, Central America, Guiana, Brazil. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 179 
 
 87. XIPHOFTERIS, Kaulf. (1824). 
 Grammitis sp. Sw. ; Polypodium sp,, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation sarmentose, slender, sub-ascending. Fronds 
 contiguous, sub-fasciculate, 2 to 6 inches high, linear, 
 dentate- serrate, or pinnatifid below, sub-entire, and plicate 
 or nearly plane above. Veins simple, free, very short. 
 Sporangia borne on the short venules, forming oblong sori 
 conniving with the mid-rib, included in the plicate apex of 
 the frond. 
 
 Type. Grammitis serrulata, Swartz. 
 
 Illust. Hook., Gard. Ferns, t. 44 ; Hook., Exot. Fil., 
 t. 78 ; Moore, Ind. Fil., p. 14 B. ; J. Sm., Ferns 
 Brit, and For., fig. 48. 
 
 OBS. Distinguished from Pleurogramma by the sori 
 being oblong and diverging from the mid-rib, but becoming 
 confluent. 
 
 Sp. X. serrulata, Kaulf. (v v.) ; X. myosuroides, Kaulf. 
 X. Jamesoni, Hook. Second Cent. Ferns, t. 14. 
 
 OBS. In the " Species Filicum " the above three species 
 are considered as forms of one only. As regards X. Jame- 
 soni (of which I have not seen specimens), it is said that 
 the texture is so rigid that the thread-like mid-rib remains 
 after the pinnae fall. This singularity appears to me to be 
 sufficient to mark it as a distinct species. They have a wide 
 geographical range through Tropical America, the West 
 Indies, Sandwich Islands, and also West Tropical Africa ; 
 X. serrulata being one of the few Ferns common to both 
 Continents. 
 
 88. GRAMMITIS, Sw., in part (1800). 
 Polypodium sp., auct., and Hook Sp. Fil. 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose or sarmentose. 
 Fronds linear-lanceolate, entire, rarely sub-pinnatifid, plane, 
 
180 CEAEACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENEEA. 
 
 opaque, smooth or pilose, 6 to 10 inches high. Veins 
 simple or forked, generally clavate, free ; the anterior 
 venule fertile. Receptacles elongated, medial terminal. Sori 
 ovate, oblong or linear, oblique, sometimes punctiform, 
 transverse uniserial. 
 
 Type. Grammitis australis, E. Br. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 72 B. ; Hook, and 
 Grev., t. 62 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 49, fig. 1 to 4 ; J. Sm. 
 Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 47. 
 
 OBS. Grammitis was first established by Swartz in his 
 " Synopsis Filicum" in 1806, where he enumerates twelve 
 species, all agreeing in having, " Capsulas in lineolis rectis, 
 sparsis. Indusia nulla," but differing in habit and venation 
 so much that succeeding authors have distributed the whole 
 except G. marginella amongst seven different genera. 
 Since Swartz's time the discoveries of Blume and others 
 have added many species possessing the same habit and 
 character as G. marginella, and when grouped together 
 these form a very natural genus, all having simple linear 
 fronds of grass like appearance, and oblique oblong or 
 linear naked sori in a single row on each side of the mid- 
 rib. The form of the sorus, however, as in other cases 
 is not always oblong or linear, but sometimes quite round 
 (punctiform) and then does not differ technically from 
 Polypodium, in which the group is placed by Mettenius, 
 and followed by Sir William Hooker in his "Species' 
 Filicum." This amalgamation is due to these authors 
 adopting the form of the sori alone as the distinguishing 
 character for the genus Polypodium, thus including all Ferns 
 with round or oblong naked sori without regarding the 
 extraordinary disparity in the size, form, and mode of 
 growth of the numerous species. Thus the present group 
 having fronds like blades of grass are associated in the 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 181 
 
 same genus with Drynaria and Phegopteris of this work. 
 Under Grammites I comprehend all the simple linear- 
 fronded forms having free veins and one row of sori 
 on each side of the mid-rib, the sori being more or less 
 oblong or linear or sometimes even punctiform, the single 
 row being the chief distinction between it and Ctenopteris. 
 This latter genus, however, also contains a few single- 
 fronded species, but they have a higher degree of develop- 
 ment, the fronds being normally pinnatifid and each lacirise 
 having its mid-vein with soriforous venules on each side. 
 
 Blume, in his " Flora Javanica," figures and describes 
 no less than twelve species of Grammitis as natives of Java. 
 Not having seen specimens of many of these, and the 
 figures being much alike, I am quite unable to arrive at a 
 satisfactory conclusion regarding them. Sir William 
 Hooker also appears not very satisfied with many of them. 
 It can only be by careful examination and comparing them 
 one with another in a living state, either in their native 
 country or brought together under cultivation, that the 
 species can be determined, they are widely dispersed, 
 being found in both hemispheres, the greater number 
 are found in the Malayan Islands, and extending to 
 Australia. 
 
 Sp. G. tenella, Kaulf; G. furcata, Hook, and Grev. ; G. 
 Zeylanica, Fee ; G. marginella, Swartz. (v v.) ; G. aus- 
 ' tralis, E. Br. (v v.) ; G. attenuata, Kunze. ; G. fasciata, 
 Blume ; G. sessilifolia, Hook. ; G. hirta, Blume ; G. con- 
 formis, Brack and Hook. ; G. setigera, Hook, and Arn. ; 
 G. fasciculata, Blume; G. Sprucei, Hook. 2nd Cent, of 
 Ferns, t. 6 ; G. organensis, Gardn. Hook. Ic. Pl. t t. 509 ; 
 G. subpinnatifida, Blume. 
 
182 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 89. CALYMMODON, Presl. (1836). 
 
 Grammites, Blume ; Plectopteris, Fee ; Polypodium, sp. Hook. 
 Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, acaulose. Fronds linear lanceolate, 
 2 to 4 inches high, inch wide, pinnatifid, the upper 
 segments folded longitudinally, forming a cyst, and fertile. 
 Veins one in each segment and sporangiferous, forming 
 oblong sori, included in the fold of the segments. 
 
 Type. Grammites cucullata, Blume. 
 
 Illust. Blume, Fl. Jav., t. 50, f. 3 ; Fee, Gen., p. 230, 
 t. 19, B ; Moore, Ind. Fil., p. 50, A. 
 
 OBS. This genus, founded on Grammites cucullata of 
 Blume, is readily distinguished from its congeners by the 
 segments being folded, forming a cuculus or cyst, including 
 the sori. Two species possess the above character ; natives 
 of Ceylon, Java, Borneo, and Philippine Islands. 
 
 Sp. C. cucullatus, Blume ; C. clavifer, Hook. (Grammites, 
 Hook., Seed. Cent., t. 5). 
 
 90. LOMAPHLEBIA, /. 8m. 
 
 Grammites, sp. Sw. ; Sect. Chilopteris, Presl.; Polypodium, 
 sp. Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, acaulose. Fronds caespitose, stipate, 
 simple, linear, entire, smooth, opaque, 4 to 6 inches 
 high. Veins forked, apices of the venules combined 
 by a continuous transverse marginal vein, the exterior 
 venules of each fork fertile, bearing ovate, oblong oblique 
 sori. 
 
 Type. Grammitis linearis, Swartz. 
 
 Illust. Schk. Fil., t. 7. 
 
 OBS. The species on which this genus is founded, with 
 
PI. 12 
 
 J.N."Fitohimp 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AED GENERA. 183 
 
 others, form the section Chilopteris of the genus Grammitis 
 of Presl, but if he has had true specimens of G. linearis 
 under observation, he has not noticed the connecting- mar- 
 ginal vein which is peculiar to this species, and which has 
 also been overlooked by the author of the " Species Filicum ;" 
 and, as connecting marginal veins are admitted as of suffi- 
 cient value to constitute genera, such as Aconiopteris, Olfe>rsia, 
 and Neottopteris, I therefore use this peculiarity in this 
 group of Ferns to characterise Lomaphlebia as a distinct 
 genus. 
 
 Sp. L. linearis, Swartz, Syn. Fil. (Polypodium gramineum, 
 Sw., Fil. Flor. Ind. Occ. ; Hook., Sp. Fil., 4, p. 165). 
 
 Native of Jamaica. 
 
 Tribe 12. CTENOPTERIDE^E (Plate 12). 
 
 Fronds linear, repand sinuose, moniliform or pinnatifid, 
 rarely pinnate, or more compound, from an inch to 
 a foot or more in length. Feins free, sori punctiform, 
 naked. 
 
 OBS. This tribe embraces a group of small, slender 
 Ferns, consisting of about 50 or 60 species, but in many 
 cases the difference is so slight that it becomes difficult to 
 determine the exact number of distinct species. In the 
 " Species Filicum " they are all placed under Polypodium, 
 in the section Eupoly podium, which embraces all free- 
 veined species without regard to the vernation being 
 articulate or adherent. They present two forms of 
 vernation, the greater portion being fasciculate, forming 
 caespitose tufts, a few being sarmentose, with the fronds 
 more or less distant. 
 
184 CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 91. CTENOPTERIS, Bl. (1828). 
 
 Polypodium sect. Ctenopteris Blume ; Polypodium sp. auct. 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, acaulose or sarmentose. Fronds 
 linear lanceolate, sinuose, or more or less deeply pinnatifid 
 or pinnate, rigid, erect, or thin and pendulous ; segments 
 entire, dentate, or laciniated. Veins simply forked, ris'ng 
 from the mid-rib of each segment or lacinee, obscure, free. 
 Receptacles terminal. Sori punctiform, solitary, .or few in 
 each lacinae or uniserial, often becoming confluent, naked. 
 
 Type. Polypodium trichomanoides, Swartz. 
 
 lllust. Hook, and Grev., Ic. Fil., t. 223. ; Schk., Fil., 
 t. 10. 
 
 OBS. This genus contains the principal number of the 
 species which represent this tribe ; as already stated, the 
 greater number of them are very uniform in appearance, 
 differing chiefly in being smooth, or more or less pilose, 
 and in the difference of the number of sori produced on 
 each lacinae or pinnae. They are natives principally of 
 the West Indies and Tropical America, but a few are 
 found in the Indian and Malayan regions. 
 
 * Fronds sinuose pinnatifid. Segments entire. 
 
 1. Trichomanoid Group. 
 
 Sp. C. trichosora (Hook.) ; C. jubseformis (Kaulf.) ; C. 
 flabelliformis (Lam.) ; C. trichomanoides (Sw.), Bedd. F. 
 Brit. Ind., pi. 2 ; C. confusa, /. Sm. t 1839, Lond. Journ. 
 Bot. !., p. 194 ; C. subtilis (Kze.) ; C. truncicola (Klot.) ; 
 C. delicatula (Mart.) ; C. solidum (A'ze), Mett. Polyp. , 
 
 t.i,'fy.i. 
 
 2. Moniliform Group. 
 
 C. moniliformis (Lagasc.) C. peruviana (Desv) ; C. 
 rigescens (Bory) ; C. firma (Klot.). 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 185 
 
 3. Plumula Group. 
 
 C. subscabra (Klot) ; C. leucosticta (Fee) ; C. plumula 
 {H. B. K.) ; C. mollicola (Bl.) ; C. parvula (Bory) ; C. 
 nutans (BL). 
 
 4. Pendula Group. 
 
 C. discolor (Hook.) ; C. pendula (Sw.) ; C. Adenophorus 
 (Hook.) ; C. pteropus (Hook.). 
 
 ** Segments dentate serrate or pinnatifid. 
 
 5. Grammitidis Group. 
 
 C. glandulosa (Hook.) C. subfalcata (Bl.) ; C. Lobbiana 
 (Hook.) ; C. achilljefolia (Kaulf.) ; C. tenuisecta (Bl.) ; C. 
 grammitidis (R. Br.) (Grammitis heterophylla, Lalill.). 
 
 6. Gracile Group. 
 
 C. decipiens (Hook.) ; C. gracile (Hook.) ; C. funicula 
 (fee)-, C. pilipes (Hook.), Hook. Ic. PL, t. 221. 
 
 OBS. The genus is represented in New Zealand and 
 Tasmania, by C. grammitidis, which has ovate sori, and may 
 be viewed as a multifid-fronded species of Grammitis. As 
 regards C. trichomanoides, it is common throughout the 
 tropics of the Western Hemisphere, and the different 
 appearances it assumes have led to some of the forms 
 being described as distinct species. It is also found in 
 Sikkim Himalaya, but it is probable that if we had the 
 opportunity of seeing living plants from the different 
 localities, characters might present themselves to show 
 that they are distinct species. Indeed, all that is known 
 of the species of this genus is derived from herbarium 
 specimens only, no living species having yet been intro- 
 duced into this country. 
 
186 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 92. MICROPTERIS, J. Sm. (non Desv.). 
 Polypodium, sp., auct., and Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum slender, filiform, elonga- 
 ted. Fronds distant, 1 to 3 inches high, linear, gramineous 
 serrate or pinnate, opaque, rigid. Sori punctiform or 
 slightly oval, terminal, solitary in each segment. 
 
 Type. Polypodium fallax, Schleclit. 
 
 Illust. Mett. Polyp., t. 1., f. 4 to 6. 
 
 OBS. The above character comprehends three very small 
 Ferns, specially differing from each other by the fronds 
 being simple and grass like in one, serrate-pinnatifid in 
 another, and pinnate in the third, but agreeing so closely 
 in their mode of growth and structure, that I deem it best 
 to associate them together as a distinct genus, and this I do 
 the more readily in consequence of their not possessing, 
 either collectively or individually, direct affinity with any 
 other genus. 
 
 * Fronds linear, entire. 
 
 Sp. M. graminoides, J". Sm. 
 
 ** Fronds linear, serrate. 
 
 Sp. M. monticole, Klot. 
 
 *** Fronds pinnate, pinnce cuneiform. 
 
 Sp. M. fallax, Schlecht. 
 
 These three species are very local, the first being found 
 in Jamaica, the second in Columbia, and the third in 
 Mexico. 
 
 93. ADENOPHORUS, Gaud. (1826). 
 Polypodium sp. auct., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 Vernation sarmentose. Fronds contiguous, caespitose, bi- 
 sub-tripinnatifid, 3 to 11 inches high, oblong lanceolate, 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 187 
 
 rigid, erect, covered with clavate glands, lacinae small 
 oblong spathulate, each furnished with a clavate venule, 
 which is sporangiferous on the apex. Sori round, solitary 
 on each lacinge. 
 
 Type. AdenopJiorus tripinnatifidus, Gaud. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Grev., t. 174, 175, 176 (sub. Adeno- 
 phorus), Fee Gen. Fil., t. 10, A, fig. 1. 
 
 OBS. Gaudichaud, in Freycinet's Voyage, was the first 
 to describe this genus, the speciality being the peculiar 
 rigid habit and glandulose nature of the fronds. But 
 owing to the sori not differing in character from Polypo* 
 dium, as defined by early authors, has led it to be placed 
 by Sir W. Hooker, and other authors, under that genus ; 
 but I agree with Fee in retaining it as a distinct genus. 
 Three species are described ; but all being natives of the 
 Sandwich Islands, it is therefore probable that they may 
 only be different states of one species. 
 
 Sp. A. hymenophylloides (Kaulf.) ; A. tamarisci (Kaulj.) ; 
 A. tripinnatifidus (Gaud.) 
 
 94. GLYPHOT.ENIUM, J. Sm. (1854). 
 
 Ctenopteris (GlypTiotcenium) J. Sm. Bot. Voy. of Herald ; 
 Polypodium Hook. Sp. Fil. Goniopteris sp. Moore Ind. Fil. 
 
 Vernation sarmentose, short. Fronds fasciculate, linear, 
 sub-entire, sinuose repand, pendulous, 6 inches to 1J feet 
 long, 1 inch wide, villose, stipes slender, cylindrical. Veins 
 pinnate, forked, and arcuate, venules unequally anasto- 
 mosing, the superior ones free. Receptacles punctiform, 
 immersed on free veinlets, and terminal. Sori sub- 
 biserial or irregular. 
 
 Type. Glypliotcenium crispatum, J. Sm. 
 
188 CHAEACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Illust. Seeman Bot. Yoy. of H.M.S. Herald, p. 227, 
 t. 48. 
 
 OBS. At page 227 of the "Bot. of Yoy. Herald," I 
 described the Fern from which the above character is 
 derived, under the name of Ctenopteris (Glyphotcenium) 
 crispata, and stated that I considered it allied to Polypodium 
 scolopendroides, Hook, and Grev. and P. suspensum, Sw., 
 but from which it differs in having anastomose venation, 
 and its vernation being adherent, not articulate, as in these 
 two mentioned species ; I therefore deem it best to charac- 
 terise it as a distinct genus under the above name. These 
 characters, and the peculiar habit of the plant, renders it 
 difficult to point out its true affinity otherwise than in 
 Ctenopteris. It grows in a pendulous manner on trees in 
 Darien and Panama. 
 
 Sp. G. crispatum, J. Sm. 
 
 Tribe 13. PHEGOPTERIDB^B. (Plate 13). 
 
 Fronds varying from simple to decompound multifid. 
 Venation free or anastomosing in various ways. Sori 
 punctiform or linear, naked or furnished with an indusium, 
 which is either lateral, peltate, rarely calyciform. 
 
 OBS. This is an extensive tribe of Ferns, comprehending 
 all the Pliegopteris section of Polypodium and the tribe 
 Aspidiacece as given in the " Species Filicum," the number 
 being, as reduced in the " Synopsis," 366 ; while Mettenius, 
 in a special memoir of Phegopteris and Aspidium, enumerates 
 299*. In the greater number the vernation is fasciculate 
 and acaulose, and in others uniserial. With few exceptions 
 
 * In the Appendix to Syn. Fil. sixty-one species are enumerated, the 
 greater number of which belong to this tribe. 
 
PUS. A. 
 
 . H.^it&h, del. etlitK . 
 
 J.N.Ktdrxirrvp 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 189 
 
 they are epigeous, of a flaccid soft texture, easily affected 
 by drought ; the well-known Lastrea Filix-mas, L. Oreop- 
 teris, and L. dilatata being examples ; or they are more 
 firm, hard, and spiny, as in Polystichum aculeatum and 
 allies. 
 
 The most important divisional characters consist in the 
 veins being free or anastomosing in various ways, and in 
 the sori being naked or furnished with an indusium, which 
 in some is very small and fugacious, soon becoming obli- 
 terated, and which leads to some species being placed in 
 indusiate genera by some authors, while others place them 
 among the non-indusiate. 
 
 The normal character of the indusium is either lateral 
 (interiorly attached) or peltate ; in some multifid fronds, 
 such as Lastrea deparioides, the indusium appears to coincide 
 with the crenule or dent of the margin, so as to form a 
 cyst similar to that of Microlepia, and in Trichiocarpa it is 
 exserted beyond the margin in the form of a calyciform 
 cyst, as in Deparia. In AmpTiiblestra the sporangia are 
 produced in an irregular row close to the margin, which 
 is in flexed in the form of an indusium like that of Pteris, 
 but from which it differs entirely in habit and venation, 
 which is that of Aspidium ; and as regards Isoloma, 
 although it has marginal sori similar to Lindscea, it never- 
 theless differs entirely in habit, which agrees perfectly 
 with that of Nephrolepis. In Hypoderris the sori are 
 discal and furnished with a small membraneous calyciform 
 indusium similar to that of Woodsia. Although these four 
 genera differ in the nature of their fructification from the 
 normal character of the indusiate Phegopteridece, I never- 
 theless deem it best to place them in it, and as near as 
 possible in contiguity with the genera to which they are 
 most nearly allied in habit and venation. 
 
190 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 I arrange the genera of the tribe under the following 
 heads : 
 
 SERIES 1. Veins anastomosing. 
 
 * Sori naked. 
 ** Sori indusiate. 
 
 SERIES 2. Feins free. 
 * Sori indusiate. 
 ** Sori naked. 
 
 SERIES 1. Veins anastomosing in various ways, 
 
 * Sori naked. 
 
 Sect. 1. DlCTYOPTERIDEJS. 
 
 Veins angularly or compoundly anastomosing. Sori 
 pnnctiform, rarely oblong or linear. 
 
 95. STEGNOGRAMME, Plume (1828). 
 
 Gymnogramma, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation contiguous, sub-fasciculate, decumbent. Fronds 
 pinnate, 1 to 3 feet high, pilose ; pinnae lanceolate, 4 to 5 
 inches long, sub-pinnatifid. Veins costseform pinnate, 
 venules acutely anastomosing, sporangiferous nearly their 
 whole length, forming linear naked sori. Sporangia 
 pilose. 
 
 Type. Stegnogramme aspidoides, Blume. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Ic. PL, t. 950 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 50 B. ; 
 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 52 B. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of a single species, a native 
 of the East Indies and Java. In habit and general ap- 
 pearance it resembles several species of Goniopteris, 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 191 
 
 differing- only in the sori being linear, thus agreeing as 
 also in habit with Leptogramma, differing only in the 
 venation of one being free and the other anastomose. On 
 account of the sori being linear both the genera are in the 
 " Species Filicum," placed in Gymnogramme. 
 
 Sp. S. aspidoides, Blume (Syneuron aspidioides, /. Sin. 
 Hook. Ic. PI, t. 950). 
 
 96. GONIOPTERIS, Presl. (1836). 
 Poly podium, sp., auct.; Hook., Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect or decumbent, acaulose or 
 subarboroid. Fronds pinnatifid or pinnate, rarely simple, 
 1 to 4 feet high. Primary veins costseform, pinnate ; 
 venules opposite, the lower pair only or more, or the whole 
 angularly anastomosing, producing from their junction an 
 excurrent sterile veinlet, which is either free or anastomose 
 in the angle next above it. Receptacles lateral (between 
 the base and angular junction of the venules). Sori punc- 
 tiform, rarely oblong. Sporangia pilose in some. 
 
 Type. Poly podium crenatum, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 38 ; Hook. Fil. 
 Exot., t. 84 ; Moore Ind. Fil., 57 A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 64 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 5, fig. 48 E. 
 
 OBS. This genus agrees in general habit with the 
 indusiate genus Nephrodium, but the technical distinguishing 
 character is not always to be relied upon, the indusium 
 of some species being often small and fugacious, conse- 
 quently many specimens in herbaria have been referred to 
 Goniopteris, but examination of living plants has proved 
 the herbarium specimens to have been indusiate at some 
 period during their growth. 
 
 Twenty- three species are described in the " Species 
 
192 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Filicum," they are very widely spread in the tropics and 
 extratropical regions of both hemispheres, extending to 
 New Zealand in the south and Japan in the north. 
 
 1. OCCIDENTAL SPECIES. 
 
 Sp. G. scolopendrioides, Linn, (v v.) ; G. reptans, /Sty. 
 (v v.) ; G. gracilis, Moore (v v.) ; G. asplenioides, Sw. (v v.) ; 
 G. aster othrix, Hook. ; G. serrulata, Sw. (v v.) ; G. mega- 
 lodes, Schk. (v v.) ; G. crenata, Sw. (v v.) ; G. Gheis- 
 breghtii, Lind. (v v.) ; G. tetragona, Sw. (v v.) ; G. 
 fraxinifolia, Jacq. (v v.) (G. vivipara, J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, 
 and For.) ; G. Sandvicense, Hook. 
 
 2. ORIENTAL SPECIES. 
 
 G. prolifera, Pr. (v v.) ; G. rubida, /. Sm. ; G. costata, 
 (Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 220) ; G. urophylla, Wall. ; G. 
 sub-pectinata, Wall. (G. crenato-dentata, Fee) ; G. lineata, 
 Wall. (Bedd. F. Biit. Ind., pi. 3); G. unita, Hook. ; G. 
 pennigera, Forst. (v v.) ; G. oppositifolia, Hook. ; G. mul- 
 tilineata, Wall. (Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 231) ; G. Penan- 
 giana, Hook. ; G. Fosteri, Moore (v v.) 
 
 OBS. It is dimcult to reconcile the humble G. reptans 
 and its allies as belonging to the same genus with the 
 splendid G. Sandvicense and G. costata, the first being a 
 native of the Sandwich Islands, having an erect arborescent 
 cordex, 1 feet high, bearing a crown of long stipate fronds 
 5 feet in length, which, with G. costata of India and G. 
 pennigera of New Zealand, which also has an arborescent 
 caudex, seems to have some claim to rank as a distinct 
 genus. 
 
 In Beddome's " Ferns of British India," G. costata and 
 G. lineata are said to be indusiate, and consequently belong 
 to NepTir odium. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 193 
 
 97. DRYOMENES, Fee (1851). 
 
 /. Sin. Sot. Voy. of Herald, 1853 ; Poly podium sp. Hook. 
 Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation sab-sarmentose, decumbent. Fronds con- 
 tiguous, simple, pinnatifid or pinnate, smooth, 1 to 3 feet 
 in height, sub-membraneous. Segments large, 1 foot long, 
 2 to 4 inches wide. Primary wms-costseform, transversely 
 combined, and compound anastomosing, with free veinlets 
 terminating in the areoles. Receptacles punctiform, com- 
 pital. Sori round, or by confluence unequal oblong, 
 oblique biserial or irregular, naked. 
 
 Type. Polypodium plantagineum, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Fee Gen. Fil., 1. 18, A ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 35, A ; 
 J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 61 . 
 
 OBS. This genus was established by Fee upon the 
 Polypodium menisciicarpon of Blume, in which the sori are 
 generally oblong and curved, but such I consider to be an 
 abnormal form of punctiform sori ; I, therefore, in the 
 " Bot. Voy. of Herald," added a second pinnate species, as 
 also the Polypodium plantagineum of Linnaeus, all of which 
 agree in habit and venation, and in having naked sori, the 
 latter being the only character that separates them from 
 true Aspidium. 
 
 Sp. D. plantaginea, /. Sm. (Linn. Jacq. Coll. 2, t. 3, 
 fig. 1)* (v v.) ; D. menisciicarpon, Fee; D. Purdiei, /. Sm. 
 Bot. Voy. Herald (Polypodium draconoptenun, Eat. Hook. 
 Sp. Fil.) 
 
 The first and last species are natives of the West' Indies 
 and Tropical America, the second of Malay and Philippine 
 Islands. 
 
 * See Podopeltis. 
 
 
194 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 98. AMPHIBLESTRA, Presl. (1836). 
 Pteris, sp., H. and B., Hook., Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect (?). Fronds stipate, 2 to 3 
 feet high, pinnate, membraneous, flaccid, pinna3 2 to 3 pairs, 
 oblong acuminate, petiolate, 8 inches or more in length, 
 2 to 3 inches broad, entire or the lower ones lobed, sub- 
 pinnatifid. Primary veins costa3form, venules compound 
 anastomosing, with free veinlets terminating in the areoles. 
 Receptacles compital, contiguous, forming- a linear sub- 
 continuous marginal sorus, included under or near to the 
 narrow inflexed membraneous indusa3form margin. 
 
 Type. Pteris latifolia, H. and B. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 120, C ; Moore, 
 Ind. Fil., t. 33, A. Both copied from Presl. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a remarkable and rare 
 Fern, first described by Willdenow in 1810, from specimens 
 collected in Venezuela by Humboldt and Bonpland. At 
 the time of the publication of Hooker and Bauer's " Genera 
 Filicum " I had not seen specimens of this Fern, and there- 
 fore followed Presl in retaining it in Pteridece; having 
 subsequently received specimens, I find its natural asso- 
 ciation to be with Dryomenes, Dictyopteris, and Aspidium, 
 especially such as A. macropliyllum, with which it agrees 
 in habit and venation, but differs from Aspidium in having 
 the sporangia produced close to the margin, and forming 
 an apparent linear sorus parallel with the margin which is 
 inflexed in the form of a narrow membraneous indusium, 
 which circumstance led authors to refer it to Pteris. I, how- 
 ever, view this Fern as an aberrant form of the Aspidece 
 alliance. 
 
 Sp. A. latifolia, Pr., Kze. Schk., Supp. II., 43, t. 118. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 195 
 
 99. DICTYOPTERIS, Presl, in part. (1836). 
 Polypodium, sp., auct., Hook., Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, decumbent, or sub-erect. Fronds 
 coriaceous, deltoid, bipinnatifid or bipinnate, 3 to 4 feet 
 high, ultimate segments or pinnules sub-entire or sinuous- 
 pinnatifid, Feins costaeform, venules and veinlets anasto- 
 mosing (rarely few free, excurrent), forming oblique some- 
 what elongated areoles, the costal ones transversely 
 elongated. Receptacles medial or compital. Sori round 
 large, irregular or regular, or transversely one to two 
 serial, sometimes crowded near the margin, naked. 
 Type. Polypodium irregulare, Presl. 
 Illust. Fee, Gen. Fil., p. 267, t. 31, A, f . 2 ; J. Sm., 
 Fern, Brit, and For., fig. 62 ; Hook., Syn. Fil., t. 5, 
 fig. 48, 0. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of a few large compound- 
 fronded Ferns, natives of the East Indies, Malay, and Philip- 
 Dine Islands, and one is found in Tropical West Africa. In 
 general habit they resemble the preceding genus, as also 
 Aspidium, as here restricted, but differing in having a 
 more simple anastomose venation, and from the latter in 
 being destitute of an indusium; but the latter character 
 is probably not always normal, for in cultivated plants of 
 D. irregulare a very minute indusium was observed in the 
 early stage of the sori, but as the sori increased in size 
 it left no trace of its having been present. 
 
 Ex. D. irregularis, Pr. (v v.) ; D. megalocarpa (Hook.) 
 D. pteroides, Pr. ; D. Cumingiana, Pr., in Epim. Bot. (v v.) 
 (D. macrodonta, J. Sm., Gen. Fil., 1841, and Ferns, Brit, 
 and For.) ; D. Camerooniana (Hook.) (v v.). 
 
 OBS. In the herbarium specimens it is difficult to 
 separate the many forms as distinct species, but cultivated 
 
196 CHARACTERS OF TEIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 plants show that D. irregularis and D. macrodonta (Cumin- 
 gianum, Hook.) are distinct, the one having- erect vernation, 
 the other decumbent. In the " Species Filicum " eight 
 species are described, but I very much doubt if they are 
 all distinct. 
 
 100. DIPTERIS, Eeinw. (1825). 
 Polypodium, sp., auct., and Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, distant, sarmentum setose-squamose. 
 Fronds long stipate, 3 to 6 feet high, broad flabelliform in 
 two lobes ; the lobes digitately laciniated, lacinee lanceo- 
 late, entire or serrate. Primary veins radiating in each 
 lobe, 2 or 3 times forked ; secondary veins transverse anas- 
 tomosing, and producing numerous venules and veinlets, 
 forming sub- quadrangular small areoles and containing free 
 clavate veinlets. Receptacles punctiform, compital. Sori 
 small, numerous, and irregular, or in one species longitu- 
 dinal uniserial. 
 
 Type. Polypodium conjugatum, Kaulf. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Grev., t. 168 and 169 ; Blume, Fil. 
 Jav., p. 174, t. 81 ; Moore, Ind. Fil., p. 64, A. ; 
 Horsf., Flora Jav., 1, t. 1 ; Hook., Syn. Fil., t. 5, 
 fig. 48, N. 
 
 OBS. This genus contains three known species, natives of 
 the East India, Malay and Polynesian Islands, two of them 
 being remarkable for having large fronds resembling Fan 
 Palms. This genus agrees in venation and character of 
 the sori with Drynaria, but its adherent vernation brings 
 it under the division Desmobrya. 
 
 Sp. D. conjugata, Beinw. (P. Horsfieldii, Br.) ; D. 
 Wallichii (Hook, and Grev.) j D. Lobbiana (Hook.) ; Bedd. 
 F. Brit. Lid., pi. 233. 
 
PU3.B. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 197 
 
 The sarmentum of D. WallicJiii is described as being 
 hypogeous. 
 
 ** Sori indusiate. 
 
 Sect. 2. ASPIDEJ;. 
 
 Sori normally punctiform. Indusium orbicular peltate, 
 or lateral interiorly attached, and then more or less reni- 
 form, rarely calyciform. 
 
 A. Indusium calyciform. 
 
 101. HYPODERRIS, E. Br. (1830). 
 
 Vernation uniserial sub-sarmentose. Fronds simple, 
 entire or trilobed, 1 to 2 feet long. Primary veins 
 costseform ; venules compound anastomosing. Receptacles 
 punctiform, compital, included within a calyciform obscure 
 membraneous indusium. Sori round, irregular or oblique 
 biserial between the primary veins. 
 
 Type. Hypoderris Brownii, J. Sm. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 1 ; Hook. Gard. 
 Ferns, t. 24 ; Moore Ind Fil. p. 83 A. ; J. Sin. Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 72 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 1, fig. 10. 
 
 OBS. This genus was, until lately represented by a 
 single species, as yet found only in the Island of Trinidad, 
 West Indies. It is so similar in habit and venation with 
 Dryomenes and Podopeltis, that without a very close exami- 
 nation of its sori it would pass for a species of Dryomenes, 
 allied to D. plantaginea, but the sori are found to be 
 furnished with a small membraneous calyciform indusium, 
 similar to that of Woodsia. 
 
 In the " Species Filicum " it is placed in the Tribe 
 DicksonicB, with which it has no affinity either in habit, 
 venation, or position of the sori. 
 
198 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Sp. H. Brownii, J. Sm. (v v.) ; Hook. Gard. Ferns, 
 t. 24. 
 
 In Seemann's Journ. Bot., 1869, p. 240, a second species 
 is described, namely //. Seemanni, a native of Nicaragua, 
 which is adopted in the " Synopsis Filicurn " Addenda, 
 p. 460, I have not seen specimens of this. 
 
 102. TRICHIOCARPA, /. Sm. (1866). 
 Deparia, sect. Trichiocarpa, Hook. ; Cionidium, Moore. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, acaulose. Fronds bi-tripinnatifid, 
 deltoid, 12 to 18 inches high, pinnae distant, pinnate below, 
 pinnatifid decurrent above ; pinnules lanceolate, pinnatifid, 
 or sinuose lobed. Feins uniform, reticulated ; areoles 
 transverse oblong, marginal venules free, exserted beyond 
 the margin, bearing globose pedicellate sori. Sporangia 
 included within a calyciform indusium, opening exteriorly. 
 
 Type. Trichiocarpa Moorei, J. Sm. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Journ. Bot. and Kew Gard. Misc., vol. 4, 
 t. 3 ; Hook., Fil. Exot., t. 38 ; Moore, Ind. Fil., p. 
 80 A. ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 73. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a remarkable Fern, a 
 native of New Caledonia ; in habit it greatly resembles the 
 multifid fronded specimens of Aspidium trifoliatum and 
 allied species, but its marginal pedicellate sori marks it as 
 specially distinct even as not belonging to Aspidece ; relying 
 upon the character of the sori alone, there can be no doubt 
 that Sir W. Hooker is right in describing it as a species of 
 Deparia, but from which it differs, and from all Dicltsonice, 
 in having anastomosing veins. 
 
 In native and cultivated specimens that have come 
 under my notice, I observed some of the sori to be intra- 
 marginal, and even some of them seated on the upper side 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES J&V GENERA. 199 
 
 of the frond as in Polysiichum anomalum ; in these cases 
 the indusium forms a cucullate cyst. Judging from the 
 whole aspect of the plant, and its anomalous fructification, 
 it may be viewed as an abnormal form of the Aspidece 
 above-mentioned ; I therefore place it in the present 
 sequence. 
 
 Sp. T. Moorei, /. 8m. t Ferns, Brit, and For. (v v.). 
 
 B. Indusium orbicular or reniform. 
 
 103. PODOPELTIS, Fee. (1851.) 
 Aspidium sp., auct.; Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum slender. Fronds simple, 
 elliptical lanceolate, margin entire or sinuose, 1 to 1J feet 
 long (stipes long). Primary veins costseform, venules 
 compound anastomosing, with free veinlets, terminating in 
 the areoles. Sori punctiform, compital in two or more 
 rows, or irregular between the primary veins. Indusium 
 peltate. 
 
 Type. Aspidium Singaporianum, Wall. 
 
 Illust. Fee., Gen. Fil., t. 23 A., fig. 1. 
 
 OBS. Under this genus I include two species which 
 differ from true Aspidium in having sarmentose vernation, 
 and simple fronds. 
 
 Sp. P. Singaporiana (Wall, Hook, and Grev., Ic. Fil., 
 t. 26) ; P. sinuata, J. 8m. (Bathmium, Fee). 
 
 OBS. The first is a native of Singapore, and the other 
 of Guiana. In the " Species Filicum " P. sinuatum stands 
 as a synonym of Aspidium plantagineum, of which Sir 
 W. Hooker says : " My copious specimens from the West 
 Indies and the continent of South America, have satisfied 
 me that the Polypodium plantagineum (Jacq.} and our 
 Aspidium plantagineum are one and the same Fern, varying 
 
200 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 a good deal in outline, as above noted, and varying- in the 
 presence or absence of the involucre, whether from being 
 quickly deciduous, or, as I apprehend, its entire suppression 
 at times, it is hard to say." From this view I differ, for, 
 in cultivated plants of P. plantagineum, as well as in many 
 herbarium specimens of the same that have come under 
 my notice, I found 110 traces of indusium, and therefore 
 consider it to be normally absent ; it consequently comes 
 under the genus Dryomenes, while P. sinuata not only 
 differs in the general outline of the frond, but also in the 
 sori being furnished with a large peltate indusium, and 
 as it agrees in general habit with P. Singaporiana, I 
 therefore associate it with that species. 
 
 104. ASPIDIUM, Sw., in part (1800). 
 
 Hook., 8p. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect. Fronds trilobed, pinnate, 
 bipinnatifid or bipinnate, 1 to 4 feet high, ultimate segments 
 generally broad and flaccid. Primary veins costseform, 
 venules simply or compoundly anastomosing. Receptacles 
 compital or often on the apex of free veinlets, terminating 
 in the areoles. Sori round. Indusium orbicular or reniform. 
 Type. Aspidium trifoliatum, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Schott., Gen. Fil., t. 4 ; Hook, and Bauer, Gen. 
 Fil., p. 33 ; Moore, Ind. Fil., p. 65, B ; J. Sm., Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 70 ; Hook., Syn. Fil., t. 5, fig. 43, d. 
 OBS. This genus consists of between twenty and thirty 
 species of strong-growing Ferns, generally with mem- 
 braneous flaccid fronds. They are widely distributed 
 throughout the West Indies, Tropical America, West 
 Africa, Mauritius, Ceylon, India, Malayan, Philippine, and 
 Polynesian Islands. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENEBA. 201 
 
 Although they agree in general habit they have never- 
 theless been arranged by different authors under no less 
 than at least six genera, the technical characters being 
 chiefly derived from slight differences in the venation and 
 position of the sori for instance, Sagenia is characterised 
 by Presl as having no free veinlets, but I find that that 
 character is not constant, for in different specimens of the 
 same species some have the venation of Sagenia, and others 
 have free veinlets as in Aspidium, and sometimes the two 
 forms are found on the same frond ; the characters of the 
 other genera of authors are also, I consider, untenable. 
 I therefore retain them under Aspidium. 
 
 It often happens that the indusium is soon deciduous, 
 and therefore when absent this genus cannot be distin- 
 guished from D-ictyopteris and Dryomenes ; also in some 
 species, as for instance the well-known Aspidium macro- 
 phyllum, the indusium is as often reniform as peltate. This 
 difference has led the author of the " Synopsis Filicum " 
 to consider the reniform as the normal form, and accord- 
 ingly places A. macrophyllum and other allied species 
 in the genus Neplirodium, from which they differ entirely 
 in habit. 
 
 In the " Gartenflora," 1866, page 335, Dr. Regel had 
 characterised a new genus under the name of Gramma- 
 tosorus, which is accompanied by a figure. It, however, 
 appears to me to be founded on what may be termed an 
 amorphous form of the sori of Aspidium alatum of Wallich, 
 a large-growing Indian species, bearing numerous irregular 
 small sori, which in specimens from Malacca are irregular 
 and confluent, forming linear transverse sori analogous to 
 Menisciwn, while others on the same segment form linear 
 sori parallel with the primary veins. The same variableness 
 n the form of the sori is also to be found in A. irreguum 
 
202 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 and A. heterocarpum, figured in Bedd., Ferns of Brit. Ind., 
 pi. 47, in which the sori are curved. 
 
 In Moore's " Index Filicum" no less than 976 names are 
 alphabetically arranged under Aspidium, of these twenty- 
 two are adopted species, the rest are synonyms, and are 
 to be found either adopted or as synonyms principally of 
 species of the genera Lastrea, Polysticlmm, Nephrodium, and 
 Sagenia, the latter I include under Aspidium. 
 
 * Fronds pinnatifid ; segments decurrent. 
 
 Sp. A. decurrens, Pr. (A. pteropus, Kze.) ; A. alatum, Wall, 
 Hook, and Grev., Ic. PI., t. 184. 
 
 ** Fronds pinnate, or sometimes only from three to five lobcd ; 
 pinnce broad, entire, or the lower ones lobed. 
 
 A. angulatum, J". 8m. (Poly podium, Willd.) ; A. platanifo- 
 lium, Mett. ; A. Plumieri, Pr. (v v.) ; A. trifoliatum, Sw. 
 (v v.) ; A. polymorphum, Wall, (v v.) ; A. irriguum, /. Sm. ; 
 A. Barteri, /. 8m. (v v.) ; A. macrophyllum, Sw. (v v.) ; A. 
 Menyanthidis, Willd. A. repandum, Willd. ; A. pachyphyl- 
 lum, Kze. ; A. Lobbi, Hook. ; A. grande, /. Sm. ; A. inter- 
 medium, /. Sm. A. calcareum, Pr. ; A. variolosum, Wall. 
 (v v.) ; A. latifolium, /. 8m. (v v.) ; A. subtriphyllum, Hook. 
 (v v.). 
 
 *** Fronds pinnate ; pinnce always more or less sinuuse- 
 laciniated, pinnatifid or bi-pinnatifid. 
 
 A. coriandrifolium,* Sw. ; A. cicutarium, Sw. (v v.) 
 (A. hippocrepis, Sw.) ; A. giganteum, SI. (v v.) ; A. dela- 
 
 * I long considered my original Jamaica specimens of this to be a 
 young state of A. cicutarium, but the receipt of additional specimens, 
 apparantly in a perfect state, with the fig. of Plukenet, t. 284, 
 quoted by Swartz, leads me to consider it as distinct. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 203 
 
 ceratum, Mett. (v v.) ; A. apiifolium, SM. (v v.) ; A. 
 coadunatum, Wall* (v v.). 
 
 105. CTCLODIUM, Presl. (1836). 
 Aspidium, sp., auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation sub-sarmentose, hypogeous. Fronds pinnate, 
 2 to 3 feet high ; sterile pinnae broad elliptical, linear- 
 lanceolate. Veins pinnately forked ; venules acutely 
 anastomosing, producing from their angular junctions an 
 excurrent free or anastomosing veinlet ; fertile pinnae con- 
 tracted, linear lanceolate. Veins uniform, reticulated. 
 Receptacles medial, punctiform. Sori round, confluent, and 
 occupying the whole under surface. Indusium obicular. 
 
 Type. Aspidium confer turn, Kaulf. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Grev., t. 121 ; Hook, and Bauer, t. 
 49, B. ; Moore Ind., p. 67, A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, 
 and For., fig. 67. 
 
 OBS. In many points of structure this genus agrees 
 with Cyrtomium, the chief difference being the hypogeous 
 sub-sarmentose vernation, the more simply anastomosed 
 venation, and the specially contracted fertile fronds. The 
 latter character also is the chief distinction between this 
 genus and some species of Nephrodium, in which the 
 fertile fronds have a tendency to contraction. I restrict 
 Cydodium to three described species, natives of Eastern 
 Tropical America. In the " Species Filicum " Hooker unites 
 Aspidium confertum of Kaulfuss with A. meniscioides, Will- 
 denow, but judging from cultivated specimens of A. 
 confertum of British Guiana, as compared with herbarium 
 specimens of A. meniscioides from Trinidad, they appear to 
 me to represent distinct species. 
 
 * Phlebigonium, Fee, is probably only a starved imperfect specimen 
 of this species. 
 
204 
 
 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Sp. C. meniscioides. Presl. (Willd.) ; C. confertum, Presl. 
 (KaulJ.) (v v.) ; C. abbreviatum, Presl. (Schrad.). 
 
 100. CYRTOMIUM, Presl (1836). 
 Aspidium sp., Hook Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect. Fronds 1 to 3 feet high, 
 pinnate, pinnae elliptical lanceolate, 6 to 8 inches long, 
 1 to 4 inches wide, falcate, more or less auriculated at the 
 base, the margin sub-entire or spinulose, veins two or 
 three times forked or pinnate, venules alternate, the lower 
 exterior branch free, the others acutely anastomosing, 
 producing from their junctions free or anastomosing vein- 
 lets. Receptacles punctiform on or below the apices or 
 points of junction of the venules. Sori round, transversely 
 uniserial, or numerous and oblique serial. Indusium 
 orbicular. 
 
 Type. Aspidiiim falcatum, Swartz. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Grev., t. 171 ; Hook, and Bauer, t. 49, 
 C ; Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 92 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 66 ; 
 J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 68 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., 
 t. 5, fig. 43, c. 
 
 OBS. The few species constituting this genus agree in 
 general habit with the pinnate species of Polystichum, but 
 differ in having anastomose veins. I can find no character 
 of sufficient value to retain Presl's genera Phanerophlebia 
 and Amblia as distinct from Cyrtomium, these two genera 
 being evidently founded on specimens off which the indu- 
 sium had fallen ; the only point that may give them an 
 appearance of genuine difference is, that the typical species 
 of Cyrtomium are Eastern, and those of the latter genera 
 Western. 
 
 Sp. C. caducum (Wall.') (Hcmigonum, J. Sm., 1841); C. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 205 
 
 falcatum (Sw.) (v v.) ; C. caryotideum (Wall.) (v v.) ; C. 
 Fortune!, /. Sm. (v v.) (Ferns, Brit, and For.) C. Jug- 
 landifolium, Kunze (v v.) (Arriblia, Pr.) ; C. nobile, Kunze 
 (Phaneroplilebia, Pr.) 
 
 OBS. The three first species are natives of India and 
 Japan, the two latter of Mexico and Venezuela. 
 
 Although I have not seen specimens of the Fern 
 described in the " Species Filicum" under the name of 
 Polypodium (CyrtomipTilebium) dubium, a native of Peru 
 and Ecuador, I nevertheless believe it to be a species of 
 Cyrtomium ; and the reason for Sir William Hooker 
 placing it in Polypodium seems to me to be consequent 
 on the sori having through age or otherwise lost the 
 indusium. 
 
 107. PLEOCNEMIA, Presl (1836). 
 Nephrodium Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Polypodium, Gaud. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, arboroid (vide Cuming). 
 Fronds bi-tripinnatifid, 12 to 15 feet long ; primary pinna? 
 1 to 2 feet long; ultimate pinna? uniformly pinnatifid. 
 Veins of lacinse costaeform ; venules forked, the lower ones 
 arcuately and angularly anastomosing, forming unequal 
 areoles next the costa ; the exterior ones free. Fertile 
 pinnules much narrower than the sterile. Sporangiferoibs 
 receptacles medial on the free or anastomosing venules. 
 Sori punctiform in a row on each side of the costeeform 
 veins of the lacinse. Indusium reniform. 
 
 Type. Polypodium Leuzeanum, Gaud. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, t. 97 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 70, A ; 
 J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 71. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a single species, and 
 owes its generic importance more to its gigantic habit 
 than to any real structural difference by which to dis- 
 
206 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 tinguish it from Aspidium. Setting" aside its simple 
 anastomosed venation, and viewing it in its general aspect 
 only, it appears to be related to Lastrea villosa, than which, 
 however, it assumes a more aboreous character. Its most 
 natural affinity is with Aspidium macrodontum and A. gigan- 
 teum. It is a native of India, Malay, Philippine, Fiji, and 
 other islands. 
 
 Sp. P. Leuzeana, Presl, Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 134. 
 
 OBS. In the "Species Filicum" four species are placed 
 under the section Pleocnemia of Nephrodium, two of which 
 possess no natural relationship with P. Leuzeana ; and I am 
 inclined to consider the fourth species, N. (Pleocnemia) 
 excellens identical with the original species, though Presl 
 makes a distinct genus of it (Proferea). 
 
 108. NEPHRODIUM, Schott. (1834). 
 
 Aspidium sp., Sw. ; Nephrodium sect. Eunephrodium, Hook. 
 Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, decumbent or erect, acaulose or sub- 
 arboroid, or uniserial sarmentose, Fronds 1 to 6 feet high, 
 simple or pinnate ; pinnae entire, sinuoso or pinnatifid. 
 Veins costaeform, pinnate ; the lower pair of venules only, 
 or more, or the whole, angularly anastomosing, producing 
 from their junction an excurrent veinlet, which is either 
 free or anastomose in the angle of the next superior pair. 
 Receptacles medial or sub- terminal. Sori round. Indusium 
 reniform, rarely nearly orbicular. 
 
 Type. Aspidium molle, Swartz. 
 
 Illust. Schott Gen. Fil., t. 22 ; Hook, and Bauer, t. 48, 
 B ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 70, B ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and 
 For., fig. 65 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 5, fig. 44, a, b. 
 
 OBS. This genus as originally characterised embraced 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 207 
 
 species with, both free and anastomosing veins, the technical 
 character consisting in all having a reniform indusium. 
 Schott restricted the genus to the species having anas- 
 tomose veins only. 
 
 In the "Species Filicum" thirty-four species come under 
 this character, of which the following are the principal. 
 It is well to notice that great confusion exists in the 
 synonyms of many of the species ; for instance, Aspidium 
 molle, which is a very cosmopolitan species, has no less 
 than a dozen names placed under it as synonyms, some 
 having erect and others decumbent vernation, which 
 evidently marks them to be distinct species, but at the 
 same time possessing no special marked difference in the 
 character of the fronds. They present at least two very 
 distinct modes of growth, one set having fasciculate verna- 
 tion and another uniserial, thus forming two groups, which 
 may be viewed as characteristic of two natural genera. 
 
 Sect. 1. EUNEPHRODITJM. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, decumbent or erect, in some arboroid. 
 * Fronds linear lanceolate, entire or pinnatifid. 
 
 Sp. N. Cumingianum, /. Sm. Bot. Voy. of Herald, Kunze, 
 Fil., t. 9, fig. 2 ; N. stenopteris, Hook. ; N. simplicifolium, 
 /. Sm., Hook., Second Cent, of Ferns, t. 19. (Polypodium 
 sect. Goniopteris, Hook. Sp. Fil.) 
 
 ** Fronds pinnate. 
 
 f Pinnce ~broad, serrated or entire, or sub-tripinnatifid, all or 
 nearly all the venules anastomosing. 
 
 Sp. N. acrostichoides, /. Sm. ; N. lineatum, Pr. ; N. gra- 
 nulosum, J. Sm. (v v.), Bot. Voy. of Herald (N. glandulo- 
 sum, Hook. Sp. Fil.) ; N. cyatheoides, Kaulf. (Polystichum 
 
208 CHARACTERS OF TEIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Dubreuillianum, Gaud, in Frey. Voy^ t. 9) ; N. aristatum, 
 Fee (Hook. Sp. Fil.) ; 1ST. ferox, Bl. ; N. patens (Goniop- 
 teris, Fee) N. articulatum, Moore and Houlst ( v v.) (N. 
 pennigerum, Hook. Sp. Fit.) ; N. truncatum, Pr. (v v.) ; 
 N. abruptum, Pr. ; N. arbuscula, Desv. (N. Hookeri, J, 8m.) 
 (v v.) ; N. arbor tivum, Fee (v v.) ; 1ST. venustum, /. Sm. 
 (v v.) ; N. refractum, Hook, (v v.) ; N. brachyodon, Hook. 
 (Phegopteris Seemani, J. Sm. in Bot. Voy. of Herald). 
 
 ft Pinnae narrow^ generally deeply pinnatifid, with only 1 or 2 
 
 venules anastomosing. 
 
 N. hirsutum, J. Sm. ; N. angusfcifolium, Pr. ; N. mu- 
 cronatum, /. Sm. ; N. diversilobum, Pr. ; N. molle, JS. Br. 
 (v v.). 
 
 II. NEPHRODINUM. 
 Vernation distant, sarmentose. Fronds uniform lipinnatifid. 
 
 N. unitum, Hook, (v v.) ; N. propinquurn, R. Br. ; N. 
 varians, Fee ; N. aridum, /. 8m. ; N. nmltijugum, (Wall.) ; 
 N. pteroides, /. Sm. (Aspidium terminans, Wall) (vv,) ; N. ve- 
 nulosum, Hook, (v v.) ; N. extensum, El. (N. Cuminyi, J. Sm. 
 En. Fil. Phillip. Cuming, 391.) ; 1ST. Haenkeanum, Pr. 
 
 OBS. The above species are widely spread, being found 
 in all fern regions within the tropics and sub- tropical 
 regions of both hemispheres. 
 
 I have already stated that the presence or absence of 
 indusia is the only character for distinguishing Nephro- 
 dium from Goniopteris, and that consequent on its fugacious 
 nature the species normally indusiate when placed in the 
 herbarium the indusium fall away and thus become Goniop- 
 teris, much depends upon the age of the fronds when 
 gathered or the condition under which they are preserved, 
 for it is known that in the herbaria of different botanists 
 
I 
 
 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 209 
 
 specimens of the same species are found, some with the 
 indusia and some without, for instance, being present at 
 the distribution of Cuming's Philippine Island collection 
 of specimens in 1841, I noted that number 315 was 
 indusiate, which in my enumeration of that collection 
 I named NepJirodium simplicifolium. It was not till nearly 
 twenty years afterwards when Cuming's specimens of this 
 species came under Sir William Hooker's observation for 
 entry in the " Species Filicum," that finding it had no 
 indusium he placed it under Polypodium in the section 
 Goniopteris, 
 
 Another example of the untrustworthiness of the indu- 
 sium as a generic character is verified in Phegopteris 
 Seemanni, described by me in the " Botany of the Voyage 
 of the Herald," from specimens collected by Seemann in 
 Darien ; Mettenius also retains it in Phegopteris, but makes 
 it a synonym of Aspidium brachyodon of Elunze, while in 
 the "Species Filicum" it is placed in Nephrodium, the 
 " involucre " being described as " small fugaceous," thus 
 showing that at least some of the specimens in the Kew 
 herbarium were indusiate ; but as several American locali- 
 ties, as also the Malayan Peninsular and islands, are given 
 as stations for this Fern, it is therefore quite possible that 
 the American and Malayan specimens represent two dis- 
 tinct species, one with indusiate sori, and the other with 
 naked. This and several other allied species is peculiar 
 in having stout arboroid stems a foot or more in height, 
 with the pinnae articulate with the rachis, as also in the 
 lobes of the pinnae being joined by a line like a seam, 
 which extends from the mid-rib of the pinnae to the sinus 
 between each two lobes, by which in time the lobes become 
 separated as if artificially cut. Setting aside the presence or 
 absence of the indusium, and in the venules being free 
 p 
 
210 CHAEACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENEEA. 
 
 or connected, this species, with several others, including 
 Goniopteris Sandvicense and its allies, seems to form a 
 natural group, which, with Lastrea villosa, may, on the 
 character of general habit, be viewed as forming a natural 
 genus of sub-arboroid Ferns. 
 
 109. MESOCHIJENA, E. Br. (1838). 
 
 Sphcerostephanos, J. 8m. (1838) ; NepJirodium sp. Hook. 
 Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect. Fronds 2 to 4 feet high, 
 bipinnatifid. Veins costaeform, pinnate ; the lower pair of 
 venules anastomosing, the others free, parallel. Receptacles 
 medial, elongated, jffori oblong linear. Indusium oblong, 
 attached longitudinally on the centre of the receptacle, 
 having sporangia on its axis on each side, its margin free. 
 
 Type. Poly podium villosum and P. caudigerum, Wall. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 24; Hook. Fil. 
 Exot., t. 62 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 43, B ; J. Sm. Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 66. 
 
 OBS. This genus was first noticed by Brown in Hors- 
 field's "Planta Javanica," and about the same time de- 
 scribed by me in Hooker and Bauer's " Genera Filicum " 
 under the name Sphcerostephanos. Later observations have 
 led me to view it as scarcely distinct from Nephrodium, 
 with which the species agree in habit. The only difference 
 that Brown and myself considered as generic consists in 
 the sori being oblong linear, and furnished with an 
 elongated indusium attached along the centre of the sorus, 
 having the appearance of being double, like that of some 
 species of Athyrium, but in Meschlcena it is in a single 
 piece, and cannot be viewed otherwise than as a lengthened 
 reniform indusium of NepJirodium fitted to the lengthened 
 
CHARACTEES OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 211 
 
 receptacle. In the "Species Filicum" only one species is 
 described, but according to my view, I consider there are 
 two, natives of Malayan and other Eastern islands. 
 
 Species. M. Javanica, E. Br. (v v.) ; M. asplenioides, 
 /. Sm. (Sphcerostephanos J. 8m. in Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil.) 
 
 110. FADTENIA, Hook. (1842). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, acaulose, becoming caespitose. 
 Fronds simple, dimorphus, 5 to 6 inches long, sterile, lanceo- 
 late, attenuated, decumbent, its apex proliferous ; fertile 
 fronds erect, linear spathulate, obtuse. Veins forked, venules 
 acutely anastomosing, free next the margin ; the lower ex- 
 terior venule in the costal areoles free, its apex soriferous. 
 Receptacle oblong. Indusium large, oblong reniform. Seri 
 contiguous, transverse uniserial on each side of the 
 costa. 
 
 Type. Fadyenia prolifera, Hook. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 53, B. ; Hook. 
 Fil. Exot., t. 36 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 68 ; J. Sm. Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 69 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 5, fig. 47. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a remarkable Fern, a 
 native of Jamaica and Cuba. In habit it does not well 
 associate with any of the Aspidece group, except Polystichum 
 rhizophyllum, with which it agrees in the sterile fronds, 
 being decumbent and proliferous ; in that character as also 
 in the texture and colour of the fronds, and in the oblong, 
 apparent double indusium, seems to indicate a greater 
 relationship with Antigramma in the tribe Aspleniece, rather 
 than with any of the genera of the present sequence. 
 
 Sp. F. prolifera, Hook, (v v.), (Aspidium proliferum, Hook, 
 and Grev. Ic. Fil., t. 96). 
 
212 CHARACTEES OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 SERIES 2. Veins free. 
 * Sori Indusiate. 
 
 Sect. 3. OREOPTEREJS. 
 Sori punctiform. Indusium orbicular or reniform, plane. 
 
 111. LASTREA, Presl. (1836). 
 Poly podium sp. auct. ; Nephrodium sjp., Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentose or fasciculate, erect or 
 decumbent, acaulose, rarely sub-arboroid. Fronds varying 
 from pinnatifid to decompound multifid, 1 to 6 feet high. 
 Veins simple, or once or several times forked, or costae- 
 form and pinnate ; venules free. Receptacles punctiform, 
 terminal or lateral. Indusium reniform or sub-rotund, 
 interiorly attached. 
 
 Type. Aspidium Filix-mas, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 45, A. ; Hook. Brit. 
 Ferns, 1. 15 ; Hook. Fil. Exot.,t. 98 ; Moore Ind. Fil., 
 p. 71 ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 75 ; Hook. 
 Syn. Fil., t. 5, fig. 44. 
 
 OBS. The above character embraces a large number of 
 widely distributed species, abounding within the tropics, 
 and extending to the furthest limits of Fern vegetation in 
 both hemispheres. These numerous species vary greatly 
 in the size and circumspection of their fronds, agreeing in 
 general habit with the genus Phegopteris, the want of 
 indusia in the latter being the only technical distinction, 
 that organ, however, is often very small and soon becomes 
 obliterated, and as stated under Nvphrodium, when absent, 
 the species of Lastrea are consequently placed under 
 Phegopteris. The indusium varies considerably in size and 
 texture and in the depth of the sinus, the latter being 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 213 
 
 sometimes so deep as to give the indusiam a bi-lobed 
 character, while in others it is scarcely evident and the 
 indusium is then nearly orbicular and thus characteristic of 
 Polystichum. In the " Species Filicum " Lastrea ranks only 
 as a section of Nephrodium ; the author thus not admitting- 
 the difference between anastomose and free venation to be 
 of sufficient generic value to warrant the separation of the 
 two groups of species ; in the section Lastrea 115 species 
 are described, in the " Synopsis " the number is raised to 
 153, of which 65 have Mr. Bakers initials affixed, and in 
 the Appendix 46 species are enumerated, a few of which 
 are for the first time described as new species, but the 
 greater number consists of removals from Avpidium, the 
 specific name being changed in many cases. 
 
 Lastrea as here restricted contains about 100 species, of 
 which 65 have been examined by me in a living state. 
 
 The difference in the position of the sori and forms of the 
 indusium has led to the species being arranged under a 
 dozen or more genera by different authors, none of which 
 have sufficient character to warrant their adoption. 
 
 Sect. 1. Vernation fasciculate, erect or decumbent, in some 
 becoming arbor old (Dryopteris). 
 
 1. OREOPTERIS GROUP. 
 Fronds lanceolate pinnate; pinnce more or less deeply pinnatifid. 
 
 Veins pinnate in the lobes ; venules simple, rarely forked. 
 
 Sp. L. decursivo-pinnata (Kze.) (v v.) (L. decurrens 
 J. Sm.) ; L. exigua (Kze.) ; L. viscosa (/. Sm.) ; L. sancta 
 (Sw.) (v v.). 
 
 OBS. This has hitherto been ranked among nonindusiate 
 Ferns, but having observed small indusia on cultivated 
 plants, I therefore place it here. 
 
214 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 L. concinna (Willd.) (v v.) ; L. oligocarpa (Klot.) L. 
 contermina (Willd.) (v v.) ; L. xnontana, Moore (v v.) ; L. 
 Sprengelii (Kaulf.) (v v.) ; L. patens (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. limbata 
 (Sw.) ; L. glandulifera ( Wall.) L. appendiculata ( Wall.) ; 
 L. calcarata (Bl.) ; L. falciloba (Hook.} ; L. cana (Wall) 
 (v v.) ; L. crinibulbon (Hook.) ; L. crinita (Desv.) (v v.) ; 
 L. velata (Hook.) ; L. vestata (Eadd.) (v v.) ; L. macrotis 
 (Hook.) ; L. caripense, Mett. (v v.) ; L. immersa (Bl.) 
 (L. verrucosa, J. Sm., En. Philip, 1841) (v v.) ; L. ligulata 
 (Mett.) ; L. attenuata (Kze.). 
 
 OBS. Sir W. Hooker places this and L. invisa, which 
 somewhat resembles it under L. patens, but I am satisfied 
 they are three distinct species. 
 
 L. similis, /. Sm., En. Philip., n. 390 ; L. deltoidea (Sw.) 
 (v v.) ; L. crassifolia, Bl. ; L. spectabilis (Bl.) (v v.) ; L. 
 Kaulfussii (Link.) (v v.) ; L. chrysoloba (Link.) (v v.) ; L. 
 falciculata (Pr.) (v v.).- 
 
 2. FILIX-MAS GROUP. 
 
 Fronds lanceolate or deltoid, bi-tripinnatifid or bi-pinnate, 
 rarely simply pinnate, usually firm and sub-coriaceous. 
 Veins forked, generally immersed. 
 
 L. podophylla (Hook. Kew Gard. Misc., v. 5, t. 1) (v v.). 
 
 L. Sieboldi, /. Sm. (Nephrodium, Hook. Fit. Exot. t. 31. 
 Pycnopteris, Moore) (v v.). 
 
 OBS. In Ferns British and Foreign I placed the latter 
 as a synonym of the former, but later observation has led 
 me to consider them as distinct. 
 
 L. hirtipes (Bl.) L. lacera (Eat.) (v v.) ; L. apiciflora 
 (Wall.)-, L. Brunoniana (Wall.)-, L. fragrans (Sw.) ; L. 
 pumila, Hort. (v v.). 
 
 OBS. Living plants of this have been under my obser- 
 vation for forty years. It is said to have been found wild 
 
CHABACTEES OF TETBES AND GENEEA. 215 
 
 in Yorkshire ; it always maintained its original dwarf 
 character. 
 
 L. Filix-mas (Sw.) (v v.), var. parallelogramma (Kze.\ 
 var. paleacea (Don.) (v v.), var. affinis (F. and M.), var. 
 Borreri (Newman), var. incisa (Moore) (v v.), var. elongata 
 (Hook.). 
 
 OBS. Although I have placed under L. Filix-mas the 
 above varieties, they nevertheless, when seen growing 
 side by side, present appearances to warrant some of them 
 being admitted as distinct species. 
 
 L. remota (A. Braun) (v v.) ; L. rigida (Sw.) (v v.), var. 
 L. pallida (Link.), var. L. arguta (Kaulf.) ; L. Goldiana 
 (Hook.) (v v.) ; L. marginalis (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. cochleata, 
 (Don.) ; L. erythrosora (Hook.) (v v.) ; L. sparsa (Don.) 
 (v v.) ; L. mexicana (Hook.) (v v.) ; L. splendens ( Wall.) : 
 L. Napoleonis (Bory) (v v.) ; L. cognata, (Hook.) ; L. ascen- 
 sionis (Hook.) ; L. varia (Sw.) (v v.). 
 
 3. - DlLATATUM 
 
 Fronds deltoid bi-tripinnate, decompound, rarely lanceolate, 
 generally more fragile and membraneous than in the 
 preceding group, ultimate divisions generally mucronate 
 or spinulose. Veins forked. 
 
 L. aristata (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. spinulosa (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. 
 dilatata (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. cristata (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. inter- 
 media ( Willd.) (v v.) ; L. semula (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. ina3qualis 
 (Schlecht.) ; L. athamantica (Kze.) ; L. flaccida (Bl.) L. 
 Falconeri (Nephrodium, Hook.)-, L. divisa (Wall.) ; L. mem- 
 branifolia (Pr.) (L. Miln&i, Hook. Seed. Cent,, t. 62) (v v.) ; 
 L. fuscipes (Wall.) ; L. latifrons (Hook.) (v v.) ; L. ferru- 
 ginea (Bedd. Fit. Ind., t. 100) ; L. propinqua (/. Sm.)', L. 
 squamigera (Hook.) ; L. rubiginosa (Hook.) ; L. hirsuta 
 (Don.) (N. eriocarpum, Wall.) ; L. Shepherdi (Kze.) 
 
216 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 (v v.) ; L, glabella (A. Cunn.) (v v.) ; L. hirta (Sw.) (v v.) ; 
 L. deparioides (Hook.) (v v.) (Diclisodon, Moore). 
 
 4. VILLOSUM GROUP. 
 
 Fronds tripinnate, 12 to 18 feet long ; stipes {hick, palea- 
 ceous; pinnce 2 to 2 J feet long, lanceolate acuminate, deeply 
 pinnatifid, segments entire or pinnatiftdly lobed; ultimate 
 lobes unisorus. Indusium almost peltate (Megalastrum 
 J. 8m.) 
 
 L. villosa (Sw.) (v v.). 
 
 This is a native of the West Indies and Tropical America, 
 and is described by the collectors, Wilson and Purdie, as 
 having fronds 10 to 18 feet in length ; the height of the 
 stem is, however, not stated. In 1864, two plants in the 
 Kew collection received from Jamaica, were producing fronds 
 5 to 6 feet in length, rising from a thick eaudex, which 
 had every appearance of in time becoming arboroid. 
 
 Although this species technically agrees with Lastrea in 
 venation and character of the sori, the large fronds, and 
 arboroid character of its stems, seems sufficient to warrant 
 its being worthy to be ranked as a distinct genus. 
 
 Sect. 2. Vernation sarmentose. Fronds more or less distant 
 (Thelypteris). 
 
 * Sarmentum hypogeous, naked. 
 
 L. palustris (J. Sm.) (v v.) ; (Thelypteris palustris, Schott. 
 Polypodium Thelypteris, Linn.} L. squamulosa (Schlect.). 
 
 OBS. 'In the " Species Filicum " this is made a synonym 
 of the preceding, but I consider it sufficiently distinct to 
 rank as a species. It is a native of South Africa, while L. 
 palustris is a native of Europe. 
 
 L. Nbveboracensis (Linn.) (v v.). 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 217 
 
 ** Sarmentuni epigeous, squamose. 
 
 L. invisa (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. Serra (Sw.) ; L. augescens 
 (Link ) (v v.). 
 
 Fronds deltoid decompound. Polystichopsis, J. 8m. 
 L. hispida (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. pubescens (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. 
 decomposita (R. Br.) (v v.) ; L. quinquangularis (Kze.) 
 (v v.) ; L. recedens (/. Sm.) (v v.) ; L. elegans (/. 8m.)- 
 
 (v v.). 
 
 OBS. Sir William Hooker unites this with L. recedens, 
 but the two are quite distinct as is shown by cultivated 
 plants. 
 
 L. sub-quinquefida (Beauv.) (v v.) ; L. variabile (Hook.) 
 (v v.) ; L. funesta (Kze.) (v v.) ; L. velutina (A. Rich.) 
 (v v.) ; L. pilosissima (J. Sm.) (G. Don in Hort.) (v v.). 
 
 112. POLYSTICHUM, Schott. (1834). 
 
 Aspidium sp. t Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate and erect, generally caespitose or 
 uniserial and sub-sarmentose. Fronds pinnate, bi-tri- 
 pinnate or decompound, pinnae and pinnules auriculated 
 and lobed, dentate, rigid, spinulose, mucronate. Veins 
 simply or pinnately forked ; venules free, the lower exterior 
 branch or more (of each fascicle) soriferous on, or generally 
 below its apex. Receptacles punctiform. Sori round. 
 Indusium orbicular or sub-reniform. 
 Type. Aspidium aculeatum, Swartz. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 48, C. ; Hook. Fil. 
 
 Exot., t. 33 ; Schott. Gen. Fil., t. 9 ; Moore Ind. Fil., 
 
 p. 67, B. ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 74 ; 
 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 5, fig. 43, a. b. 
 
 OBS. Between forty and fifty species are described as 
 
218 CHAEACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENEEA. 
 
 belonging to this genus ; they have a wide geographical 
 range; extending from the arctic to the antarctic circles, 
 and abounding in the tropics, ascending to great elevations. 
 Its most common representatives are forms analagous to 
 the Polypodium aculeatum, Linn. (Aspidium, SwS), of the 
 Eupropean flora, of which there are several states found in 
 our own country sufficiently distinct to be considered 
 separate species by some botanists, though others view 
 them as only different states of one variable species. A 
 similar difference of opinion exists regarding the foreign 
 forms, the original discoverers having named and described 
 plants from different localities as distinct species, and, 
 indeed, in many instances they seem sufficiently distinct 
 to be readily acknowledged as such, but on collating a 
 general collection of specimens and regarding them from a 
 Darwinian point of view, it is difficult to consider the great 
 majority of them otherwise than as climatic conditions of a 
 single species ; and the same may be said of the group 
 represented by P. coriaceum. The difference in some of the 
 extreme forms is, however, so obvious, especially when 
 living examples are examined, that it seems reasonable to 
 distinguish them by different names, and I therefore, after 
 much consideration, think it best to enumerate them under 
 the original names given by authors. 
 
 As a genus, Polystichum is technically distinguished 
 from Lastrea by its indusium being circular and peltate, 
 instead of reniform, as in the latter. This character, 
 however, cannot be invariably depended upon, for in some 
 species with the habit of Polystichum have reniform in- 
 dusium, and instances occur where peltate and reniform 
 indusia are found on the same frond. To determine the 
 genus, it is therefore necessary to study its habit. As a 
 general rule, Polystichum may be known from Lastrea by 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 219 
 
 the fronds being smooth, shiny, of a hard, dry texture, and 
 by the ultimate divisions being terminated by a spiny 
 point. The fronds of Lastrea, on the contrary, are soft, 
 and generally villose, and soon wither and crumple up 
 when separated from the plant. 
 
 In arranging the species I have followed the plan indi- 
 cated in my "Catalogue of Cultivated Ferns," by which 
 they are thrown into two natural groups ; one with fasci- 
 culate vernation and lanceolate pinnate or bi-tripinnate 
 fronds, typically represented by P. aculeatum, and the 
 other with sarmentose vernation and generally distant, 
 bipinnate or decompound deltoid fronds, like P. coriaceum. 
 
 Sect. 1. PolysticJium verum. 
 Vernation fasciculate, generally erect, acaulose. 
 * 
 
 Type. Polypodium loncMtus, Linn. 
 
 Sp. P. Plaschnickianum (Kunze) ; P. rhizophyllum 
 (Sw.) ; P. auriculatum (Sw.) ; P. mucronatum (Sw) (vv.) ; 
 P. falcinellum (Sw.) (v v.) ; P. acrostichoides (Sw.) (v v.) 
 (A. auriculatum, Sclik. Fil., t. 30) ; P. munitum (Kaulf.) ; 
 P. lepidocaulon (Hook.) (v v.) ; P. Lonchitis (Sw.) (v v.) ; 
 P.triangulum (Sw.) (v v.) ; P. obliquum (Don.) (v v.) ; P. 
 ilicifolium (Don.) ; P. tridens (Hook.) 
 
 ** Fronds bipinnate. 
 Type. Polypodium aculeatum, Linn. 
 
 P. aculeatum (Sw.) (v v.) ; P. lobatum (Sw.) ; P. angu- 
 lare (Willd.) (v v.) 
 
 INDIAN, MALAYAN, CHINESE, AND JAPANESE. 
 P. Thomsoni (Hook.) ; P. Lachnense (Hook) ; P. Pres- 
 cottianum (Wall.) ; P. lentum (Don.) ; P. discretum (Don.) ; 
 P. Tsus-Simense (Hook.) ; P. tripterum (Kunze) ; P. obtu- 
 
220 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 sum (Kunze) (v v.) ; P. anomalum (Hook.) (v v.) ; P. 
 squarrosum (Don.) (v v.) ; P. biaristatum (Blume). 
 SOUTH AFRICAN, AUSTRIAN, AND POLYNESIAN. 
 P. pungens (Kaulf.) (v v.) ; P. venustum (HooJc.) ; P. 
 proliferum (R. Br.) (v v.) ; P. vestitum (Sw.) (v v.). 
 
 AMERICAN. 
 
 P. mohrioides (Bory.) ; P. platyphyllum (Willd.) P. 
 muricatum (Willd.) ; P. ordination (Kunze) P. viviparum 
 (Mett.) j P. Bridges! (Sturm). 
 
 *** Fronds tripinnate. 
 P. moluccense (Blume). 
 
 Sect. 2. TECTARIA, Cav. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentose. Fronds deltoid, decom- 
 pound. 
 
 Type. Aspidium coriaceum, Sw. 
 
 P. coriaceum (Sw.) (v v.) ; P. adiantiforme (Forst.) ; P. 
 discolor (Lang, and Fisch.) ; P. macroporum (Bory.) ; P. 
 Capense (Willd.) (v v.) ; P, Richardii (Hook.) ; P. amabile 
 (Blume.) (v v.) ; P. speciosum (Dow.) ; P. aristatum (Sw.) 
 (vv.); P.denticulatum(6'ry.)(vv.); P.fo3niculaceum(Sbo^.); 
 P. frondosuni (E. T. Lowe) (v v.) ; P. flexum (Kunze) 
 (v v.) ; P. Semani (Hook.) ; P. melanostichum, (Leib.) ; P. 
 amplissimum (Pr.) (v v.) ; P. multifidum (Mett.) P. ascen- 
 dens (Reward); P. coiifolium (Wall.) (v v.). Bedd., F. 
 Brit. Ind., pi. 261. 
 
 OBS. In P. lepidocaulon the veins occasionally anasto- 
 mose. Of late years a great number of abnormal forms or 
 what are generally termed varieties, of British species have 
 been discovered or acquired by cultivation, and which are 
 held in high estimation by amateur Fern cultivators, and 
 even prizes awarded by the Horticultural Society. In the 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 221 
 
 trade Catalogue of Mr. Stansfield, of Todmorden, no less 
 than 96 of these names are given under Polystichum aculea- 
 tum and angulare, and 66 under the British species of the 
 genus, Lastrea. 
 
 113. ACROPHORUS, Presl (1836). 
 Aspidium Blume, Watt. ; Davallia Sp. Hook. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, sub-arboroid. Fronds 4 to 6 
 feet high, stipate, deltoid, decompound multifid ; primary 
 pinnae opposite, 1 to H feet long, patent, their petioles 
 short, forming with the rachis a thickened node, and 
 furnished with a deciduous stipuliform scale ; ultimate 
 pinnules or segments sessile, J of an inch long, oblong, 
 oblique cuneiform, lobed or crenate on the upper edge. 
 Veins pinnate ; venules simple or forked, free, setulose 
 on the upper side. Sporangiferous receptacles terminal, 
 marginal. Sori punctiform, one, two, or three on each 
 segment. Indusium sub-orbicular, laterally attached by its 
 broad base on the inner side of the receptacle, at first 
 cucullate, but at length re flexed. 
 
 Type. Aspidium nodosum, Blume. 
 
 Illust. Presl, Tent. Pterid., p. 49, t. 3, f. 2. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded upon a remarkable Fern, a 
 native of India, Java, and other Malayan Islands. Like 
 many other Ferns, its habit alone is sufficient to mark it 
 as a distinct genus, but in venation and character of its 
 sori it differs but little from Lastrea, the principal difference 
 being in the form of the indusium, which is attached by its 
 broad base, as in the Eremobryos genus Leucostegia ; and 
 on that character alone Mr. Moore places the species of 
 Leucostegia under Acrophorus, in habit as two genera they 
 are, however, quite distinct. 
 
222 CHARACTEES OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Sp. A. nodosa, Presl Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 93 (Aspidium 
 foliolosum, Wall). 
 
 114. CAMPTODIUM, Fee (1852). 
 Pachyderis, J. Sm., 1854. Nephrodium sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds stipate, 
 deltoid, cordate, tri- or pedately-lobed, thick, coriaceous, 
 smooth, 8 to 12 inches in length. Veins obscure, flabel- 
 lately forking in the lobes. Receptacles punctiform, terminal. 
 Sori large. Indusium reniform. 
 
 Type. Aspidium pedatum, Desv. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a solitary Fern, which 
 differs from all free- veined Aspidece in its fronds being cor- 
 date, sub-entire, or more or less lobed, and of a thick, 
 coriaceous, firm texture, and obscure veins ; its peculiar 
 habit induced me to characterise it as a distinct genus, 
 under the name of Pachyderis, but which is superseded by 
 the earlier one of Fee. It may be considered as holding a 
 position intermediate between Polystichum and Lastrea. 
 
 Sp. C. pedatum, Fee. 
 
 Native of the West Indies, Jamaica. 
 
 115. ADENODERRIS, /. Sm. (1852). 
 Aspidium Sect. Polystichum, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds 6 to 8 
 inches in length, oblong, lanceolate, pinnatifid, densely 
 covered with pilose glands, decurrently attenuated to a short 
 stipe. Veins pinnately forked. Eeceptades punctiform, 
 medial. Sori round. Indusium orbicular, occasionally 
 reniform. 
 
 Type. Aspidium glandulosum, Hook, and Grev. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Grev. Ic. Fil., t. 140. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 223 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a solitary species, which 
 in habit is so like some species of Ctenopteris, that it might 
 be referred to that genus, but the presence of indusia shows 
 it to belong to Aspidece. Its free veins, and generally orbi- 
 cular peltate indusium, led me to originally refer it to 
 Polystichum. In habit, however, it is totally at variance 
 with any species of that genus, as also with Lastrea ; I 
 therefore deem it best to characterise it as a distinct genus, 
 and view it with Camptodium as an aberrant species between 
 these two genera. 
 
 Sp. A glandtilosa, J. Sm. (Hook and Grev. loc. cite). 
 
 Native of Jamaica and Cuba. 
 
 Sect. 4. ARTHROPTERE^;. 
 
 Fronds pinnate ; pinnse entire or subpinnatifid, articulate 
 with the rachis. 
 
 OBS. This section consists of a few special genera, 
 which do not well associate with any of the genera in the 
 preceding sections ; but the pinnae being articulate with 
 the rachis, and the presence of white chalky dots on the 
 upper surface, opposite the apex of each vein, seems to indi- 
 cate their relationship to one another, which will be 
 specially noticed under each genus. 
 
 116. ARTHROPTERIS, /. Sm. (1854). 
 Polypodiwn, Nephrodium, and Nephrolepis, Hook., Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial ; sarmentum slender, stipes pseudo- 
 articulate ; the node of articulation basal or more or less 
 elevated. Fronds pinnate, 1 to 2 feet or more long, simple 
 or repeatedly dichotomously branched ; pinnaa oblong lan- 
 ceolate, J an inch to 2 or 3 inches long, entire or pinna- 
 tifid, articulated with the rachis. Veins simple, or forked, 
 
224 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 or pinnate ; venules free. Sori punctiform, terminal. 
 Indusium reniform or absent. 
 
 Type. Polypodium tenellum, Forst. 
 
 Illust. Schk. Fil., t. 16 ; Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 89 ; J. Sm., 
 Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 78. 
 
 OBS. This genus was first characterised by me in Dr. 
 Hooker's " Flora of New Zealand," the type being Polypo- 
 dium tenellum Forster. I there stated that although no 
 indusium had been detected on New Zealand specimens I 
 nevertheless associated with it the Nephrodium oUiteratum 
 of Brown, which has a very small fugacious indusium, and 
 although Aspidium albo-punctatum of Bory, has a well- 
 defined reniform indusium, its other points of character 
 seem to indicate its affinity with A. tenella. The apparent 
 articulation at or near the base of the stipes of A. tenella 
 and A. olliterata gives them some claim to rank in Ery- 
 molrya, and in A. allo-punctata the apparent joint is often 
 2 to 3 inches above the base of the stipes. These charac- 
 ters seem to indicate a natural relationship of these species 
 to one another, to which I add Polypodium heteromorpJium, 
 a Fern of peculiar habit of growth, having slender dichoto- 
 mous or unequally branching fronds, each branch being 
 pinnate, the pinnae numerous, oblong, entire or variously 
 lobed, not exceeding half an inch in length, their bases 
 articulate with the rachis, and having white dots on the 
 upper surface, which, with the sori being terminal and 
 naked, leads me to consider these points sufficient to 
 warrant its being placed in the present genus. It is a 
 native of Mexico, New Grenada, and other parts of tropical 
 America, growing round the base of trunks of trees, on 
 moist rocks, and even in caves, its slender fronds being 
 pendulous, similar to some species of Otenopteris and Hy- 
 menop Jiy I lum . 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 225 
 
 Sp. A. tenella, (Forst.) (Schk. Fil., t. 16) (v v.) ; A. ra- 
 mosa (Beauv.) (Nephrodium obliteratum, E. Br. ; A. obli- 
 terate^ J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For.) (v v.) ; A. altescandens 
 J. Sm. (Nephrolepis Hook. Syn. Fil.} ; A. heteromorpha, 
 /. Sm. (Polypodium, Hook, and Grev. Ic. Fil., t. 108) ; A. 
 albo-punctata ( Willd.) (Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 89 ; Aspidium 
 Boutonianum, Hook. Ic. PI., t. 931) (v v.) ; A. sub-biaurita, 
 J. Sm. (Nephrodium, Hook. Sp. Fil.) 
 
 The above species are widely scattered, being individually 
 represented in Australia, New Zealand, Juan Fernandez, 
 tropical West Africa, and Mascaren Islands, and by A. 
 heteromorpha in tropical America. 
 
 117. CTCLOPELTIS, J. Sm. (1846). 
 Aspidium sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, decumbent. Fronds pinnate, 1 to 
 3 feet high, pinnae entire, falcate, lanceolate, 4 to 9 inches 
 long, sessile, auriculated at the base, articulated with the 
 rachis. Veins two or three times forked, venules free, the 
 lower exterior and interior ones sporangiferous on or below 
 their apices. Receptacles punctiform. Sori round, trans- 
 verse, biserial. Indusium orbicular. 
 
 Type. Aspidium semicordatum, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Fee, Gen. Fil., t. 22, fig. 2 A ; J. Sm., Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 80. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded upon the Aspidium semi- 
 cordatum of Swartz, a native of the West Indies and some 
 parts of tropical America. It is closely allied to Nephro- 
 lepis, but differs in the vernation being fasciculate and 
 decumbent, and not stoloniferous, as also in the sori being 
 transverse biserial. A closely allied species is found in 
 the Malayan, Philippine, and other islands, the principal 
 Q 
 
226 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 distinction being that in the first the sori are lateral, and 
 in the latter terminal. 
 
 Sp. C. semicordata (Sw.) (v v.) ; C. Presliana, /. Sm. 
 (Lastrea Prediana, J. 8m., Cuming's Enumeration, 1841). 
 
 In the " Species Filicum" the latter is made a synonym 
 of A. semicor datum. 
 
 118. NEPHROLEPIS, Schott. (1834). 
 Hook Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, stoloniferous. Fronds pin- 
 nate, linear, 1 to 6 feet long ; pinnae numerous, oblong or 
 linear lanceolate and falcate, entire, dentate, or deeply 
 crenate, upper side of the base auriculated, sessile, articu- 
 lated with the rachis. Veins forked ; venules free, clavate, 
 the lower exterior branches fertile. Indusium reniform, or 
 in some nearly orbicular, sometimes equal and conniving 
 with the soriferous crenule, forming a marginal bilabiate 
 cyst. Sori transverse uniserial. 
 
 Type. Aspidium exaltatum, Swartz. 
 
 Illust. Schott. Gen. Fil., t. 3 ; Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., 
 t. 35, 48 A ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 72, B ; J. Sm. Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 79 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 5, fig. 45. 
 
 OBS. This is a truly natural genus, very generally 
 distributed over the tropics of both hemispheres. The 
 great uniformity in general character pervading the genus 
 has, however, not prevented authors creating about forty 
 species ; and Fee has even gone so far as to divide them 
 into two distinct genera, which he places far apart in his 
 system, his character in the indusium being reniform in 
 one and nearly orbicular in the other ; but these characters 
 are variable even in specimens of the same suite. On 
 reviewing the whole, the genus appears to me to resolve 
 
CHAEACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 227 
 
 into a few species. In the " Species Filicum " six 
 species only are enumerated ; but having had the oppor- 
 tunity of examining not less than eight species in a living 
 state, has led me to increase the number to about a dozen- 
 
 Sp. N. undulata (Sw.) (v v.). 
 
 OBS. Sir Wm. Hooker unites this with N. tuberosa, but 
 viewing living plants proves them to be very distinct. The 
 fronds of the present species dying down annually, whereas 
 in N. tuberosa they are permanent. 
 
 N. pectinata (Willd.) (v v.) ; N. pendula (Radd.) ; N. 
 exaltata (Sw.) (v v.) ; N. cordifolia (Linn.) ; N. tuberosa 
 (.Bory.)(vv.); N.volubilis(/.m.) ; N.ensifolia (Sw.) (vv.); 
 N. hirsutula (Sw.) (v v.) ; N. biserrata (Sw.) (v v.) ; N. 
 splendens (Willd.) ; N. davallioides (Sw.) (v v.) ; N. abrupta 
 (/. Sm.) (Leptopleura ahrupta, Presl.). 
 
 OBS. This species is a native of Bourbon and is probably 
 not distinct from the preceding one which is a very elegant 
 species, a native of India and Java ; it differs from other 
 species of the genus in the upper pinnse being contracted, 
 which are sinuously lobed, each lacinae and lobe bearing a 
 sorus, furnished with a nearly orbicular indusium, the free 
 exterior margin of which connives with the margin of the 
 lobe, which becomes partially reflexed, and thus forming as 
 it were a bilabiate cyst, analogous to the tribe Dicksonice, 
 which circumstance led Presl to characterise it as a distinct 
 genus under the name of Leptopleura. 
 
 119. ISOLOMA, /. Sm. (1841). 
 
 Lindscea, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, stoloniferous. Fronds linear, 
 1 to 2 feet long, pinnate ; pinnae oblong, elliptical or lan- 
 ceolate, falcate, coriaceous, the base truncate and sub-auri- 
 culate ; petiole short, articulate with the rachis. Veins 
 
228 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 forked. Sori terminal, contiguous, confluent, forming- a 
 continuous marginal sorus. Indusium interiorly attached, 
 continuous, forming with the margin a groove, containing 
 the sporangia (as in Lindscea). 
 
 Type. Lindscea lanuginosa, Wall. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 102 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 22, fig. 1 ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig 
 79, A. 
 
 OBS. This genus was founded by me in 1841, on the 
 Lindscea lanuginosa, of Wallich, a native of the Mauritius, 
 Malayan Peninsula and Islands ; to which I have since 
 added two other species also natives of the same regions. In 
 habit and general appearance Isoloma lanuginosa is similar 
 to Nephrolepis ensifolia and N. hirsutula, but differing 
 in the sori, being contiguous, forming a line on both mar- 
 gins of the pinnae, and in having a continuous indusium 
 opening exteriorally, in that respect agreeing in technical 
 character with Lindscea, but the articulated pinnae and 
 central costa is at variance with the character of that genus. 
 Its affinity with the present group is also indicated by its 
 having the white chalky dot, characteristic of Arthropteridece. 
 
 Sp. I. lanuginosa (Wall.} (v v.) ; I. Walkera) (flbofc.) ; 
 I. divergens (Hook.). 
 
 Sect. 5. DIDYMOCHL^NEJ;. 
 
 Caudex arboroid. Fronds bipinnate, pinnae and pinnules 
 articulate with the rachis. 
 
 120. DIDTMOCHL^NA, Desv. (1811). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Aspidium sp. Sw. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate and erect, subarbroid. Fronds 
 bipinnate, 2 to 6 feet long, smooth, glossy ; pinnules 
 oblong elliptical, oblique, base truncate, subsessile, articu. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 229 
 
 late with the rachis. Veins radiating, forked, costa ex- 
 centric ; venules direct free, their apices clavate, the 
 anterior one sporangiferous. Receptacles oblong. Sori 
 terminal, elliptical, sub-marginal. Indusium oblong, 
 attached longitudinally. 
 
 Type, Aspidiwm trttncatulum, Sw. 
 
 Illust Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 8 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil, p. 43 A ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 81 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 4, fig. 41. 
 
 OBS. The habit and general appearance of the Fern 
 forming this genus is so peculiar and unique that it is diffi- 
 cult to point out its place in any natural sequence. Its 
 texture, its articulated pinnules, and its terminal sori, indi- 
 cate some connection with NepJirolepis, with which it also 
 agrees in the apices of the veins being marked by white 
 dots, which form a conspicuous row on the superior side of 
 the pinnules. 
 
 In my observation on this genus in 1841 I have said 
 that " this is the only genus in Aspideoe besides Mesochlcena 
 that has elongated sori," upon this character Mr. Baker, 
 in the u Synopsis Filicum," has united Mesochlcena with 
 Didymochlcena, thus making a second species, which he 
 names D. polycarpa. In doing this he entirely sets aside 
 natural habit, as well as the position of the sori, and nature 
 of the venation, for in habit Mesocklcena scarcely differs 
 from the group to which Nephrodium molle belongs, with 
 which it agrees in the lower pair of venules anastomosing, 
 and the sori being medial on the venules, and which is 
 entirely at variance with the character of Didymochlaena. 
 Upon the same principle the simple fronded Fern Fadyenia 
 prolifera is referable to Didymochlcena. 
 
 Sp. D. lunulata (Vesv.} (v v.), Hook. Sp. Fil., Hoolc. 
 Gard. Ferns., pi. 17. 
 
230 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 OBS. A native of the West Indies and many parts of 
 tropical America, the East Indies, Malayan, Java, Philippine, 
 and Fiji islands, tropical West and South Africa, and East 
 African islands. As might be expected, this wide geo- 
 graphical range has led to this Fern being described under 
 five generic and eight different specific names. 
 
 ** Sori punctiform, rarely linear, naked, or included under 
 an universal indusium. 
 
 Sect. 6. STRUTHIOPTERE^E. 
 Sori punctiform, included under an universal indusium. 
 
 121. STRUTHIOPTERIS, Willd. (1810). 
 Onoclea, sp. Hook., Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, sub-arboroid. Fronds dimor- 
 phous, 1 to 3 feet high, the sterile lanceolate, pinnate, 
 pinnae lanceolate, sessile, 4 to 6 inches long, pinnatifidly 
 lobed, venules in the lobes pinnate. Fertile contracted, 
 produced in a compact fascicle, from the centre of verna- 
 tion, shorter than the sterile, re volute, the opposite margins 
 conniving, forming a universal indusium (siliquaform). 
 Veins pinnate, venules short. Receptacles punctiform, 
 lateral, pedicils of the sporangia concrete. Sori confluent, 
 irregular, or in a transverse row. 
 
 Type. Strufhiopteris germanica, Willd. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil , t. 69 A : Moore, Ind. 
 Fil., p. 54 B. ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 82. 
 
 OBS. This genus agrees in habit and normal structure 
 with the bipinnatifid species of Phegopteris, differing only 
 in the fertile fronds being contracted as in Lomaria. 
 
 It is represented in Europe by S. germanica, and in 
 North America by S. pennsylvanica, and in India by S. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 231 
 
 orientalis. With regard to the two first, herbarium speci- 
 mens lead to the inference that they only represent one 
 species, nevertheless, cultivated plants are readily recog- 
 nised as being distinct. The Indian species differs in the 
 fertile pinnes being less involute and more flat than in the 
 preceding. 
 
 Although the species of Struthiopteris are perfectly dis 
 tinct in mode of growth and venation from Onoclea sensibilis, 
 nevertheless they are in "Species Filicum" placed under 
 the latter genus, and S. pennsylvanica is described as 
 having a special indusium to each sorus, but which I have 
 failed to discover. 
 
 Sp. S. germanica, Willd. (v v.) ; S. pennsylvanica, Willd. 
 (v v.) ; S. orientalis (Hook. 2nd. Cent. Ferns, t. 4). 
 
 Sect. 7. PHEGOPTERE.E. 
 
 Fertile pinnce plane. Sori punctiform, rarely oblong 
 linear. 
 
 122. LEPTOGRAMMA, /. Sni. (1841). 
 Gymnogramma, sp. Sw. Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose, or decumbent. 
 Fronds bipinnatifid, 1 to 3 feet high. Veins of lacinae 
 costaeform, pinnate ; venules free, a portion of their length 
 sporangiferous, forming oblong or linear sori. 
 
 Type. Polypodium lottum, Willd. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 72; Moore Ind, 
 Fil., p. 49 A, fig. 5 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., 
 fig. 49. 
 
 OBS. This genus agrees in habit and venation with the 
 bipinnatifid species of Phegopteris, differing only in the 
 receptacles being elongated on the venules, thus con- 
 
232 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 stituting linear simple sori, analogous to Grammitis, to 
 which the species have been referred by some authors, but 
 their entirely distinct habit shows that they possess no 
 direct affinity with Grammitis, as here denned. They have 
 also been referred to Gymnogramma, under which genus 
 they stand in the " Species Filicum." 
 
 The genus consists of about ten known species, of which 
 six are natives of the West Indies and Tropical America, 
 the other four being natives of Tropical Africa, India, Java, 
 and Japan, L. totta having a very wide range, being found 
 in the Azores, Madeira, Western and South Africa, Ceylon, 
 East Indies, Java, China, and Japan. 
 
 Sp. L. asplenioides (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. totta (Willd.) (v v.) 
 (Gymnogramma, Lowei, Hook, and Grev., t. 89) ; L. Linkiana 
 (Kze.) (v v.) ; L. rupestris (Kze.) (v v.) ; L. villosa (Link.) 
 (v v.) ; L. polypodioides (Eaddi) (v v.); L. gracilis (Hew.) 
 (v v.) ; L. subsimilis (Hook) ; L. decurrenti-alata (Hook.) 
 L. obtusata (Blume). 
 
 123. PHEGOPTERIS, Fee. (1851). 
 Polypodium sp. t auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial and sarmentose, or fasciculate decum- 
 bent, or erect, acaulose or subarboroid. Fronds varying 
 from pinnate to deltoid decompound multifid, and from 
 1 to 6 feet high. Feins forked or pinnate ; venules free. 
 Receptacles punctiform, terminal, lateral or basal. Sori 
 round, rarely oblong, naked. 
 
 Type. Polypodium decussatum, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Moore Ind. Fil., p. 56 A., fig. 5 ; J. Sm. Ferns 
 Brit, and For., fig. 84; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 5, fig. 
 48, c. d. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of 50 or more species widely 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 233 
 
 distributed, in both temperate and tropical regions, vary- 
 ing much in size and circumscription of the fronds, and in 
 the position of the sori being terminal or lateral on the 
 venules, which, although common to closely allied species, 
 has however, been considered by many authors sufficient 
 to characterise several genera. The most obvious differen- 
 tial character of species consists in some having erect 
 vernation and the others decumbent, which admits of their 
 being arranged in groups as follows : 
 
 GROUP 1. Vernation erect, acaulose or subarboroid 
 
 (Desmopooium) . 
 
 * Fronds pinnate, pinnae entire or pinnatifid. 
 Sp. P. hastaefolia (Sw.) (v v.) ; P. elongata (Wall.} ; P. 
 Walkerse (Hook.) (v v.) ; P. Sieberiana (Kaulf.) (v v.) ; 
 P. appendiculata (Wall) ; P. auriculata (Wall.) Bedd. F. 
 Brit. Ind., pi. 203 ; P. erubescens (Wall.) ; Bedd. F. Brit. 
 Ind., pi. 213 ; P. Tijucana (Radd.) ; P. Imrayana, /. Sm. 
 (Nephrodium, Hook.) ; P. rotundata (Willd.); P. flavo- 
 punctata (Kaulf.) ; P. rude (Kze.) ; P. decussata, (Linn.) 
 (v v.) ; P. caudata (Kaulf.) 
 
 ** Fronds ~bi-tripmnate, multifid. 
 
 P. drepana (Sw.) (v v.) ; P. platyphyllum (Hook.) ; P. 
 rufescens(Tfa/Z.)(w.); P.grande(Pr.); P.ampla(/f.JB./T.) 
 (v v.) ; P. spectabilis (Kaulf.) (v v. ) ; P. lachnopoda (/. Sm.) 
 (v v.) ; P. macroptera (Kaulf.) (v v.) ; P. macrophylla 
 (Hook.) ; P. molle (Boxb.) (Polypodium Dianeoe, Hook.) 
 
 GROUP 2. Vernation decumbent (Catap odium). 
 P. alpestris (Hoppe) (v v.) ; P. flexilis (Moore) (v v.) ; 
 P. brunea ( Wall.) ; P. paludosa (Bl.) ; P. divergens ( Willd.) 
 (v v.) ; P. effusa (Sw.) (v v.) ; P. trichodes (Beinw.) (v v.) ; 
 P. rugulosa (Labill.) (v v.) ; P. unidentata (Hook.) (v v.) ; 
 P. ornata (Wall). 
 
234 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 GROUP 3. Phegopteris vera. Vernation uniserial, sarmentose, 
 
 epigeous or hypogeous. 
 
 P. Dryopteris (Linn.) (v v.) ; P. Robertiana (Ho/m.) 
 (v v.) (Polypodium calcareum, Sm.) ; P. vulgaris (Mett.) 
 (v v.) (Polypodium Phegopteris, Linn.); P. aurita (/. Sm.) 
 (v v.) (Gymnogramma, Hook.) ; P. hexagonoptera (HicJix.) 
 (vv.); P. aquilina (Thouars) ; P. pteroidea (Klot.) ; P. 
 Keraudrenianum (Gaud.) 
 
 OBS. In the " Synopsis Filicum," P. divergens, P. e/usa, 
 P. lachnopodium, P. amplum, and others, are placed in the 
 indusiate genus Neplir odium. Although these have been 
 under my observation for a number of years in a living 
 state, and I have watched them carefully, I never found 
 the least trace of indusia ; therefore, if indusiate specimens 
 are found in the herbarium, probably they represent dis- 
 tinct species, and allied to the multifid fronded species of 
 Lastrea. 
 
 124. HYPOLEPIS, Bernh. (1806). 
 Hook. Sp. FiL (in part). 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentose. Fronds, 1 to 6 feet 
 high, bi-tripinnate, smooth, pilo-glandulose or aculeate. 
 Veins forked or pinnate, venules free, the lower exterior 
 branch sporangiferous. Receptacles terminal, punctiform, 
 Sori marginal, seated on the axis of an inflexed induseeform 
 crenule. 
 
 Type. Hypolepis tenuifolia, Bernh, 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 67 B. ; Moore. 
 Ind. Fil., p. 27 A. ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 
 85 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, fig. 24. 
 
 OBS. The species included in this genus are Ferns with 
 generally large decompound, multifid fronds, rising from a 
 
W. H.Ktch.delctT.tk. 
 
 J.N.Fifcoh.,rmp. 
 
CHAEACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENERA. 235 
 
 slender prolonging epigeous sarmentum. In habit they 
 agree with the section Phegopteris, but are technically 
 distinguished by the sori being terminal, and produced in 
 the axis of reflexed crenules or lobules of the incised mar- 
 gin of the frond, in that respect analogous to the pteroid 
 genus Cheilanthes, but the apparent indusium has no dis- 
 tinct axis of attachment, being merely a reflexed changed 
 crenule, also the habit of the species which I restrict to 
 Hypolepis are widely distinct from those of true Clieilantlies. 
 In some cases the inflexed crenule is not very evident, and 
 it is then difficult to distinguish the species from Phegopteris, 
 for instance such species as P. ornata, which by some 
 authors is referred to Hypolepis. 
 
 In Hooker's " Species Filicum " 30 species are described, 
 which in the Synopsis are reduced to 11. The following 
 are the most well defined species. They are widely dis- 
 tributed, being found in the tropics, and extending to 
 the latitude of New Zealand in the South and Japan in the 
 North. 
 
 Sp. H. tenuifolia, Bernh. (v v.) ; H. repens, Pr. (v v.) ; 
 H. amaurorachis, Kze. (v v.) ; H. distans, Hook, (v v.) ; 
 H. rugulosa (Ldbill.) ; H. anthriscifolia, Presl. (Cheilan* 
 tlies commutata, Kze. ; Hook. Gen. Fil. t t. 67 A.} ; H. 
 nigrescens, Hook. H. parallelogramma, Hook. ; H. Pur- 
 dieana, Hook. 
 
 Tribe 14. PHYSEMATEA (Plate 14). 
 
 Vernation acaulose. Fronds varying from linear pinnate 
 to deltoid decompound. Veins free. Sori punctiform. 
 Indusium cucullate or calyciform. 
 
 OBS. This tribe contains about twenty species ; and 
 although varying much in the size and circumscription of 
 
236 CHAEACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENEEA. 
 
 the fronds, they nevertheless all agree in general aspect 
 with Phegopteris and Lastrea, differing only in the sori 
 being furnished with a calyciform indusium. 
 
 125. CYSTOPTERIS, Sernh. (1806). 
 Polypodium, Linn. ; Aspidium sp. auct. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate or uniserial. Fronds slender, lan- 
 ceolate, bipinnatifid, 6 to 15 inches high. Veins forked ; 
 venules free. Sori punctiform, lateral. Indusium cucul- 
 late, interiorly attached. 
 
 Type. Polopodium fragile, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 52, B ; Schott. Gen. 
 Fil., fig. 8; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 73, A; J. Sm. Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 76 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, fig. 19. 
 
 OBS. This genus contains low growing Ferns, with the 
 general character of the small species of the Lophidium 
 section of Lastrea, but it is technically distinguished by the 
 indusium being short, ovate, or oblong, and vaulted, so as 
 to form a cucullate marsupial cyst, opening exteriorly. 
 It has also some claims of relationship with Athyrium ; but 
 the base of attachment of the indusium being across the 
 venule not longitudinally along one side as in that genus 
 indicates its natural affinity to be with Lastrea. 
 
 Representatives of this genus are found widely spread 
 over the northern part of Europe, Asia, and America, even 
 to within the Arctic circle, and also in several localities in 
 the southern hemisphere. The different appearances of 
 specimens and observation of living plants from different 
 localities, have given rise to at least twenty species being 
 described by various authors ; but careful examination 
 reduces that number to the following. 
 
 With the exception of C. montana, all the species have 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 237 
 
 lanceolate fronds, growing in csespitose tufts ; but in that 
 species the fronds are deltoid, and distinctly produced on a 
 slender creeping underground sarmentum, in all respects 
 similar to Phegopteris and Dryopteris, an apparent natural 
 affinity which is overruled by the technical character in the 
 sori of the latter being naked. On account of the cucullate 
 indusia, this genus is by Sir. William Hooker and other 
 authors placed in the Davallia alliance, but with this it has 
 no relationship. 
 
 Sp. C. fragilis, B&rnh. (v v.) ; C. dentata, Hook, (v v.) ; 
 C. regia (Linn.') (v v.) ; C. fumarioides, Kze. ; C. tenuis 
 (Sw.) (v v.) ; C. bulbifera (Linn.) (v v.) ; C. montana 
 {Linn.} (v v.) 
 
 126. WOODSIA, E. Br. (1813). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Physematium, Kaulf. ; Hymenocystis, Meyer. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect acaulose. Fronds caespitose, 
 bi-tripinnatifid, rarely pinnate, 6 to 12 inches high, smooth, 
 or squamiferous. Feins simple or forked, free, the lower 
 exterior branch sporangiferous on or below its apex. Sori 
 pnnctiform. Indusium calyciform, its margin nearly entire 
 or deeply laciniated, lacinae usually terminating in long 
 hairs, which involve the sporangia. 
 
 Type. Polypodium Ilvense, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 3 and 119 ; Hook. 
 Gard. Ferns, t. 32 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 82 ; J. Sm. 
 Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 77; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 1, 
 fig. 11, 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of about a dozen known 
 species, chiefly natives of the Northern hemisphere, being 
 widely dispersed over Europe and Northern Asia and 
 America, reaching even to the Arctic circle, and in Southern 
 
238 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Europe inhabiting only Alpine situations. One species is 
 found in South America and another has been discovered 
 in Southern Africa, and one in Japan. 
 
 As originally characterised, Woodsia comprises only 
 three species, which are not only peculiar in their singular 
 capillary indusium, but in their stipes having a distinct 
 articulation some distance above its base. This latter 
 character is similar to the elevated node of Oleandra, but 
 otherwise the technical characters of the two genera are 
 quite different. 
 
 In the section Physematium, the indusium is so truly 
 calyciform, that, in determining affinities from that organ 
 alone, they (with fronds only a few inches high) would 
 be associated with the arboreous genus Cyathea, and 
 on account of the sori of W. caucasica being apparently 
 marginal, led to its being first described as a species of 
 Dicksonia. 
 
 * Woodsia vera. 
 
 Stipes articulated. Indusium deeply laciniated, fringed with 
 long hairs. 
 
 Sp. W. Ilvensis, K Br. (v v.) ; W. hyperborea, H. Br. 
 (v v.) ; W. glabella, R. Br. 
 
 ** Physematium. 
 
 Stipes not articulated. Indusium complete, calyciform. 
 W. polystichoides, Eat., Hook. 2nd Cent. Ferns, t. 2, 
 (v v.) ; W. elongata, Hook. Sp. Fil. 1, t. 21 C. ; W. caucasica, 
 J. Sm. (Hymenocystis, Meyer, Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. o) ; 
 W. mollis, /. 8m. (Physematium, Kze., Anal, t. 27) (v v.) ; 
 W. obtusa (Sw.) (Polypodium, Schk. Fil., t.2l; W. Perriniana, 
 Hook, and Grev. Ic. Fil., t. 68) (v v.) ; W. guatemalensis, 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 239 
 
 Hook. Sp. Fit. 1, t. 21 A. ; W. Peruviana, Hook. 82). Fil. 1, 
 t. 21 B. ; W. incisa, Gillies, Hook, and Grev. Ic. FiL, 
 L 191. 
 
 OBS. The two first are natives of Great Britain, chiefly 
 found in Scotland and Wales, but rare. 
 
 127. DIACALPE, Blume (1828). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, acaulose. Fronds 2 to 3 feet high, 
 stipate deltoid, decompound multifid ; primary pinnae alter- 
 nate ; ultimate pinnules small, J-inch in length, linear, 
 obtuse, oblique, cuneate at the base. Feins simple or 
 forked, free and clavate. Sporangiferovs receptacles medial, 
 punctiform. Indusium globose, calyciform, opening irregu- 
 larly, attached by a small point, including the sporangia, 
 forming a sessile sorus. 
 
 Type. Diacalpe aspidioides, Blume. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 99 ; Moore Ind. Fil., 
 p. 81, fig. 1 to 4 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 1, fig. 7. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of one species only, native of 
 Java, Assam, and Moulmein. In general habit it resembles 
 some of the multifid species of Lastrea and PolysticJmm. 
 Its complete globose cup indusium is similar to the section 
 Physematium of Woodsia, as also to the following genus 
 Peranema, differing only in the sori not being pedicellate ; 
 this, however, is more apparent than real, for in reality 
 there is a slightly elevated point in Diacalpe, off which the 
 entire sorus can be freely removed without rupturing the 
 indusium or disturbing its sporangia. 
 
 Sp. D. aspidioides, Blume. 
 
240 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 128. PERANEMA, Don. (1825). 
 Sphceropteris, Wall., Hook. 8p. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, decumbent, squamose. Fronds 
 4 to 6 feet high, stipate, deltoid, decompound, ultimate 
 pinnules and lacinee sessile, linear oblong, obtuse, half an 
 inch long, pinnatifid, repand, or crenate. Veins forked 
 clavate, free. Sporangiferous receptacles medial pedicellate, 
 included within a calyciform indusium, forming globose 
 elevated sori. 
 
 Type. Peranema cyatlieoides, Don. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 22 ; Schott. Gen. 
 Fil., t. 4 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 80, B. ; Hook. Syn. Fil., 
 t. 1, fig. 5. 
 
 OBS. This genus also consists of a single species, a 
 native of Nepal and Sikkim. In general aspect it resem- 
 bles some of the large decompound species of Lastrea, such 
 as L. villosa. It is specially remarkable in the sori being 
 elevated above the surface of the frond, similar to the 
 genus Eupodium in the tribe Marattiacece, although the 
 calyciform indusium of this and the preceding genera is 
 similar to that of Cyathea ; nevertheless, their dwarf, 
 stemless habit, prevents their natural association with 
 tree Ferns. 
 
 Sp. P. cyatheoides, Don. Bedd. F. S. Ind., pi. 73 (Sphcer- 
 opteris barlata, Wall.) 
 
 OBS. The stipes of this Fern are densely covered with 
 hoary scales, which in its native places of growth imparts 
 to it an aged appearance. 
 
 Tribe 15. CYATHE^E (Plate 15). 
 
 Vernation terminal, fasciculate, forming tree-like stems, 
 50 or more feet high, Sori medial, round, rarely oblong. 
 
PUJ. 
 
 7 
 
 J.N. Fitch, amp 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 241 
 
 Receptacles more or less elevated. Indusium calyciform, 
 semi-calyciform or lateral (scale like), or absent or repre- 
 sented by numerous articulate hairs. 
 
 OBS. The plants constituting this tribe (together with 
 those of the genus Dicksonia as here restricted) are truly 
 the giants of the Fern race, their erect arboreous stems 
 often attaining the height of 50 or more feet, and having a 
 crown of decompound (rarely simple or simply pinnate) 
 fronds, sometimes 20 feet in length, the bases of their stipes 
 being either articulated with the stem and, when mature, 
 separating at the articulation, the point of attachment 
 being afterwards indicated by scars of an oblong rhomboid 
 form, spirally arranged round the stem ; or more or less 
 of the lower part of the stipes remain permanent and 
 become indurated, forming part of the solid structure of 
 the stem, which is often much increased in thickness by 
 the production of numerous outgrowing aerial, wiry, black 
 roots, forming a coating from a few inches to a foot in 
 thickness. 
 
 The species are widely distributed, chiefly within or near 
 the tropics, the number being nearly equal in the old and 
 new worlds. They love shade and solitude, and in humid 
 regions within the tropics are found at elevations of from 
 3,000 to 6,000 feet, often in ravines. In Sikkim, Hima- 
 laya, the tribe is represented by eight or nine species, all 
 of which are to be found within three miles of Bungbee. 
 The stems often branch into many crowns. About a dozen 
 are distributed throughout the islands of the Pacific Ocean, 
 their southernmost limit being Tasmania, New Zealand, 
 and Norfolk Island, where they grow at a lower elevation 
 than within the tropics. Also several new species have 
 recently been discovered in the Bellenden Ker range of 
 mountains, Queensland. 
 
242 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 It is difficult to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion as 
 to the number of species, Sir Wm. Hooker in his " Species 
 Filicum " enumerates about 100, which in the " Synopsis " 
 is increased to 139, but that falls short of the number 
 given by Mr. Moore in the " Index Filicum," where under 
 the genera Alsophila, Cyathea, and Amphicosma (Hemenos- 
 tegia\ 176 are enumerated, and when Hemitelia (not yet 
 indexed) is added, the total will be near 200. 
 
 I am of opinion that important distinguishing characters 
 are to be found in the formation of the stems. After the 
 examination of a considerable number, I find that while 
 some are slender and never exceed 1 to 3 inches in thick- 
 ness, others are a foot or more in diameter, and that the 
 difference is consequent on the normal number of fronds, 
 constituting the series or whorle of the progressing axis 
 being few or many. In some species three complete the 
 whorle, that being the lowest number capable of forming 
 an erect arborescent stem, but in others the series consists 
 of a greater number, and consequently a stem of larger 
 diameter is formed. I must, however, observe that a great 
 deal is yet to be done in the examination of Tree Fern 
 stems, before the differences in their structure can be made 
 practically available for determining species. 
 
 The genera Cyaihea, Alsophila, and Hemitelia include the 
 greater mass of species belonging to this tribe, and although 
 the technical characters are in many sufficiently obvious to 
 enable us to refer many of the species to their respective 
 genera without much trouble, the differences are not always 
 well defined ; for instance, the transition between the com- 
 plete cup of Cyathea and the small indusoid scale of some 
 species ofAlsophila, is so gradual that upon taking a general 
 view the whole would seem to form one genus ; but for the 
 sake of convenience, and in order to show the principle 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 243 
 
 differences, I have thought it best to adopt the following 
 arrangement. 
 
 In general habit the Cyatlicce may be viewed as analogous 
 to those species of Phegopteris and Lastrea, having terminal 
 vernation, and large compound fronds rising from an erect 
 caudex, and as some have naked sori, and others a lateral 
 indusium not differing from that of Lastrea, the arboreous 
 habit and elevated receptacles are, therefore, the only points 
 that technically distinguish them, but, in some cases, even 
 the elevated receptacle fails. 
 
 The apparent obliquity of the ring of the sporangia in 
 Cyathece has been already explained at page 41. 
 
 129. SCHIZOOENA, /. Sm. (1841). 
 Cyatliea sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect. Caudex slender, 3 to 5 feet 
 high. Fronds simple, pinnate, or bipinnatifid, 2 to 8 feet 
 long, smooth, glossy, pinnae articulated with the rachis. 
 Veins pinnately forked ; venules free. Sori medial. Re- 
 ceptacles globose. Indusium calyciform, ultimately deeply 
 laciniated. 
 
 Type. Cyatliea Brunonis, Wall. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 2 ; Hook, and 
 Grev., Ic. Fil., t. 106 ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., 
 fig. 130. 
 
 OBS. With regard to this genus Mr. Brown remarks in 
 the " Prodromus Florae Novas Hollandia3," that, besides the 
 genuine species of Cyaihea, characterised by having the sori 
 seated on the fork of the veins, there are others from 
 Malacca, which have the sori seated on the middle of the 
 veins, which distinction I find normal to at least three 
 species. It is, however, observed that in several species 
 of true Cyathea the sori are seated a little above the 
 
244 CHARACTEES OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 fork of the vein ; ScTiizoccena therefore depends for its 
 separation from Cyathea more upon the distinct habit of 
 the species than in the character of the son. 
 
 Sp. S. sinuata (Hook, and Grev.) (v v.) ; S. Brunonis 
 (Wall ) (Bedd. F. Brit. Ind. pi. 87) ; S. alternans (Wall.}. 
 
 OBS. The first is a simple fronded species, a native of 
 Ceylon, the two latter have pinnate and bipinnate fronds, 
 and are natives of Penang and Malacca. 
 
 130. CTATHEA, 8m. (1793). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. (in part). 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, arborescent, squamiferous. 
 Fronds bi-tripinnatifid, 5 to 15 feet long ; pinnae and pin- 
 nules in some species articulated with the rachis. Feins 
 forked ; venules free. Sori axillary. Receptacles columnar. 
 Indusium complete calyciform, its margin entire or unequally 
 laciniated. 
 
 Type. Poly podium arbor -eum, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 23 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 84, A ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 131 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 4. 
 
 OBS. In the "Species Filicum" thirty-six species are 
 described, excluding Schizocoena, which number is in the 
 "Synopsis" increased to fifty, of which twenty- two are 
 American, nine African, eleven Indian and Malayan, and 
 ten Polynesian, Australian, and New Zealand. In the 
 Addenda of the " Synopsis " twenty-five species are enume- 
 rated, of which the greater number are new. Many of 
 them present great uniformity in the character of the 
 fronds. It is probable that on better acquaintance with 
 the nature of their stems, and with other peculiarities of 
 habit, sufficient differences will be found to justify their 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 245 
 
 separation into at least two distinct groups, one to con- 
 tain those species in which the stipes are adherent ; and 
 the other those in which the stipes are articulated with 
 the stem, the pinnae also being articulated, and having a 
 black scutaeform (generally oblong) gland at their base on 
 the rachis. 
 
 WEST INDIAN AND AMERICAN. 
 
 Sp. C. arborea, Sm. (v v.) ; var. C. pallida, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 OBS. Great uncertainty has always existed as to which 
 West Indian tree Fern should bear the. name of Cyathea 
 arlorea, a species founded by Linna3us on Plumier's figures 
 of a Martinique Fern. The figure represents a tree Fern 
 with a smooth, cylindrical, tesselated stem, described as 
 being 10 to 11 feet high and 6 inches thick, and although 
 the artist has exaggerated the tessellated character, it is 
 evident that it is one of the species having the stipes arti- 
 culated with the stem, indeed I have no doubt that it is the 
 prototype of the fine tree Ferns cultivated in Kew Gardens 
 under the name of Cyafhea elegans Heward, received from 
 both Martinique and Jamaica, one plant having a stem 10 
 feet high, as in Plumier's figure. Herbarium specimens of 
 this and C. aculeata are very similar, and only specifically 
 distinguished by the stipes of the latter being adherent 
 and prickly 
 
 C. serra, Willd. (v v.) ; C. insignis, Eat. (v v.) (C. prin- 
 ceps, J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For.) ; C. Imrayana, Hook. 
 C. Mexicana, Schlecht. ; C. divergens, Kze. ; C. Schanschin 
 Mart. ; C. cuspidata, Kze. ; C. nigricans, Klot. (v v.) ; C. 
 aculeata, Willd. (v v.) ; C. vestita, Mart. ; C. Gardneri, 
 Hook. ; C. equestris, Kze. C. muricata, Willd. (v v.) ; C. 
 hirtnla, Mart. 
 
246 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 TROPICAL, SOUTH AFRICAN AND ASIAN ISLANDS. 
 Sp. C. canaliculata, WilU. (v v.) ; C. Isevigata, Willd. 
 (v v.) ; C. excelsa, Sw. (v v.) ; C. marattioides, Willd. 
 C. glauca, Bory. ; C. Dregei, Kze. (v v.) ; C. Manniana, 
 Hook, (v v.) ; C. Camerooniana, Hook. C. Welwitschii, 
 Hook. ; C. Angolensis, Weliv. ; C. Kirkii, Hook. C. sechel- 
 larum, Mett. 
 
 EAST INDIAN AND MALAYAN. 
 
 C. spinulosa, Wall. ; C. javanica, Bl. C. crenulata, Bl. ; 
 C. Integra, /. Sm. (v v.) ; C. Hookeri, Thw. (v v.) 
 
 POLYNESIAN ISLANDS, AUSTRALIA, AND NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 C. affinis Sw. ; C. Cunninghami, Hook, (v v.) ; C. deal- 
 bata, Sw. (v v.) ; C. medullaris, Sw. (v v.) ; C. Smithii, 
 Hook, (v v.) 
 
 131. HEMITELIA, R. Br. (1810). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Cyathea sp. auct. Cnemidaria, Pr. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, arborescent. Fronds bipin- 
 natifid, 4 to 8 feet long, stipes smooth or aculeated. Feins 
 simple, pinnately forked ; venules all free, or the lower 
 pair of the lowest fascicles angularly anastomosing, forming 
 a costal arch or more or less acute angle. Sori medial. 
 Receptacles globose. Indusium semi-calyciform. 
 
 Type. Cyathea grandifolia, Willd. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 4 ; Hook. Fil. Exot., 
 t. 66 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 84, B ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, 
 and For., fig. 132. 
 
 OBS. In the second edition of the " Synopsis Filicum" 
 thirty species are recorded as belonging to this genus ; but 
 as the greater number agree in habit, and character of the 
 
CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 247 
 
 sori with Alsophila, I refer them to the Hymenoslegia section 
 of that genus, restricting Hemitelia to about a dozen species, 
 which are readily distinguished from AlsopJiila by the lower 
 venules anastomosing opposite the sinus of the lacinae, 
 but in some species this character is wanting, the whole of 
 the venules being free ; their habit of growth and broad 
 divisions of the fronds is indicative of their relationship to 
 be with Hemitelia rather than with AlsopJiila ; it, however, 
 must be admitted that although the typical species of 
 Cyathea, Hemitelia, and Alsophila, warrant their separation 
 as distinct genera, the transition species however appears 
 to unite them so as to form one natural group. The 
 species as here restricted to Hemitelia, are all natives of the 
 West Indies and Tropical America. 
 
 * Fronds pinnate ; pinnce entire. 
 
 Sp. H. speciosa (Kaulf.) (v v.) ; H. Lindeni (Hook.) ; 
 H. grandifolia (Sprang.) (v v.) ; H. obtusa (Kaulf.) (v v.) 
 
 ** Fronds bipinnatiftd. 
 
 H. Imyrana (Hook.) (v v.) ; H. Karsteniana (Hook.) 
 (v v.) ; H. horrida (R. Br.) (v v.) ; H. marginalis (/. Sm.). 
 
 132. ALSOPHILA, E. Br. (1810). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. -, Amphicosmia Gar A. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, arborescent. Fronds bi-tri- 
 pinnatifid, 5 to 15 feet long. Veins simple or forked, free. 
 Sori axillary or medial. Receptacles elevated, globose, or 
 columnar. Indusium semi-calciform, or small and squarme- 
 form, often wanting, in some trichiferous. 
 Type. Cyathea multiftora, Sm. 
 
248 CHAEACTEES OF TE1BES AND GENERA. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 42 A ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 85 B ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 133. 
 
 OBS. The general habit of the species of this genus 
 agree in every respect with Cyathea, and are only dis- 
 tinguished by the technical character, which consists in the 
 indusia of Alsophila being either absent, small, scale-like, or 
 forming a nearly complete cup. 
 
 In my Genera of Ferns, 1841, I arranged the species of 
 Alsoplnla under two sections, the first Hymenostegia, including 
 those having a membraneous indusium, very small in some, 
 but in others forming a nearly complete cup, differing from 
 Cyathea only by not completely surrounding the base of the 
 receptacle, there being always an open sinus on the exterior 
 side ; and the second, TricJwstegia, those in which the mem- 
 braneous indusium is entirely absent, the sporangia being 
 more or less covered with articulate hairs. 
 
 Although thirty years have elapsed since that mode of 
 arrangement was published, and having observed much 
 during that period, I find I can make little or no alteration 
 in it, except by amalgamating the genus GymnospJiera, of 
 Blume, with Alsophila, of the species of which I now form 
 a third section, characterised by the sori being destitute of 
 a membrane and of hairs, in that respect not technically 
 distinct, except in the arborescent habit, from Phegopteris, 
 to which it is otherwise related through the genus Lopho- 
 soria. 
 
 In the " Species Filicum " sixty-three species are described, 
 of which about a dozen are marked dubious, the "Synopsis," 
 however, enumerates ninety species including the Appendix. 
 They are widely dispersed over both hemispheres. 
 
CHAEACTBES OF TEIBES AND GENEEA. 249 
 
 Sect. 1. HYMENOSTEGIA, /. 8m. ; Hook. Syn. Fil., 1. 1, f. 5 A. 
 Sori furnished with a lateral .indusium, which is sometimes very 
 
 small, or often nearly complete, calyciform. 
 Sp. A. capensis, J. 8m. (v v.) (AmpUcosmia riparia, 
 Gard.) ; A. multiflora, Pr. ; A. Hostmanni (Hook.) (v v.) ; 
 A. leevis, /. Sm. (v v.) ; A. Parkeri (Hook.) ; A. tenera 
 (Hook.) ; A. lunulata, R. Br. ; A. Tahitensis, Brack. ; 
 A. Walkerae, Hook. ; A. Beyrichiana, Pr. 
 
 Sect. 2. TEICHOSTEGIA, /. Sm., Hook. Syn. Fil., 1. 1, f. 6. 
 Sori furnished with numerous articulate hairs. 
 
 * West Indian and American. 
 
 A. Miersii, Hook. ; A. procera, Kaulf. (v v.) ; A. aspera, 
 E. Br. (v v.) ; A. serrata, /. Sm. ; A, leucolepis, Hart. ; 
 A. armata, Pr. (v v.) ; A. aculeata, J. Sm. (v v.) ; A. 
 echinata, Moore ; A. radens, Kaulf. (v v.) ; A. elongata, 
 Hook. ; A. phalerata, M~ar. ; A.infesta, Kze.-, A. Poeppigii, 
 Hook. ; A. phagiopteris, Mart. A. paleolata, Mart, (v v.) ;. 
 A. oblonga, Klot. A. villosa, Pr. (v v.) ; A. nigra, Mart. ; 
 A. pycnocarpa, Kze. ; A. Mexicana, Pr. A. atrovirens, 
 Pr. ; A. axillaris, Moore. 
 
 ** East Indian and Malayan. 
 
 A. crinita, Hook. ; A. comosa, Wall. ; A. latebrosa, 
 Wall. ; A. Brunoniana, Wall. ; A. glauca, /. Sm. (v v.) ; 
 A. caudata, /. Sm. ; A. lepifera, /. Sm. ; A. podophylla, 
 
 Hook. 
 
 *** Polynesian and Australian. 
 
 A. excelsa, B. Br. (v v.) ; A. australis, R. Br. (v v.) ; 
 A. Leichardtiana, Muell. (A. Moorei, J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and 
 For., 1866) (v v.) ; A. Colensoi, Hook. ; A. Moorei (Bak. 
 Syn. Fil.) 
 
250 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Sect. 3. GYMNOSPRZERA. 
 Sori naked. 
 
 A. glabra (Blume) ; A. squarnulata (SI.) 
 
 OBS. These two species are natives of India, Malacca, 
 and Java. 
 
 In Norfolk Island, Alsopliila excelsa (now nearly extinct) 
 has been measured 60 to 80 feet in height, the stem being 
 smooth and tesellated, as in Cyatliea arborea. In Tasmania 
 A. australis also attains a considerable height, forming a 
 trunk a foot or more in diameter, which differs from 
 A. excelsa in the base of the frond being permanent and 
 muricate, thus forming a rough stem. On Mount Wel- 
 lington it grows in ravines to a considerable elevation, 
 even to the region of snow. 
 
 In Sikkim A. comosa attains the height of 25 feet, with a 
 circumference of 7 feet 8 inches ; the fronds are deciduous, 
 falling away in August ; they bear bulky stems, then 
 standing in groups like pillars. 
 
 133. TRICHOPTERIS, Presl. (1822). 
 Alsopliila sp.j Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, caudex arborescent. Fronds 
 bipinnate, 4 to 6 feet long, smooth, stipes articulate with 
 the stem ; pinnae distant ; pinnules lanceolate, sub-serrate, 
 short petiolate articulate with the rachis. Ferns pinnately 
 forked ; venules free, their apices clavate. Receptacles 
 lateral, scarcely elevated, oblong on the venule. Sori 
 contiguous, confluent, forming a broad compound trans- 
 verse, medial sorus, and criniferous. 
 
 Type. Polypodium Tcenitis, Roth. 
 
CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 251 
 
 lllust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 34 ; Schott. Gen. 
 Fil., t. 5 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 93 B ; J. Sm. Ferns 
 Brit, and For., fig. 134. 
 
 OBS. The fronds being articulate with the caudex, and 
 the pinnae and pinnules articulate with the rachis, as also the 
 sori being confluent in a transverse broad line, between the 
 costa and the margin of the pinnules, marks this as a genus 
 distinct from Alsophila. The arborescent stem and the 
 articulated character of the fronds, being similar to several 
 species of Cyafhea as already noticed, gives it a claim to 
 rank in the present tribe. 
 
 Sp. T. excelsa (Pr.) (Alsophila Tcenitis, Hook. Sp. Fil., 
 Mart. Plor. Bras., t. 37 ; Badd. Fil. Bras., t. 40) (v v.) ; 
 T. elegans (Pr.) (Mart. Flora. Bras., t. 38.) 
 
 OBS. In some specimens of T. elegans the line of sori is 
 not so complete as in T. excelsa. 
 
 134. LOPHOSORIA, Presl. (1847.) 
 Alsophila, sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, arborescent, 6 to 8 feet high, 
 densely laniferous. Fronds 3 or more feet in length, com- 
 pound multifid, glaucous beneath. Veins simple or forked, 
 venules free, their apices clavate. Receptacles small (not 
 elevated), sub-terminal. Sori punctiform, solitary on the 
 ultimate dents or lacinae, criniferous. 
 
 Type. Polypodium pruinatum, Sw. 
 
 lllust. Schk. Fil., t. 25 B. / J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and 
 For., fig. 135. 
 
 OBS. The Fern on which this genus is founded is a 
 native of Jamaica, Mexico, extending through tropical 
 America, to Chili and the Island of Juan Fernandez. It 
 was early described by Swartz under the name of Polypo- 
 
252 CHAEACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 dium pruinatum, by later authors it has been referred to 
 Alsophila, under which genus it stands in the " Species 
 Filicum," but it differs from the true species of that genus 
 in having deltoid multifid fronds. The only character 
 that gives it a claim to rank as a species of that genus is 
 its arborescent stem, and criniferous sori, which, in some 
 specimens the latter character is scarcely evident ; the 
 stem also differs from true AlsopJiila in being densely 
 laniferous, indeed, if it was not for its arboroid stem I 
 would have no hesitation in placing it under Phegopteris, as 
 an ally to Phegopteris lachnopoda. Presl has considered it 
 worthy of being raised to the rank of a distinct genus, 
 which, in order to mark its peculiarities I adopt, and, 
 with Trichopteris and Amphidesmium, view it as an aberrant 
 genus of this tribe. 
 
 Sp. L. pruinata (Presl} (v v.) (Polypodium griseum, Sclik. 
 FiL, t. 25.) 
 
 135. AMPHIDESMIUM, Schott. (1834). 
 Metaxya, Presl., 1836; AlsopJiila, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, arboreous, criniferous. Fronds 
 pinnate, 4 to 6 feet long, smooth, glossy ; pinnaD 6 to 12 
 inches long, linear lanceolate, acuminate, serrated towards 
 the apex, adherent to the rachis. Veins simple or rarely 
 forked near their base, parallel, patent. Sori punctiform, 
 lateral, basal, transverse uniserial near the costa, as also 
 scattered with two or more sori on some of the venules, 
 densely furnished with criniferous hairs. 
 
 Type. Polypodium llechnoides, Rich. (P. rostratum, Humb.} 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 42 B ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 86 A ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 83. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a solitary species, a native 
 

PI. 16. 
 
 W. H. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 253 
 
 of many localities in tropical America, also found in Trini- 
 dad, it is peculiar for having- two or more sori on some of 
 the branches of the veins. Being arborescent, and the sori 
 criniferous, has led several authors to refer it to the genus 
 Alsophila, but from which it differs in the vernation (base of 
 the stipes), being criniferous, which is not the case with 
 true Alsopliila. The evidence of its being a tree Fern rests 
 entirely on Wildenow's description, which says "caudex 
 erectus arboreous," but according to a plant at Kew, which 
 in 1864 had fronds 2 to 3 feet high, the caudex was decum- 
 bent, but which probably only required time to assume an 
 arboreous character ; whichever it may be, I find it difficult 
 to point out its relationship with any sequence of genera, 
 except that it may be ranked with Lophosoria in Phegopteris. 
 
 Sp. A. blechnoides, Klot. in Linn. (Metaxya rostratum. 
 Hook, and Bauer. ; P. ParJceri, Hook, and Grev., t. 232 ; Al- 
 sopliila blechnoides, Hook. Sp.'Fil.) 
 
 NOTE. In the preceding tribes the sori are discal ; and 
 marginal in the six following. 
 
 Tribe 16. DICKSONIE^J. (Plate 16.) 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, decumbent or erect, and* becoming 
 arborescent. Sori marginal, globose, or transverse ob- 
 long, furnished with an interior attached special indusium, 
 which connives more or less with the changed indusioid 
 margin of the frond, the two forming an urceolate, bi- 
 valved, marginal cyst, containing the sporangia. 
 
 OBS. Hitherto I included under this tribe the genera 
 Sitobolium, Lindscea, Microlepia, and other allied genera, 
 which, although agreeing in the technical character of 
 their sori, nevertheless differ widely in habit, so much so, 
 
254 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 that their union under one tribe is far from being a natural 
 association of genera. I therefore now restrict the tribe 
 Dicksonice, as represented by the typical species D. arbores- 
 cens and its allies, and the genera Thyrsopteris, Cibotium, 
 and Balantium, the species of which amount in all to 
 fourteen as at present known. 
 
 136. DICKSONIA, L'Herit. (1788). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil.j in part. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, arborescent, criniferous. 
 Fronds bipinnate, 5 to 15 feet long ; pinnules pinxiatifid. 
 Feins pinnate ; venules, free, simple. Receptacles puncti- 
 form, terminal. Sort globose, large. Indusium bivalved, 
 coriaceous ; the outer valve (accessary indusium) concave, 
 cucullate, conniving with the smaller, usually less cucullate, 
 inner valve, or special indusium, forming an unequally 
 valved marginal cyst, including the sporangia. 
 
 Type. Dicksonia arborescens, L'Herit. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 20 ; Moore Ind. 
 Ml., p. 77 A. ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 127. 
 
 OBS. This genus as here restricted consists of eight 
 known species of truly arboreus Ferns, some attaining the 
 height of 20 or more feet, the trunks of some becoming 
 much enlarged by a coating formed of outgrowing aerial 
 rootlets. They have a wide geographical range, the typical 
 species being found only in St. Helena, one in Java, one in 
 Tropical America, one in Juan Fernandez, Fiji, and New 
 Caledonia, two in New South Wales and Tasmania, and 
 three in New Zealand.* In habit and general appearance 
 they resemble Cyatliea, but as a genus they are technically 
 
 * In the Addenda to " Synopsis Filicum " three new species are 
 described, two found in New Caledonia and one in Fiji and Samoa. 
 
CHARACTEES OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 255 
 
 distinguished by the sori being terminal and marginal, as 
 also by the fronds before evolution being densely crini- 
 ferous, the hairs being long and articulated, thus differing 
 from Cyathea, which instead of hairs, are furnished with 
 squamae. 
 
 Sp. D. arborescens, L'Herit. (v v.) ; D. chrysotricha, 
 Moore. (Balantium, Hassk.) ; D. squarrosa, Sw. (v v.) ; 
 D. fibrosa, Colenso ; D. Sellowiana, Hook (v v.) ; D. 
 Berteroana, Hook ; D. lanata, Col. ; D. Youngii, C. Moore 
 (v v.)- 
 
 137. CIBOTIUM, Kaulf. (1824.) 
 Dicksonia, sect. Cilotium, Hook., Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, decumbent or erect, and arbores- 
 cent, densely criniferous. Fronds bipinnate, 5 to 15 feet 
 long ; pinnules bipinnatifid, generally glaucous beneath. 
 Veins simple, forked or pinnate, venules free. Receptacles 
 punctiform, terminal. Indusium bivalved, horny, the outer 
 valve (accessary indusium) concave, cucullate, adnate to the 
 margin ; the inner (special indusium.) smaller, and con- 
 niving with the outer, forming an unequal bivalved box- 
 like cyst. 
 
 Type. Dicksonia glauca, Smith. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 25 ; Moore, Ind. 
 Fil., p. 78 B. ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 128 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, fig. 13, a. b. 
 
 OBS. This is a very distinctly marked genus, readily 
 distinguished from Dicksonia and its allies by the outer 
 valve being special, and formed on the reflexed margin 
 of the frond as in Dicksonia, but superficially seated on 
 the edge of the segments, rising from the outer base of the 
 receptacle, and conniving with the interior special indu- 
 
256 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 slum, representing little chests, the inner valve being the 
 lid, which, when open, has the resemblance of gaping jaws, 
 hence the name Hiatea given to the genus by Robert Brown.* 
 
 The genus consists of about six or seven species, found 
 in the Sandwich Islands, Mexico, India, Malay, Philippine 
 Islands, and China. With the exception of G. Rarometz, 
 which has decumbent caudex, the others are erect arbores- 
 cent, the stem of C. glaucum attaining the height of 20 or 
 more feet. 
 
 * Caudex decumbent. 
 
 Sp. C. Barometz (/. 8m.) (v v.) ; C. Assamicum (Hook.) 
 
 ** Caudex erect, arborescent. 
 
 C. glaucum (Hook.) ; C. Menziesii (Hook) (v v.) ; C. 
 Chamissoi (Kaulf.) ; C. Schiedei (ScMect) (v v.) ; C. regale 
 Linden (v v.) 
 
 OBS. Cibotium Barometz is a native of China, and plants 
 cultivated at Kew were introduced some time before 1834 
 by John Beeves, who was for many years " tea Taster " at 
 Canton, for the East India Company ; he learned that this 
 Fern was the origin of the fabulous story of " Barometz " 
 or the " Tartarian Lamb." 
 
 138. THYRSOPTERIS, Kunze (1834)., 
 
 Hoolc. Sp. Fil 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, arborescent. Fronds decom- 
 pound multifid, the fertile portion contracted, forming 
 panicles of globose sori. Veins of sterile segments pinnate ; 
 venules free. Accessory and special indusia equal, uniform, 
 constituting a calyciform cyst, including sessile compressed 
 sporangia seated on an elevated globose receptacle. 
 Type. TJiyrsopteris elegans, Kunze. 
 
 * In Herb, Menzies, Brit. Mus, 
 
CHAEACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 257 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, t. 44, A ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 83, 
 B ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 129 ; Hook. Syn. 
 Fil., t. 1, fig. 3. 
 
 OBS. This genus is found on a solitary species, a native 
 of Juan Fernandez ; it is said to have a slender arborescent 
 stem, which seems to be correct, as shown by imported 
 plants cultivated at Kew. 
 
 In the " Species Filicum " Thyrsopteris is placed in the 
 tribe Cyathea, but its terminal marginal sori, and general 
 habit, clearly indicates its relationship to be with Dicksonia. 
 It agrees with the following genus, Balantium, in having 
 decompound fronds, differing only in the fertile segments 
 being contracted into pedicels, each bearing a globose 
 sorus, forming panicles, hence the name Panicularia given 
 to the genus by Colla in 1836. 
 
 Sp. T. elegans, Kze. (v v.) (SM. Fil. Suppl.,p. 3, t. 1.) 
 
 139. BALANTIUM, Kaulf. (1824.) 
 Dicksonia, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, decumbent, densely criniferous. 
 Fronds deltoid, tripinnate, smooth ; ultimate pinnules 
 dentate, multifid. Feins pinnate, venules free, simple or 
 forked. Receptacles punctiform, terminal. Sori large, 
 transversely oblong, exserted in thryseform clusters. I?- 
 dusium bivalved, coriaceous, the two valves nearly equal, 
 concave, reniform. 
 
 Type. Dicksonia Culcita, L'Herit. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 60 A. ; J. Sm. 
 Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 126. 
 
 OBS. The technical character of this genus differs but 
 little from Thyrsopteris, but is distinguished by the caudex 
 being decumbent. 
 
 The typical species is a native of the Azores and Madeira, 
 
258 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 and is represented in New Grenada, Venezuela, Brazil, 
 and Jamaica by B. coniifoUum, which I consider to be 
 scarcely distinct from the preceding. 
 
 Sp. B. Culcita (L'Herit) (v v.) ; B. coniifolium (Hook.) 
 
 140. CYSTODIUM, /. 8m. (1841). 
 Dicksonia, Sm., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, sub-arboroid ? Fronds stipate, 
 bipinnate, 2 to 3 feet long ; pinnse distant, 1 foot long, 
 pinnules linear lanceolate, acuminate, dentate, sub-auricu- 
 lated, truncate at the base, articulate with the rachis. Veins 
 simple or forked, parallel, their apices free, terminating in 
 the marginal dents, and sporangiferous ; accessory indusium 
 concave, vaulted and conniving with the smaller, plane 
 special indusium, the two together forming an unequal, 
 bivalved cyst, forming a row of marginal denteform sori. 
 
 Type. Dicksonia sorbifolia, 8m. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 96. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a very rare Fern, first 
 described by Sir J. E. Smith in Ree's Cyclopaedia, from 
 specimens collected in the Island of Honimoe, Moluccas, by 
 Christopher Smith, between seventy and eighty years ago. 
 It appears not to have been since collected, as only three or 
 four specimens are to be found in herbaria in this country, 
 and these consist of portions of fronds only, and nothing is 
 known as to whether it has acaulose or arboroid vernation. 
 The marginal bivalved indusia agrees with some DicJcsonia 
 such as Cibotium, but its simple lanceolate pinnae being 
 articulate with the rachis, seems to indicate its relationship 
 to be with the section Arthropterece of Aspidece rather than 
 with any genus of Dicksonia, but till more is known of it, 
 I place here. 
 
 Sp. C. sorbifolium (Swz.) (Hook. Sp. Fil., 1. t. 25 A) 
 
Fl.17. 
 
 ,1 
 
 W. H.~fibclv, del. etTibli. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 259 
 
 Trile 17. SACCOLOME^E (Plate 17). 
 
 Vernation uniserial sarmentose, rarely fasciculate. Sori 
 marginal. Special and accessory indusium forming marginal 
 exserted or sub-marginal cysts, containing the sporangia. 
 
 OBS. As stated under Dicksonice I deem it best to cha- 
 racterise the following genera as representing a distinct 
 tribe, the sarmentose habit of growth being quite at 
 variance with that of Dicksonice. The number of species 
 amounts to about forty, which are widely distributed 
 throughout the warm and temperate regions of both hemi- 
 spheres, growing on the ground, rarely epiphytal, the 
 greater number of species being retained in the genera 
 Dennstcedtia and Microlepia. 
 
 141. SACCOLOMA, Kaulf. (1820). 
 Davallia sp. t Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation erect or sub-decumbent. Fronds 4 to 6 feet 
 long, pinnate, smooth ; pinnao linear lanceolate, acuminate, 
 8 to 12 inches long, serrated at the apex. Veins simple, 
 rarely forked, direct, parallel, free. Sori punctiform, con- 
 tiguous, laterally coalescing and forming a compound, 
 marginal, continuous line of sori. Special indusium small, 
 transverse, elongated, sub-scyphiform ; accessory ones uni- 
 versal, formed of the continuous reflexed margin. 
 
 Type. Saccoloma elegans, Kaulf. 
 
 lllust. Hook, and Bauer., Gen. Fil., t. 58 B., figs. 1, 2 ; 
 J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 123. 
 
 OBS. This genus is represented by probably two species, 
 the typical species being a very elegant Fern, a native of 
 the West Indies and tropical America, having resemblance 
 to Pteris longifolia and P. moluccana, with which its reflexed 
 
2CO CHAEACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENEEA. 
 
 indusoid margin also agrees, but the technical character of 
 the sori distinguishes it. 
 
 In " Ferns, British and Foreign," I have described the 
 vernation as erect, as shown by a young plant cultivated at 
 Kew, received from Dominica, which agrees with the words 
 " fronds tufted," as given in the " Species Filicum," whereas 
 the specimen in the Kew Herbarium collected in Jamaica 
 by Purdie is marked " Rhizome creeping ; this singular 
 Fern grows or rather climbs to a height of 20 feet." Of 
 the correctness of this I have doubts ; further observation 
 is required to determine whether the two known species of 
 the genus differ in their vernation, there being no specimens 
 of the fronds attached to the caudex in the Herbarium. 
 
 Sp. S. elegans, Kaulf. (v v.) ; S. Imrayana (Hook.) 
 (Davallia, section Microlepia, Hook. Sp. Fit. ; Davallia, 
 section Humata, Hook. Syn. Fil.). 
 
 142. MICEOLEPIA, Presl (1836). 
 
 Davallia auct., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentose. Fronds pinnate or tri- 
 pinnatifid, or compound deltoid, 1 to 6 feet high. Veins 
 simply or pinnately forked ; venules free, the exterior one 
 or more soriferous. Receptacles terminal, punctiform, mar- 
 ginal or sub-antimarginal. Indusium attached by its broad 
 base only, or by its base and sides, constituting a simple, 
 cucullate. or semiurceolate vertical cyst. 
 Type. Polypodium Speluncce, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 58, A ; Hook. Fil. 
 
 Exot, t. 19 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 75, A ; J. Sm. Ferns, 
 
 Brit, and For., fig. 121 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, fig. 
 
 18, d. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of a dozen or more species, 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 261 
 
 widely spread over the tropics of both hemispheres ; and 
 on account of the apparent or but slightly varied forms 
 being found in different countries, has led to great con- 
 fusion in the species. In the " Species Filicum," under 
 Davallia polypodioides, Sir William Hooker says : " The 
 more I study the Ferns, and compare specimens from 
 different countries, the more difficult I find it to define in a 
 specific character the essential distinguishing character of 
 species with the much divided fronds ; so different are 
 they, according to locality, to age on the various portions 
 of the same individual, and other circumstances. Then the 
 nature and degree of pubescence augment the difficulty ; 
 and all these difficulties seem to be combined in the pre- 
 sent species." Upon this view he unites about a dozen 
 specific names of authors under Davallia polypodioides of 
 Don, a species originally named and described by D. Don 
 on Nepal specimens. 
 
 Sp. M. pinnata (Cav.) (D. flagellifera, Wall., Hook, and 
 Grev. Ic. FiL, t. 183); M. gracilis (Bl.) ; M. Moluccana 
 (Bl.)-, M. rhomboidea (Wall.) (Rook. Seed. Cent., t. 48); 
 M. scabra (Don.) (v v.) ; M. Khasyana (Hook.) ; M. cris- 
 tata (Hook.) (v v.) ; M. calvescens (Wall.) ; M. SpeluncaB 
 (Linn.) (D. polypodioides, Don., Hook. Sp. FiL, D. fiaccida, 
 R. Br.) (v v.) ; M. Novae-Zelandia3 (Col.) (v v.) (Acrophorus 
 hispidus, Moore) ; M. strigosa (Sw.) (v v.) ; M. hirta 
 (Kaulf.) ; M. trichosticha (Hook.) (vv.) ; M. alata (Hew.) 
 M. adiantoides (Sw.) ; M. platyphylla (Don.) (v v.) 
 
 143. SCYPHOLEPIA, /. Sm. 
 Davallia sp., Wall., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial. Fronds contiguous, pinnate, 2 to 2 
 feet high ; pinnae lanceolate, 4 to 5 inches long, serrate, 
 
262 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 base truncate auriculate, sessile and articulate with the 
 rachis. Veins once or twice dichotomously forked ; venules 
 sub-parallel. Sori punctiform, terminal on the exterior 
 venule of each fascicle, seated anterior to the dents on the 
 margin (which are not indusasform). Indusium short, 
 cucullate. 
 
 Type. Davallia Hookeriana, Wall. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Sp. Fil , vol. 1, t. 47 B ; Microlepia sp., 
 Bedd., F. Brit. Ind., pi. 101. 
 
 OBS. In the " Species Filicum " Davallia Hookeriana is 
 placed in the sub-genus Saccoloma, and in the " Synopsis " 
 it is placed under the section Microlepia, as characterised in 
 the preceding genus, but from which the present species 
 differ in having articulate pinnae, this character and its 
 special habit seem to indicate relationship with Nephro- 
 lepis. In order, therefore, to mark its peculiarity in the 
 present group, I deem it worthy to be ranked as a distinct 
 genus. 
 
 Sp. S. Hookeriana ( Wall}. 
 
 A native of the principal Fern regions of India. 
 
 144. LOXSOMA, E. Br., MS. (A. Cunn. 1836). 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentose. Fronds long, stipate, 
 deltoid decompound, 1 to 1 foot high, glaucous beneath ; 
 lacinsB lanceolate, dentate. Veins simple or forked ; ve- 
 nules free, their apices prolonged beyond the margin, 
 forming a free columnar receptacle. Special and accessory 
 indusia united, forming a vertical, urceolate, extrorse cyst. 
 Sporangia obovate, pedicillate, seated round the receptacle, 
 which is elongated beyond the mouth of the indusium. 
 Ring of sporangia oblique. 
 
 Type. L. Cunning hami, R. Brown. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 263 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 15 ; Hook., Gard. 
 Ferns, t. 31; Moore, Ind. Fil., p. 88 A ; J. Sm., 
 Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 122 ; Hook., Syn. Fil., t. 2, 
 fig. 15. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of a solitary species, a native 
 of New Zealand, which in habit is similar to some species 
 of Davallia as originally characterised, but more especially 
 to the species placed under Microlepia ; but differs in its 
 sporangia being imbricate, round a columnar receptacle, 
 similar to the genus Trichomanes. This, with the ob- 
 liquity of the ring, renders Loxsoma of some importance 
 as a connecting link between the present tribe and 
 Trichomanes. 
 
 Sp. L. Cunninghami, B. Br. (v v.), Comp. Bot. Mag. 2, 
 366, t. 3132. 
 
 145. ODONTOSORIA, Presl (1836.) 
 
 Davallia, sp. auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Stenoloma, Fee. 
 
 Vernation sarmentose, contiguous, sub -fasciculate, or 
 distant. Fronds bi-tripinnatifid, lanceolate or deltoid, 
 1 to 2 and 3 feet in length, or indefinite ; ultimate seg- 
 ments cuneiform, entire, lobed or laciniated. Veins 
 dichotomously forked, venules free. Receptacles terminal, 
 punctiform. Sori simple or binate. Special and accessory 
 indusia forming a vertical, urceolate, or, by confluence, 
 oblong, sporangiferous, marginal cyst. 
 
 Type. Davallia tenuifolia, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Grev. Ic. Fil., t. 238 and 194 ; J. Sm., 
 Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 120. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of about a dozen species, 
 widely distributed throughout the tropics of both hemi- 
 spheres. They form two distinct groups, the first having 
 
264 CHAEACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENEEA. 
 
 definite fronds, and the other scandent and indefinite, the 
 latter forming the genus Stenoloma of Fee. 
 
 * Fronds definite, not scandent. 
 
 Sp. 0. tenuifolia (Sw.) (v v.). 
 
 OBS. This is a widely spread species, being found in 
 India, Malayan, and Polynesian Islands, also the Sandwich 
 Islands, the latter being the nearest approach to the con- 
 tinent of America, where it has not yet been found. 
 
 0. bifida (Kaulf.) ; 0. microphylla (Sw.) ; 0. chinensis 
 (Linn.) ; 0. retusa (Cav.) ; 0. clavata (Sw.) 
 
 ** Fronds scandent (Stenoloma, Fee.). 
 O. divaricata (Schlecht.) (D. Schlechtendahlii, Hook.) ; 0. 
 aculeata (Sw.) (v v.) ; 0. fumarioides (Sw.). 
 
 146. DENNSTJJDTIA, Bernh. (1800). 
 Sitibolium, Desv. (1827) ; /. Sm. (1841) ; Patania, Presl. 
 
 (1836) ; Dicksonia, Hook Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial and sarmentose. Fronds bi-tripinnate, 
 2 to 6 feet high. Veins simple or pinnately forked, the 
 exterior veinule or more soriferous. Receptacles terminal. 
 Sori globose, reflexed. Special and accessory indusia united, 
 and forming a reflexed, bilabiate, or subentire calyciform 
 cyst. 
 
 Type. Dennstcedtia punctiloba, Bernh. 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer., Gen. Fil., t. 61 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 79 A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 
 125 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, fig. 13. 
 
 OBS. This genus was originally founded by Bernhardi 
 on TricJiomanes Jiaccida of Forster, but was afterwards with 
 its allies better known as DicJcsonia, with which they agree 
 in the technical character of the sori, but their sarmentose 
 
CHAKACTEES OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 265 
 
 vernation marks them as a distinct group from the arbo- 
 rescent Dicksonia. The genus consists of about twenty 
 species, widely distributed in the tropics and sub-tropical 
 regions of both hemispheres, extending to New Zealand in 
 the south and Canada and Japan in the north. In the 
 " Species Filicum " thirty species are described, but many 
 of them are very doubtful as true species. 
 
 Sp. D. obtusifolia ( mild.) ; D. adiantoides (H. B.) (r v.) ; 
 D. cicutaria (Sw.) (v v.) ; D. dissecta (Sw.) (v v.) ; D. 
 apiifolia (Sw.) ; D. rubiginosa (Kaulf.) (v v.) ; D. anthris- 
 cifolia (Kaulf.) (v v.) ; D. davallioides (R. Br.) (v v.) ; 
 D. straminea (Lab.) ; D. cuneata (Hook.) ; D. appendicu- 
 lata ( Wall.) ; D. punctiloba (Sw.) (v v.) ; D. strigosa (Su>.) ; 
 D. Moluccana (Bl.) (vv.) ; D. flaccida (Bernh.) ; D. Pavoni 
 (Hook.) (v v.) 
 
 147. DEPARIA, Hook, and Grev. (1836). 
 
 Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation sub- fasciculate, decumbent. Fronds bipinnati- 
 fid, 1 to 2 feet long. Veins pinnate ; venules free. Recep- 
 tacles punctiform, terminal. Sori exserted ; special and 
 accessory indusia conniving, and forming a calyciform 
 pedicellate exserted cup, containing the sporangia. 
 Type. Dicksonia prolifera, Kaulf. 
 
 Illust Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 44, B. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 79 B. ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 124 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, fig. 14. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a Fern, a native of the 
 Sandwich Islands, and, in aspect, differs from the rest of 
 the alliance, the habit being more analogous to Athyrium 
 in the tribe Aspleniece. The exserted pateriform sorus 
 distinguishes it from Microlepia, but on comparing it with 
 
266 CHAEACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Microlepia adiantoides, and that again with several species 
 of Dennstcedtia, a gradual transition 'is seen to connect all 
 these genera. 
 
 Sp. D. prolifera (Hook, and Grev., t. 154 ; Fil. Exot., i. 
 82) (v v.) ; D. concinna (Pr.) (D. Matthewsii, HooJc. Sp. 
 Fil, 1, t. 30, B ). 
 
 OBS. The latter species is a native of Peru. In the 
 " Synopsis Filicum " another species is described, namely, 
 D. Moorei, which, although agreeing in having an exserted 
 cup-like indusium, is nevertheless quite distinct in habit 
 and venation. In this work it is characterised as a genus 
 under the name of Trichiocarpa. 
 
 Tribe 18. LINDS^E^B. (Plate 18.) 
 
 Vernation sarmentose, slender, elongated, or short and 
 ceespitose. Sori marginal, linear, continuous or interrupted, 
 binate or punctiform. Special indusium plane, attached on 
 the interior side, equal with, or shorter than the indusaeform 
 margin, forming a marginal groove, or bilabiate cyst, 
 open exteriorly. 
 
 OBS. A very interesting tribe of Ferns, in many res- 
 pects similar in habit to Adiantum, but readily distinguish- 
 able by the indusium being attached on the interior side of 
 the receptacle, and open exteriorly. This character, 
 however, is not sufficient of itself for technically distin- 
 guishing Lindsceece from the tribe Saccolomece, but their 
 distinct habit marks them as representing a separate 
 group. 
 
 About sixty species are described in the " Species 
 Filicum," which in the " Synopsis " are reduced to forty- 
 eight ; from that number I exclude the species constituting 
 
PL. 18. 
 
 ou 
 
 W.H . 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 267 
 
 the genera Scliizolepton, Dictyoziphium, and Isoloma, which 
 although agreeing in the technical character of the sori, 
 are nevertheless widely distinct in vernation and habit, 
 as will be seen on reference to their characters in their 
 respective places. 
 
 The species of this tribe are widely distributed, generally 
 natives of the tropics of both the Eastern and Western 
 hemispheres, a few extending to New Zealand in the 
 South. 
 
 148. LINDS^A, Dry. (1793). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation sarmentose, often short. Fronds distant or 
 contiguous and sub-fasciculate, simple, pinnate, or bi-tri- 
 pinnate ; pinnae and pinnules oblong, falcate, lunulate, 
 upper margin fertile only ; costa3 eccentric. Veins ra- 
 diating, or unilateral forked ; their apices (in the fertile 
 segments) combined by a transverse, marginal receptacle, 
 forming a linear, continuous or interrupted marginal 
 sorus. Indusium linear, its outer margin free, usually 
 shorter than the indu see form margin. 
 
 Type. Lindscea trapeziformis, Dryander. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 63, A ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 22 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 118 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, fig. 20, a. 
 
 OBS. The fronds of some of the species of this genus 
 vary from being simply pinnate, to bi- or even tri-pinnate, 
 that authors have described the different forms as distinct 
 species. They are chiefly tropical, L. trichomanoides being 
 a native of New Zealand. 
 
 * Fronds simple, cordate-reniform. 
 Sp. L. reniformis, Dry. (v v.) ; L. sagittata, Dry. (v v.) 
 
268 CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 ** Fronds pinnate. 
 
 L. dubia, Spreng. (v v.) ; L. linearis (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. 
 falciformfs, Hook. ; L. ovata, J. 8m. L. concinna, J. 8m. ; 
 L. adiantoides, /. Sm. L. cultrata, Sw. (v v.) ; L. Lobbiana, 
 Hook. L. Seemanni, /. Sm. ; L.lucida, Bl. ; L. oblongifolia, 
 Beinw. ; L. scandens, Hook. ; L. Lapeyrousii, Hook, (v v.) ; 
 L. falcata, Dry. (v v.) 
 
 *** Fronds bipinnate, or 1 to 2 pinnate in the same species. 
 
 L. decomposita, Willd. L. caudata, HooJc. ; L. trape- 
 ziformis, Dry. (v v.) ; L. pallida, Klot. ; L. horizontalis, 
 Hook. ; L. flabellulata, Dry. L. tenera, Dry. L. quadran- 
 gularis, Radd. ; L. guianensis, Dry. (v v.) ; L. stricta, Dry. 
 (v v.) ; L. rigida, /. 8m. ; L. pendula, Klot. ; L, crenata, 
 Klot. (v v.). 
 
 **** Fronds deltoid, tripinnate. 
 
 L. trichomanoides, Dry. (v v.). 
 
 149. STNAPHLEBIUM, /. Sm. (1841). 
 
 Lindscea, sp. auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Character the same as Lindscea, differing only in the 
 veins anastomosing. 
 
 Type. Lindscea recurvata, Wall. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Til., t. 101. 
 
 OBS. The species of Synaplilebium differ from Lindscea in 
 the venation being reticulated, in that respect agreeing 
 with the genus Schizoloma, but differing in the eccentric 
 costae. The species are natives of the same regions as 
 Lindscea. 
 
 Sp. S. recurvatum ( Wall.') ; S. obtusum, /. Sm. S. 
 davallioides (Bl.) ; S. nitens (Bl). 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 2G9 
 
 150. ODONTOLOMA, /. 8m. (1841). 
 Davallia and Lindscea, sp. auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentose, epiphytal. Fronds slender, 
 1 to 2 feet high, 1 to 2 pinnate ; pinnae and pinnules oblong-, 
 dimediate, the upper margin entire, dentate or incise lobed. 
 Costce eccentric. Veins unilateral ; vennules direct, free. 
 Receptacles terminal, punctiform. Sori round. Indusium 
 sub-reniform, plane, its sides free, shorter than the sub- 
 induseeform margin. 
 
 Type. Dicksonia repens, Bory. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 114, B. ; Hook, 
 and Grev., Ic. Fil., t. 143. 
 
 OBS. Odontoloma having punctiform marginal sori 
 similar to that of Davallia, has led the species to be placed 
 by most authors in that genus, but the eccentric costa 
 clearly shows its affinity to be with Lindscea, with which it 
 also agrees in habit, only separated by the sori being 
 punctiform, not linear and continuous as in true Lindscea. 
 
 The genus consists of about half a dozen known species, 
 they are widely distributed in or near the tropics, being 
 represented in Guiana, the Mauritius, Malayan, Fiji, Sand- 
 wich, Philippine, and Polynesian Islands. 
 
 Sp. 0. pulchella, /. Sm. ; 0. repens (Sw.) ; 0. Macrae- 
 ana (Hook, and Am.} (0. Hookeri,J. 8m., 1841) ; 0. Parkeri 
 (Hook.) ; 0. fijiensis, /. 8m., in Seemann's list of Figi 
 Plants ; 0. tenuifolia (Bl.) ; 0. hymenophylloides (Bl.} ; 
 0. triquetra (Bl.). 
 
 OBS. Odontoloma repens affords a good example of the 
 different views entertained by Pteridologists in defining 
 the technical character of genera on the sori alone ; this 
 species is epiphytal, having a slender sarmentum and linear 
 pinnate fronds, a foot or more in length, with dimediate 
 
270 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 pinnae about half an inch in length, differing from true 
 Lindscea only in the upper margin, being dentate, each dent 
 bearing a single round terminal sorus, furnished with a 
 bilabiate indusium, upon this character, Bory refers it to 
 Dicksonia, in which genus it is retained by Swartz and 
 Willdenow, along with the arborescent Dicksonia ; it was 
 afterwards referred by Desvaux to Davallia, under which 
 genus it stands in the " Species Filicum " (sect. Odontoloma) ; 
 which is certainly a more natural position than being ranked 
 with the lofty Dicksonias. Presl places it in the genus 
 Saccoloma. In Moore's Index it is found under the genus 
 Acrophorus (A. repens\ which genus was originally founded 
 by Presl on a solitary species*, to which Moore adds no less 
 than eighteen species, the greater number of which in this 
 arrangement come under four distincb genera, namely, 
 Odontoloma, Odontosoria, Microlepia, and Leucostegia, the 
 latter differing from the former in having articulate verna- 
 tion, and, therefore, belonging to Eremobrya. To depend 
 on the character of the sori alone, many multifid species of 
 Lastrea and Polystichum, with terminal, marginal sori, and 
 even Mr. Moore's genus, Diclisodon, may be added to 
 Acrophorus, all agreeing strictly in the sori being terminal, 
 and the special indusium conniving with the indusoid mar- 
 gin. It is, therefore, only by studying the difference in 
 habit that natural groups of species can be formed. 
 
 151. SCHIZOLOMA, Gaud. (1826). 
 
 Lindscea, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation sarmentose, short. Fronds contiguous, sub- 
 fasciculate, pinnate ; pinnae oblong, or linear lanceolate, 
 costae central. Feins forked ; venules anastomosing, form- 
 
 * See Acrophorus, page 221. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 271 
 
 ing oblique elongated areoles, transversely combined by an 
 elongated receptacle on both margins. Sori linear, con- 
 tinuous. Indusium linear, usually equal, or shorter with 
 the induseeform margin. 
 
 Type. Lindscea ensifolia, Swartz. 
 
 lllust. Hook, and Grev., Ic. ML, t. Ill ; Moore, Ind. FiL, 
 p. 23 A ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 119 (non 
 Hook, and Bauer, Gen. FiL, t. 63, which is an Adiantum.) 
 
 OBS. The central costa, and reticulated vernation, dis- 
 tinguishes this from Lindsece, and the sori being produced 
 on both margins from Synaphlebium. 
 
 Brackenridge has characterised a genus which he calls 
 Diellia, of which he describes three species, the principal 
 difference being in the sori being slightly within the mar- 
 gin, and which is not altered in texture, and therefore can 
 scarcely be called an indusium ; it also differs in the sori 
 being in short pieces, not continuous, which is consequent 
 on the pinnaB being laciniated. The technical difference 
 seems to me to be scarcely sufficient to warrant its adoption 
 as a genus. 
 
 * Sori continuous. (ScJiizoloma vera.) 
 
 Sp. S ensifolia (Sw.) (v v.) ; S. Griffithiana (Hook. Sp. 
 Fil. 1., t. 68 B.) ; S. macrophylla, Kaulf. ; S. Fraseri 
 (Hook.) ; S. heterophylla (Dry.). 
 
 OBS. The fronds of this species vary from simply pin- 
 nate, with entire lanceolate pinnae, 6 or more inches in 
 length, to bipinnate, with short, oblong, oblique pinnules, 
 in which the venation is occasionally free. 
 
 ** Sori sub-intramarginal, interrupted. (Diellia, Brack.) 
 S. erecta (Brack.) ; S. pumila (Brack.) ; S. falcata (Brack.) 
 
 The three latter species are natives of the Sandwich 
 Islands (Brackenridge) ; it is probable they are only 
 
272 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 different forms of one species. In the " Synopsis Filicum " 
 a fourth species is described as belonging- to this section, 
 under the specific name of " Michleriana" a native of New 
 Granada. It is described as being pinnate, 12 to 15 inches 
 in length, the pinnae 3 to 5 inches long, the veins forming 
 hexagonal areoles, with free included veinlets, which seems 
 to indicate its affinity with Dictyoxiphium ; its mode of 
 vernation is not described, and probably when that is 
 known it will be found not to belong to this tribe. 
 
 152. GUERINIA, J. S/m. 
 Schizoloma sp. Gaud., Isoloma, Fee, Lindsay a, Hook. 
 
 Caudex slender, sarmentose. Fronds lanceolate, pinnate, 
 6 to 9 inches long, smooth. Pinnae ovate oblong, J to f 
 of an inch long, falcate, sessile, articulate with the rachis ; 
 costse slightly excentric. Veins reticulate, obscure. Recep- 
 tacles marginal, immersed in an indusoid groove, forming a 
 linear continuous sorus. 
 
 Type. Schizoloma Gueriniana, Gaud. 
 
 Illust. Gaud, in Yoy. de L'Urinie, t. 18. 
 
 OBS. The species on which this g->nus is founded differs 
 in general appearance from the true species of Schizoloma, 
 and especially in the pinnae being articulate with the rachis. 
 
 It appears to be a rare Fern, as there is no specimen in 
 the Hookerian herbarium ; but the nature of the stipes of 
 fronds in my herbarium* induces me to believe it to have 
 articulate vernation. 
 
 The presence of white dots on the upper side of the 
 pinnae gives it some claim to be ranked with Isoloma and 
 Nephrolepis, but till more of it is known I retain it here. 
 
 Sp. G. articulata, J. Sm. (Schizoloma Gueriniana, Gaud.) 
 
 Native of the Molucca Islands. 
 
 * Now in the British Museum. 
 
71.19 
 
 W. H . Bfcdo, dal. et lada . 
 
 J.N.Ktohjirrrp 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 273 
 
 Tribe 19. ADIAKTBJB. (Plate 19.) 
 
 Vernation fasciculate or sarmentose, generally hypogeous, 
 and becoming caespitose. Sori marginal, transverse, ob- 
 long, linear, or punctiform. Indusium lateral, exterior 
 attached, bearing the sporangia on its under surface. 
 
 OBS. This is truly a natural tribe of Ferns, having the 
 smooth, polished, and flaccid character of Lindscea, but 
 differing in the indusium being attached exteriorly, and its 
 under surface venose, and bearing the sporangia, which 
 latter character distinguishes it from the tribe Pteridece ; 
 it is formed of a portion of the laminea of the margin of 
 the frond, which is changed in texture, its form depending 
 on the ultimate segments being entire, or more or less 
 divided, thus varying from reniform, linear, to oblong, 
 continuous, occupying the whole margin of the segments. 
 Those with reniform indusia are distinguished from 
 Cheilanthes not only by the indusium being sporangiferous 
 on its disk, but also by its being produced on the con- 
 vergent apices of two or more venules, whereas the sori of 
 Cheilanthes are seated on the axis of a single venule, ter- 
 minating in the axis of the indusium. 
 
 In the " Species Filicum " 109 species are described, but 
 in the " Synopsis Filicum " the number is reduced to 62 ; 
 the first number was arrived at by Sir W. Hooker, after 
 more than half a century's study of Ferns, and the latter 
 number by the editor of the " Synopsis " after three years' 
 study of Sir W. Hooker's herbarium. This is a striking 
 example of the different views taken by Pteridologists as 
 to what constitutes species.* 
 
 * In the Appendix to the " Synopsis Filictim " nineteen additional 
 species are described. 
 
274 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 They are very widely distributed throughout the tropical 
 and temperate regions of the earth, growing on the ground 
 or in moist rocky places, but never epiphytal to my 
 knowledge. 
 
 158. ADIANTUM, Linn. (1737). 
 Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate or uniserial, sarmentose, hypo- 
 geous. Fronds simple reniform, pinnate or bi-tripin- 
 nate ; pinnae and pinnules articulate with the apex of the 
 petiole, often dimediate with an excentric oblique costae, 
 in some evanescent. Feins unilateral or radiating, forked ; 
 sterile venules free, the fertile combined in the margin, 
 forming sori as described above. 
 
 Type. Adiantum cappillus-veneris, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 66, B ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 24; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 93; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, fig. 21. 
 
 OBS. The following are examples of the principal spe- 
 cies of the genus, of which above forty have come under 
 my notice in a living state. 
 
 1. Reniforme group. 
 Fronds simple, reniform. 
 
 Sp. A. reniforme, Linn, (v v.) ; A. asarifolium, Willd. ; 
 A. Parishii, Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 11. 
 
 2. Caudatum group. 
 Fronds pinnate, pinnce narrow. 
 
 A, lunulatum, Burm. (v v.) ; A. rhizophorum, Sw. ; A. 
 Edgworthii, Hook. ; A. caudatum, Linn, (v v.) ; A. sorbo- 
 liferum, Wall. ; A. deltoideum, Sw. ; A. dolabriforme, 
 Hook, (v v.). 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 275 
 
 3. Macrophyllum group. 
 
 Fronds pinnate, erect, pinnce broad, elliptical-lanceolate. 
 A. lucidum, Sw. (v v.) ; A. obliquium, Willd. (v v.) ; A. 
 Kaulfussii, Kze. (v v.) ; A. Wilsoni, Hook, (v v.) ; A. ma- 
 crophyllum, Sw. (v v.) j A. Seemannii, Hook. ; A. Phylli- 
 tidis, /. Sm. 
 
 4. Monosoratum group. 
 Fronds uniformly bipinnate. 
 
 A. villosum, Linn, (v v.) ; A. varimn, H. B. K. ; A. pul- 
 verulentum, Linn, (v v.) ; A. incisum, Presl. 
 
 5. Prionophyllum group. 
 
 A. intermedium, Sw. (v v.) ; A. prionophyllum, H. B. K. 
 (v v.) ; A. velutinum, Moore (v v,) : A. fovearum, Radd. 
 (v v.) ; A. rhomboideum, H. B. K. ; A. urophyllum, Hook. ; 
 A. melanoleucum, Willd. ; A. glaucescens, Klot. ; A. ob- 
 tusum, Desv. ; A. Galeottianum, Hook. 
 
 6. Trapeziforme group. 
 
 Fronds large, tripinnate ; pinnce distant, alternate. 
 A. subcordatum, Sw. (v v.) ; A. Peruvianum, Klot. ; A. 
 speciosum, Hook. ; A. trapeziforme, Linn, (v v.) ; A. penta- 
 dactylon, Lang, and Fisch. (v v.) ; A. Matthewsianurn, 
 Hook, (v v.) ; A. cultratum, /. Sm. (v v.) ; A. sinuosum, 
 Gardn. ; A. cnrvatum, Kaulf. (v v.) ; A. polyphyllum, 
 Willd. (v v.) ; A. microphyllum, Kaulf. ; A. cristatum, 
 Linn, (v v.) ; A. Peei, Moore (v v.) (A.flexuosum, Hook.). 
 
 7. Formosum group. 
 
 Fronds quadripinnate, decompound, with distant alternate pinnce. 
 A. Brasiliense, Radd. (v v.) ; A. Wilesianum, Hook, (vv) ; 
 A. Lobbianum, Hook. ; A. amne, Willd. (v v.) ; A. formosum, 
 R. Br. (v v.) ; A. Cunninghami, Hook, (v v.)* 
 
276 CHAEACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENEEA. 
 
 8. Flabellatum group. 
 Fronds dichotomously pedate-flabellate. 
 
 A. flabellatum, Linn, (v v.) ; A. patens, Willd. (v v.) ; A. 
 pedatum, Willd. (v v.) ; A. hispidulum, Sw. (v v.) ; A. setu- 
 losum, /. Sm. (v v.) ; A. fulvum, Eaoul. (v v.). 
 
 9. Tenerum group. 
 Fronds dichotomously decompound. 
 
 A. tenerum, Sw. (v v.). 
 
 OBS. A remarkable Fern has of late years appeared in 
 garden collections under the name of A. Farleyense, it has 
 the same habit as A. tenerum, but is much larger in size 
 and in all its parts, and which has led it to become a 
 favourite exhibition plant, it however does not produce 
 fructification, and there being no wild specimens in herbaria, 
 it is, therefore, supposed to be a hybrid, and to have 
 originated in a garden in Barbadoes. 
 
 A. Henslovianum, Hook. fil. ; A. rubellum, Moore A. 
 Veitchianum, Moore ; A. sessilifolium, Moore ; A. chilense, 
 Kaulf. (v v.) ; A. sulphureum, Kaulf. (v v.) ; A. emar- 
 ginatum, Bory. (v v.) ; A. fragile, Sw. 
 
 10. Capillus-Veneris group. 
 
 Fronds compound multifid, slender, segments generally 
 cuneiform, flabellate. 
 
 A. Capillus-Veneris, Linn, (v v.) ; A. ^Ethiopicum, Linn. 
 (v v.) ; A. cuneatum, Lang and Fich. (v v.) ; A. glauco- 
 phyllum, Hook. ; A. venustum, Don. A. assimile, Sw. 
 (v v.) ; A,, concinnum, H. B. K. (v v.) ; A. colpodes, 
 Moore (v v.) ; A. tinctum, Moore (v v.) j A. amabile, 
 Moore. 
 
PI. 20. 
 
 I. 
 
 o. 
 
 W. 
 
CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 277 
 
 154. HEWARDIA, J. 8m. (1840). 
 Adiantum, sp. t Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation sarmentose (?) Fronds 1 to 2 feet high, pin- 
 nate, or dichotomously bipinnate, smooth, pinnae and 
 pinnules alternate, distant, petiolate (not articulate), some- 
 times falcate, 4 to 8 inches long, 1 to 2 inches wide. 
 Costce evident, central. Feins uniform, reticulated, forming 
 elongated, oblique areoles. Indusium marginal, continuous, 
 venose, and sporangiferous on its under side, as in Adian- 
 tum, at length becoming replicate and involute, forming a 
 continuous sorus, occupying both margins. 
 
 Type. Hewardia adiantoides, J. Sin. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 89 ; Moore, Ind. 
 Fil., p. 25 A. 
 
 OBS. This genus is distinguished from Adiantum by 
 having reticulate venation, on both sides of the central costas. 
 
 Sp. H. adiantoides, J. Sm., Hook. Journ. Bot., vol. 3, 
 t. 16 and 17 ; H. dolosa, Fee, Hook. Sp. Fil., 1, t. 79 B. 
 
 Natives of Guiana and Brazil. Although the latter 
 species agrees in general habit with H. adiantoides, the 
 veins, however, are not so decidedly anastomose, and on 
 account of H. Wilsoni and A. Leprieurii having occasional 
 anastomose venation, they are therefore by some also re- 
 ferred to this genus. 
 
 Tribe 20. CHEILANTHEJ3. (Plate 20.) 
 Fronde varying from simple pinnate to decompound 
 multifid, and from a few inches to 2 feet in height, smooth, 
 or densely tomentose or squamose. Venules free. Sporan- 
 gia terminal, marginal ; sori punctiform, distinct, or two 
 or more laterally confluent, seated in the axis of the in- 
 flexed membraneous margin of the segment (indusium). 
 
278 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 OBS. This tribe consists of nearly 100 known species, 
 typically represented by the genus Cheilanthes, as origin- 
 ally characterised by Swartz. I, however, include under 
 it a number of species of Pteris of early authors. In most 
 Cli&ilantliece the sporangiferous receptacles are free, not 
 transversely connected as in true Pteris, but there are 
 apparent exceptions to the correctness of this distinction ; 
 there being instances of the normal punctiform sori of 
 some species of Pellcea so united and seated in the axis of 
 the indusium, thus scarcely differing in technical character 
 from Pteris. The smooth, polished, and generally firm 
 texture of the fronds coincide, however, more with the 
 species of Cheilanthes than with Pteris I, therefore, deem 
 it best to retain them in the present tribe, as being more 
 their natural affinity than the tribe Pteridece. 
 
 With regard to the genera of Cheilanthece as here 
 restricted, I must own there is much difficulty in defining 
 their limits, as derived from the technical character of 
 their fructification alone. 
 
 155. ]SToTHOCHL,ENA, E. Br. (1810). 
 Nothochlcena and Cheilanthes, sp. Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, csespitose, acaulose. Fronds pin- 
 nate or bipinnate, 6 to 18 inches high, pilo-tomentose, 
 squamose or farinose. Veins forked, free. Receptacles 
 terminal. Sporangia few to each receptacle, contiguous, 
 forming a marginal row in the axis of the inflexed rudi- 
 mentary indusium. 
 
 Type. Pteris trichomanoides, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Moore, Ind. Fil., p. 55 B. ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit. 
 and For., fig. 86 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 50. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 279 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of more than twenty species 
 of small- growing 1 Ferns, chiefly inhabiting dry, rocky 
 places within or near the tropics of both continents, ex- 
 tending to South Africa and Tasmania, and in the North 
 to the shores of the Mediterranean and the Alps of Europe. 
 In habit they have great affinity with the Ereosorus section 
 of Gymnogramma, differing only in the sporangia being 
 terminal and the indusium rudimentary, they are, therefore, 
 by many authors referred to the Gymnosorus division of 
 Ferns, but I consider them to be more intimately related 
 to Cheilanthes, and that the imperfect development of the 
 indusium is due to the densely squamose and tomentose 
 nature of the fronds. 
 
 * Lepichosma. Fronds densely squamose. 
 
 Sp. N". Ia3vis, Mart, and Galeott. (v v.) ; N. sinuata, Kaulf. 
 (v v.), Bot. Mag., t. 4699 ; N. squamosa, Hook and Grev., 
 Ic. Fil., t. 151 (v v.) ; N. Aschenborniana, Kze., Hook. Sp. 
 Fil., 5, t. 287 B. ; N. Maranta3, E. Br. (v v.) ; N. cana- 
 riense, 7. Sm. (v v.) ; N. Eckloniana, Kze. (v v.) ; N. distans, 
 E. Br. (v v.), Hook. Seed. Cent, of Ferns, t. 80. 
 
 ** Eriochosma. Fronds densely tomentose, villose or hirsute. 
 N. trichomanoides, E. Br. (v v.) ; N. rufa, Pr. (v v.) 
 (N. ferruginea, Hook. Second Cent of Ferns, t. 52) ; N. hypo- 
 leuca, Kunze ; N. bracypus, Kze. (v v.) ; N. canescens, 
 Fee ; N. mollis, Kunze (v v.) ; N. eriophora, Fee, Hook. Ic. 
 PL, t. 991 ; L. lanuginosa, Desv. (v v.) ; N. inaequalis, Kze ; 
 N. sulcata, Link. N. fragilis, Hook. Sp. Fil. 5, t. 287 A ; 
 N. hirsuta, Desv. ; N. Pohliana, Kze., Hook . Sp. Fil. 5, 
 t. 286 B. 
 
 *** Chrysochosma. The under side farinose. 
 N. sulphurea, J. Sm., Bot. Voy. Herald, p. 233 (v v.) 
 (Pterti t Cav. ; Cheilanthes Borsigiana, Eeichenb.). 
 
280 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 OBS. The yellow farina characteristic of this species 
 seems to indicate its affinity to be with Cheilanthes auran- 
 tiaca and 0. chrysophylla, but its rudimentary indusium 
 required it to be placed under the present genus. 
 
 156. MTRIOPTERIS, Fee (1851). 
 Cheilanthes sp. auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, csespitose, acaulose, rarely sarmen- 
 tose. Fronds 4 to 18 inches high, bi-tri-quadri-pinnatifid, 
 pilose, squamiferous or viscose, ultimate segments minute, 
 generally orbicular or cuneiform, concave, the margin 
 membraneous, revolute, conniving, forming an universal 
 cucullate indusium. Veins forked, free. Receptacles ter- 
 minal. Sporangia few, confluent under the universal 
 indusium. 
 
 Type. Cheilanthes lendigera, Swartz. 
 
 Illust. Fee Gen. Fil., t. 12 A., fig. 1 ; Moore Ind. Fil., 
 p. 26, fig. 67. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 87. 
 
 OBS. Presl was the first to indicate this as a distinct 
 group of Cheilanthes, under the sectional name Physapteris, 
 and Fee afterwards characterised it as a separate genus 
 under the name here adopted. This genus consists of 
 about twenty species, distinguished from Nothochlcena and 
 Cheilanthes by their small, concave, lenticular segments. 
 They are natives chiefly of the Andean regions of America, 
 extending to the Rocky Mountains in the North. 
 
 Sp. M. lendigera (Sw.) (v v.) ; M. myriophylla (Desv.) 
 (v v.) ; M. elegans (Desv.) (v v.) ; M. tomentosa (Link.) 
 (v v.) ; M. scariosa (Kaulf.) ; M. induta (Kze.) ; M. lanu- 
 ginosa (Nuttall) ; M. Bradburii (Hook.) ; M. vestita (Sw.) 
 (v v.) ; M. Lindheimeri (Hook.) ; M. Fendleri (Hook.) ; 
 M. Mac-Leanii (Hook,) ; M. gracillima (Eat.) ; M. hirta 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 281 
 
 (Sw.) (v v.) ; M. frigida (Lind.) (v v.) ; M. Szovitzii 
 (Fisch. and Meyer). 
 
 This is the only species native of the E. hemisphere, 
 being found in Italy, Dalmatia, Western Asia, and the 
 Himalayas. 
 
 157. ORMOPTERIS, J. Sm. 
 Cassebeera sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation sarmentose. Fronds 1 to l feet long, pinnate, 
 smooth, coriaceous ; pinnaa 2 to 3 inches long, linear, 
 petiolate, deeply cut into numerous quadrangular concave 
 lobes, not exceeding 1 line in breadth, which are incurved, 
 and oppositely connive over the rachis, forming moniliform 
 pinnse. Veins free. Sporangia terminal, few, forming a 
 single sorus seated in the hollow of each lobe, the margins 
 of which are indusoid. 
 
 Type. Cassebeera gleichenioides, Gardn. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a peculiar and remark- 
 able Fern, originally discovered in Brazil by Dr. Gardner, 
 and described in Vol. VI. of Hooker's " Icones Plantarum," 
 under the name of Cassebeera gleichenioides, in which genus 
 it is retained in Hooker's " Species " and " Synopsis Fili- 
 cum," but as it always appeared to me not naturally related 
 to the typical species of Cassebeera, I therefore deem it best 
 to separate it as a distinct genus. In so doing I, how- 
 ever, find it difficult to determine its position in this 
 arrangement, but its small concave indusasform lobes, con- 
 taining the sporangia, seems to indicate affinity with Myri- 
 opteris. 
 
 Sp. 0. gleichnioides (Cassebeera gleichenioides, Gard. ; 
 Hook. Ic. PI, t. 507). 
 
 Native of Diamond district, Brazil. 
 
282 CHARACTEES OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 158. CHEILANTHES, Sw. (1806). % 
 Hook. Sp. Fil., in part. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect or decumbent, acaulose, 
 caespitose. Fronds bi-tripinnate, rarely simple pinnate, 
 4 to 8 inches or more in height, smooth pilose, glandulose 
 or farinose ; ultimate segments often small. Veins forked, 
 free. Receptacles terminal, punctiform. Indusium reni- 
 form and special to each receptacle, or linear, including 
 two or more contiguous receptacles, forming round, oblong, 
 or linear sori. 
 
 Type. Oheilanthes tenuifolia, Swartz. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., 1. 106 B. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 25 B. and 26 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., 
 fig. 88 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 3, fig. 25. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of about thirty or forty known 
 species of slender fronded Ferns, widely spread through 
 the tropics and sub-tropical regions of both hemispheres. 
 They vary considerably in size and the divisions of the 
 fronds, as also in the indusium being of various forms, 
 which in some cases might be considered sufficient to be of 
 generic value, but as it often varies in form in the same 
 species it cannot be viewed as of more than specific value. 
 In some it is a distinct, round, inflexed crenule, containing 
 on its axis a single receptacle, in others it is oblong, or 
 more or less elongated, containing two or more receptacles, 
 in some it is straight, in others it is crenulated and wavy. 
 These differences admit of the species being arranged in 
 groups as follows : 
 
 Indusium subrotund or reniform, special to each cluster of 
 
 sporangia. Fronds smooth. 
 Sp. C. monticola, Gard. ; C. pteroides, Sw. ; C. radiata, 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 283 
 
 J. Sm. (Adiantum, Linn.) (v v.) ; C. paupercula, Mett. ; C. 
 dichotoma, Sw. ; C. Seemanni, Hook. ; C. pedata, J. Sm. 
 (v v.) (Hypol&pis, Hook.} ; C. Schimperi, Kunze ; C. ca- 
 pensis (Sw.) (v v.). 
 
 ** Pteridopsis. 
 
 Indusium binate, or elongating sub-continuous, including 
 two or more clusters of sporangia. 
 
 C. micropteris, Sw. (v v.) ; C. chlorophyll a, Sw. ; C. 
 multifida, Sw. (v v.) ; C. mysurensis, Wall. C. bullosa, 
 Kunze. ; C. Matthewsii, Kunze. ; C. Wrightii, Kunze. ; C. 
 Tweediana, Hook. ; C. Sieberi, Kunze. (v v.) ; C. viscosa, 
 Link, (v v.) ; C. tenuifolia, Sw. (v v.) ; C. varians, Hook. ; 
 C. fragrans, Webb, (v v.) ; C. Moritziana, Kunze. ; C. micro- 
 phylla, Sw. (v v.) ; C. alabamensis, Kunze. (v v.) ; C. 
 chusana, Hook. 
 
 *** Aleuritopteris. 
 
 Indusium continuous, undulose crenulated, each crena including 
 
 a cluster of sporangia. 
 
 f Fronds somewhat villose or slightly squamiferous. 
 C. Dalhonsiae, Hook. ; C. subvillosa, Hook. 
 
 ft Fronds with white farina on the under side. 
 
 C. argentea, Kunze. (v v.) ; C. argyrostigma, /. Sm. C. 
 pulveracea, Presl ; C. farinosa, Kaulf. (v v.). 
 
 OBS. The latter species varies greatly in size, the fronds 
 being sometimes so small that they are not distinguishable 
 from C. argentea, which, as at present known, is never found 
 exceeding 2 to 4 inches in height, whilst the native speci- 
 mens of C, farinosa average from 6 to 12 inches, and when 
 cultivated under favourable circumstances attain a height 
 of two feet, cultivation has not, however, increased the size 
 of C. argentea ; its small size may be considered constitu- 
 
284 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 tionally normal, consequent on the cold climate of the 
 regions in which it is found, namely, Siberia and Kams- 
 chatka. C. farinosa has a wide geographical range, 
 generally within or near the tropics of the Eastern Hemi- 
 sphere, and recently it has been found in New Granada. 
 C. rufa, Don. 
 
 tff Fronds with yellow farina on the under side. 
 C. aurantiaca (Cav.\ Hook. Ic. PI., t. 904 ; C. chryso- 
 phylla, Hook., Fil. Exot., t. 95, fig. 1. 
 
 159. CASSEBEERA, Kaulf. (1824). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum short. Fronds tripartite 
 or pinnate, 6 to 18 inches high, long stipate, stipes and 
 rachis smooth, castaneous ; pinnae oblong, 2 to 3 inches in 
 length, margin thick, emarginate. Veins internal, obscure, 
 forked, free. Sporangiferous receptacles terminal, puncti- 
 form, laterally connivent in pairs. Indusium intramarginal, 
 in short, linear pieces, each piece including the connivent 
 sporangia, forming oblong sori. 
 
 Type. Adiantum triphyllum, Smith. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 66, A ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 27, B ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 3, fig. 26. 
 
 OBS. This genus was originally founded upon two Ferns, 
 natives of Brazil ; although not differing much in general 
 habit or in technical characters from Pellcea, it is never- 
 theless retained by most authors as a genus; a third 
 species, C. gleichenioides, has been referred to this genus 
 by its discoverer, Dr. Gardner; it is, however, so widely 
 different in habit and appearanae, and in its technical 
 characters, that I deem it advisable to separate it from 
 Cassebeera (see Ormopteris). 
 
 Sp. C. triphylla, Kaidf. ; C. pinnata, Kaulf. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 285 
 
 160. PELL2EA, Link. (1841). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Pteris, Clieilanihus and Allosorus sp. auct. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect or decumbent, acaulose. 
 Fronds deltoid lobed, pinnate or bi-tripinnate, one to two 
 or more feet in height, smooth, castaneous or glaucous, 
 pinnules articulate with the rachis, or to a short adherent 
 petiole. Feins forked ; venules free. Receptacles terminal, 
 the sporangia becoming laterally confluent, forming a con- 
 tinuous transverse marginal sorus, included under a reflexed 
 membraneous indusium. 
 
 Type. Pteris Tiastata, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 5; Hook. Fil. 
 Exot., t. 15 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 91. 
 
 OBS. This genus as here restricted consists of about 
 twenty or thirty species, which are widely spread over the 
 tropics and sub-tropical regions of both hemispheres, with 
 the exception of P. geranicefolia ; the species of the Eastern 
 and Western hemispheres are respectively distinct. 
 
 At page 278 I have stated that it is more on account of 
 habit and texture that has induced me to place this genus 
 under Cheilanthece, than under the tribe Pteritfece. In some 
 species originally placed under Pellcea, the sporangia occupy 
 a portion of the upper part of the venules, forming short 
 linear sori, in such cases the apices of venules being free 
 and not connected in a transverse receptacle as in true 
 Pteris ; consequently the inflexed margin cannot be viewed 
 otherwise than as an universal indusium analogous to 
 Allosorus. 
 
 * SPECIES OP THE EASTERN HEMISPHERE. 
 Sp. P. geraniaefolia, Fee (v v.) ; P. Tamburii, Hook. ; P. 
 auriculata, Link. ; P. deltoidea, Baker ; P. Doniana, Hook. ; 
 P. hastata, Link, (v v.) ; P. Boivini, Hook ; P. consobrina, 
 
286 CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Hook, (v v.) ; P. Bojeri, Hook. ; P. pilosa, Hook. ; P. pro- 
 fusa, J. Sm. (v v.) ; P. nitidula, /. Sm. ; P. pulchella, 
 J. Sm. 
 
 ** SPECIES OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 
 
 P. lomariacea, Hook. ; P. intramarginalis, /. Sm. (v v.) ; 
 P. rigida, Hook. (Cheiloplecton, Fee, Iconogr. Nouv. 33) ; P. 
 Skineri, Hook. ; P. Seemanni, Hook. ; P. mucronata, 
 Eaton (v v.) (P. Wrightii, Hook.) ; P. ternifolia, Link, (v v.) ; 
 P. ornithopus, Hook. ; P. densa, Hook. ; P. inarginata 
 (Hook.) ; P. cuneata (Link.) ; P. angustifolia (Humb.) 
 
 161. ONYCHIUM, Kaulf. (1820). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate and decumbent, or distant and sub- 
 sarmentose. Fronds decompound, multifid, 1 to 3 feet high, 
 smooth ; sterile segments cuneiform. Veins forked, free, 
 their apices clavate ; fertile segments linear, apiculate, 
 veins simple, short, their apices transversely combined by 
 the receptacle, forming a linear sorus. Indusium slightly 
 intramarginal, its free margin conniving with the margin 
 of the opposite indusium (siliquiform), ultimately becoming 
 replicate, the sporangia of both confluent. 
 
 Type. Onychium auratum, Kaulf. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 11 ;. Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 28 B. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 95 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 3, fig. 27. 
 
 OBS. Although the technical character of the sori of 
 this genus does not differ from Pteris, the general aspect 
 of the species is however entirely at variance with the 
 whole of that genus, except P. scaberula, which in the 
 smallness of its pinnules presents some similarity to Ony- 
 
CHAEACTEES OP TEIBES AND GENEEA. 287 
 
 chium. The multifid character of the fronds induces me to 
 place it in Cheilanthece. 
 
 Sp. 0. auratum, Kaulf. (v v.) ; O. Japonicum, Kunze. 
 (Leptostigia lucida, Don.} (v v.) ; O. melanolepis, Kze. ; O. 
 strictum, Kze. 
 
 The three first are natives individually of Arabia, India, 
 and Japan, and the fourth of Cuba. 
 
 162. OCEOPTEEIS, /. Sm. (1841). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation decumbent. Fronds contiguous, long stipate, 
 deltoid, decompound, 2 to 3 feet high, smooth glossy ; stipes 
 and rachis pale, stramineous ; ultimate pinnules and lobes 
 oblong elliptical, cuneiform, marginate, usually oblique. 
 Veins pinnately forked, radiating ; venules direct, apices of 
 the sterile clavate, free, the fertile 2 to 4 converging, and 
 transversely combined by a thick, impressed, sporangiferous, 
 marginal receptacle. Sori oblong, rarely two on each lobe. 
 Indusium formed of the reflexed margin, thick, coriaceous. 
 
 Type. Adiantum pollens, Swartz. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 106, A. ; Moore 
 Ind. Fil., p. 29, A. ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 
 94 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, fig, 22. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a solitary species of very 
 distinct habit, a native of Mauritius. It was originally 
 placed by Swartz in Adiantum, but it is readily distinguished 
 from that genus by the sporangia being seated in the axis of 
 the reflexed indusium and not on its disc, while the conver- 
 gence of the fertile venules distinguishes it from Pteris. 
 
 Sp. 0. pallens, /. Sm. (v T.), Hook. Sp. Fil., 2, t. 77, B. 
 
288 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Tribe 21. PTERIDEJ3 (Plate 21). 
 
 Fronds varying- from simple, entire, to decompound mul- 
 tifid, and from 1 to 10 or more feet in height, and (with 
 the exception of Doryopteris) of a thin flaccid texture. Veins 
 free or anastomosing, their apices combined forming a 
 transverse, marginal, sporangiferous receptacle, seated in 
 the axis of an exteriorly attached inflexed special indusium 
 forming oblong or continuous marginal sori. 
 
 OBS. I have already explained under CTieilantlieoe my 
 reasons for separating it from Pteridece, which as now 
 restricted contains about one hundred described species of 
 which the genera Pteris and Litobrochia contain the principal, 
 which technically differ in the venation of the first being 
 free and in the second anastomosed in various ways. 
 
 Sect. 1. Veins anastomosing. 
 
 163. DORTOPTERIS, J. 8m. (1841). 
 Pteris sp. auct., sect. Litrobrochia, Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, rarely sarmentose. Fronds 
 simple, cordate-hastate, or palmately-lobed ; pinnae entire 
 or lobed, smooth, opaque, castaneous, stipes and rachis often 
 ebeneous. Veins internal, reticulated. Receptacles trans- 
 verse marginal, seated in a narrow exterior attached 
 indusium, forming a linear continuous sorus. 
 
 Type. Pteris pedata, Lirni. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 65, B. ; Hook. Fil. 
 Exot., t. 34 ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 98. 
 
 OBS. This is a small group of pretty Ferns, with the 
 same general character as regards texture, colour, and 
 smoothness as Pellcea and Cassebeera, but technically distin- 
 
n. 27. 
 
 ~W. H . Fitoh, del. eb lifcK . 
 
CHAEACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 289 
 
 guished by the venation being reticulated, in that respect 
 agreeing with the following genus, Litobrochia. 
 
 The following are the principal well-marked species, all 
 of which are natives of the Western hemisphere, except D. 
 ludens, which is a native of the Malayan and Philippines, 
 and which also differs from the rest of the species in its 
 vernation being sarmentose. 
 
 * Vernation uniserial, sarmentose. 
 
 D. ludens (Wall.) (D. WallicUi, J. Sm., 1841; Bedd. 
 F. Brit. Ind., pi. 27). 
 
 ** Vernation fasciculate, generally ccespitose. 
 
 D. sagittifolia (Eaddi) (v v.) ; D. lonchophora (Mett.) ; 
 D. pedata (Linn.) (v v.) ; D. palmata (Willd.) (v v.) ; D. 
 collina (Eaddi) (v v.) ; D. ornithopus (Mett.) ; D. decipiens 
 (Hook.) ; D. decora (Bracken. Fil, t. 13). 
 
 The two latter are natives of the Sandwich Islands, the 
 others are almost confined to Brazil. 
 
 164. PELLJIOPSIS, /. Sm. 
 Pellcea sp., Hook. Sp. Fil 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, sub-ceespitose. Fronds 6 to 18 
 inches or more in length, pinnate or bi-sub-tri-pinnate, firm, 
 smooth, castania-ebeneus ; pinnae and pinnules sessile, arti- 
 culate with the rachis. Veins anastomosing. Receptacles 
 transverse, marginal, forming a continuous sorus. Indusium 
 narrow. 
 
 Type. Pteris articulata, Kaulf. 
 
 OBS. The two species which constitute this genus, agree 
 in general habit with Pellcea, but differ in having reticulate 
 venation, which brings them in affinity with Doryopteris, 
 u 
 
290 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 from which they differ in having pinnate fronds, and 
 the pumas articulate with the rachis, these differences 
 induce me to consider them as forming a transition genus. 
 
 Sp. P. Burkeana (Hook. Sp. Fil. t 2, t. 126, B.) ; P. arti- 
 culata (Hook. Sp. FiL, 2, t. 126, A.). 
 
 The first is a native of South Africa, and the latter of 
 Mauritius, Borhon, and Madagascar. 
 
 165. LITOBROCHIA, Presl. (1836). 
 Pteris. sp. auct., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect or decumbent, often casspitose. 
 Fronds pinnate or bi-tripinnate, decompound, deltoid, 1 to 
 10 feet or more in height ; ultimate segments broad and 
 often unequally lobed. Veins evident ; venules wholly or 
 partially anastomosing, forming unequal areoles, the ex- 
 terior venules sometimes free. Sporangiferous receptacles 
 linear, transverse marginal, seated in the axis of an inflexed 
 special indusium. 
 
 Type. Pteris comans, Forst. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 65 B. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 32 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 97 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 3, fig. 31 h. 
 
 OBS. In habit the species of this genus are similar in 
 general appearance to those of the following genus Pteris, 
 but are technically distinguished by their anastomose vena- 
 tion. 
 
 The species vary greatly in size, in the circumscription 
 of the fronds, and in their mode of growth ; occasionally, 
 indeed, separate parts of a single frond differ so widely that 
 in the herbarium they are apt to be viewed as distinct 
 species. 
 
 In the " Species Filicum " thirty-nine species are enume- 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 291 
 
 rated, bat in the " Synopsis " that number is reduced to 
 twenty-two. They are widely spread throughout the 
 tropics of both hemispheres, extending to New Zealand in 
 the south and Japan in the north. 
 
 * Vernation decumbent. Fronds pinnate, pinnce entire, 
 broad, or the lower one pinnate. 
 
 Sp. L. grandifolia (Linn.) (vv.) ; L. pulchra (Schlecht.) 
 L. splendens (Kaulf.) ; L. Haenkeana, Pr. ; L. lanceofolia 
 (Agardh.) L. Mannii (Baker). 
 
 ** Vernation erect, generally ccespitose. Fronds slender, 
 pinnate, lower pinnce tripartite or pinnate. 
 
 L. denticulata (Sw.) (v v.) ; L. leptophylla (Sw.) (v v.) ; 
 L. macelenta (A. Cunn.) (v v.). 
 
 *** Vernation decumbent or sub-sarmentose. Fronds bi- 
 pinnatifid or bipinnate, ultimate pinnules often unequal 
 on the same frond. 
 
 L. Orizab (Mart, and Gal.) (v v.) ; L. spinulifera 
 (Schum.) (v v.) ; L. comans (Forst.) (v v.) ; L. Endliche- 
 riana (Agardh.) ; L. Berteroana (Agardh.) ; L. Beechyana 
 (Agardh.) ; L. propinqua (Agardh.) It. decurrens (Eadd.) 
 L. macroptera (Link.) (v v.) ; L. elata (Agardh.) (v v ) ; L. 
 polita (Link.) (v v.) ; L. Kunzeana (Agardh.) (v v.). 
 
 **## Vernation fasciculate, erect, sub-arboroid. Fronds 
 deltoid tripartite, rami, simple or again forked ; pin- 
 nules pinnatifid. 
 
 L. Wallichiana (Agardh.) (Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 219) ; 
 L. gigantea (JVilld.) L. aculeata (Sw., in part) L. tri- 
 partita (Sw.) (v v.) ; L podophylla (Sw.) (v v.) 
 
292 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 OBS. The latter species is a noble Fern. A plant 
 received from Jamaica, and cultivated at Kew, attained in 
 1864 a stout caudex, nearly a foot in height, producing 
 large, spreading, firm fronds, upwards of 10 feet long, 
 with stipes at least 4 inches in circumference, thickly beset 
 with muricate prickles. The large size and different 
 aspect of this species from its congeners, when viewed 
 with its stout arboroid caudex, seems sufficient to render it 
 worthy of being ranked as a distinct genus. 
 
 166. LONCHITIS, Linn. (1737). 
 Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, subarboroid, laniferous. 
 Fronds bi-tripinnate, 2 to 6 feet long, the ultimate pinnae 
 sinuouse-pinnatifid. Primary veins costseform, pinnate ; 
 venules anastomosing, forming irregular hexagonoid areoles. 
 Sporangiferous receptacles transverse, on the apices of 4 to 5 
 venules, converging on the sinus of the lobes, forming an 
 arcuate sorus on each sinus. Indusium linear. 
 
 Type. Lonchitis aurita, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 68 A.; Schott. 
 Gen. Fil., t. 30 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 31 B. ; J. Sm. 
 Ferns, Brit, and For., f. 99 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, 
 fig. 23. 
 
 OBS. :This genus was founded by Linnaeus on tab. 71 of 
 Plumier's Filices, which is represented as having an arcu- 
 leate stipes, but as no modern specimens of Lonchitis have 
 been observed with that character I am inclined to con- 
 sider it a mistake of the artist, the other parts of the figure 
 agreeing with the species described by Hooker as L. Lin- 
 deniana, a native of Venezuela, Plumier's figure being 
 derived from a Martinique plant. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 293 
 
 As a genus Lonchitis is distinguished from Litcibrochia by 
 the sori being seated in the sinus of the lacinse, thus form- 
 ing a semicircle or crescent, and also in the pubescent 
 character of the caudex and fronds. 
 
 In the " Species Filicum " six species are described, but 
 which in the " Synopsis " are reduced to one, a new 
 described species is, however, added, namely, L. occidentalism 
 Baker. The following species appear to me to be specifi- 
 cally distinct, two of which have been under my notice in a 
 living state. 
 
 L. aurita, Linn. (L. Lindeniana, Hook.) (v v.) ; L. pubes- 
 cens, Willd. (v v.) ; L. Natalensis, Hook. 
 
 The first is a native of Mauritius, the two latter of 
 Mauritius and Natal. 
 
 167. CAMPTERIA, Presl. (1836). 
 Pteris sp. auct., Hook. Sp. Fit. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect. Fronds long stipate, pin- 
 nate, 2 to 3 feet high ; pinnse pinnatifid, the lower pair bi- 
 partite, or with one or more pinnules on the inferior side ; 
 lacinaa linear oblong, falcate, entire, or serrulate. Veins 
 forked, the lower pair of venules anastomosing, forming a 
 straight arcuate costal arch between the bases of the lacinse, 
 the rest of the sterile venules being free, the apices of the 
 fertile combined, forming a linear, transverse, marginal 
 sporangiferous receptacle, seated in the axis of an inflexed 
 linear, special indusium. 
 
 Type. Pteris biaurita, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 65, A. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 31, A. 
 
 OBS. The species on which Presl founded this genus 
 agree in general habit with Pteris quadriaurita and its 
 
294 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 allies, but are distinguished by the lower pair of venules of 
 each fascicle anastomosing, forming a row of elongated 
 transverse areoles on each side of the mid-rib, which 
 character I originally considered to be only a simple state 
 of Litobrochia ; I, however, now deem it best to adopt it 
 as a transition genus between Pteris and Litobrochia. 
 
 Sp. C. nemoralis (Willd.} (v v.) ; C. biaurita, (Linn.) 
 (v v.) ; C. geminata (Agardh.) 
 
 Natives of the tropics of the Eastern and Western 
 hemispheres. No less than thirty-eight synonyms are 
 placed under C. biaurita by Dr. C. Luerssen. 
 
 168. HISTIOPTERIS, Affardh. (1839). 
 Pteris sp. auct., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, distant ; sarmentum elongated, 
 generally epigeous and hirsute squamose. Fronds 1 to 8 
 feet high, or sometimes scandent, and then ascending to 
 15 or 18 feet, bi-tripinnate, smooth or glaucous beneath; 
 primary pinnae and pinnules generally horizontally patent, 
 always opposite and sessile, the lower pair of pinnules of 
 each pinnae often short and stipuliform, ultimate pinnules or 
 segments entire, sinuose or pinnatifid. Veins anastomosed, 
 or sometimes free. Receptacles transverse, continuous 
 across the anastomoses of the venules, forming a linear, 
 marginal sorus, furnished with an exterior attached, linear 
 indusium. 
 
 Type. Pteris vespertilionis, Labill. 
 
 Illust. Mett. Fil. Hort. Bot. Lips., p. 59, t. 14. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of a few species of peculiar 
 habit, differing from Litobrochia in the same manner that 
 Ornithopteris does from Pteris, in this case, as in others, 
 habit being the most obvious distinction. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 295 
 
 Although the species are to all appearances few, their 
 wide distribution has led to the creation of above a dozen 
 species, which in the " Species Filicum " are reduced to five, 
 and in the " Synopsis " to one only. Their mode and places 
 of growth are similar to 0. aquilina ; among bushes or 
 underwood they assume a scandent character, and often 
 attain a great length. They are chiefly found within or 
 near the tropics of both the old and new world, their most 
 southern limit being Tasmania. 
 
 . Sp. H. incisa ( Thunb.) (v v.) ; H. vespertilionis (Lab.) 
 (v v.) (New. Roll, t. 245) ; H. aurita (El.) (v v.) (Mett. Fil. 
 Hort. Lips, t. 14) ; H. sinuata (Brack. Fil., t. 14). 
 
 Sect. 2. Veins free. 
 
 169. PTERIS, Linn, in part (1737). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate and erect or decumbent, or sarmen- 
 tose uniserial. Fronds pinnate, bi-tri-quadripinnate, rarely 
 simple, from a few inches to 6 or 7 feet high ; the ultimate 
 segments entire, sinuose, lobed or pinnatifid. Veins forked ; 
 sterile venules free, the apices of the fertile transversely 
 combined by the receptacle, forming a linear marginal 
 sorus, furnished with an exterior attached linear indusium. 
 
 Type. Pteris longifolia, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 64 A. ; Moore, Tnd. 
 Fil., p. 30, fig. 14 ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For., 
 fig. 96 ; Hook., Syn. Fil., t. 3, fig. 31 a. b. 
 
 OBS. This is an extensive genus, containing according 
 to the "Species Filicum" about sixty-three species, but 
 which, in the " Synopsis" are reduced to forty- two. The 
 species present great variation in the circumscription of 
 
296 CHARACTEES OF TRIBES AND GENEEA. 
 
 their fronds, which with the vernation being erect or de- 
 cumbent, enables us to arrange the species as follows. 
 
 * Vernation fasciculate, decumbent, ccespitose. 
 j" Fronds pinnate. 
 
 Sp. P, longifolia, Linn, (v v.) 
 
 OBS. The wide geographical range of this plant has 
 given rise to the multiplication of specific names, many 
 authors raising the representative of different localities to 
 the rank of species, there being no less than eighteen 
 synonyms given in the " Species Filicum." 
 
 P. Moluccana, Bl. ; P. opaca, J. Sm. 
 
 ff Fronds pinnate, the lower pair or more of pinnce equally 
 or unequally lobed or pinnate. 
 
 P. pellucida, Pr. ; P. cretica, Linn, (v v.) ; P. hetero- 
 dactyla, Reinw. (v v.) ; P. dactylina, Hook. ; P. crenata, 
 Sw. (v v.) ; P. heteromorpha, Fee ; P. Grimthii, Hook. ; 
 P. serrulata, Linn, (v v.) ; P. mutilata, Linn, (v v.) ; P. 
 distans, J. Sm. ; P. umbrosa, R. Br. (v v.) ; P. Dalhousiae, 
 Hook. ; P. irregularis, Kaulf. ; P. marattisefolia, Hook. ; P. 
 semipinnata, Linn, (v v.) ; P. heterophylla, Linn, (v v.) 
 
 ** Vernation fasciculate, caudex erect, simple, rarely 
 ccespitosft. 
 
 f Fronds pinnate, pinnce pinnatifid, the lower pair or more 
 bipartite or pinnate. 
 
 P. longipinnula, Wall. P. argyrea, Moore (v v.) ; P. 
 aspericaulis, Wall, (v v.) ; P. tricolor, Linden (v v.) ; P. 
 quadriaurita, Retz. (v v.) ; P. spinescens, Presl ; P. sulcata, 
 Link, (v v.) ; P. repandula, Link. ; P. glaucovirens, Linden 
 (v v.) j P. pungens, Willd. (v v.) ; P. decussata, J. Sm. ; 
 
CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 297 
 
 P. excelsa, Gaud. ; P. lata, Link, (v v) ; P. paleacea, Roxb. 
 (v v.) ; P. scabra, Bory. ; P. Kingiana, Endl. (v v.) ; P. 
 flabellata, Thunb. (v v.) ; P. straminea, Mett. (v v.) ; P. 
 arguta, Ait. (v v.) ; P. tremula, R. Br. (v v.) ; P. Croesus, 
 Bory. ; P. felosma, /. 8m. (v v.) ; P. nemoralis, Hook, and 
 Bauer, t. 64 A. (?) Willd. 
 
 ft Fronds tripartitely branched, deltoid, generally 
 
 quadripinnate. 
 
 P. deflexa, Link, (v v.) ; P. pellucens, Agardh. ; P. con- 
 nexa, J. 8m. ; P. decussata, /. 8m. (v v.) ; P. hirsuta, 
 Hook. (Lonchitis, Linn. ; P. laciniata, Willd.) (v v.) ; P. 
 Griesbreghtii, J. Sm. (v v.). 
 
 The above species are widely dispersed, being found in 
 the tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. 
 
 170. ORNITHOFTERIS, Agardh. (1839.) 
 Pteris sp. auct. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, distant, sarmentum hypogeous, thick 
 and fleshy, or epigeous and slender. Fronds tri-quadri- 
 pinnate, deltoid, from 1 to 6 or 10 feet high, opaque, 
 coriaceous ; ultimate segments entire or unequally lacin- 
 iated. Veins simple or forked, the sterile free, the apices 
 of the fertile transversely combined by the receptacle 
 forming a linear sorus, furnished with a special, exteriorly 
 attached, linear indusium, and also with an accessory in- 
 dusoid membrane, rising from the inner side of the recep- 
 tacle, but often obsolete. 
 
 Type. Pteris aquilina, Linn. 
 
 lllust. Moore Ind. Fil., p. 30, fig. 5, 6 ; Hook. Sp. Fil., 
 t. 141 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 3. fig. 31 d. e. f. 
 
 OBS. The sarmentose caudex and special aspect of 
 
298 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Pteris aquilina marks it as a type of a small group, distinct 
 from the preceding genus, and as such it is farther distin- 
 guished by the presence of what is supposed to be an 
 interior indusium, of which the author of the " Species 
 Filicum " says, " Easily as the outer involucre of Pteris 
 aquilina is to be seen, even with the naked eye, the inner 
 one, except in a peculiar state of the sorus (before it is 
 mature) can only be brought to view by careful dissection 
 under the microscope. I have, however, satisfied myself 
 of its existence, though I have often failed to detect it ; 
 indeed the fact appears to be ignored by the most distin- 
 guished writers on Ferns." My observation on this point 
 is, that there is to be seen in the early stage of the sorus, 
 rising from the interior side of the receptacle, a narrow, 
 thin, elevated fimbriate ridge, but which in my opinion 
 cannot be considered a special indusium analogous to that 
 of Lindscea, and more especially as it is soon obliterated by 
 the growth of the sorus. However, a more evident interior 
 indusium is to be seen in Pteris glutinosa, a Fern of special 
 habit, having alternately branched decompound fronds, 
 agreeing in general mode of growth with Pteris aquilina. 
 In this the sporangia are seated as it were in a slit, similar 
 to that of Lindscea, but, although such is the case, I cannot 
 view the interior lobe of the slit otherwise than as a 
 thickened lamina. It is, however, a specially marked cha- 
 racter, and it is supposed to be the Fern described by St. 
 Hilaire under the name of Pcesia, which Mr. Moore adopts, 
 and places it in his section Dicksoniece, next to Cibotium, but 
 with which it has no natural affinity, and cannot be well 
 separated from Pteris. 
 
 * Sarmentum thick, fleshy, hypogeous. 
 Sp. 0. aquilina (Linn.) ; O.caudata (Linn.) j 0. esculenta 
 (Forst.) 
 
"WH. Pit dh, del . e 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 299 
 
 OBS. These three, with their numerous intermediate 
 forms, many of which are described as species by different 
 authors, may be viewed as the most abundant of Ferns on 
 the earth, being- found in all temperate and tropical regions, 
 and occupying vast tracts of plane and mountain slope. 
 
 ** Sarmentum epigeous, paleaceous, sub-scandent. 
 
 A. glutinosa, /. Sm. (Pteris glutinosa, Wiles. Herb. ; P. 
 scalaris Moritz., Herb. Hook. Sp. Fil. ; P. viscosa, Hook. 
 Syn. Fil. ; Pcesia viscosa, St. Hil, according to Moore). 
 
 OBS. Specimens of this Fern came into my possession 
 about forty years ago, which had been collected in Jamaica 
 by James Wiles, about the beginning of the present cen- 
 tury, and named by him Pteris glutinosa. It is also a native 
 of Venezuela and Peru. 
 
 0. scaberula (Rich.) (P. microphylla, A. Cunn.) 
 
 Native of New Zealand. 
 
 The sarmentose vernation of this species agrees with the 
 preceding, but it has no trace of an interior indusium ; the 
 fertile segments are very small, with the opposite sori 
 confluent, similar to Onychium. 
 
 0. rugulosa, Lab. Sert. New Caledonia, t. 8. 
 
 Tribe 22. BLECHNE^]. (Plate 22). 
 
 Vernation sarmentose, fasciculate, acaulose, or rarely sub- 
 arborescent. Fertile fronds plane or contracted, rachiform. 
 Sori transverse, oblong or linear, continuous, medial or 
 costal. Indusium lateral exteriorly attached, inwardly 
 indexed, plane or vaulted (absent in Brainea). 
 
 OBS. In the "Species Filicum" 107 species are described 
 as belonging to this Tribe, the greater number being 
 contained in the genera Blechnum and Lomaria. In the 
 
300 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 "Synopsis" of the above work, the number is reduced to 
 seventy. With a few exceptions they are stemless, gene- 
 rally cespitose, with smooth glossy fronds, a few only 
 being slightly pilose or furnished with glands. The 
 greater number have free venation, but anastomose vena- 
 tion characterises Woodwardia and its allies. 
 
 170. BLECHNUM, Linn., in part (1754). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, csespitose, often stoloniferous, or 
 solitary erect, sub-arborescent. Fronds simple, pinnatifid 
 or pinnate, from a few inches to 4 to 6 feet high ; pinna3 
 adherent or rarely articulated with the rachis. Veins 
 forked ; the sterile venules free, or their apices thickened 
 and forming a cartilaginous margin ; the veins of the 
 fertile pinnae combined near their base by a transverse, 
 continuous, sporangiferous receptacle, constituting a linear, 
 costal, or rarely extra-costal sorus. Indusium linear, plane. 
 
 Type. Blechnum occidentale, Linn. 
 
 lllust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 54 B. ; Moore Ind., 
 p. 11 B. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 100 ; Hook. 
 Syn. Fil., t. 4, fig. 34. 
 
 OBS. In the " Species Filicum " forty species of Blech- 
 num are described, but in the "Synopsis Filicum" they 
 are reduced to eighteen. 
 
 Great confusion exists in the synonymy of this genus 
 with that of Lomaria, the most obvious distinguishing cha- 
 racter being in the fertile fronds of the latter being con- 
 tracted, but I must admit that this distinction is not always 
 definite, it being difficult to determine to which genus 
 certain intermediate forms belong, and, to make the matter 
 worse, Presl characterises the species of Blechnum under 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 301 
 
 no less than ten genera, several of which I adopt as 
 sectional names only. 
 
 The species are widely distributed within or near the 
 tropics of both hemispheres. 
 
 * Apices of the venules free. 
 t Sort costal (Blechnum, Presl.). 
 
 Sp. B. lanceola, Sw. (v v.) var. B. trifoliatum, Kaulf. 
 (v v.) ; B. asplenioides, Sw. (B. unilateral, Willd.) ; B. 
 glandulosum, Link, (v v.) ; B. cognatum, Presl (v v.) ; B. 
 polypodioides, Radd, Fit. Bras., t. 60, fig. 2 (v v.) ; B. trian- 
 gulare, Link, (v v.) ; B. occidentale, Linn, (v v.) ; B. cam- 
 pylotis, /. Sm. (v v.) (Lomaria, Kze. ; B. arcuatum? G. 
 Gay) ; B. australe, Linn, (v v.) ; B. gracile, Kaulf. (v v.) ; 
 B. longifolium, H. B. K. (v v.) ; B. intermedium, Link. 
 (v v.) ; B. fraxineum, Willd. (v v.) ; B. Fendleri, Hook. 
 (Sp. Fil., 3 t. 158). 
 
 ft Sori medial or nearly so (JMesotliema, Pr.}. 
 
 B. hastatum, Kaulf. (v v.). 
 
 OBS. Presl refers ten species to this section, several of 
 which are not well identified species, and others more 
 properly belong to Lomaria. 
 
 ** Apices of the venules thickened, forming a cartilaginous 
 
 margin (Blechnopsis, Presl). 
 f Pmnce adherent to the rachis. 
 
 Sp. B. brasiliense, Desv. (v v.) ; B. cartilagineum, Sw. 
 (v v.) ; B. nitidum, Pr. ; B. laevigatum, Oav. (v v.) ; B. 
 orientale, Linn, (v v.) ; B. Finlaysonianum, Wall. 
 
 ft Pinnce articulated with the rachis (Diafnia, Pr.). 
 B. striatum, JB. Br. (v v.) ; B. serrulatum, Rich, (v v.). 
 
302 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 OBS. Of the twenty -two species here enumerated 
 eighteen have come under my notice in a living state, 
 several of which are recorded as synonyms in the " Synop- 
 sis Filicum," but my observations on the living plants 
 satisfy me that the above are sufficiently distinct to be 
 viewed as species. The synonymy of many of the species 
 is, however, most difficult to unravel, for instance, B. 
 orientals has no less than thirty-eight, and B. occidentale 
 nearly twenty synonyms. 
 
 Blechnum melanopsis of the " Species Filicum " is described 
 as being a pinnate species, about a span in length, similar 
 in appearance to a young frond of B. orientale, but differing 
 from Blechnum in having reticulate venation, which Mr. 
 Moore has thought proper to adopt as characteristic of a 
 distinct genus, which he names Blechnidium. The descrip- 
 tion of this Fern is taken from a solitary frond gathered in 
 Khasya, which probably may turn out to be a young state 
 of a Woodwardia. 
 
 171. LOMARIA, Willd. (1809). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Blechnum sp. auct. ; Stegania, B. Br. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentose or fasciculate, erect, cses- 
 pitose or subarborescent. Fronds simple, pinnatifid, or pin- 
 nate, rarely bipinnatifid, 1 to 3 feet high, the fertile always 
 contracted. Feins (of the sterile frond) forked ; venules 
 free, their apices usually clavate ; fertile segments rachi- 
 form, veins obsolete, or more or less evident, and by their 
 contiguity forming a broad, transverse, continuous, sporan- 
 giferous receptacle, the sporangia becoming confluent over 
 the whole disc of the segment. Indusium linear, sub-intra- 
 marginal, vaulted, and involute, the margin oppositely 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 303 
 
 conniving enclosing the sporangia of both receptacles, 
 ultimately becoming replicate and generally torn. 
 
 Type. Lomaria nuda, Willd. 
 
 Tllust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 64, B. ; Moore 
 Ind. Fil., p. 11, A. ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 
 103 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 3, fig. 33. 
 
 OBS. As already stated, the only character that dis- 
 tinguishes this genus from Bleclmum is in the fertile fronds 
 being contracted. In the " Species Filicum," Sir William 
 Hooker says, " a more careful investigation of several species 
 of Lomaria shows that they gradually depart from their 
 pteroid character, and completely merge into Blechnece." 
 
 The genus consists of between thirty and forty known 
 species, and as in Bleclmum, the synonym of the species is 
 confusing ; they are widely distributed throughout the 
 tropical and temperate regions of both hemispheres, extend- 
 ing from the latitude of New Zealand in the South to the 
 limits of Fern life in the North, where the genus is repre- 
 sented by the well-known Lomaria spicunt, better known 
 in this country as Blechnum boreale, of which, of late years, 
 numerous abnormal forms have been discovered, consisting 
 in the fronds being distorted in various ways ; some of these 
 are so unlike the typical form, that without being acquainted 
 with their origin they would by some pterodologists be 
 considered as types of distinct species, thirty-six of these 
 forms are recorded in Mr. Stansfield's Catalogue. 
 
 * Vernation sarmentose, epiphytal. Sterile fronds pinnatifid, 
 sinus generally large, obtuse, round (Lomaridium, Presl, 
 J. Sm.). 
 
 Sp. L. onocleoides, Spr. (v v.) ; L. Plumieri, Desv. ; L. 
 attenuata, Willd. (v v.) ; L. pteropus, Kze. ; L. elongata, Bl. 
 (v v,) ; L. Colensoi, Hook. 
 
304 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 ** Vernation fasciculate, generally coespitose (Stegania,R.Br.) 
 
 f Fronds simple, occasionally lobed or sultpinnatifid. 
 L. Patersoni (E. Br.) (v v.). 
 
 ft Fronds (Sterile) linear lanceolate, pinnatifid, rarely 
 
 L. Spicant, Besv. (vv.) ; L. alpina, Spr. (v v.) ; L. Bank- 
 sii, Hook. fit. (v v.) ; L. nigra, Col. (v v.) ; L. Germainii, 
 Hook, (v v.) ; L. membranacea, Hook. ; L. fluviatilis, Spr. 
 (v v ) ; L. aspera, Hook. ; L. rigida, /. Sm. (L. dura, Moore) 
 (v v.) ; L. lanceolata, Spr. (v v.) ; L. falcata (72. Br.) (v v.) ; 
 L. L'Herminieri, Bory. (v v.) ; L. blechnoides, Bory. (vv.) ; 
 L. discolor, Willd. (v v.) ; L. nuda, Willd. (v v.) ; L. vul- 
 canica. Bl. (v v.). 
 
 *** Vernation erect, acaulose. Fronds pinnate (Loxochlena). 
 L. punctulata (Sw.). 
 
 OBS* This is a native of South Africa, and varies con- 
 siderably in the character of its fertile pinnae, some being 
 so contracted as to justify the species being placed in 
 Lomaria, while others are broad, and have distinct Blech- 
 noid sori. Scolopendrium Krebsii of Kunze, also a native 
 of South Africa, is considered by some to be a state of this 
 species ; it differs in the transverse soriferous vein not 
 being straight, but forming numerous acute angles pointing 
 outwards, the interior sides of the angles being sporangi- 
 ferous, thus facing one another as in the scolopendroid 
 genus Antigramma, which character led Kunze to refer it 
 to Scolopendrium. In the " Species Filicum " it is viewed 
 as a synonym of L. punctulata. But as living plants of 
 both forms have been under my notice for many years, and 
 as both have retained their respective characters, I am 
 therefore inclined to consider them as distinct species. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 305 
 
 L. Krebsii, J". Sm. (Scolopendrium Krebsii, Kze. in Sckk. 
 Fil. Suppl, t. 74, Bot. Mag., t. 4768). 
 
 **** Vernation erect, acaulose or sub-arborescent (3 to 4 feet 
 high) (Lomariocycas, J. Sm.). 
 
 f Fiends pinnate. 
 
 L. Gilliesii, Hook, and Grev. (v v.) ; L. minor, Spreng. 
 (v v.) ; L. procera, Spreng. (v v.) ; L. tuberculata, 7. Sm. 
 (v v.) ; L. longifolia, Schlecht. ; L. capensis, Willd. (v v.) ; 
 L. gigantea, Kaulf. (v v.) ; L. striata, Willd. (v v.) 
 
 OBS. In the "Flora of New Zealand " Dr. Hooker says 
 that he cannot specifically distinguish Lomaria procera of 
 New Zealand, the West Indian L. lineata, the South 
 American L. chilensis, and the South African L. capensis 
 one from ihe other ; this view is also adopted in the 
 " Species Filicum," with the addition of L. Gilliesii, L. 
 daneacea, L. ornifolia, L. spectabilis, L. tuberculata, L. longi- 
 folia, L. vestita, and L. squamulosa. Such is the decision 
 arrived at by the examination of herbarium specimens ; 
 but six of the above number have been observed by me 
 in a living state, which I have no hesitation in adopting 
 as distinct species. 
 
 L. ciliata, Moore ; L. gibba, Lab. (v v.) ; L. Boryana, 
 Willd. (v v.) 
 
 OBS. This Fern was originally described by Bory under 
 the name of Pteris osmundioides, from specimens collected 
 by him in Bourbon. In Swartz's " Synopsis" it is described 
 under the name of Onoclea Boryana, and afterwards by 
 Willdenow as Lomaria Boryana ; it is described as having 
 a stem 3 to 4 feet high, with a diameter of 5 to 6 inches, 
 bearing a crown of firm pinnate fronds 2 to 3 feet in 
 length. It is found or is represented by closely allied 
 forms in many countries far apart, which circumstance has 
 
306 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 led to the creation of many species, one of which is L. 
 magellanica of Desvaux (Hook. Gard. Ferns, t. 52), a native 
 of Tierra del Fuego, under which, in the " Species Filicum," 
 L. Boryana is quoted as a synonym ; but this is reversed in 
 the " Synopsis Filicum." The following are also treated 
 as synonyms of L. magellanica ; L. cinnamomea, Kaulf, South 
 Africa ; L. robusta, Carm., Tristan d'Achuna ; L. setigera, 
 Gaud., South Brazil ; L. zamioides, Gard. Brazil (Organ 
 Mountains) ; L. Ryani, Kaulf., West Indies ; L. rufa, 
 Spreng. (L. Chilensis, Kaulf.), Chili ; L. cycadi/olia, Colla, 
 Tropical America ; L. palmceformis, Thouars, Mauritius ; 
 L. lanuginosa, Kze., Natal. The only living examples of 
 these seen by me are L. magellanica and L. cycadifolia, 
 which I adopt as distinct species ; and it is probable that 
 some of the others when seen together in a living state, 
 will also be recognised as distinct. 
 
 ft Fronds pinnate ; pinnce pinnatifid. 
 
 L. Fraseri, A. Cunn. 
 
 OBS. This is a native of New Zealand, it has a stem 
 about the thickness of a walking-stick, attaining the height 
 of several feet. 
 
 172. SADLERIA, Kaulf. (1824). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, arborescent (2 to 3 feet high), 
 stout. Fronds 3 to 4 feet long, rigid, bipinnatifid, pinnas 
 linear lanceolate, 10 to 12 inches long, contiguous, sessile, 
 articulated with the rachis, deeply pinnatifid, coriaceous, 
 opaque ; lacinse f to 1 inch long, linear falcate. Veins 
 obscure, arcuately anastomosing, forming costal areoles ; 
 venules simple or forked, their apices terminating in a 
 thickened margin. Sporangiferous receptacle transverse, 
 
CHARACTEES OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 307 
 
 linear, continuous on the costal anastomose, elevated in 
 the form of a ridge. Indusium linear, laterally attached 
 on the exterior side of the receptacle, its inner margin 
 free, becoming re flexed, coriaceous, persistent. 
 
 Type. Sadleria cyatheoides, Kaulf. 
 
 Illust. Moore Ind. ML, p. 12, B. ; Hook. Syn. ML, t. 4, 
 fig. 35. 
 
 OBS. The type of this genus was originally described as 
 a species of Blechnum, under which genus I placed it in 
 1841, my first arrangement, but on account of its very 
 distinct habit I now deem it best to .separate it from 
 Blechnum. With Lomaria Boryana it agrees in having 
 a stout arborescent caudex, but differs in having regular 
 pinnatifid pinnae, which are articulate with the rachis. 
 
 Sp. S. cyatheoides, Kaulf. ; S. squarrosa, Gaud. Voy. Bonit. 
 Atlas, t. 2. 
 
 Natives of Sandwich Islands. S. pallida, Hook, and Am. ; 
 S. Souleytiana (Gaud.) and 8. Kaulfussiana, (Gaud.) are 
 considered to be only different states of S. cyatheoides. 
 
 173. BRAINEA, /. 8m. (1856). 
 Book. Sp. Fil. t Bowringia Hook. (1853) non Benth. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, arborescent, 2 to 4 feet high. 
 Fronds pinnate, rarely sub-bipinnate, 2 to 3 feet long ; 
 pinnae linear lanceolate, 4 to 6 inches long, sub-sessile, 
 base truncate above, auriculated below ; margin crenate 
 serrulate. Veins flabellately forked, free exteriorly, the 
 lower venules short and angularly anastomosing, forming 
 a row of oblique costal areoles. Sporangia produced on 
 the angular anastomoses, and lower part of the exterior 
 free venules, confluent, constituting a broad, compound, 
 continuous or sub -interrupted, transverse naked sorus. 
 
308 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Type. Brainea insignis, Hook. 
 
 Illust. Moore, Ind. Fil., p. 34 A. ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, 
 and For., fig. 103 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 53. 
 
 OBS. A solitary species constitutes this genus, the 
 affinity to which is difficult to determine. The stout 
 Zamia-like caudex, squamose vernation, and pinnate, rigid 
 fronds indicate a relationship in natural affinity with 
 Lomaria Boryana and Sadleria cyatheoides, but its being 
 destitute of an indusium and the anastomose venation of 
 its sterile fronds, distinguishes it from these genera. In 
 the " Species Filicum " it is placed next to Gymnogramme, 
 which includes species with both free and anastomose 
 venation, and if the lines of sporangia of Brainea are 
 viewed as simple sori, it has therefore as good a claim to 
 be placed in Gymnogramme as many other species placed in 
 that genus, as characterised in the " Species Filicum." 
 
 On taking all points into consideration, and the circum- 
 stance of a cultivated plant of Brainea at Kew having 
 produced a bipinnatifid or almost bipinnate frond, proves 
 that the more usual simple pinnate state is not the normal 
 condition of development, and such gives it more of an 
 affinity with Sadleria It is found in two localities, namely, 
 Hong Kong, Khasya in Eastern Bengal. 
 
 Sp. B. insignis (Hook.) (v v.), Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 38. 
 
 174. DOODIA, E. Br. (1810). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds lanceolate, 
 pinnatifid or pinnate, the fertile sometimes sub-contracted, 
 segments serrate or spinulose. Veins forked, the lower 
 venules transversely anastomosing and sporangiferous. 
 Receptacles medial, elongated, constituting one, or some- 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENEBA. 309 
 
 times two, transverse rows of oblong, straight, or arcuate 
 sori. Indusium plane. 
 
 Type. Doodia aspera, R. Br. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 54 A. ; Moore 
 Ind. Fil., p. 33 B., fig. 24 ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, 
 and For., fig. 101 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 4, fig. 37. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of about six presumedly dis- 
 tinct species, and which are better recognised by seeing 
 the living plants than by herbarium specimens. They are 
 natives of New Zealand, Australia, and the islands of the 
 Pacific. 
 
 In habit they agree with Blechnum, but are distinguished 
 by having definite oblong sori often in two rows, techni- 
 cally agreeing with Woodwardia, to which they are united 
 by some authors. With Lomaria they are connected 
 through D. caudata, which has two kinds of fronds, the 
 fertile being contracted, and the sori sub-continuous. 
 
 * Fronds pinnatifid. 
 
 Sp. D. aspera, R. Br. (v v.) ; D. blechnoides, A. Cunn. 
 {v v.) ; D. dives, Kunze (v v.), Bedd. F. S. Ind., pi. 222 ; 
 D. linearis, G. Moore (v v.). 
 
 ** Fronds pinnate. 
 
 D. media, E. Br. (v v.) ; D. lunulata, R. Br. (v v.) ; 
 D. connexa, Kunze ; D. caudata, R. Br. (v v.) 
 
 175. WOOD WARD IA, Smith (1793). 
 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, decumbent. Fronds bipinnatifid, 
 4 to 6 feet long ; pinna3 lanceolate, entire, sinuose or deeply 
 pinnatifid, 6 to 18 inches long. Feins reticulated, or the 
 
310 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 exterior venules free ; the costal anastomoses transverse, 
 elongated, and sporangiferous. Sori oblong, contiguous, 
 forming a sub-costal medial row. Sporangia immersed. 
 Indusium vaulted. 
 
 Type. Blechnum radicans, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 17 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 33 B., fig. 1 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., 
 fig. 104 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 4, fig. 36 a. 
 
 OBS. This is a well marked genus which in the " Species 
 Filicum " is represented by six species, three of which I, 
 however, exclude from true Woodwardia, as I consider them 
 sufficiently distinct to warrant their adoption under the 
 two following genera. 
 
 The species here restricted to Woodwardia are remark- 
 able for producing numerous viviparous buds, which readily 
 become plants. 
 
 Sp. W. radicans, Sm. (v v.) ; W. orientalis, Sw. (v v.) ; 
 W. Japonica, Sw. (v v.) . 
 
 The two latter species are natives of China and Japan ; 
 the first is found in the South of Europe, Madeira, Azores, 
 Java, Mexico, California, Guatemala, and Northern India. 
 
 176. LORINSERIA, Presl (1849). 
 Woodwardia, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum hypogeous. Fronds 
 distant, sinuose-pinnatifid or sub-pinnate, 1 to l feet high, 
 the fertile contracted. Veins of the sterile frond uniform 
 reticulated ; fertile segments rachiform, costal anastomoses 
 transverse-elongated, sporangiferous. Sori oblong-linear, 
 contiguous, forming a costal row. Indusium vaulted. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum areolatiim t Linn* 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 311 
 
 Illust. Metten. Fil. Hort. Lips., t. 6, f. 6, 7 ; J. Sm. 
 Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 107 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 4, 
 fig. 36 b. 
 
 OBS. The single species constituting this genus is placed 
 by most authors in Woodwardia, but its sarmentose, hy- 
 pogeous vernation and contracted fertile fronds have in- 
 duced me to follow Presl, and adopt it as a distinct genus. 
 
 Sp. L. areolata, Presl (v v.) ; L. Harlandii (Hook. Fil. 
 Exot., t. 7). 
 
 The first is a native of North America and the second of 
 Hong-Kong. 
 
 177. ANCHISTEA, Presl. (1849). 
 Woodwardia Sm. Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial ; sarmentum hypogeous. Fronds 
 bipinnatind, 1 to 2 feet high. Veins flabellately forked ; 
 the lower venules transversely anastomosing and sporang'i- 
 ferous. Sori oblong, contiguous, in a continuous costal 
 row. Indusium linear plane. 
 
 Type. Bleclinum virginicum, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Metten. Fil. Hort. Lips., t. 6, f. 1, 2 ; J. Sm. Ferns, 
 Brit, and For., fig. 105. 
 
 OBS The reasons assigned for retaining the last genus 
 are applicable to this, wliich also consists of one species, a 
 native of North America. 
 
 Sp. A. virginica, Presl. (v v.). 
 
 178. ONOCLEA, Linn., in part (1751). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil., in part. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, distant; sarmentum hypogeous. 
 Sterile fronds sub-bipinnatifid. Veins reticulated. Fertile 
 
312 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 fronds contracted, bipinnate, segments baccaeform, compactly 
 filled with sporangia, which rise from four to six puncti- 
 form receptacles, each furnished with a lateral, cucullate, 
 membraneous indusium. 
 
 Type. Onoclea sensibilis, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 82 ; Moore, Ind. 
 Fil., p. 65 A. ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 106 ; 
 Hook., Syn. Fil., t. 1, fig. 9. 
 
 OBS. This genus, as here restricted, consists of a solitary 
 species of peculiar habit and somewhat doubtful relation- 
 ship. In my Arrangement of 1841, and previously (1838), 
 in a note at tab. 82 of Hooker and Bauer's "Genera 
 Filicum," I stated that the membraneous scales found inter- 
 posed between the confluent sori were truly special laterally 
 attached indusia, and I therefore placed it in proximity 
 with Aspidium, thus removing it from the vicinity of Blech- 
 num and Woodwardia, where it originally stood, but later 
 and more careful examination of the natural affinities of 
 Ferns, has led me to place it again in the tribe Blecknece, 
 its nearest ally being the genus Lorinseria. 
 
 In the " Species Filicum " the genus Struthiopteris is 
 united with Onoclea, but it is quite at variance with Onoclea 
 technically as well as in habit. 
 
 Sp. 0. sensibilis, Linn, (v v.) 
 
 A native of North America. 
 
 179. STENOCHLJINA, J. Sm. (1841). 
 Acrostichum auct., Hoo~k. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, distant, sarmentum elongated, scan- 
 dent. Fronds 2 to 3 feet long, of two forms, the sterile 
 pinnate, the fertile contracted, pinnate or bipinnate ; pinnae 
 articulated with the rachis, Feins rising from an obscure 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 313 
 
 transverse vein, continuous with, and close to the mid-rib ; 
 venules simple or forked, direct, their apices clavate, united 
 forming a pellucid cartilaginous spinulose margin ; fertile 
 segments linear, rachiform, margin membraneous, involute, 
 indusoeform. Sporangia occupying the whole disc of the 
 narrow segment. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum scandens, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil,, t. 105 B. ; Moore 
 Ind. Fil., p. 3 B. ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 
 108 ; Hook. Syn. Fil. t. 7, fig. 60, f. g. 
 OBS. In my original definition of this genus in 1841, 
 the venation is said to be free, which is strictly the case 
 with several species which I then placed under it (now 
 species of Lomariopsis). Since then I have had the oppor- 
 tunity of examining living plants of 8. scandens, in which 
 I find the pinnag of the sterile frond have a transverse 
 anastomose vein continuous with and close to the mid-rib, 
 but which on account of the narrowness of the fertile 
 pinna3 is not evident, the sporangia occupying the whole 
 segment as in Lomaria, which with its narrow involute 
 indusoid margin indicates its affinity to be with the present 
 tribe Blechnece, rather than with Acrostichece. 
 
 Sp. S. scandens (Linn.) (vv.) (Lomaria scandens, Willd.) ; 
 S. Meyeriana, /. 8m. (v v.) (Lomaria, Kze. ; Acrostichum, 
 Meyeriana, Hook. Gard. Ferns, t. 16). 
 
 OBS. The latter is a native of Natal, the first is very 
 generally spread throughout India, the Malayan Archi- 
 pelago, the Philippines, and the Islands of the Eastern 
 Pacific, assuming different appearances according to the 
 various local influences of climate, which has led to its 
 being described by authors under many different names. 
 The sterile pinna? are occasionally variously lobed or 
 sinuose, two of such forms having been named by Wallich 
 
314 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Lomaria spondicefolia and L. limonicefolia. This species is 
 also remarkable in producing on its sarmentum what may 
 be termed an adventitious growth, so unlike the true fronds 
 that, without good evidence, it would be difficult to believe 
 that they are productions of the same plant. It is about 
 3 or 4 inches long, and not unlike some multifid species of 
 Davallia or Cheilanthes. Wallich named it Davallia achillei- 
 folia (Hook. Sp. Fil., 1, t. 56 d.\ seemingly not aware that 
 it grew on Stenochlcena. Tab. 209 of Beddome's " Ferns of 
 British India" represents a state of this from Burmah. 
 Its mode of production may be considered analogous to the 
 growth observed on the stipes of some species of Alsopliila, 
 which Kaulrass described under the name of Trichomanes ? 
 cormophyllum. 
 
 180. SALPICHIJENA, /. Sm. (1841). 
 Blechnum sp. Kaulf. ; Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation sub-fasciculate, decumbent. Fronds bipinnate, 
 flexuose, climbing, indefinite ; pinnas 1 to 2 feet long ; pinnules 
 2 to 8 pairs, linear or broad-lanceolate, acuminate, 6 to 16 
 inches long, to 2 inches wide, smooth, shining, entire. Veins 
 forked ; venules combined in the sterile by a transverse 
 marginal vein, and in the fertile by a transverse costal 
 vein, which bears the sporangia, forming a linear, trans- 
 verse, sub-costal sorus. Indusium laterally attached on 
 the exterior side of the receptacle, involute, vaulted, cylin- 
 drical, its base partially sporangiferous, its inner margin 
 free, becoming reflexed, rigid, separating in pieces, after- 
 wards increasing in size. 
 
 Type. Blechnum volubile, Kaulf. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 93 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 12 A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 109. 
 
PI. 23. 
 
 c. 
 
CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 315 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a remarkable Fern, a 
 native of Brazil, New Granada, and other parts of Tropical 
 America, climbing to the tops of lofty trees, similar to the 
 genus Lygodium. In the character of its fructification it 
 does not differ much from Blechnum, but has the veins 
 combined at the margin, and, with the peculiar nature of 
 the indusium, which continues long permanent, and even 
 enlarges in size after it has become reflexed, is sufficient to 
 mark this as a genus distinct from Blechnum. 
 
 Sp. S. volubile, J. Sm. (v v.) (Hook. Gard. Ferns, t. 15). 
 
 Tribe 23. ASPLENIE^E. (Plate 23). 
 
 Sori oblong or linear, oblique to the mid-rib or axis of 
 venation. Sporangia produced on one side (unilateral) or on 
 both sides of the same venule (bilateral), each furnished 
 with a plane or vaulted lateral operculiform linear indu- 
 sium, opening interiorly or exteriorly. 
 
 OBS. In the " Species Filicum" 307 species are described 
 as belonging to this Tribe, but which in the " Synopsis" of 
 that work are reduced to 282 ; but in the Appendix to the 
 second edition 50 additional are recorded. They are found 
 in all regions of the earth favourable to Fern life, some 
 growing on cliffs or rocks, exposed to the extremes of heat 
 and cold, others in shady ravines or caves, others on the 
 ground or on trees, presenting great variation in the size 
 and form of their fronds, which are generally fasciculate 
 or rarely uniserial, the axis of vernation being generally 
 acaulose, a few becoming subarborescent. The numerous 
 intermediate forms render it most difficult to arrive at any 
 satisfactory conclusion as to the number of distinct species. 
 In Moore's "Index Filicum" Asplenium occupies 70 pages, 
 
316 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 and which contains no less than 2,059 names, of which 
 335 are adopted species, the rest being synonyms. 
 
 The greater number were originally comprehended under 
 two genera, namely, Asplenium and Diplazium, but even 
 these are not considered by some to be generically distinct. 
 In the greater mass the veins are free, in a few they are 
 anastomose, and which with the different modes of growth 
 afford sufficient characters for arranging the species under 
 the following genera. 
 
 * Veins free. 
 
 181. ASPLENIUM, Linn. (1737). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Tarachia, Pr. ; Loxoscaphe, Moore. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, decumbent, or erect, acaulose, rarely 
 uniserial sarmentose. Fronds varying from simple entire 
 to decompound, and from a few inches to 2 to 6 feet 
 high, generally smooth. Feins forked or pinnate, from a 
 central or excentric costae, or rayed ; venules free, sporan- 
 giferous on the superior side. Sori oblong or linear, in 
 some very short and marginal. Indusium lateral operculi- 
 form, opening exteriorly. 
 
 Type. Asplenium marinum, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 30 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 30 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 110. 
 
 OBS. In the "Species Filicum" about 287 species are 
 enumerated, which are divided into four sections, namely, 
 Thamnopteres, Eusasplenium, Athyrium, and Eudiplazium, 
 which I characterise as distinct genera. In "Ferns, 
 British and Foreign," 120 species are enumerated as 
 having been seen by me in a living state, and as they 
 contain examples representing the principal sections and 
 groups, I here enumerate them. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 317 
 
 * Vernation uniserial distant ; sarmentum slender. 
 
 Sect. 1. CHEILOSORUM, Mett. 
 
 Fronds pinnate, 6 to 14 inches long ; pinnce numerous, 
 approximate, f to 1 inch long, oblong lanceolate, dimediate. 
 Costve excentric, contiguous to the lower entire margin, superior 
 margin deeply laciniated. Sori short, oblong, on the apex of 
 the vein terminating each lacince. 
 Sp. A. heterocarpum, Wall (v v.) 
 
 OBS. In the general outline and glossy texture of the 
 frond this agrees with the Trichomanoid section, but its 
 uniserial vernation and apical sori mark it as being dis- 
 tinct. 
 
 ** Vernation fasciculate. 
 
 Sect. 2. CETERACHOPSIS, /. Sm. 
 
 Fronds 6 to 9 inches long, 1 to 1| inch wide, smooth, deeply 
 pinnatifid, lacinaz uniform, obtuse. Veins dichotomously 
 forked. Sori oblong linear, the lower ones subparalld with 
 the costce. 
 
 A. alternans, Wall, (v v.). 
 
 OBS. Of this species Sir William Hooker says, " this is 
 a very peculiar looking plant, which, but for the absence of 
 the scaly covering, might be mistaken for Asplenium ceterach, 
 which also is known to have a minute asplenoid involucrum, 
 in this species, however, the veins are free. | 
 
 Sect. 3. ASPLENITES. 
 Vernation erect or decumbent. Fronds simple or pinnate. 
 
 1. PHYLLITIS GROUP. 
 
 Fronds entire, linear lanceolate or broad elliptical. 
 A. ensiforme, Wall. A. sinuatum, Beauv. (v v.) ; A. 
 aquamulatum, Blume (v v.) ; A. Griffithianum, Hook. ; A. 
 serratum, Linn, (v v.). 
 
318 CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 2. HEMIONITES GROUP. 
 Fronds hastate or palmately lobed. 
 A. subhastatum, Hook. A. Hemionitis, Linn, (v v.). 
 
 3. LUCIDUM GROUP. 
 Fronds pinnate ; pinnce generally oblique, cuneiform at 
 
 the base. 
 
 A. lucidum, Forst. (v v.) ; A. heterodon, Blume (v v.) ; 
 A. gemmiferum, Schrad. (v v.) ; A. emarginatum, Beauw 
 (v v.) ; A. obtusatum, Forst. (v v.) ; A. obliquum, Forst. 
 (v v.) ; A. oligophyllum, Kaulf. (v v.) : A. angustifolium, 
 Mich. 
 
 4. AURICULATUM GROUP. 
 
 Fronds pinnate ; pinnce 1 to 2 inches in length, generally having 
 a more or less evident lobe or auricle on the superior edge 
 of their l>ase. 
 
 A. hastatum,' Klotsch. (vv.) ; A. salicifolium, Linn, (v v.) ; 
 A. compressnm, Sw. (v v.) ; A. obtusifolium, Linn, (v v.) ; 
 A. tenerum, Forst., Schk. Fil., t. 69 (v v.) ; A. marimim, 
 Linn, (v v.) ; A. elongatum, Sw. (v v.) ; A. firmum, Kunze 
 (v v.) ; A. pumilum, Sw. (v v.) ; A. dentatum, Linn, (v v.) ; 
 A. pulchellum, Radd. (v v.) ; A. elatum, Humb. (v v.). 
 
 f 5. TRICHOMANES GROUP. 
 Fronds pinnate, linear, 3 to 12 or more inches long ; pinnce 
 
 short, costcB generally excentric. 
 
 A. Trichomanes, Linn, (v v.) ; A. ebeneum, Ait. (v v.) ; 
 A. monanthemum, Linn, (v v.) ; A. Petrarchae, De Cand. 
 (v v.) ; A. formosum, Willd. (v v.) ; A. brasiliense, Radd. 
 (v v.) ; A. tenellum, Roxb. (v v.) (A. reclinatum, Moore, 
 Hook. Fil. Bxot., t. 72) ; A. erectum, Bory. (v v.) ; A. 
 normale, Von. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 319 
 
 6. RHIZOPHORUM GROUP. 
 
 Fronds pinnate or bipinnate, the apex often long, attenuated 
 (caudate], flagelliform, and viviparous ; segments small, 
 generally unisorus, 
 A. viride, Huds. (v v.) ; A. fontanum, Bernh. (v v.) ; A. 
 
 flabelliforme, Cav. (v v.) ; A. obtusilobium, Hook, (v v.) ; 
 
 A. cicutarium, Sw. (v v.) ; A. myriophyllum, Presl (v v.) ; 
 
 A. divaricatum, Kunze (v v.) ; A. rhizophyllum, Linn, (v v.) ; 
 
 A. cirrhatum, Rich, (v v.) ; A. rachirhizon, Radd. (v v.) ; A. 
 
 pinnatifidum, Nutt. (v v.). 
 
 7. FLACCIDUM GROUP (Darea, Willd.). 
 
 Fronds pinnate, bipinnate, or decompound, often varying in the 
 same plant ; segments bijidly laciniated, bearing uni- 
 lateral sori which are often very short, some of the species 
 producing numerous viviparous bulbils on the upper 
 surface. 
 
 A. brachypteron, Kunze (v v.) ; A. prolongatum, Hook. 
 (v v.) ; A. ruteefolium, Presl (v v.) ; A. lineatum, Sw. (v v.) ; 
 A. Belangeri, Kunze (v v.) ; A. flaccidum, Forst. (v v.) ; 
 A. bulbiferum, Forst. (v v.) ; A. Fabianum, Hombr. (v v.) ; 
 A. appendiculatum, Labill (v v.) ; A. Bichardi, Hook, (v v.) ; 
 A. Hookerianum, Colenso (v v.) ; A dimorphum, Kunze 
 (v v.) ; A. viviparum, Presl. (v v.). 
 
 OBS. Some of the species of this group are liable to 
 extreme variation in the more or less divided state of the 
 fronds. A. lineatum of Swartz for instance, is described as 
 having entire pinnae, but cultivated plants have shown me 
 that it varies considerably, from entire to multifid, passing 
 into the several daroid states represented by the different 
 forms of A. flaccidum, several of which have been described 
 as distinct species, such as A. inequale, Kunze, and A. bifi- 
 
320 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 dum, Presl. When the ultimate segments are small, the 
 sori are short, and become characteristic of certain Davallece 
 of authors, which Mr. Moore has characterised as a distinct 
 genus under the name of Loxoscaphe, but as the habit of 
 these species is clearly indicative of their affinity being 
 with the present group, I consider them as a section of 
 Asplenium, as follows. 
 
 The principal character that entitles them to rank as a 
 genus, consists in the sori being very short and oblique, 
 with the indusium conniving with the margin of the seg - 
 ment, which gives it the appearance of a round cyst open- 
 ing outwards as in Davallice, which is the only character 
 that gives it any claim of relationship with that family. 
 
 8. GIBBEROSUM GROUP (Loxoscaphe, Moore). 
 
 A. gibberosum, /. 8m. (Davallia, Sw.) ; A. concinnum, 
 J". 8m. (Davallia, Schrad.) ; A. Schimperi, /. Sm. (Davallia, 
 Hook) ; A. theciferum, /. Sm. (Davallia, H. B. K.) ; A. 
 foeniculaceum, H. B. K. 
 
 9. ADIANTUM-NIGRUM GROUP (Tarachia, Pr.) 
 Fronds bi-tripinnate ; ultimate segments or lacince with two 
 
 or more sori. 
 
 A. Adiantum-nigrum, Linn, (v v.) ; A. lanceolatum, Huds. 
 (v v.) ; A. acutum, Bory. (v v.) ; A. auritum, Sw. (v v.) ; 
 A. dispersum, Kunze (v v.) ; A. macilentum, Kunze (v v.) ; 
 A. fragrans, Sw . (v v.) ; A. mexicanum, Mart, et Gal. (v v.). 
 
 10. FALCATUM GROUP (Tarachia, Pr.). 
 Fronds pinnate ; pinnae I to 6 inches long, lanceolate or ellip- 
 tical, acuminate or sub-deltoid, entire, serrated or erosely 
 laciniated veins forming an acute angle with the costce. 
 A. attenuatum, R. Br. (v v.) ; A. longissimum, Blume 
 (v v.) ; A. nitens, Sw. (v v.) ; A. serra, Lang, et Fiscli. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 321 
 
 (v v.) ; A. polyodon, Forst. (v v.) ; A. falcatum, Lam. 
 (v v.) ; A. caudatum, Forst. (v v.) ; A. paleacum, It. Br. 
 (v v.). 
 
 11. EROSUM GROUP (TaracJiia, Pr.) 
 
 Fronds 'bi-tripinnate, decompound, rarely linear or simply 
 
 forked ; segments rarely otherwise than cuneiform, with 
 
 erose apices ; venation often flabellate, the costa being 
 
 undefined or evanescent. 
 
 A. septentrionale, Schk. (v v.) (Acropteris. Link.) ; A. 
 
 germanicum, Weis. (v v.) ; A. Seelosi, Sielold (v v.) ; 
 
 A. Ruta-muraria, Linn, (v v.) ; A. cuneatum, Lam. (v v.) ; 
 
 A. prEemorsum, Sw. (v v.) ; A. furcatum, Thunb. (v v.) ; A. 
 
 laserpitiifolium, Lam. (v v.) ; A. dimidiatum, Sw. (v v.) 
 
 (A. zamicefolium, Lodd.) A. contiguum, Kaulf. (v v.) ; A. 
 
 erosum, Linn, (v v.) ; A. nitidum, Sw. (v v.). 
 
 Sect. 4. ACTINIOPTERIS, Link. 
 
 Fronds stipate, flagellate, 6 to 8 inches high, rigid ; segments 
 linear rachiform. Veins radiating and dichotomous. 
 
 A. radiatum, Sw. (v v.). 
 
 OBS. This is a remarkable Fern, of which Sir William 
 Hooker says, " perfectly sui generis. Even its place in the 
 Fern arrangement is doubtful. The frond is in no way 
 foliaceous, but rachiform in its divisions, and, before ex- 
 pansion, it is, as it were, refracted (not circinate) upon the 
 stipes, and in appearance then, and even when fully 
 developed, very much like some small Chamcerops among 
 the Palms." 
 
 Although such is the view of this Fern, taken by Sir 
 Win. Hooker, I nevertheless do not find sufficient character 
 beyond its habit, to separate it from Asplenium. It is 
 
322 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 referred to Blechnum by Presl, and to Pteris by Mettenius, 
 but according* to my view the blechnoid or pterioid character 
 of the sori is entirely consequent on the narrowness of the 
 segments. It varies in the form of the frond, some being 
 nearly simple, others forked, which seems to show a relation- 
 ship with Asplenium septentrionale. 
 
 It is a widely diffused species, found in many parts of 
 India, Ceylon, Arabia, Egypt, Abyssinia, southward to 
 Zambesi-land and Angola. 
 
 182. DIPLORA, Baker (1873). 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum slender, wire-like, scan- 
 dent. Fronds linear-ligulate, entire, 9 to 10 inches long, 
 |- inch broad, obscurely crenate-repand, membranous, smooth, 
 stipes short, articulate with the caudex. Veins distinct, 
 patent, usually simple, sporangiferous along their centre, 
 their whole length. Indusiwn bivalved, one on each side 
 of the vein, linear, -narrow, margins conniving, enclosing 
 the sporangia, 'forming numerous contiguous sausage-like 
 sori. 
 
 Type. D. integrifolia, Bak. in Journ. Bot., new series, 2, 
 p. 235, with figure ; Append. Syn. Fil., p. 492. 
 
 OBS. I have not seen this curious Fern, but learn from 
 Mr. Baker that it is a native of the Solomon islands, and 
 that the genus is founded upon a solitary frond, rising 
 laterally from about an inch of wiry-like caudex to which 
 it is attached by wnat appears to be a joint. As it cannot 
 be well associated with any Erymobryous genus, I therefore 
 for the present place it in Aspleniece, with which it agrees 
 in the general asplenoid habit, but is peculiar in having a 
 double indusium to each receptacle. 
 
 *Sp. As above. 
 
CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 323 
 
 183. HICROPODIUM, Mett. 
 
 Annals of the Leyden Museum. 
 
 Asplenium and Scolopendrium sp., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, sarmentum slender, wiry, scandent. 
 Fronds distant, simple, linear-lanceolate, rarely pinnate, 
 1 to 2 feet in length, 1 to 3 inches in breadth, smooth. Stipes 
 in some articulate with the caudex. Veins simple or forked, 
 sporangiferous on one or both sides. Indusium simple as in 
 Asplenium, binate as in Diplazium, or oppositely conniving as 
 in Scolopendrium. Sori linear continuous, having an elevated 
 ridge or crest on their exterior side or between them. 
 
 Type. Scolopendrium longifolium, Presl. 
 
 OBS. The principal character that has led Mettenius to 
 separate the species of this genus from Asplenium, is that 
 the vernation of several of them is apparently articulate, as 
 also having an elevated ridge on the exterior side of simple 
 sori, and also between the connivent sori. The articulated 
 vernation, if it really is so, is confined in this family to this 
 and the preceding genus, but as the nature of the fronds 
 agree with Asplenium, I therefore deem it best to place 
 them here ; they form a very natural group, distinguished 
 by their slender creeping caudex from the great mass 
 of Asplenium. 
 
 Sp. M. lanceum (Thunb. Ic. Plant. Jap., Dec. 11. t. 18 ; 
 Asplenium subsinuatum, Hook, and Grev. Ic. Fil., t. 27 ; A. 
 sect. Triblemma, J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., p. 209). 
 
 OBS. The sori of Asplenium, Diplazium, and Scolopen- 
 drium, are often produced on the same frond of this species. 
 
 M. vittgeforme, Mett. (Cav.) (Asplenium Amboinense, 
 Brack. Fil., U. S. Expl. Exp., p. 147, t. 19, /. 2) ; M. Sun- 
 dense (Blume) ; M. Fijeense (Brack. Fil. U. 8. Expl. Exp., 
 t. 19, /. 1) ; M. scolopendrioides, /. Sm. (Hook. Ic. PL, 
 
324 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 t. 930) ; M. longifolium, Mett. (Scolopendrium, Pr., Reliq. 
 Hcenk.,p. 48, t. 9, /. 1) ; M. pinnatum, Mett. (Scolopendrum, 
 J. 8m.) ; M. Durvillei, Mett. (Bory, Kunze, Suppl. Sclik., 
 p. 9, t. 5). 
 
 They are natives of Malay, Philippine, and Fiji islands. 
 
 M, . pinnatum and M. Durvillei differ from the rest of the 
 species in having pinnate fronds ; their sori are, however, 
 characteristic of Micropodium. 
 
 184. SCOLOPENDRIUM, 8m. (1793). 
 Hook. Sp. Fil., Asplenium, Linn. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds simple, 
 entire, or lobed, from 6 inches to 2 and 3 feet long. Veins 
 forked, venules free, the superior and inferior branch of 
 each fascicle contiguous, parallel, and sporangiferous on 
 their proximate sides, constituting two linear, confluent 
 sori, each furnished with a linear indusium, the free mar- 
 gins of which connive, forming, as it were, one sorus. 
 
 Type. Asplenium Scolopendrium, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 57 B. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 39 B ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 112. ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 4, fig. 41 A. 
 
 OBS. This as a genus differs from Asplenium only in the 
 sori being confluent in pairs, each furnished with its own 
 indusium, the free edges of which connive, and thus form- 
 ing a double sorus. 
 
 Although the connivent sori is the only point by which 
 this genus is distinguished from Asplenium, Sir William 
 Hooker has nevertheless in the " Species Filicum " raised 
 it to the dignity of a tribe which he names Scolopendriece ; 
 it contains only nine species, which he arranges under 
 four sections, namely, Euscolopendrium, Antigramma, Scha/- 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 325 
 
 neria, and Camptosorus. The first section contains four 
 species, which have free venation ; in the other three 
 sections the veins anastomose, and are noticed further on. 
 
 Sp. S. vulgare, Sm. (v v.) ; S. Hemionitis, Sw. (v v.). 
 
 S. Hemionitis is found only in the south of Europe, 
 while S. vulgare is widely spread throughout the temperate 
 regions of the Northern Hemisphere ; it abounds in Europe, 
 and in this country is well known as the Hart's- tongue 
 Fern, and of which there are numerous abnormal forms, 
 no less than 160 being recorded in Mr. Stansfield's Cata- 
 logue. For S. Krebsii, Kze. in Sclik. Supp., t. 74, see 
 Lomaria. 
 
 185. DIPLAZIUM, Sw. (1800). 
 Asplenium sect. Eudiplazium, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect or decumbent, acaulose or 
 sub- arborescent. Fronds simple, pinnate, or bi-tripinnate, 
 1 to 5 feet high, smooth, rarely pubescent. Veins forked 
 or pinnate ; venules free, the whole or the lower venules 
 only sporangiferous on both sides, forming binate linear 
 sori, each furnished with a linear indusium, the one opening 
 interiorly, the other exteriorly. 
 
 Type. Asplenium plantagineum, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 55 B. ; Moore, 
 Ind. Fil., p. 41 B. ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 
 Ill ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 4, fig. 38 d. f. 
 
 OBS. This genus differs only from Asplenium in the 
 sporangia being produced on both sides of the venules, 
 each furnished with its own indusium, thus forming binate 
 sori : this character is constant to most of the species, 
 especially those with simple or pinnate fronds, but in those 
 with more compound fronds, the binate sori are only found 
 on the lower exterior venule of one or more of the fascicles, 
 
326 CHARACTEES OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 the superior venules having unilateral sori as in true 
 Asplenium. 
 
 The following species, taken from " Ferns, British and 
 Foreign," are sufficient to illustrate the genus. They are 
 widely diffused throughout the tropics of both hemispheres, 
 with the exception of D. thelypteroides, which is found in 
 North America. 
 
 * Vernation erect. 
 
 f- Fronds simple. 
 Sp. D. plantagineum, Sw. (v v.). 
 
 ft Fronds pinnatifid. 
 D. Zeylanicum, Hook, (v v.). 
 
 tff Fronds pinnate. 
 
 D. pallidum, Bl. ; D. graiidifolium, Sw. (v v.) ; D. Jug- 
 landifolium, Sw. (v v.) ; D, alternifolium, Bl. (v v.) ; D. 
 fraxinifolium, Wall. ; D. celtidifolium, Kunze ; D. Lobbi- 
 anum, Hook. 
 
 tttt Fronds lipinnatifid or Hpinnate. 
 D. Shepherdi, Link, (v v.) ; D. coarctatum, Link, (v v.) ; 
 D. striatum, Pr. (v v.) ; D. expansum, Willd. (v v.) ; D. 
 diversifolium, Wall, (v v.) ; D. conchatum, Moore (v v.) ; 
 D. polypodioides, Bl. (v v.) ; D. Schkuhri, Mett. ; D. 
 Klotzschii, Moore (v v.) ; D. lobulosum, Wall. ; D. costale, Pr. 
 
 ** Vernation decumbent. 
 
 D. sylvaticum, Sw. (v v.) ; D. dilatatum, BL (v v.) ; D. 
 arbor escens, Sw. (v v.) ; D. vestitum, Pr. ; D. Thwaitesii, 
 J. Sm. (v v.) ; D. flexuosum, Pr. ; D. thelypteroides, Pr. 
 (v v.) ; D. Franconis, Mett. (v v.). 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 327 
 
 186. ATHTRIUM, Both. (1788). 
 
 Allantodia sp., E. Br., 1810 ; Asplenium sp. auct., sect. Atliy- 
 rium, Hook. Sp. Fil., J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect or decumbent, solitary or 
 becoming caespitose. Fronds bi-tripinnatifid, 1 to 4 feet 
 high, ultimate segments dentate, or deeply laciniated. Veins 
 forked ; venules free. Sporangia unilateral, or often bi- 
 lateral on the lower exterior venule. Indusium generally 
 vaulted, single or binate, or oblong reniforme, forming 
 linear, straight, or curved, generally unequal-sided sori. 
 
 Type. Asplenium Filix-foemina, Bernh. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer. Gen. Fil., t. 16 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 37, A. ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 4, fig. 38, E. 
 
 OBS. The form of the sori in the species included in this 
 genus is very variable, some being unilateral as in Asple- 
 nium, others binate as in Diplazium, while in others the 
 iiidusium is oblong reniform as in Fadyenia, but the lobes 
 are generally unequal, such differences being in many 
 instances found in the same frond. In many the indusium 
 is cylindrical and vaulted like that of true Allantodia. 
 
 In the " Species Filicum," as well as in " Ferns, British 
 and Foreign," Athyrium is ranked as a section of Asplenium, 
 but, for the sake of a more natural grouping of species, I 
 deem it best to allow it to rank as a genus ; more distin- 
 guished by its habit of growth and the soft and brittle 
 nature, and highly compound character of the fronds, than 
 by the character of the sori ; and the species may be viewed 
 as having more relationship with the compound-fronded- 
 species of Diplazium than with Asplenium. 
 
 In the " Species Filicum " twenty-nine species are enu- 
 merated, but in the " Synopsis " the number is reduced to 
 nineteen, ten of which have come under my observation in 
 
328 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 a living state. This reduction is consequent on Mr. Baker 
 having united, or what is termed " lumped," a number of 
 forms described by authors as species, under A. Filix-foemina, 
 which is widely diffused over the Northern hemisphere, pre- 
 senting many different aspects in the more or less divided 
 states of its fronds in different regions, some of which may 
 be admitted to be as distinct species as many other closely 
 allied Ferns. 
 
 The species are widely distributed, being found in India, 
 Malay, and islands of the Pacific, A. Brownii extend- 
 ing to Southern Australia, A. umlrosum and A. axillare 
 being found in Madeira. In this country, especially in 
 Yorkshire, a number of what are called tasselled forms of 
 A. Filix-foemina are found, which have become great fa- 
 vourites with amateurs ; one trade catalogue alone contains 
 the fanciful names and prices of no less than 115. 
 
 Sp. A. Filix-foemina, Bernh. (v v.) ; A. crenatum (Fries.) 
 A. Michauxii, Spreng. (v v.) ; A. eburnum, J. Sm. (v v.) ; 
 A. denticulatum, J. Sm. (v v.) ; A. macrocarpum, Blume 
 (v v.) ; A. Nigritianum, Hook. ; A. sandwichianum, Mett; 
 A. nigripes, Mett. (v v.) ; A. ceylonense, Klot. (v v.) ; A. 
 decurtatum, Link, (v v.) ; A. umbrosum, J. 8m. (v v.) ; 
 A. axillare, Pr. (v v.) ; A. Brownii, J". Sm. (v v.) (Allan- 
 todia australis, R. Br. see genus Allantodia). 
 
 ** Veins anastomosing in various 
 
 187. NEOTTOPTERIS, /. 8m. (1841). 
 Asplenium sp. auct., section Thamnopteris,Pr., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect. Fronds sessile, coronate, 
 rarely stipate, simple, linear or broad elliptical-lanceolate, 
 smooth, 1 to 6 feet long by 2 to 12 inches wide. Veins 
 forked, venules parallel, sporangiferous on the superior 
 
CHAEACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENEEA. 329 
 
 side, their apices combined by a transverse, continuous 
 marginal vein. Sari unilateral. Indusium plane, free 
 exteriorly. 
 
 Type. Asplenium nidus, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 113 B. ; Moore, 
 Ind. Fil., p. 37 B. ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For., 
 fig. 113. 
 
 OBS. This genus is distinguished from other simple- 
 fronded Aspl&nice by the apices of the parallel venules being 
 combined by a continuous marginal vein ; it has a wide 
 geographical range, being represented throughout India, 
 the Malayan peninsula and islands, Southern China, Philip- 
 pine, Sandwich, and other islands of the Pacific Ocean, 
 extending to Australia and Norfolk Island in the south, 
 and Japan in the north. 
 
 In Seemann's " Botany of the Voyage of the Herald " 
 it is there recorded to have been found in one or two 
 localities on the Pacific side of the continent of America, 
 but this seems to be a mistake, as the Hookerian herba- 
 rium contains no specimen of the genus from the American 
 continent. 
 
 The simple form of the fronds does not afford much 
 variety as regards difference that can well be explained in 
 words, yet they vary very much in size and texture, which 
 in some instances seem to be normal to the special localities, 
 and which gives the semblance to there being a number of 
 distinct species, thirteen being enumerated by Fee, which 
 in the '' Species Filicum " are reduced to seven ; even this 
 is more than can be satisfactorily determined by herbarium 
 specimens only. The cultivated examples of four forms 
 known to me, although difficult to recog'nise as distinct 
 when put in the herbarium, are, however, readily seen to 
 be distinct species in the garden, and it is probable that 
 
330 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 others from different localities, when seen cultivated, may 
 also be called specifically distinct. 
 
 Sp. IS", nidus (Linn.) (v v.) ; N". musaefolia (Mett.) ; N. 
 australasica, /. Sm. (v v.) ; N. phyllitidis (Don.) (v v.) ; 
 N". Grevillei (Wall.); N. Simonsiana (Hook.') (Bedd. F. 
 Brit. Ind., pi. 248). 
 
 OBS. N. muscefolia has the largest simple entire fronds 
 of all Ferns ; it is described by a Penang correspondent in 
 the following words, "I saw two fine specimens of the 
 Bird's-nest Fern ; each had between forty and fifty perfect 
 green leaves ; the average length of the leaves was 6 feet, 
 and from 1 foot to 14 inches across in the broadest part. 
 They were growing on each side of the doorway of the 
 mansion ; when I was walking up to them I thought they 
 were American Aloes." 
 
 188. ANTIGRAMMA, Presl (1836). 
 Camptosorus, Pr. Scolopendrium, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds simple, 
 cordate, lanceolate, 4 to 18 inches high, erect or decum- 
 bent, in their apex viviparous. Veins forked ; venules 
 straight or curved, angularly anastomosing, reticulated, 
 the marginal veinlets free. Sporangia produced on the 
 proximate sides of two contiguous venules, constituting 
 two linear confluent sori, each furnished with a linear 
 indusium, the free margins of which connive. 
 
 Type. Asplenium brasiliensis, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 57 A. C. ; Moore 
 Ind. Fil., p. 40 and 41 A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and 
 For., fig. 114 j Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 4, fig. 41 b. d. 
 
 OBS. This genus consists of at least four species, all of 
 which have opposite conniving sori, as in Scolopendrium, 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 331 
 
 differing only in the veins being reticulated. They are 
 placed in three different genera by authors, namely Anti- 
 gramma, Camptosorus, and Schaffneria, but, unless the dif- 
 ferent habit and forms of the fronds are taken into con- 
 sideration, they have no title to rank higher than sections 
 of Antigramma. 
 
 Sect. 1. ANTIGRAMMA, vera. 
 
 Fronds linear lanceolate, or ovate cordate, 6 to 12 inches long. 
 Sp. A. brasiliense (Sw.) (v v.) ; A. plantaginea, Pr. 
 (Asplenium Douglassii, Hook, and Grev. Ic. Fil., t. 150). 
 
 Sect. 2. CAMPTOSORUS, Presl. (1836). 
 
 Fronds lanceolate, auricled at the base, 4 to 9 inches long, 
 decumbent, recurvate, with a rooting viviparous apex, 
 forming compact patches of fronds. Sori short, 
 generally curved. 
 
 A. rhizophylla, Pr. (v v.) ; A. sibirica (Hook.}. 
 
 Sect. 3. SCHAFFNERIA, Fee. (1856). 
 
 Fronds stipate, round, obovate, 1 to l inches broad, texture 
 thick, firm. Veins reticulated, without a midrib. Sori 
 oblong or linear, in irregular patches. 
 A. nigripes (Fee.) ; Kew Gard. Misc., 9, t. 9 (Scolopen- 
 drium, Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 4, fig. 41 e.). 
 
 OBS. The two first are natives of Brazil, the third of 
 North America, the fourth of Mexico. 
 
 189. OXYGONITJM, Presl (1836). 
 Anisogonium, Pr. (1836) ; Asplenium, sect. Anisogonium, 
 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Diplazium sp., authors. 
 Vernation fasciculate. Fronds simple or pinnate, the 
 simple ones sub-cordate, 1 to 2 feet high ; pinnaB entire, 
 
332 CHARACTERS OF TEIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 ovate-lanceolate and acuminate. Veins pinnately forked, 
 venules parallel till near the margin, then anastomosing, 
 and reticulated, terminating with free marginal veinlets. 
 Sporangia bilateral, constituting binate linear sori. Indusium 
 plane. 
 
 Type. Diplazium alismcefolium, Presl. 
 
 Dlust. Hook. Ic. PL, t. 936 and 939 ; Moore Ind. Fil., 
 p. 42, B. 
 
 OBS. This consists of a few species, differing from 
 Diplazium, in the veins being parallel and acutely anasto- 
 mosing near the margin, which latter, characterises it from 
 the following genus, Callipteris, in which the venules anas- 
 tomose in pairs between the primary veins. 
 
 Sp. 0. cordifolium, (Bl.) (Diplazium ovatum, Wall.} 0. 
 alismaefolium, Pr. ; 0. elegans, /. Sm. (1841). 
 
 OBS. Natives of India, Malay, and Philippine Islands. 
 The two first species were originally described as having 
 only simple fronds, but we now possess specimens of simple 
 and pinnate fronds growing from the same root, which 
 shows the necessity of being careful in describing species 
 from inadequate materials. 
 
 190. CALLIPTERIS, Bory. (1804), J. Sm. (1841). 
 
 Anisogonium, Pr. ; Asplenium, sect. Anisogonium, Hook. Sp. 
 Fil. ; Diplazium sp. auct. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, subarboroid. Fronds pinnate, 
 or bipinnatifid and bipinnate, 2 to 5 feet high, often vivi- 
 parous. Veins costseform and pinnate, each opposite pair 
 of venules angularly anastomosing, the superior ones usually 
 free, sporangiferous on both sides, constituting binate sori, 
 each furnished with a linear indusium, the one opening 
 interiorly the other exteriorly. 
 
CHAEACTERS OF TEIBE3 AND GENERA. 333 
 
 Type. Asplenium decussatum, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 56, A.,B. ; Moore 
 
 Ind. Fil., p. 42, A. ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 
 
 115 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 4, fig. 38, G. 
 OBS. The species of this genus agree in habit with 
 Diplazium, but differ in the venation being anastomose. 
 
 * Fronds pinnate. 
 
 Sp. C. prolifera, Bory. (v v.) (Asplenium decussatum, Sw.} ; 
 0. accedens (Bl.) ; C. spinulosa, (Bl.) ; C. undulosa (Sw.). 
 
 ** Fronds bipinnate. 
 
 C. esculenta (Sw.) (v v.). 
 
 OBS. This species has the honour of being ranked under 
 seven genera, namely, Hemionitis, Ko&nig. ; Asplenium, Sw. ; 
 Diplazium, Sw. ; Anisogonium, Presl ; Digrammaria, Fee and 
 Hook. ; and Microstegia, Presl, which, with the different 
 specific names, under these genera, raised the number of 
 synonyms to thirty. The whole of the species are widely 
 distributed throughout India, Malay, and the Pacific. C. 
 undulosa is a native of Martinique, and in the " Synopsis," 
 several species are described from tropical America. 
 
 191. ASPLENIDICTYUM, J. Sm. (1854). 
 Asplenium Sect. Asplenidictyum, Hook. Ic. PI. 
 
 Asplenium Sect. Hemidictyum, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect. Fronds pinnate, 1 to 2 feet 
 high, pinnae elliptical-lanceolate, 3 to 8 inches long, 1J to 
 3 inches broad, obtuse or long acuminate, entire, or 
 unequally laciniated, base oblique cuneate ; costae obscure, 
 evanescent. Veins uniform, angularly anastomosing, form- 
 ing elongated subtransverse areoles, without free marginal 
 
334 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 venules. Sporangia unilateral, anterior. Indusium plane, 
 forming linear, sub-transverse sori. 
 
 Type. Asplenium Finlaysonianum, Wall. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Tc. PL, t. 938, 937. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on two species, which agree 
 in habit and texture with the Falcatum group of Asplenium 
 (Tarachia, Pr.), differing only in having anastomose vena- 
 tion. Mr. Moore makes it a section of the genus Hemidic- 
 tyum, from which it differs entirely in habit and texture, 
 and in the costse being obscure and evanescent. 
 
 Sp. A. Finlaysonianum, /. Sm. (Asplenium, Wall. 
 Bedd. F. Brit. Ind., pi. 72) ; A. Purdieanum, /. 8m. 
 (Asplenium Hook. Ic. PL, t. 937)'. 
 
 OBS. The first is a native of India, Assam, Malay Islands, 
 and Penang, the second of New Granada and Peru. 
 
 192. ALLANTODIA, E. Br. (in part, 1810). 
 HooJc. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect. Fronds pinnate, 2 to 3 feet 
 high, pinnae linear, membraneous, 4 to G inches long, 1 
 inch broad, with a central perfect costse. Feins simple, 
 sub-parallel, becoming forked towards the margin, and 
 anastomosing, forming elongated areoles, with free, mar- 
 ginal, clavate veinlets. Sporangia unilateral, anterior on 
 the lower part of the venule. Indusium vaulted, cylin- 
 drical, forming linear oblique sori. 
 
 Type. Asplenium reticulatum, Wall. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 120 A. ; Moore, 
 Ind. Fil., p. 38 B. ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 4, fig. 39. 
 
 OBS. The name Allantodia was in 1810 given by Robert 
 Brown to the present species, which he associated with 
 certain species, of very different habit, which Both had 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 335 
 
 previously characterised under the name of Athyrium, 
 which has been viewed by most authors as a section of 
 Asplenium, but which, for the sake of natural arrangement, 
 I have adopted as a genus, and restricting true Allantodia 
 to the present species. 
 
 Sp. A. Brunoniana, Wall. 
 
 Hab. A native of Ceylon, Nepal, and Java, also found in 
 Otaheite. 
 
 193. HEMIDICTYUM, Presl (1836). 
 Asplenium, sect. Hemidictyum-, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, arboroid. Fronds pinnate, 
 12 to 14 feet long ; pinnae sessile cordate, from 1 to 1 
 feet long, by 3 to 4 inches wide. Veins forked ; venules 
 parallel till near the margin, then anastomosing and reti- 
 culated, combined by a transverse continuous marginal 
 vein. Sporangia produced on the anterior side of the 
 parallel venules, constituting unilateral linear sori. In- 
 dusium plain. 
 
 Type. Asplenium marginatum, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 55 A. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 38 A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 116 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 4, fig. 38 h. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a magnificent Fern, a 
 native of Tropical America and West India Islands, having 
 a stem 5 to 6 feet in height, bearing a crown of pinnate 
 fronds, measuring 12 to 14 feet in length. The chief point 
 that distinguishes it from Allantodia is in the indusium 
 being plane and in the exterior margin of the reticulated 
 venation being combined by a transverse vein running 
 parallel with and close to the margin. These slight dif- 
 ferences are scarcely sufficient to characterise it as a genus 
 
336 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 distinct from Allantodia, especially as the general character 
 of the fronds of Allantodia agrees with Hemidictyum. I 
 nevertheless deem it best to retain it as distinct. 
 Sp. H. marginatum, Presl (v v.). 
 
 194. CETERACH, Willd., in part (1810). 
 Asplenium, sect. Hemidictyum, Hook. Sp. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, acaulose, becoming cgespitose. 
 Fronds 2 to 12 inches long, sinuose-pinnatifid, the under 
 side densely squamose. Veins forked ; venules anastomo- 
 sing, obscure. Sporangia unilateral, anterior. Indusium 
 rudimentary. Sori oblong, the sporangia protruding 
 through dense scales. 
 
 Type. Asplenium Ceterach, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., 1. 113 A. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 39 A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 117. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a solitary species, which 
 in habit, and the nature of its fructification, is so peculiar 
 that it has given rise to much diversity of opinion as to its 
 proper place in any arrangement, whether natural or arti- 
 ficial. In my " Genera of Ferns " (1841) I stated that its 
 unilateral sporangia indicated it to belong to Asplenece, and 
 that the imperfect or obsolete indusium was owing to the 
 suppression of that organ, caused by the density of the 
 squamae on the under side of the frond. More recent 
 observations have shown the presence of a narrow linear 
 indusium, which is more evident in the large fronded 
 species called 0. aurea, of Madeira, than in the common 
 form. It must, however, be confessed that its peculiarities 
 prevent its association with any species of the asplenoid 
 tribe, except with Asplenium alternans of Wallich, already 
 noticed. In the "Species Filicum" it is placed in the 
 
PI. 
 
 a,. 
 
 W.H.Ht oh, del, et m.. 
 
 J.N. "Fitch., 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 337 
 
 section Hemidictyum, along with the two species of Aspleni- 
 dictyum and Hemidictymn marginatum, all three very dis- 
 tinct in habit. Although I now place Ceterach after Hemi- 
 dictyum it is not that I consider it has any relationship, 
 but merely on account of having no ally for it, I place it 
 as an anomalous genus at the end of the tribe. 
 
 Sp. C. officinarum, Willd. (v v.) (Grammitis, Sw. ; Scolo- 
 pendrium, Sin.). 
 
 OBS. Found in rocky places, and on old walls in this 
 country, and throughout Europe and the temperate regions 
 of the Northern hemisphere generally. In Madeira the 
 fronds attain a large size, and which by some authors has 
 been described as a distinct species under the name of 
 C. aureum. 
 
 B. Ring of Sporangia horizontal, central. 
 Sect. 1. Sori discal, punctiform, naked, rarely indusiale. 
 
 Tribe 24. GLEICHENE^. (Plate 24). 
 (Gleicheniacece, E. Br.) 
 
 OBS. This Tribe includes a peculiar group of Ferns, 
 consisting of about thirty described species, technically 
 distinguished from Polypodiacece by the sporangia being 
 surrounded with a horizontal ring* generally at right 
 angles with the axis of attachment. This direction of the 
 ring is common to the whole of true Gleiclieniaccce, but in 
 Matonia it is partially oblique. 
 
 Independent of the structure of the sporangia, Gleiclie- 
 niacece are readily known from all other Ferns by their 
 fronds being once or many times dichotomously branched 
 or flabelliform (two species excepted, which have simple 
 fronds). 
 
338 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 They have a wide geographical range, chiefly tropical, 
 extending to Japan in the north, and New Zealand in the 
 south. With a few exceptions, they present great uni- 
 formity in general character and appearance ; in some 
 instances the same or closely allied species are found in the 
 old and new worlds. They often grow among bushes, and 
 their fronds being indefinite they attain a great length. 
 In the Bellenden Ker range of mountains, Queensland, 
 Gleichenia Hermanni is described as forming an impene- 
 trable jungle among tree Ferns and other trees, attaining 
 the height of 50 or 60 feet, supported by its horizontal 
 pinna3 similar to Lygodium. 
 
 * Sort non-indusiate. 
 
 195. PLATYZOMA, E. Br. (1810). 
 
 Vernation sarmentose. Fronds contiguous, linear, 6 inches 
 to a foot long, pinnatifid, pinnate ; segments numerous, 
 small, sub-orbicular, 1 to 2 lines long, revolute saccate. 
 Veins simple. Sporangia 2 to 4 terminal, included under 
 the revolute margins, immersed in powdery matter. 
 
 Type. Platyzoma microphylla, JR. Br. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 41, C. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 87, A; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 1, fig. 1. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a solitary species, first 
 found on the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria, and since 
 then in other parts of tropical and sub-tropical Australia. 
 It is scarcely distinct from Gleichenia, except in the fronds 
 being simple ; in habit it resembles Jamesonia, but the 
 divisions of the fronds are even smaller than in the 
 Smallest of that genus. 
 
 Sp. As above. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 339 
 
 196. GLEICHENIA, 8m. (1793). 
 
 Hook. Sp. Fil. ; Mertensia, Willd. ; Dicranopteris, Bernh. ; 
 Sticlierus and Cdlyrnella, Presl. 
 
 Vernation sarmentose. Fronds long- stipate, 1 to 6 or 
 more feet high, once or many times dichotomously 
 branched, ultimate divisions (pinnae) linear lanceolate, 
 lacinae plain or recurved and saccate, smooth, glaucous, or 
 more or less pubescent or squamose. Veins simply or 
 pinnately forked, venules free, the lower exterior one fer- 
 tile, sporangiferous receptacle, terminal, lateral, or nearly 
 axillary superficial. Sporangia 3 to 8, forming punctiform 
 naked sori. 
 
 Type. Polypodium dichotomum, Thurib. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, t. 39 and 41 A and B ; Moore 
 Ind. Fil., p. 87, B ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., f. 136 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 1, fig. 3. 
 
 OBS. The species of this genus present two very dis- 
 tinct aspects, which form two groups. In the first the 
 lacinee are plain, and often 1 inch or more in length, con- 
 stituting the genus Mertensia of Willdenow ; in the second 
 the lacinae are very small and revolute ; these are by some 
 termed true Gleichenia, but as the habit of growth of the 
 two groups is the same, and there is not sufficient difference 
 in the character of the sori to warrant their separation as 
 genera, I therefore arrange the species as follows : 
 
 GLEICHENIA vera. (Calymella, Pr.). 
 Lobes of the pinnce small, sub-rotund, generally revolute. 
 
 Sporangia terminal. 
 
 Sp. G. microphylla, E. Br. (v v.) ; G. dicarpa, E. Br. 
 (v v.) ; G. semivestita, Lalill. (v v.) ; G. hecistophylla, A. 
 
340 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Cunn. (v v.) ; G. rupestris, R. Br. (v v.) ; G. alpina, E. Br. 
 (v v.) ; G. speluncse, R. Br. (v v.) ; G. polypodioides, 8m. 
 OBS. In the two last species the lobes of the pinnae are 
 but slightly revolute. 
 
 MERTENSIA, Willd. 
 
 Pinnce pinnatifid, lacince plain, oblong, linear lanceolate, some 
 an inch or more in length. Sporangia lateral. 
 
 Sp. G. flabellata, B. Br. (v v.) ; G. dichotoma, Hook. 
 (v v.) ; G. furcata, Spreng. (v v.) ; G. pectinata, Pr. (v v.) ; 
 G. pubescens, Kuntli. (v v.) ; G. cryptocarpa, Hook, (v v.) ; 
 G. Cunninghami, Hew. (v v.) ; G. longissima, Bl. (G. 
 glauca, Hook. ; G. gigantea, Wall. ; G. excelsa, J. Sm. ; G. 
 Bancroftii, Hook. ; Mertensia pinnata, Kze.; G. arachnoides, 
 Mett. ; G. bullata, Moore; Hook in "Synopsis Filicum"). 
 
 OBS. It is probable that several of these synonyms are 
 distinct species, as they are found in very different regions, 
 but this can only be determined by seeing them side by 
 side under cultivation. 
 
 ** Sori indusiate. 
 197. MATONIA, E. Br. (1830). 
 
 Vernation sarinentose. Stipes 4 to 6 feet high, smooth, 
 rigid. Fronds bi-partite, flabelliform, with a cordate base, 
 1 to 2 feet wide ; segments numerous, uniform, linear 
 lanceolate, equally pinnatifid, lacinaa about 1 inch in length, 
 linear lanceolate or obtuse, costate, plane. Veins the sterile, 
 forked, free ; the fertile anastomosing. Sporangia definite 
 (4 to 6), disposed in a single series round a punctiform 
 receptacle, seated on the confluence of 5 to 10 veinlets, 
 furnished with an orbicular, inflated, central attached, 
 stipate indusium, constituting globose sori. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 341 
 
 Type. Matonia pectinafa, P>. Br. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 43 ; Moore Ind. 
 Pil., p. 86 B. ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 1, fig. 8. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a unique and rare Fern, 
 as yet only known to be a native of Mount Ophir, in the 
 peninsular of Malacca. On account of the sori being 
 furnished with a peltate indusium I originally placed it in 
 Aspidece, but with which it has no other point of relation- 
 ship. With Gleichenia (with which I now associate it), it 
 not only agrees in habit but also in the character of the 
 sori, differing only in the sori being compital and indusiate. 
 
 Sp. M. pectinata, E. Br. ; Wall. PL As. Ear. Ic., t. 16. 
 
 198. STROM ATOFTERIS, Mett. (1861). 
 Gleichenia sp., Hook. Syn. Fil. t 1865. 
 
 Caudex slender, subfrutescent, branching, erect. Fronds 
 in terminal tufts on the branches, and distant lateral ones 
 below the tuft, linear, about 12 inches in length, pinnati- 
 fidly pinnate ; segments sub-rotund, about an inch in 
 length, numerous, contiguous, adnate to the rachis, cori- 
 aceous and concave on the under side. Veins pinnate, 2 to 
 3 venules on each side, the lower forked. Sori punctiform, 
 solitary on each segment near the base. Sporangia 3 to 6, 
 mixed with numerous pilose hairs. Ring horizontal, broad. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a remarkable Fern, a 
 native of New Caledonia, of which there are specimens in 
 the Kew Herbarium, but those having arrived since the 
 failure of my sight I have consequently not been able to 
 examine them. It was first described as a new genus by 
 Mettenius in 1861. In the first part of the "Synopsis 
 Filicum," published in 1865, Sir William Hooker places it 
 in Gleichenia, with which it agrees in the sori being formed 
 
342 
 
 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 of a definite number of sporangia and the ring- being hori- 
 zontal, its mode of growth is, however, very different from 
 Gleichenia, the caudex being woody, erect, and branching, 
 bearing tufts of fronds in many respects similar to Oleandra 
 neriiformis, but differs in having pinnatifidly pinnate fronds, 
 much resembling the larger forms of Jamesonia. 
 
 The above character is drawn up from description and 
 from notes communicated to me by Mr. Baker. 
 
 Sp. S. moniliformis, Mett., in Ann. Soc. A a/., 1861, p. 
 84, t. 3. 
 
 Sect. 2.~~-Sori (sporangia) in marginal bilabiate cysts, 
 opening exteriorly. 
 
 Tribe 25. HYMENOPHYLLE^J. (Plate 25.) 
 (Hymenophyllacece, Pr.). 
 
 Fronds membranous, generally pellucid, entire, or vari- 
 ously compound, from less than an inch to a foot or more 
 in length. Sporangia sessile, compactly seated round a 
 columnar terminal receptacle, which is formed by a free 
 prolongation of the venule, included within a bilabiate or 
 urceolate usually vertical cyst, open exteriorly. 
 
 OBS. This is an extensive and very distinct tribe of 
 Ferns, differing from all others by the extremely delicate 
 and in general thin pellucid texture of the fronds, and also 
 by the form and attachment of the sporangia. The fronds 
 vary much in form and size, some being simple entire, 
 forked or flabelliform, not more than half an inch in length, 
 while others are more or less compound, or multifidly 
 divided into fine hair-like segments, and vary from a few 
 inches to 1 or li feet in length. 
 
 The distinct habit and peculiar structure of the sporan- 
 gium led some Pteridologists to characterise Hymenopliyllece 
 
PI. IS. 
 
CHAEACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENEEA. 343 
 
 as a distinct natural order of Ferns, which I do not deem 
 it desirable to adopt. I must, however, admit that it has 
 no direct affinity with any other family of Ferns, except 
 with the tribe Saccolomoce, through the genera Loxsoma 
 and Microlepia. 
 
 The peculiarity of the sporangia consists in being ses- 
 silely attached by its inner side to the columnar receptacle, 
 the point of attachment being central, or more generally 
 eccentric towards the lower limb, and the numerous spo- 
 rangia being compactly seated round the receptacle, they 
 consequently acquire a flattened form, each having an arti- 
 culated ring passing round it, at a more or less oblique or 
 at a right angle with the point of attachment, being thus 
 analogous to the flattened sporangia of many Cyathece, as 
 noticed at page 41. 
 
 Most authors place the whole of the species under the 
 genera Hymenophyllum and Trichomanes. On comparing 
 the respective characters of these two genera it will be 
 observed that their technical distinctions are not very 
 definite, depending chiefly upon the difference in length 
 and more or less bilabiate character of the indusium, in 
 conjunction with the varying length of the sporangiferous 
 receptacle. In those species which may respectively be 
 considered as typical, these characters are sufficiently mani- 
 fest, and leave no doubt as to the genus to which they 
 should be referred ; but the numerous intermediate forms, 
 and the different appearances presented by some species at 
 different periods of growth, often render the determination 
 of the genus by herbarium specimens very embarassing, 
 and the difficulty is still further increased by the fact that 
 the two genera contain individual species agreeing perfectly 
 in general habit. It therefore appears to me that the 
 distinction between Hymenophyllum and Trichomanes is 
 
344 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 more ideal than actual. But, for the sake of convenience, 
 I admit the necessity of following the usual practice of 
 authors, and consequently adopt the genera as heretofore. 
 
 In at least two species the fertile fronds are contracted 
 into a linear entire or racemose rachiform spike, and upon 
 this character Bory founded two genera, Hymenostachys 
 and Feea. The first of these has the peculiarity of being 
 the only species of Hymenopliyllece having anastomose 
 veins ; and that circumstance, in conjunction with the 
 contracted form of the fertile frond, induced me in 1841 to 
 adopt it as a distinct genus, which I still continue to do. 
 In Feea the venation is free, and it consequently differs 
 from Trichomanes only by the contraction of its fertile 
 trond, so that I did not at the same period regard it as 
 distinct ; but upon reconsidering the subject, I see no 
 reason why Feea should not have as good a right as 
 Lomaria to be considered a distinct genus, it having the 
 same relationship with Trichomanes that Lomaria has with 
 Blechnum. 
 
 In the preceding observations I have mentioned the 
 chief points of structure employed by authors for classi- 
 fying the species ; and, although I have given the subject 
 much consideration, I can find no other tangible characters 
 whereby the number of genera may be advantageously 
 increased. This is, however, different from the view taken 
 by Presl, who arranges the whole under no less than 
 twenty-three genera, as stated at page 30. A critical 
 review of these so-called genera would occupy more space 
 than can be afforded in the present work, and would serve 
 no practical purpose. The characters of his new genera 
 appear to me to be in many cases imaginary or derived 
 from imperfect materials, the same species being in some 
 cases placed under separate genera. 
 
CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 345 
 
 Hymenophyllacece have a wide geographical range, 
 abounding in the tropical regions of America and the West 
 Indian Islands, in India, the Islands of the Indian and 
 Pacific Oceans, and extending as far as New Zealand and 
 Lord Auckland's Islands in the southern hemisphere, and 
 Norway and the Faroe Islands in the northern ; but very 
 sparingly found on the African continent, They love 
 shade and moisture, many being epiphytal and clothing 
 trees like moss, or growing in shady ravines or caves ; 
 but the same species often occurs under different influences, 
 and consequently assumes different appearances, which has 
 led to an unnecessary increase in the specific nomenclature. 
 The number of species varies according to the views held 
 by different authors, 1 72 are described in the " Species 
 Filicum," and are nearly equally divided between the two 
 genera, Hymenophyllum and Tricho manes, which in the 
 " Synopsis " are reduced to 149. 
 
 This, however, falls far short of the number given by 
 Dr. Van Den Bosch, who, in his " Synopsis Hymenophylla- 
 cearum," enumerates no less than 802 species, as already 
 shown at page 31. 
 
 199. HYMENOPHYLLUM, Sm. (1793). 
 
 Vernation uniserial and sarmentose. Fronds varying 
 from simple to decompound multifid, membranaceous and 
 pellucid, smooth, or bearing simple forked or stellate hairs. 
 Veins simple or forked, free. Sori terminal. Indusium 
 urceolate, bilabiate, or bivalved. Receptacle short, included 
 within the indusium. 
 
 Type. Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense, Sm. 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 32 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 90, A. ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 137; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, fig. 16. 
 
346 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 * Fronds glabrous. 
 
 f Segments entire, plane, or undulated. Stipes and rachis 
 rarely pilose. 
 
 Sp. H. cruentum, Cav. ; H. marginatum, Hook. ; H. 
 asplenioides, Sw. (v v.) ; H. abruptum, Hook, (v v.) ; H. 
 reniforme, Hook. ; H. axillare, Sw. ; H, gracile, Bory. ; 
 H. capillaceum, Roxb. ; H. polyanthos, Sw. (v v.) ; H. abie- 
 tinum, Hook, and Grev. Ic. Fil., 1. 127 ; H. protrusum, Hook. ; 
 H. recurvum, Gaud. ; H. undulatnm, Sw. ; H. myriocarpum, 
 Hook. ; H. badium, Hook. H. rarum, E. Br. (v v.) ; H. 
 flabellatum, Labill. (v v.) ; H. demissum, Sw. (v v.) ; H. 
 exsertum, Wall. ; H. scabrum, A. Rich, (v v.) ; H. crispa- 
 tum, Wall, (v v.) ; H. flexuosum, A. Cunn. (v v.) ; H. 
 javanicum, Spi\ ; H. caudiculatum, Mart, (v v.) ; H. fuci- 
 forme, Sw. (v v.) ; H. pulcherrimum, Col. (v v.) ; H. dila- 
 tatum, Sw. (v v.). 
 
 ft Segments dentate or spinulose, serrate or undulate. 
 
 H. Tunbridgense, Sm. (v v.) ; H. nnilaterale, Willd. 
 (v v.) ; H. cupressiforme, Lab. ; H. peruvianum, Hook. H. 
 Jamesoni, Hook. H. Smithii, Hook. ; H. Bridgesii, Hook. ; 
 H. multifidum, Sw. (v v.) ; H. bivalve, Sw. ; H. attenuatum, 
 Hook. H. tortuosum, Hook. H. dichotomum, Cav. ; H. 
 Neesii, Hook. ; H. secundum, Hook. ; H. cristatum, Hook. ; 
 H. fucoides, Sw. (v v.) ; H. pectinatum, Cav. 
 
 ** Fronds pilose. Hairs simple, binate, or stellate. 
 
 H. hirsutum, Sw. (v v.) ; H. ciliatum, Sw. (v v.) ; H. 
 hirtellum, Sw. (v v.) ; H. Boryanum, Willd. ; H. chiloense, 
 Hook, (v v.) ; H. organense, Hook. H. valvatum, Hook. 
 (v v.) ; H. lineare, Sw. (v v.) ; H. pulchellum, Schlecht. ^ 
 H. sericiuin, Sw. (v v.) ; H. obtusnm, Hook. ; H. Berteroi, 
 
CHAEACTEES OF TEIBES AND GENERA. 347 
 
 Hook. ; H. interruptum, Kunze ; H. aeruginosum, Carm. 
 (v v.) ; H. lanceolatum, Hook. ; H. Lindeni, Hook. 
 
 200. TEICHOMANES, Linn., in part (1742). 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect or decumbent acaulose, or 
 uniserial and sarmentose. Fronds varying from simple to 
 decompound multifid, membranaceous and pellucid, smooth, 
 or bearing simple forked or stellate hairs. Veins simple or 
 forked, free. Sori terminal, often sub-pedicellate. Indusium 
 urceolate or tubular ; receptacle continued beyond the 
 sporangia and mouth of the indusium, often elongated and 
 filiform. 
 
 Type. Trichomanes scandens, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 31 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 88, B. ; J. Sm. Ferns Brit, and For., fig. 138 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 2, fig. 17. 
 
 * Vernation uniserial ; sarmentum slender. 
 T. reniforme, Forst. (v v.) ; T. membranaceum, Linn. 
 (v v.) ; T. punctatum, Poir. (v v.) ; T. reptans, Sw. (v v.) ; 
 T. Bojeri, Hook, (v v.) ; T. muscoides, Sw. (v v.) ; T. pusil- 
 lum, Sw. (v v.) ; T. apodum, Hook. ; T. parvulum, Poir. ; 
 T. proliferum, SI. ; T. digitatum, Sw. ; T. humile, Forst. ; 
 T. intramarginale, Hook. ; T. Krausii, Hook, (v v.) ; T. ve- 
 nosum, E. Br. (v v.) ; T. csBSpitosum, Hook. ; T. quercifo- 
 lium, Hook. ; T. sinuosum, Rich, (v v.) ; T. pyxidiferum, 
 Linn, (v v.) ; T. Filicula, Bory. (v v.) ; T. angustatum, 
 Carm. (v v.) ; T. exsectum, Kunze (v v.) ; T. trichoideum, 
 Sw. (v v.) ; T. auriculatum, El. ; T. melanorhizon, Hook. ; 
 T. radicans, Siv. (v v.) ; T. scandens, Linn, (v v.) ; T. Kun- 
 zianum, Hook. ; T. incisum, Kaulf. (v v.) ; T. Ankersii, 
 Hook. ; T. brachypus, Kunze ; T. glauco-fuscum, Hook. 
 
348 -CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 ** Vernation fasciculate, decumbent. 
 
 T. crispum, Linn, (v v.) ; T. pinnatum, Hedw. (v v.) ; T. 
 lucens, Sw. ; T. Lambertiana, Hook. ; T. attenuatum, Hook. 
 (v v.) ; T. alatum, Sw. (v v.) ; T. Bancroftii, Hook, (v v.) ; 
 T. crinitum, Sw. (v v.) ; T. superbum, Sack, (v v.) 
 
 *** Vernation fasciculate, erect. 
 
 T. javanicnm, SI. (v v.) ; T. Leprieurii, Kunze. (v v.) ; 
 T. rigidum, Sw. (v v.) ; T. fceniculaceum, Bory (v v.) ; T. 
 meifolium, Bory (v v.) ; T. polyanthos, Hook. Ic. PI., t. 703 ; 
 T. strictum, Menz. ; T. gigantum, Bory T. Smithii, Hook. ; 
 T. elongatum, A. Cunn. (v v.) ; T. saxatile, Moore (v v.) ; 
 T. trichophyllum, Moore (v v.) ; T. setigerum, Back, (v v.) 
 
 OBS. I have above shown that the only technical 
 difference between HymenopJiyllum and Trichomanes is that 
 in the latter the receptacle is prolonged beyond the spo- 
 rangia, even in some to the length of a quarter of an inch, 
 having the appearance of bristles excerted beyond the 
 margin of the frond. 
 
 In this country Hymenopliyllacece is represented by three 
 species, namely, Hymenophyllum Turibridgense, H. unilaterale, 
 and Trichomanes radicans. They are, however, very rare, 
 being found in a few special localities ; the latter is becoming 
 very rare in England, but is found in several localities in the 
 south of Ireland. Since the invention of Wardian cases, 
 these *' Filmy Ferns " so called, have become great favourites 
 with amateur cultivators ; and the great demand for them 
 is bringing about their extermination in this country. 
 
 With regard to Exotic species, in my "Catalogue of 
 Cultivated Ferns " for 1846, only two species are enume- 
 rated, which in 1864 had increased to sixty- three, as 
 recorded in " Ferns, British and Foreign," pages 249 and 
 324. 
 
CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENEEA. 349 
 
 201. FEEA, Bory. (1824). 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds of two 
 forms, 2 to 6 inches high ; the sterile pinnatifid or sub- 
 pinnate, the fertile contracted, rachiform, stipate, longer 
 than the sterile. Veins simple or forked ; venules free, 
 pedicellate, in a row along both sides of the rachis. In- 
 dusium tubular, calyciform. Receptacle filiform, continued 
 beyond the sporangia and mouth of the indusium. 
 
 Type. Trichomanes spicata, Hedwig. 
 
 Illust. Hook. Exot. Fl., t. 52 ; Moore Ind. Fil., p. 89 A.; 
 J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 139. 
 
 Sp. F. spicata, Pr. (v v.) ; F. nana, Bory. (v v.). 
 
 Natives of the West Indies and Tropical America. 
 
 202. HYMENOSTACHYS, Bory. (1824). 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds of two 
 forms ; the sterile pinnatifid ; veins forked ; venules anas- 
 tomosing, forming oblique elongated areoles ; fertile frond 
 contracted, longer than the sterile, linear rachiform, con- 
 stituting a distichous spike of connate, urceolate, calyci- 
 form indusia, each containing a free columnar exserted 
 receptacle. 
 
 Type. Trichomanes ehgans, "Rudye* 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 108 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 89 B. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 140. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on an elegant and remark- 
 able Fern, first described by Rudge in a work on the 
 plants of Guiana, with a figure (t. 35) in which this and 
 Feea spicata are represented as one species. This I have 
 long ago verified as a mistake on examining the original 
 specimens in Rudge's herbarium. It differs from Triclio- 
 manes in having the fertile fronds contracted into a linear 
 
350 CHAEACTEES OF TRIBES AND GENEEA. 
 
 spike, having a line of connate sori on both its margins, 
 and also in the venation being reticulated, being the only 
 instance of such in this extensive family. 
 
 Sp. H. diversifrons, Bory. (v v.). 
 
 A native of Guiana, parts of Tropical America, and 
 Trinidad. 
 
 C. Ring of Sporangia horizontal, apical, in some incomplete 
 or rudimentary only. 
 
 Tribe 26. SCHIZJ3^ (Plate 26). 
 (Schizeacece, Kaulf.} 
 
 Sporangia produced on contracted racemes or panicles, or 
 on marginal lobules or spikelets, oval or oblong, rarely 
 globose, apex striated, annulatiform, opening lengthways, 
 vertical. 
 
 OBS. The oval sporangia, furnished with a striated 
 apex, analogous to a transverse ring, readily distinguishes 
 Schizceacece from the two preceding divisions (A. and B.). 
 They were originally comprehended under Osmundacece, 
 and to judge by the structure of their sporangia, the slight 
 difference scarcely warrants their separation ; but as they 
 differ much in habit, it is deemed most natural to view 
 them as separate tribes. 
 
 In the " Synopsis " sixty species are enumerated, widely 
 dispersed over the Old and New World, extending to New 
 Zealand in the south, and to lat. 40 in the North (New 
 Jersey). With few exceptions the species are contained 
 under the genera Lygodium, Anemia, and Schizcea. 
 
PI. 16. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 351 
 
 203. LYGODIUM, Sw. (1800). 
 Hook. Syn. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, distant and sarmentose, or contiguous 
 and csespitose. Fronds scandent, twining, extending to an 
 indefinite length ; pinnae conjugate, palmate lobed, pinna- 
 tifid or pinnate. Veins forked, free. Sporangiferous 
 epikelets marginal, composed of two rows of imbricate 
 indusaeform cysts, each cyst containing an oval, resupinate 
 sporangium attached by its inner side, and opening length- 
 wise on its outer side. 
 
 Type. Lygodium circinatum, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. 28 ; Moore, Ind. 
 Fil., p. 90 B. ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 141 ; 
 Hook., Syn. Fil., t. 9, fig. 68, a, b, d. 
 
 OBS. The Ferns constituting this genus are readily 
 known from all others by their climbing habit ; the fronds 
 being permanent, and increasing in length indefinitely by 
 their twining and interlacing with one another, and with 
 other plants, they form impervious thickets. The various 
 forms they assume, and the divisions of the fronds, render 
 it difficult to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion as to the 
 number of distinct species. Presl enumerates forty species, 
 but in the " Synopsis Filicum " only sixteen are described, 
 which I consider to be nearer the true number of distinct 
 species. They abound within the tropics, and extend to 
 New Zealand in the southern, and L. palmatum extends to 
 Canada in the northern hemisphere. 
 
 * Petiole of pinnules articulate with the rachis. 
 
 Sp. L. articulatum, Rich, (v v.) ; L. scandens, Sw. (v v.) ; 
 L. venustum, Sw. ; L. volubile, Sw. ; L. pinnatifidum, Sw. 
 L. polystachyum, Wall, (v v.). 
 
352 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 ** Petiole of the pinnules decurrent on the rachis. 
 
 L. palmatum, Sw. (v v.) ; L. dichotomum, Sw. (v v.) ; 
 L. digitatum, Eaton L. semi hastatum, Desv. j L. trifur- 
 catum, Baker ; L. subalatum, Bojer ; L. japonicum, Sw. 
 (v v.). 
 
 204. LYGODICTYON, /. Sm. (1841). 
 Lygodium sp. auct., Hook. Syn. Fil. 
 
 Vernation and general character the same as in Lygodium, 
 differing only in the veins being reticulated. 
 Type. Lygodium reticulatum, Schk. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer, Gen. Fil., t. Ill B. ; Moore, 
 Ind. Fil., p. 91 A. ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 
 142 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 9, fig. 68 c. 
 Sp. L. reticulatum (SchJc.) (v v.) ; L. heterodoxum (Kze.) 
 (vv.) 
 
 205. ANEMIA, Sw. (1806). 
 Hook. Syn. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose, rarely sarmentose. 
 Fronds pinnate or bi-tri-pinnatifid, dimorphus, from a few 
 to 18 inches in height, the fertile contracted, distinct, sim- 
 ple or tripartite, the two opposite segments contracted, 
 erect, constituting two sporangiferous panicles, the third 
 segment sterile, and pinnate or bi-tripinnate, with forked 
 free veins. Sporangia oval, attached by the base, opening 
 vertically on the exterior side. 
 
 Type. Anemia aurita and A. adiantifolia, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 90 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 92 A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 143 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t, 8, fig. 65 a. b. c. d. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 353 
 
 OBS. This genus, as originally characterised by Swartz, 
 contains species differing, in some having their fertile 
 fronds wholly contracted, forming a panicle, and in others 
 the fertile frond is tripartite, one branch being always 
 sterile, the other two always fertile. In my " Genera of 
 Ferns," published in the "Journal of Botany" for 1841, I 
 restricted true Anemia to the species possessing the latter 
 character, a few of which, having anastomose venation, I 
 separated as a distinct genus (Anemidictyori), those with 
 the sterile and fertile fronds wholly distinct I added to the 
 genus Hohria of Swartz. Subsequent observation has, 
 however, induced me to alter this view, and to consider 
 them more nearly related to Anemia than to Mohria. 
 
 Presl enumerates no less than forty species of Anemia, 
 which in the " Synopsis Filicum " are reduced to twenty- 
 six. A number are, however, termed varieties, the 
 numerous intermediate forms of herbarium specimens 
 naturally lead to such a conclusion. With the exception 
 of A. Wightiana, a native of the Neilgherries, A. Schim- 
 periana, a native of Abyssinia, and A. Dregeana, a native of 
 South Africa, the whole are natives of the West Indies and 
 Tropical and Sub-tropical America. 
 
 * Fertile fronds simple, paniculate (Coptopliyllum, Gard.). 
 Sp. A. aurita, Sw., Hook Ic. PI, t. 903 ; A. buniifolia, 
 Gard., Hook. Ic. PI, t. 477 ; A. millefolia, Gard., Hook. Ic. 
 PL, t. 478; A. bipinnata, Moore (Osmunda lipinnata, 
 Linn., herb, only ; A. intermedia, B. Br, lierb. Brit. Mus. ; 
 4, cicutaria, Kxe., Anal. Pterid. 9, t, 5, fig. 2). 
 
 ** Fertile fronds tripartite (Anemia vera.) 
 
 t Vernation fasciculate. 
 
 A. Gardneri, Hook. Ic. PI. t. 190 ; A. oblongifolia, 
 Sw., Schk, Fil., t, 142 ; A. Dregeana, Kze., Hook. Ic. PL, t. 
 
 A A 
 
354 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 236 (v v.) ; A. rotundifolia, Schrad. ; A. caudata, Kaulf. 
 (A. radicans, Raddi Fil. Bras., t. 10) ; A. mandioccana, 
 Eaddi, Rook., Gard. Ferns, t. 36 (v v.) : A. collina, Eaddi, 
 Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 1 (v v.) ; A. hirsuta, Sw. (v v.) ; A. 
 tomentosa, Sw. (A. flexuosa, Sw., Hook. Fil Exot., t. 30) 
 (v v.) ; A. Schimperiana, Pr. ; A. Wightiana, Gard., Bedd., 
 F. S. Ind., t. 66 ; A. trichorhiza, Gard., Hook. Ic. PI. t. 876 ; 
 A. fulva, Sw., Hook. Fd. Exot., t. 126 (v v.) ; A. cuneata, 
 Kze., Anal. Pter. 8, t. 5. 
 
 ft Vernation sarmentose (AnemirJiiza, J. Sm.). 
 
 Sp. A. adiantifolia, Sw. (v v.) (Plum. Fil, t. 32) var. 
 asplenifolia, Hook, and Grev. Ic. Fil. t. 16. 
 
 OBS. This species differs from all the preceding 1 in the 
 fronds being 1 distantly produced on a sarmentum. In the 
 " Botany of the Voyage of the Herald " (1853), 1, p. 242, 
 I noticed this peculiarity, and considered it might be suffi- 
 cient to characterise a distinct genus under the name of 
 Anemirhiza, but further consideration induces me to retain 
 .it as a section only. 
 
 206. ANEMIDICTYON, J. 8m. (1841). 
 
 Anemia sp., Hook. Syn. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fertile fronds tri- 
 partite, the two lateral branches fertile, paniculate, the 
 central ones sterile, pinnate. Veins reticulate. Sporangia 
 as in Anemia. 
 
 Type. Anemia Phyllitidis, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 103 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 92, B ; J. Sin. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 144 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 8, fig. 65, e. 
 
 Sp. A. Tweediana, Hook. Ic. PI, t. 906 ; A. Phyllitidis 
 (Sw.) (v v.) (Plum Fil., t. 156). 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 355 
 
 OBS. The first is a native of South Brazil, and the other 
 very generally distributed throughout the West Indies and 
 Tropical America. As might be expected, the plants of the 
 different localities have been described under no less than 
 ten specific names, their differences resting entirely on the 
 difference of length and breadth of the sterile pinnae, which, 
 although retained under cultivation, I do not consider it a 
 sufficient character to be specific. 
 
 207. TROCHOPTERIS, Qard. (1842). 
 Hook. Syn. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, acaulose. Fronds depressed, rosu- 
 late, 5 to 1 inch in length, half an inch in breadth, five- 
 lobed, the two lower lobes small, contracted, laciniated, the 
 lacinae bearing the sporangia. Veins flabellate, dichoto- 
 mously forked, venules free. 
 
 Type. Trochopteris eleyans, Gard. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 104, A; Moore 
 Ind. Fil., p. 93, B ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 8, fig. 67. 
 
 OBS. This is a peculiar little Fern, a native of Brazil, 
 growing on the face of rocks. The fronds lying flat, their 
 appearance led Dr. Gardner to compare them to little 
 wheels. It may be considered to be a modified state of 
 Anemia, but its distinct habit is sufficient to mark it as a 
 separate genus. 
 
 Sp. T. elegans, Gard. Hoolc. Lond. Journ. Hot. 1, t. 4t. 
 
 208. MOHRIA, Sw. (1806). 
 
 Hook. Syn. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, acaulose, caespitose. Fronds linear, 
 bi-tri-pinnatifid, 6 to 12 inches or more in length, the fertile 
 partially contracted, segments small. Veins free. Spo- 
 
356 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 rangia sessile few, seated in concave segments formed by 
 the revolute margin, globose, opening vertically on their 
 exterior side. 
 
 Type. Mohria thurifraga, 8w. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 104, B ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 93, A ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 145 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 8, fig. 66. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a solitary species, a 
 native of South Africa and Madagascar. 
 
 Sp. M. thurifraga, Sw. (v v.) (M. achillcefolia, Lowe's New 
 Ferns, t. 42, B.) 
 
 OBS. This Fern much resembles some species of Cheilan- 
 thece, the concave segments containing the sporangia being 
 similar to Myriopteris. 
 
 209. SCHIZ^A, Sm. (1793). 
 
 Hook. Syn. Fil. 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose, rarely distant. 
 Fronds linear, simple, stipitiform, simply forked or flabellate, 
 2 to 20 inches high. Veins forked, free ; fertile appendices 
 terminal, pinnate, cristseform ; margins of the segments 
 involute, each bearing on its inner side two compact rows 
 of sessile oval sporangia, attached by their base, and 
 opening vertically. 
 
 Type. Schizc&a pectinata, Smith. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 19 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 91 B. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 146 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 8, fig. 64. 
 
 OBS. This is a curious genus, differing from Anemia in 
 the sporangia being borne on crestlike terminal spikes, 
 which being resupinate give the appearance of the spo- 
 rangia being produced on the upper surface. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 357 
 
 Sixteen species are described in the " Synopsis Filicum," 
 and are widely distributed throughout the tropics and sub- 
 tropics of both northern and southern hemispheres. In 
 general the species are very local, S. dichotoma is, however, 
 found in the West Indies, Tropical America, New Zealand, 
 Australia, and the Polynesian, Malayan, and Mascarene 
 Islands. 
 
 * Fronds simple, linear. 
 
 Sp. S. australis, Gaud. ; S. pusilla, Pursh. (v v.) ; S. 
 tenella, Kaulf. ; S. fistulosa, Labill. ; S. pectinata, 8m. 
 
 ** Fronds forked, linear. 
 S. incurvata, Schk. ; S. bifida, Sw. 
 
 *** Fronds lifid, dichotomously forked or fldbelliform, 
 segments broad. 
 
 S. rupestris, R. Br. (v v.) ; S. fluminensis, Miers. ; 
 S. Sprucei, Hook. MSS. ; S. dichotoma, Sw. S. elegans, 
 Sw. (v v.), Hook. Gard. Ferns, t. 54. 
 
 OBS. The latter species differs in the fronds being more 
 or less divided, becoming entire and fan-shaped, and has 
 been described by Martius as a distinct species under the 
 name of S.flabellum. 
 
 210. ACTINOSTACHTS, Wall. (1828). 
 Schizcea, Hook. Syn. Fil. 
 
 Vernation uniserial, contiguous ; sarmentum short. 
 Fronds linear, simple, stipitiform, compressed, triquetrous 
 at the base, 9 to 18 inches high. Costse prominent, con- 
 tinuous. Fertile appendices terminal, 6 to 12, digitate 
 flabellate, 1 to 1J inch long, cristasform ; segments involute, 
 
358 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 each bearing on its inner side four rows of sessile, oval 
 sporangia, attached by their base and opening vertically. 
 
 Type. Schizcea digitata, Swartz. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Ml., t. Ill A. ; J. Sm. 
 Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 147. 
 
 OBS. This genus differs from true Schizcea by the fertile 
 appendices being produced on a digitate cluster, and in the 
 sporangia being produced in two rows on each side of the 
 midrib, the attachment of each of the two rows being on 
 the same line (receptacle). 
 
 Sp. A. digitata, Wall, (v v.) ; A. pennula, Sw. (A. tri- 
 laterales, SM. crypt., t. 136). 
 
 OBS. The first species is widely distributed, being found 
 in Ceylon, India, and the Malay and Polynesian Islands. 
 The second is also widely diffused, being found in the West 
 Indies, Guiana, and Brazil. 
 
 Tribe 27. OSMUNDAE.E (Plate 27). 
 OSMUNDACEJJ, E. Br. 
 
 Sporangia globose, reticulated, short pedicellate, oblique 
 and gibbous at the apex, opening by a vertical slit (sub- 
 bivalved). Ring apical, rudimentary, or absent. 
 
 OBS. The absence or but slight evidence of annulus or 
 stria is the chief technical character that distinguishes this 
 from Schizceacece, they however, differ essentially in habit 
 and general appearance, having leafy, pinnate, or bi-pin- 
 nate fronds. 
 
 Presl enumerates twenty-four species, which may be 
 safely reduced to one-half, indeed, in the " Synopsis Fili- 
 cum " only ten species are described. Several of the species 
 have a very wide geographical range, being common to 
 
PI. 27. 
 
 ,CL 
 
 
 &0 
 
 .N. Pitch., imp 
 

CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 359 
 
 both the Old and New World, which, as in many other 
 instances, has led to their being considered as distinct 
 species. 
 
 211. OSMUNDA, Linn. (1737). 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose, sub-arboroid, pro- 
 ducing outgrowing aerial, mossy roots, forming a spongy 
 mass. Fronds pinnate or bi-pinnate, 3 to 10 feet high, 
 pinna3 articulated with the rachis. Veins forked ; venules 
 free. Fertile fronds wholly, or the upper or middle portion, 
 contracted, forming simple or compound sporangiferous 
 panicles. 
 
 Type. Osmunda regalis, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 46 A. ; Moore Ind, 
 Fil., p. 94 B. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 148 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 8, fig. 62. 
 
 * Fertile fronds wholly contracted (Osmundastrum, Pr.). 
 Sp. 0. cinnamomea, Linn, (v v.) ; 0. lancea, Thurib. 
 
 ** Lateral pinnae of fertile frond contracted (Plenasium, Pr.) 
 
 0. Javanica, Blume. ; 0. Claytoniana, Linn, (v v.) ; 0. 
 bipinnata, Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 15. 
 
 *** Terminal pinnce of fertile frond contracted (Euosmunda). 
 
 O. regalis, Linn, (v v.) ; 0. spectabilis, Willd. (v v.) ; 0. 
 gracilis, Link, (v v.). 
 
 OBS. 0. cinnamomea and 0. regalis have a wide geo- 
 graphical range, the first being found throughout tropical 
 and temperate America, Eastern China, and Japan, the 
 second being found in most countries conducive to Fern 
 life. 
 
360 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 212. TODEA, Willd. (1802). 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, sub-arboroid, naked, or pro- 
 ducing- outgrowing aerial roots, forming a spongy mass. 
 Fronds bi-tri-pinnatifid, 2 to 6 feet high ; pinnaD coriaceous 
 or membranaceous ; fertile frond Bub-contracted. Veins 
 forked ; venules free sporangiferous, forming oblong 
 linear sori, often confluent. 
 
 Type. Acrostichum barbarum, Linn. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Ml., t. 46 B., f. 1 ; Moore 
 Ind. Fil., p. 95 ; J. Sin. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 
 149 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 8, fig. 63. 
 
 OBS. This genus differs from Osmunda merely by its 
 fronds being not at all or only slightly contracted, the 
 sporangia produced on evident venules. Leptopteris of 
 Presl is in my view not sufficiently distinct as a genus 
 from Osmunda. 
 
 * Fronds firm, opaque (Eutodea). 
 
 Sp. T. barbara, Moore, Bot. Mag., t. 5954, 1872. (T. 
 Africana, Willd. ; T. rivularis, Sieb.). 
 
 OBS. Originally found in the Cape of Good Hope, but 
 more recently found distributed throughout New Zealand 
 and Australia. 
 
 ** Fronds membraneous, segments in some multifid. 
 (Leptopteris, Pr.}. 
 
 T. hymenophylloides, Rich, (v v.) ; T. superba, Colenso 
 (v v.) ; T. Fraseri, Hook, and Grev. ; T. Wilkesiana, Brack. 
 
 OBS. The two first are natives of New Zealand, the 
 third of New South Wales, and the fourth a native of 
 Fiji ; in the " Synopsis Filicum " it is considered a variety 
 of T. Fraseri, but its slender, walking-stick-like stem, 
 
PI. Id. 
 
 . ti .-tri-toMei. sfclith. . 
 
 J.i'I. r itch, imp , 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 361 
 
 marks it as a very distinct species. In the "United 
 States' Exploring- Expedition " it is spoken of as the " little 
 tree Fern." This presents a great contrast to Osmunda 
 regalis and Todea barbara ; these produce from their axis a 
 dense mass of aerial outgrowing mossy roots, which increase 
 in bulk with age, and in which the early axis of the verna- 
 tion becomes imbedded, its apex continuing to maintain its 
 position on the surface by the successive evolution of the 
 fronds, and often producing offsets (csespitose) ; numerous 
 crowns of fronds are thus formed, and which continue to 
 develope rootlets from their base, thus gradually increasing 
 the size of the spongy mass. By this mode of increase 
 specimens of 0. regalis attain the height of 2 or more feet, 
 with a diameter about the same, but this is exceeded in 
 size by Todea barbara, specimens of it having been received 
 in Europe from the Victorian Alps in Australia, one 
 measuring 5 feet 8 inches in height, its diameter being 7 
 feet 9 inches, its weight 1 ton 3 cwt. In 1869 a specimen 
 was received at Kew weighing 15 cwt., having 30 crowns, 
 producing 160 fronds, the weight of these great masses 
 being due to their being retentive of water like a sponge. 
 
 DIVISION HI. SCAPHOBRYA. 
 
 Fronds terminal, rising from between two stipuliform or 
 socket-like appendages, and articulate with the caudex. 
 Sporangia opaque, horny, destitute of a ring. 
 
 Tribe 28. MARATTIE^ (Plate 28). 
 
 MARATTIACE.E, Kaulf. 
 Vernation terminal, articulate. 
 
 OBS. Although this tribe agrees with the whole of the 
 preceding in the fronds being spirally developed, it is 
 
362 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 nevertheless very distinct not only in the spore cases being 
 destitute of a ring, but also in the vernation being terminal 
 and articulate with the axis of development, similar to 
 certain species of Cyathea already noticed. This articula- 
 tion must not, however, be confounded with the Eremo- 
 bryous division Polypodiacoe, in which the fronds are pro- 
 duced solitary on the sides of the axis. In most of the 
 annulate Ferns the roots are hard and wiry, often spreading 
 over and clinging to the surface on which they grow, 
 whereas in the exannulate the roots are soft, sticky, and 
 fleshy, often penetrating deeply into the soil, in that 
 respect being analogous to many of the endogenous orders, 
 such as Cycadece, Cyclanthece, AmaryllecR, and Liliacce. 
 They are generally large growing Ferns consisting of 
 about twenty or thirty species, arranged under the follow- 
 ing genera : 
 
 213. ANGIOPTERIS, Hoffm. (1793). 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, sub-arboroid ; each frond 
 rising from between two fleshy stipuleeform appendages ; 
 base of the stipes clavate, pseudo-articulated with the axis. 
 Fronds 6 to 18 feet in length, spreading, bi-pinnate ; pinnae 
 and pinnules articulated with the rachis. Veins simple or 
 forked, free. Receptacles oblong, linear, terminal. Spo- 
 rangia 6 -to 24, bi-serial, sessile, free, opening by a slit on 
 the inner side. Sori oblong, laterally contiguous (con- 
 fluent), forming a broad, sub-marginal transverse band of 
 sporangia. 
 
 Type. Angiopteris evecta, Hoffm. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 10 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 96 A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 152 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 9, fig. 69. 
 
 OBS. This genus is represented throughout the tropical 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 363 
 
 countries of the eastern hemisphere and islands of the 
 Pacific, the numerous localities presenting different phases 
 of what some authors suppose to be one species only, while 
 De Vriese describes no less than sixty species. On judging 
 from my examination of authentic specimens from De 
 Yriese, in the Hookerian herbarium, I have no hesitation 
 in saying they may be safely reduced to one- sixth of that 
 number, indeed in the " Synopsis Filicum " the whole are 
 reduced to one species, namely, the original type, A. evecta. 
 Judging from the aspect, and some special differences of 
 cultivated plants, I consider the following as distinct 
 species. The chief difference besides the aspects consists 
 in the number of sporangia forming the sorus, which 
 varies from a few to many ; these numbers appear to be 
 constant and uniform in individual plants, but the various 
 intermediate numbers observed in others destroys the well 
 marked difference between the lesser and greater numbers. 
 In some a narrow fimbriate membrane is observed under 
 the sporangia, which is considered to represent an in- 
 dusium. 
 
 Sp. A. evecta, Ho/m. (v v.) ; A. Teysmanniana, De 
 Vriese (v v.) ; A. Brongniartiana, De Vriese (v v.) ; A. 
 pruinosa, Kze. (v v.) ; A. hypoleuca, De Vriese (v v.) ; A. 
 Miqueliana, De Vriese (v v.). 
 
 OBS. In Sikkim a plant of A. evecta has been measured 
 having a caudex 2 feet 4 inches high and 2 feet 6 inches in 
 diameter, the spread of fronds being 24 feet, being ten less 
 than a plant cultivated at Kew. 
 
 214. MARATTIA, Sm. (1793). 
 
 Vernation fasciculate, erect, sub-arboroid ; each frond 
 rising from between two fleshy stipulaeform appendages 
 (which sometimes assume the character of abnormal 
 
364 CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 fronds). Fronds bi-tripinnate, 6 to 8 or more feet high ; pinnse 
 and pinnules articulated with the rachis. Veins simple or 
 forked, free. Sporangia sub-terminal, connate, forming a 
 bivalved synangium, each valve consisting of 3 to 12 cells, 
 opening by slits. Receptacles ovate, oblong, some species 
 furnished with an indusoid fimbriate membrane. 
 
 Type. Marattia alata, 8m. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 26; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 96 B. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 150 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 9, fig. 70. 
 
 OBS. The general habit and mode of development of 
 the fronds of this genus does not differ from Angiopteris, it 
 is, however, readily distinguished by its sporangia being 
 wholly united, the two series forming a double multilocular 
 spore case, which, when mature, opens lengthways in two 
 lobes (valves), each lobe containing a series of cells equiva- 
 lent to the sporangia of Angiopteris. Marattia is sparingly 
 represented in India, but it is common to the Islands of the 
 Indian and Pacific Oceans, extending to Norfolk Island and 
 New Zealand in the South, it is also found in South Africa, 
 Tropical America, the West Indian Islands, and is one of 
 the few plants forming the indigenous flora of the Island 
 of Ascension. 
 
 Presl enumerates twenty species, which he places under 
 four distinct genera, but I find no sufficient character to 
 warrant their adoption, his species are also fully double in 
 excess. In the " Species Filicum " only seven species are 
 described, and the following, which have all been cultivated 
 at Kew, appear to me to have sufficient character to be 
 considered distinct species. Different fronds, or even dif- 
 ferent parts of the frond of the same plant when separate, 
 and placed in the herbarium, have been accepted as at 
 least four distinct species. 
 
CHARACTERS OP TRIBES AND GENERA. 365 
 
 Sp. M. alata, Sm. (v v.) ; M. cicutaefolia, Kaulf. (v v.) ; 
 M. elegans, Endl. (v v.) ; M. fraxinea, 8m. (v v.) ; M. laxa, 
 Kze. (v v.) ; M. purpurascens, De Vriese (v v.) (Marattia 
 Ascensionsis, J. Sm. Cat., 1856) ; M. Verschaffeltiana, /. Sm. 
 (v v.). 
 
 215. EUPODIUM, /. 8m. (1841). 
 
 Vernation and general character as in Marattia, differing 
 in the synangia being pedicellate. 
 
 Type. Marattia Icevis, Kaulf. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 118 ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 97 B. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 151. 
 
 OBS. This genus agrees with Marattia in general cha- 
 racter, but differs in the synangia being seated on a little 
 foot stalk (pedicel), similar to the genus Peranema. 
 
 Sp. E. Kaulfusii, /. 8m. (Marattia Kaulfussii, Hook. 2nd 
 Cent. Ferns, t. 95) (v v.). 
 
 A rare Fern, native of Brazil. 
 
 216. DANEA, 8m. (1793). 
 
 Vernation uniserial, contiguous, decumbent ; sarmentum 
 thick, fleshy ; each frond rising from between two short 
 stipulseform appendages, and having the stipes once or 
 more times articulated. Fronds pinnate, rarely simple, 
 1 to 3 feet high, the fertile usually somewhat contracted ; 
 pinnse opposite, linear-lanceolate, articulated with the 
 rachis. Veins forked ; venules parallel, their apices arcuate 
 and anastomosing at the margin. Synangia sessile, im- 
 mersed, linear contiguous, occupying nearly the whole 
 length of the venules ; each consisting of two rows of 
 numerous laterally and oppositely connate cells, united into 
 a concrete mass, forming a linear synangia, each cell 
 opening by a circular pore. 
 
366 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 Type. Dancea nodosa. Smith. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Baner Gen. Fil., t. 7 ; Moore Ind. Fil., 
 p. 99 A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 153 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil , t. 9, fig. 71. 
 
 OBS. This is a curious genus of Ferns, of which about a 
 dozen species are described. The whole are natives of the 
 West Indies and Tropical America. The synangia opening 
 by pores readily distinguishes this from the preceding 
 genera. 
 
 Sp. D. simplicifolia, Budge. ; D. nodosa, Sm. (v v.) ; D. 
 alata, Sm. (v v.) ; D. elliptica, Sm. ; D. stenophylla, Kze t 
 
 217. KAULFUSSIA, Blume. (1828). 
 
 Vernation uniserial, contiguous ; sarmentum thick, 
 fleshy ; each frond rising from between two short, fleshy 
 stipuliform appendages. Fronds 2 to 3 feet high, long 
 stipate, palmately lobed, lobes oblong-elliptical. Veins 
 costsoform, parallel ; venules compound anastomosing, 
 with free veinlets terminating within the areoles. Recep- 
 tacles punctiform, compital, sub^biserial between the 
 primary veins. Sporangia 10 to 20, laterally connate, 
 forming a circular synangium, the cells opening by slits. 
 Type. Kaulfussia c&sculifolia, Blume. 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 59 A. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 98 ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 154 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 9, fig. 72. 
 
 OBS. This genus is founded on a remarkable Fern, a 
 native of the Malay and Philippine Islands, it is also 
 found in Assam, and has been described as a distinct 
 species by Griffiths under the name of K. assamica, but, 
 judging from herbarium specimens, it appears not to be 
 distinct from K. cesculifolia. 
 
PI. 29 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 367 
 
 Sp. K. aesculifolia, Bl. (v v.) (K. Assamica, Griff., Hook., 
 Journ. Sot., 2, t. 11, 12). 
 
 OBS. The under side of the frond of this Fern is 
 peculiar in being covered with stomata-like pores. 
 
 Evolution of the fronds straight. 
 Tribe 29. OPHIOGLOSSE^], R. Sr. (Plate 29). 
 
 Epigeous or epiphytal leafy plants, spores generated in 
 sudglobose, unilocular, coriaceous, homogenous, bivalved 
 sporangia, borne on special spikes or on panicles. 
 
 OBS. This tribe is distinguished by the vernation of the 
 fronds being straight, not spirally coiled, as in what is 
 generally called true Ferns ; it consists of about twenty 
 species, comprehended under the three following genera. 
 
 In this country Ophioglossece is represented by the 
 common Adder's- tongue Fern, 0. vulgatum and Botrichum 
 lunaria, which, with several congeners, have a wide 
 geographical range, being found in all countries between 
 the limits of the south and north temperate zones. The 
 few epiphytal species are tropical or sub-tropical. 
 
 218. OPHIOGLOSSUM, Linn. (1737). 
 
 Fronds ovate elliptical, lanceolate, entire or long and 
 linear, dichotomously forked or palmate. Veins reticulated. 
 Sporangia connate, in two rows, forming a distichous, 
 spike, produced from the disk of the frond, rarely a 
 special spike rising direct from the corm. 
 Type. Ophioglossum vulgatwn, Linn. 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 59 B. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 100 B. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 155 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 9, fig. 73. 
 
368 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 OBS. Presl, in his c< Supplementum Tentaminis Pteri- 
 dographiae," enumerates twenty-eight species of this genus, 
 three of which he characterises under three distinct 
 genera, but which I consider of sectional value only. In 
 the " Synopsis Filicum " the species are reduced to one 
 half of the above number. 
 
 Fronds ovate elliptical or linear, 2 to 10 inches in length, 
 "bearing the fertile simple spikes epigeous. (Ophio- 
 glossum vera.) 
 
 Sp. 0. lusitanicum, Linn, (v v.) ; 0. pedunculosum, 
 Desv. (v v.) ; 0. nudicaule, Linn. ; 0. vulgatum, Linn. 
 (v v.) ; L. reticulatum, Linn, (v v.). 
 
 ** Fronds pendulous ; the sterile segments long, ribbon-like, 
 usually dichotomously branched, 2 to 10 or more feet 
 in length. Epiphytal. (Ophioderma, Pr.) 
 
 0. pendulum, Linn, (v v.) ; 0. furcatum, J. Sm. (v v.). 
 
 *** Fronds palmate, pendulous, 6 to 10 indies long, 
 fertile spikes numerous, epiphytal. (Cheiroglassa, Pr.) 
 
 0. palmatum, Linn, (v v.). 
 
 **** Fertile spike, rising direct from the Corm. 
 (Rhizoglossum, Presl.) 
 
 O. Bergianum, Schlecht. 
 
 OBS. This is a curious and rare little plant, a native of 
 the Cape of Good Hope, having the sterile and fertile 
 fronds distinct, not more than half an inch in length, its 
 nearest ally being 0. lusitanicum, a native of the South of 
 Europe, of recent years found in Guernsey. 
 
CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 369 
 
 219. HELMINTHOSTACHTS, Kaulf. (1824). 
 
 Fronds produced from a stout, short sarmentum, stipate 
 1 to l feet long ; sterile segments foliaceous, digitate, 
 pedate. Veins forked, free. Fertile spike rising from the 
 base of the leafy segment. Sporangia sub-globose, sessile, 
 in pedicellate crested whorls, opening vertically by a slit 
 on their exterior side. 
 
 Type. Osmunda Zeylanica, Linn. 
 
 Tllust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 47 B. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil. p. 100 A. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 156 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 9, fig. 74. 
 
 Sp. H. Zeylanica, Hook. (H. dulcis, Kaulf.). 
 
 OBS. First known as a native of Ceylon, and described 
 by Linna3us under the name of Osmunda Zeylanica, but is 
 now found in India, Eastern Australia, and New Caledonia. 
 
 220. BOTRYCHIUM, Sw. (1800). 
 
 Fronds erect, with dissimilar sterile and fertile segments. 
 Sterile segments foliaceous, deltoid, bi-tripinnatifidly de- 
 compound, rarely pinnate. Veins forked, free. Fertile 
 segment rachiform, compound, paniculate. Sporangia sub- 
 globose, free, coriaceous, opening vertically in two equal 
 valves. 
 
 Type. Botrychium Lunaria, Sw. 
 
 Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 47 A. ; Moore Ind. 
 Fil., p. 99 B. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 157 ; 
 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 9, fig. 75. 
 
 Sp. B. simplex, Hitch, (v v.) ; B. lunaria, Sw. (v v.) ; 
 B. ternatum, Sw. ; B. lunarioides, Sw. (v v.) ; B. Virgini- 
 cum, Willd. (v v.). 
 
 OBS. This is a very widely diffused genus, B. lunaria 
 being found in both the northern and southern temperate 
 B B 
 
870 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
 
 zones. B. ternatum and JB. Virginica have also a wide 
 geographical range, being found very generally throughout 
 the temperate and tropical zones ; the influence of the 
 various climates causing much variation in the more or 
 less divisions of the fronds, many of the states having 
 been described as distinct species. 
 
 Presl describes no less than seventeen species, which 
 in the " Synopsis Filicum " are reduced to six. 
 
 Total number of species quoted, 1815. 
 
ON REPRODUCTION. 371 
 
 PART III. 
 
 1. ON THE REPRODUCTION OF FERNS. 
 
 In Phsenogamous plants, the flower and its parts, con- 
 sisting of calyx, corolla, stamens, pistils, ovary, seed, posi- 
 tion and mode of germination of the embryo fdrnish the 
 data on which all systematic arrangements are based. 
 With the exception of the embryo these organs are in 
 general visible to the naked eye, and require but little aid 
 from the miscroscope. This, however, is not the case with 
 Ferns, at least as regards their organs of reproduction, 
 for although they have no visible stamens and pistils like 
 flowering plants, for generating seeds, nevertheless it was 
 known to early observers that they had seeds, but so 
 small as to be invisible to the naked eye ; the microscope, 
 however, revealed that they are of definite forms, which 
 was first observed by W. Cole in 1669, and it is recorded 
 that young Fern plants were raised from these invisible 
 seeds in the Oxford Garden in 1715. 
 
 At page 8 it is explained that these seeds are called 
 spores, and are contained in cases called sporangia, 
 which are of various forms, the form most common being 
 girded by a ring. When the sporangium is mature, the 
 elasticity of the ring causes it to burst, and, under favour- 
 able circumstances as regards light, the spores are seen 
 to issue like a puff of smoke ; this apparent smoke consists 
 of atoms varying in form in the different genera, being 
 globose, oval, or angular, smooth, plain, striated, or echi- 
 nate, presenting very beautiful microscopic objects. Much 
 examination is, however, yet required before they can be 
 made practically available for assisting in defining genera or 
 
372 ON EEPRODUCTION. 
 
 species (see page 37). Although these spores are so small 
 they are nevertheless endowed with an extraordinary- 
 power of retaining their vitality ; and, being easily wafted 
 by currents of air, readily account for the wide geogra- 
 phical range of some species of Ferns. When naturally 
 or artifically placed under favourable conditions they burst, 
 and expanding in the form of a simple oblong cell, on 
 which other cells are successively developed, ultimately 
 form a thin green membrane called the proihallium, 
 which, when arrived at full size, is of a reniform cordate 
 shape, or sometimes bilobed, or obcordate, varying from 
 about 5 to ^ inch in diameter, and adhering to the surface 
 on which it vegetates, it has much the appearance of a 
 small foliaceous lichen or Marchantia. In time a small 
 bud makes its appearance near the base of the prothal- 
 lium, which increases in size, and ultimately a small frond 
 is produced, which is succeeded by others successively 
 larger, thus becoming a plant. 
 
 The increase of the prothallium and sprouting of the bud 
 is readily seen by the naked eye, and the cultivator is 
 satisfied with the result; but he finds himself often dis- 
 appointed, for after having obtained abundance of prothallia 
 from many different species, they nevertheless do not 
 always produce a bud germ. This is now supposed to be 
 explained by the discovery made in 1848 by Count Suminski, 
 a Polish botanist, that Ferns possessed organs analogous 
 to the stamens and pistils of flowering plants, and that 
 these were produced on the under side of the prothallium ; 
 they are represented by two kinds of cells, one called 
 Antheridia and the other Archegonia. The first (of which 
 there are generally between 30 and 40) consist of round 
 cells, which contain vermicular spermatozoids that issue 
 from the cells when arrived at maturity. The cells of the 
 
ON REPRODUCTION. 373 
 
 Arcliegonia differ considerably in their structure from the 
 Antlieridia, they consist of bottle-shaped cells into which 
 the spermatozoids have been seen to enter, and are 
 supposed to fertilize the embryo contained in the cells, the 
 result being the production of a young plant on the upper 
 surface of the prothallium, as above stated. According to 
 what is now explained a prothallium is monoecious, in some 
 cases supposed to be dioecious. The latter having recently 
 been found to be specially the case with the prothallia 
 of Osmundece. This singular discovery has excited con- 
 siderable interest among physiologists ; and has been care- 
 fully investigated by several, especially in this country, by 
 the late Professor Henfrey, as recorded in " Linnean 
 Transactions," vol. xxi, 1853. Recently considerable 
 attention has been paid to the subject by M. E. Meyer, 
 Inspector of Carlsruhe Botanic Gardens, who in the 
 "Gartenflora" for February, 1875, gives his practical 
 experience regarding raising Ferns from spores. He says 
 he has only succeeded in raising one plant of the genus 
 Gleiclienia, G. dicarpa, and one plant of Maratlia, M. lati- 
 folia,* and that he has failed in raising Hymenophhyllece, 
 which he accounts for by the moist nature of the fronds, 
 and the spores bursting in the sporangia soon losing 
 their vitality by becoming dry. 
 
 Much investigation is, however, required before many 
 circumstances attending the germination of spores can be 
 explained, such as, why the Desmobrya division does, as a 
 general rule, increase the abundance of spores, even to 
 some species becoming weeds in the hothouses ; while, on 
 the other hand, those of the division Eremobrya are com- 
 paratively few. 
 
 * This, however, is no rule, for about 20 years ago numerous plants 
 of Marattia cicutcefolia were raised from spores at Kew. 
 
374 ON REPRODUCTION. 
 
 Although the spores of many species germinate in pro- 
 fusion, it often happens that no plant bud is formed, even 
 under the most favourable circumstances of atmospheric 
 heat and moisture. This failure of plant bud may be 
 possibly due to the spores being, as above stated, uni- 
 sexual, and therefore producing only dioecious prothallia. 
 
 The time required before the spores germinate varies 
 greatly, some taking eighteen months, others two or three 
 weeks. Some species of Gymnogramma and Cheilanthes 
 germinate in as many days, while Brainea insignis will 
 germinate in as short a time as forty-eight hours. Few 
 prothallia of the latter, however, produce plants, while, on 
 the other hand, Ceratopteris thalictroides germinates 
 quickly and produces abundance of plants, even becoming 
 weeds. 
 
 Of late years some intermediate forms of species, espe- 
 cially of the genus Gymnogramma, have been raised in 
 gardens, which are by some called sports or hybrids, 
 whether such is simply the effect of cultivation, or by the 
 prothallia of two distinct species being so contiguous to 
 one another that the spermatzoids of the one have the 
 power of passing and fertilizing the archegonia of the 
 other, thus generating hybrids, as in flowering plants. In 
 general prothallia produce only a single bud, but on the 
 bud being removed it is succeeded by others, and thus as 
 many as eight or ten young plants have been produced 
 from a single prothallium of Hymenodiiim crinitum; but 
 what is even still more singular, is, that by dividing the 
 prothallia from the base upwards into two or even four 
 parts, each part produces a plant bud. An explanation 
 of this, as also of many other points connected with the 
 subject, is yet to be discovered ; for instance, in 1830, 
 plants of Lomaria Patersoni, a native of Tasmania, made 
 
ON REPRODUCTION. 375 
 
 their appearance at Kew, the only specimen in this country- 
 then known being in the herbarium of the British Museum, 
 which I had not then seen. The botanical collector, Allan 
 Cunningham, failed to find it in Tasmania, and was very 
 much surprised on my presenting him with fine specimens 
 grown at Kew. This was also the case with Doodia 
 blechnoides, and Asplenium squamulata, by what means the 
 spores of these plants found their way into the pots at the 
 hothouses at Kew it is impossible to say. 
 
 In spite of the very delicate nature of the prothallia, 
 it is nevertheless endowed with great vitality, as may 
 be seen by Ferns appearing on dry rocks, walls, and 
 such like, resisting the extremes of heat and cold. For 
 example, in 1829, I found a plant of Ceterach officinarum 
 growing in a crevice of masonry on one of the towers of 
 the new palace at Kew (since taken down). As this Fern 
 is not found wild near London, it would be useless to 
 speculate where the solitary spore came from ; it seemed, 
 however, to have found a proper nidus in the crevice, 
 enabling it to germinate and resist all untoward influences, 
 to pass through the prothallium state, and become a plant. 
 
 I must here state, that not long after Count Suminski's 
 discovery became known to me my sight began to fail, 
 which necessitated me to give up the use of the microscope, 
 therefore my own practical observations on this important 
 subject are but limited. 
 
 In many cases Ferns not only reproduce their like by 
 spores, but also by the viviporous buds generally produced 
 on the upper side of the frond, or on the apex of the fronds 
 or segments, which when mature become plants. This is 
 specially characteristic of many species of Asplenium, 
 Goniopteris, Woodwardia, Meniscium, and others ; but so 
 far as has come under my notice, no bulbils are produced 
 
376 ON KEPEODUCTION. 
 
 in any species of the division Eremobrya. It also appears 
 that bulbils are latent in some ; for instance, if portions of 
 the base of the fronds, or of the margin of Scolopendrium 
 vulgare, be placed under favourable circumstances, bulbils 
 are formed which become plants of the same variety and 
 form of that part of the frond from which the bit was 
 taken ; by this means the numerous abnormal forms of 
 this Fern are propagated. Ferns are also increased 
 by lateral offsets, thus forming caespitose tufts, some 
 occupying a considerable area, as also by stolens and 
 sarmenta, the latter often extending to a great length, as 
 in Pteris aquilina. 
 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 377 
 
 2. ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF FERNS. 
 
 As already stated, the number of species of Ferns 
 amounts to about 2,500, which are widely spread over 
 the earth, being found more or less numerous in all 
 climates between the most northern and southern limits 
 of vegetable life ; and within the tropics from the sea 
 level to elevations of from 14,000 to 15,000 feet, their 
 number in any locality being generally in proportion 
 to the degree of atmospheric moisture in conjunction 
 with elevation. Few or none are found in dry or flat 
 countries, such as grassy, scrubby, or thinly-wooded plains, 
 or mountain slopes, extensive tracts of which are often in 
 possession of one of the most cosmopolitan and abundant 
 of all Ferns, the common Brake (Pteris aquilina). In hot 
 and moist plains the number of species is comparatively 
 small ; even in the extensive lower valley of the Amazon, 
 teeming as it does with vegetable life, the number of 
 Ferns found by Dr. Spruce after he left the coast Flora at 
 Para, in his journey of 2,000 miles, was small, but they 
 gradually became more numerous on attaining an elevation 
 of 1,500 feet ; and in one locality at a higher elevation he 
 found 250 species in an area of fifty miles in diameter. 
 Another tract with but few Ferns is the dry region of 
 Northern Africa and Arabia, and few as yet have been 
 recorded from the interior of Australia ; while on the 
 contrary, on many elevated coasts and islands they form a 
 large portion of their Flora. 
 
 They are most numerous both as regards genera and 
 species in the tropical and sub-tropical regions ; and 
 although, as a general rule, the different zones or latitudes 
 contain species peculiar to the different regions, yet many 
 
378 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
 
 circumstances, such as the relation of land and water, 
 mountains and valleys, cause great deviation from this; 
 thus, species of the cooler temperate regions are also found 
 in warmer regions, and those considered tropical often 
 extend to the warm valleys of the temperate zones ; the 
 favourite place of growth of many being groves and 
 ravines, and even in caves, while others make themselves 
 at home on rocks exposed to the extremes of heat and 
 cold. 
 
 With regard to their nature, as indicated by their places 
 of growth, they may be classed under three heads first, 
 those that grow upon the ground (Epigeous) ; secondly, 
 those that grow in the crevices, or adhere to rocks, or in 
 caves open to the light (Epipetreous) and, thirdly, those 
 that grow upon trees (Epiphytal). Lastrea Filix-mas, 
 Athyrium Filix-fcemina, Pteris Aquilina, and all tree Ferns, 
 are examples of the first class, while Asplenium septen- 
 trionale, A. Ruta-muraria, A. trichomanes, A. marinum, 
 Ceterach officinarum, and Scolopendrium vulgare are our 
 native representatives of the rock and stone lovers of 
 temperate regions, the different species of Nothochlena and 
 Cheilanthes taking their places in warmer regions. 
 
 It may be taken as a rule that the greater number of 
 the division Desmobrya belong to the two first, while the 
 Epiphytal class belong chiefly to the division Eremobrya. 
 There are, however, many deviations from these rules, as, 
 for instance, there are many scandent species of Desmo- 
 brya ; and some Eremobrya, such as Polypodium vulgare, 
 are often found Epipetreous as well as Epiphytal, and even 
 on the ground, indeed many species conform to climatic 
 influences of very different natures. Some grow in very 
 wet places, as Osmunda regalis, which attains a very large 
 size in bogs of this country, and even grows in caves facing 
 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 379 
 
 the sea. Many Hymenophyllece grow within the spray of 
 cascades or on dripping rocks, and on mossy trunks of 
 trees. Ceratopteris thalictroides grows in shallow waters, 
 its sterile fronds floating on the water, and may be said to 
 be the only truly aquatic Fern, and one of the very few 
 annuals ; like many other aquatic plants it has a wide 
 geographical range within or near the tropics of both 
 hemispheres. 
 
 Many have a great predilection for the works of man, 
 whether elevated in the air or sunk below the earth, such 
 as old castles, walls, embankments, hedge and road-side 
 banks, quarries, or deep open pits or wells, this being 
 common to species of both tropical and temperate countries, 
 it is, therefore, not surprising to find the same species 
 assume different sizes and forms, as, for instance, the 
 common Hart's-tongue Fern, Scolopendrium vulgare, which 
 on walls and other dry places produces fronds only a few 
 inches in length, while in shady places or open pits or 
 wells they may be found lining the sides with fronds two 
 to three feet in length. 
 
 Another example of a Fern making itself at home under 
 very opposite conditions is Pteris longifolia, which is com- 
 mon in or near the tropics of both hemispheres. On the 
 island of Ischia (in the Bay of Naples) it is found luxuriating 
 within the influence of the hot vapours rising from the 
 fissures of latent volcanic heat, growing in soft mud at a 
 temperature ranging from 140 to 160. In hothouses its 
 spores vegetate abundantly upon all moist surfaces, and in 
 crevices close to hot water tanks. It also establishes itself 
 in dry places, even in situations where the temperature is 
 often at or near freezing point. 
 
 Although Ferns thus conform themselves to different 
 climates, many being wanderers, yet on taking a view of 
 
380 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
 
 the general distribution of the family it is found that a 
 greater or lesser number of allied species are confined to 
 special regions, some species restricted to very small areas, 
 and even to special localities. 
 
 Prom the above it will be readily seen that it becomes 
 difficult to draw up any statement of the number of species 
 peculiar to different countries or regions. 
 
 This subject has, however, been fully gone into by Mr. 
 Baker, who, in an elaborate memoir of 47 pages quarto,* 
 shows the general distribution of the order through the 
 different zones and regions, and the relation of the species 
 of the regions to one another ; the data which he has 
 adopted are the localities given in the " Species " and 
 " Synopsis Filicum," the number of species recorded being 
 2228, which are arranged and tabulated in a form showing 
 the regions and countries where each species is found, and 
 the species peculiar to each region. He divides the earth 
 into four zones, namely, Arctic zone, North temperate zone, 
 South temperate zone, and Torrid zone. These are sub- 
 divided into ten regions, of which the following is a sum- 
 mary, showing the total number of species, and also those 
 peculiar to each region. 
 
 AECTIC ZONE. 
 
 1. Arctic zone or region. This region contains 26 
 
 species, none of which are peculiar to it, all being 
 found in the adjoining zone. 
 
 NORTH TEMPERATE ZONE. 
 This zone is divided into three regions, as follows : 
 
 2. Temperate Europe and North Africa. This region 
 
 includes Europe and the whole length of North 
 
 * "Linnsean Transactions," vol. 26, 1867. 
 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 381 
 
 Africa contiguous to the Mediterranean, the Cana- 
 ries, Madeira, and the Azores. It contains 81 
 species, of which 6 are peculiar to Europe, 12 to the 
 above-named islands, and 2 only are recorded as 
 peculiar to North Africa. 
 
 3. Temperate Asia, including Japan and Chinese Islands. 
 
 431 species have been recorded as belonging to this 
 region, of which about 120 to 130 are peculiar to it. 
 
 4. Temperate North America. This region contains 114 
 
 species, of which 37 are peculiar to it. 
 
 SOUTH TEMPERATE ZONE. 
 
 This zone comprehends Temperate South Africa, 
 Temperate South America, Australia beyond the 
 tropics, and New Zealand, &c. 
 
 5. Temperate South Africa. 152 species are recorded as 
 
 belonging to this region, of which 27 are peculiar to 
 it, 4 of which extend to the small island of Tristan 
 d'Acunha. 
 
 6. Temperate Australia and New Zealand. This region 
 
 contains 212 species, of which about 25 are peculiar 
 to Australia atad 34 to New Zealand. 
 
 7. South Temperate America. This region contains 118 
 
 species, of which 32 are peculiar. 
 
 TORRID ZONE. 
 
 8. Tropical Africa, including the Mascerene Islands, St. 
 
 Helena, and Ascension. This region contains 346 
 species, of which 127 are peculiar, 54 of which 
 belong to the Mascarene Isles, 13 out of 25 to St. 
 Helena, and 2 out of 6 to Ascension. 
 
 9. Tropical Asia, including the Polynesian Islands. 863 
 
382 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
 
 species are enumerated as belonging to this region, 
 of which 477 are peculiar. 
 
 10. Tropical America. This region contains 946 species, 
 of which 708 are peculiar, thus showing that this 
 and the preceding are the two richest regions in 
 Ferns. 
 
 The above is sufficient to give a general view of the dis- 
 tribution of the Fern flora over the earth. 
 
 With regard to the greater or lesser number of allied 
 species common to any district. Mr. Baker says, ''The 
 remarkable point about the distribution of Ferns is, that 
 there is so little trace amongst them of the concentration 
 of allied forms in the same district." 
 
 There can be no doubt that this view is consequent on 
 the character of the fructification being made the bond of 
 union of species, by which large unnatural genera are 
 formed as in the " Species Filicum," which I have already 
 commented upon ; but on breaking up these large genera 
 we obtain smaller genera of a few or many naturally allied 
 species, which in many instances may be termed geogra- 
 phical genera, and which coincides with Mr. Darwin's 
 view on the distribution of plants generally, for he says 
 that, " Some few families, many sub-families, very many 
 genera, and a still greater number of sections of genera, 
 are confined to a single region, and it has been observed by 
 several naturalists, that the most natural genera in which 
 the species are most closely allied to one another are gene- 
 rally local or confined to one area." 
 
 In support of this may be mentioned the genera NipTio- 
 T}olus^ Drynaria, great part of Phymatodes, Platy cerium, and 
 Thamnopteris, which have their head-quarters in the regions 
 of the East, and by restricting Davallia, as I do, to the 
 species with articulate vernation, all belong to the Eastern 
 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 383 
 
 regions ; while Gampyloneuron, Phlebodium, Goniophlebium, 
 and Polypodium, are, with a few exceptions, natives of the 
 Western. 
 
 It is very remarkable that genera with single species, 
 such as Matonia, Peranema, Loxoma, Dictyoxiphium, and 
 Trichiocarpa are found only in very limited areas ; while, 
 on the other hand, two Ferns of special habit, Didymochlcena 
 truncatula and Oleandra neriiformis, are found in the tropical 
 regions of both hemispheres. The small Island of St. 
 Helena contains 25 species, of which 13 have been found 
 nowhere else. 
 
 Besides the above conclusions arrived at by Mr. Baker, 
 another view of the number of species found in different 
 countries is derived from local " Floras " and " Catalogues," 
 of which the following are the principal ; it must, however, 
 be understood that many of the species found in one 
 country are also common to other countries : 
 
 Great Britain and Ireland, 36. 
 
 Europe. Sadler and other authors, 67. 
 
 Asia Minor and Syria, 25. All European. 
 
 India. Wallich's MS. Catalogue of the Plants of India, 
 475. 
 
 India. Hooker and Thomson's Collection (J. Smith's 
 MS. List), 319. 
 
 Ceylon. Thwaites' Flora, 214. 
 
 Mauritius. Prof. Boutan's List, 235. 
 
 China and Japan, 118. 
 
 Japan alone. A. Black's Enumeration, 82. 
 
 Hong Kong. Benthem's Flora, 76. 
 
 Java. Blume's Enumeration, 460. 
 
 Philippine Islands. J. Smith's Enumeration, 297. 
 
 Fiji. Flora Yitiensis Seemann's, 185. 
 
384 
 
 PKOPERTIES AND USES. 
 
 Vite, Samoa, Tonga, Ellias Islands. Dr. Chr. Luerssen's 
 
 Enumeration, 209. 
 
 Australia and Tasmania. Brown's Prodronus, 106. 
 New Zealand. Hooker's Handbook, New Zealand Flora, 
 
 121. 
 
 Temperate South Africa. Pappe and Rawson's Enume- 
 ration, 177. 
 
 Chili. Strume's Enumeration, 180. 
 Brazil. Baker's, in Martin's Flora, 387. 
 British Guiana. Schomburgh's Collection (J. Smith), 86 
 British West Indies. Greisbach's Flora, 340. 
 Isthmus of Panama. Seemann's Voy. Herald (J. Smith). 
 
 117. 
 North-West Mexico. Seemann's Voy. of Herald (J. 
 
 Smith), 64. 
 Cuba and Venezuela. Eaton's Enumeration of Wright 
 
 and Fendler's Collections, 354. Hymenophyllece not 
 
 enumerated. 
 
PROPERTIES AND USES. * 385 
 
 3. PROPERTIES AND USES OF FERNS. 
 
 Although Ferns rank as one of the few great families 
 of the Vegetable Kingdom that contain upwards of 2,000 
 species, and, as already shown, are widely distributed over 
 the earth, they nevertheless possess but few economic pro- 
 perties useful to man, either as food, medicine, or in the 
 arts. The following are the names of the principal, and 
 the uses to which they have been applied. 
 
 Phlebodium aureum. 
 
 The fleshy caudex is purgative, and it is one of the 
 Ferns called Calahula. 
 
 Phymatodes vulgaris. 
 
 The fronds are slightly fragrant, and are used by the 
 South Sea Islanders for perfuming cocoa-nut oil. P. pus- 
 tulata is used by the New Zealanders to scent their oil and 
 food. 
 
 Polypodium vulgare. 
 
 By the ancients, and our old doctors and herbalists, 
 many medical virtues were ascribed to the common Poly- 
 pody. In Greece, and other parts of Europe, it is used 
 as a cure for ringworm ; and in this country an infusion 
 of the fresh root is still regarded as a mild laxative. In 
 some places a decoction of the dried fronds is still used as 
 a remedy for colds and whooping cough. Its fronds yield 
 carbonate of potass. 
 
 Campyloneuron PJiyllitidis. 
 
 This is one of the Ferns termed in South America 
 Calahula, which with the natives is a celebrated medicine 
 for many complaints, especially for syphilis, gout, and 
 C C 
 
386 PROPERTIES AND USES. 
 
 rheumatism ; it is used in dropsy as a diuretic ; it is also 
 used for wounds and contusions. OoniopJilebium attenua- 
 tum and Pleuridium crassifoliwn are also called Calahula, 
 and are considered to possess the same properties as the 
 preceding-, and to be particularly efficacious in syphilis. 
 
 Lastrea Filix-Mas. 
 
 Of all the Ferns celebrated by the ancients for their 
 medicinal virtues, the male Fern ranks the highest, its 
 reputation as a vermifuge having descended from the time 
 of Dioscorides to the present, the part used being the hard 
 woody portion of the caudex, which is either taken in the 
 form of a powder, decoction, or etherial extract. But 
 notwithstanding its ancient celebrity and fame acquired 
 during the latter part of the last century, when it was 
 discovered to form the basis of the Swiss remedy for 
 taenia, the secret of which Louis XVI. purchased of Madame 
 Mouffer for the sum of 18,000 francs, its use is, however, 
 gradually becoming obsolete. 
 
 A Fern called " Filix-Mas " has lately come into repute 
 in Australia and Tasmania as a cure for snake bites. 
 (What Fern is this ?) 
 
 L. athamantica, a Fern found near Port Natal ; it is 
 called Umkomo-komo by the natives, and is used by them 
 as a vermifuge, and its caudex given in the form of a 
 powder, infusion, or electuary, has been proved to be 
 excellent in the cure of tape worm. 
 
 L. fragrans and L. cemula, are two of the few sweet 
 smelling Ferns ; the first is a native of the north temperate 
 zone, used in some countries as a substitute for tea ; the 
 second is a native of Madeira, Azores, and also of Britain ; 
 it has the scent of hay, and on that account has been called 
 L. F&nisecii. 
 
PROPERTIES AND USES. 387 
 
 Polystichum coriaceum. 
 
 This is common to many countries. In Chili it is one of 
 the plants termed Calahula, and like the others is reputed 
 for the cure of syphilis. 
 
 Nephrolepis tuberosa. 
 
 This is a native of Nepaul. It produces underground 
 tubers like small potatoes, which are used for food by the 
 natives. 
 
 Alsophila excelsa. 
 
 A native of Norfolk Island, which when first discovered, 
 abounded in examples of this Fern, averaging in height 
 from 25 to 50 feet, or even, it is said, 80 feet. The centre 
 of the stem contains a white pith, in consistency resembling 
 a yam, which is greedily eaten by hogs ; it is also common 
 to the Fiji and other islands of the Pacific. The stems are 
 much used for building purposes, being hard and fire-proof, 
 and lasting an incredibly long time ; it is also cut into 
 ornamental forms, and placed round tombs. 
 
 A. australis is a native of Tasmania ; it grows in gullies 
 on Mount Wellington at an elevation even reaching the 
 snow-line ; its stems are used in the same manner as the 
 preceding. 
 
 CyatJiea medullaris. 
 
 A fine tree Fern ; a native of New Zealand, Queensland, 
 and Pacific Isles. The interior of its trunk contains a soft 
 mucilaginous pulp, which may be compared to sago ; it is 
 extensively used as an article of food by the natives, to 
 obtain which fine trees are cut down. 
 
388 PROPEKTIES AND UtfES. 
 
 Cibotium Barometz. 
 
 A. native of China and Tartar y. The fronds of this Fern 
 are bipinnate, and rise to the height of 10 to 14 feet, pro- 
 duced from a decumbent and progressing caudex, which is 
 densely covered with long light brown silky hairs (charac- 
 teristic of the genus), when old looking like wool, and 
 when lying on the ground having the appearance of a 
 wool-clad animal. The story told to early travellers led 
 them to describe it as a plant of flesh and blood. The 
 travellers' tale upon the subject is, that on an elevated 
 plain of vast extent, in countries east of the Volga, grows 
 a wonderful plant, with the shape and appearance of a 
 lamb, having feet, head, arid tail distinctly formed, and its 
 skin covered with soft down. The "lamb" grows upon a 
 stalk about 3 feet high, the part by which it is sustained 
 being a kind of navel it turns about and bends to the 
 herbage which serves for its food, and when the grass fails 
 it dries up and pines away. The real facts are that the 
 caudex of this Fern is decumbent, progressing in length 
 a foot or more according to age, and is 3 or more inches 
 in diameter. Its woolly appearance has led it to be likened 
 to a lamb, the native name for it being Barometz, and by 
 travellers the "Tartarian lamb" and others ".Agnus Scy- 
 thicus." 
 
 To make the story plausible the natives turn the woolly 
 stipes upside down, cutting away the fronds, leaving a 
 portion of the lower part of the stipes, four of which serve 
 as legs, and thus the resemblance to a woolly animal is 
 complete, and, being so manipulated, much resembles a 
 weasel. 
 
 The Chinese traveller and botanist Lourier was the first 
 
PROPERTIES AND USES. 389 
 
 to describe it as a Fern, to which Linnasus gave the name 
 of Polypodium Barometz. 
 
 About fifty years ago the late Mr. John Reeves, who had 
 long resided at Canton, succeeded in obtaining living plants 
 of it, which he transmitted to this country, and which first 
 produced fructification in the Birmingham Botanic Garden, 
 which having come under my notice it became at once 
 obvious that it was a species of Ci~botium, and which, in my 
 Definition of Ferns, 1841, I called 0. Barometz. 
 
 A closely allied species, C. Cummingii, is found in Luzon, 
 and another, C. Assamica, in Assam j this Fern also 
 appears to be represented in Sumatra, as some of the 
 soft silky hairs similar to those of Barometz have been 
 imported from that island into Holland, under the name of 
 " Penghawar D'joumbi," and are found to be useful as a 
 styptic. 
 
 C. Chamissoij C. Menziesii, and C. glaucum, natives of 
 the Sandwich Islands, differ from G. Barometz in being 
 arborescent, the stem of C glaucum attaining the height of 
 24 feet, the crown of fronds adding 12 feet more, making 
 the total height of the tree 36 feet. The base of the stipes 
 of the fronds is densely furnished with fine silky hairs, 
 which being permanent clothe the stem, forming a thick 
 wool-like coat, which is collected and used for stuffing 
 cushions, mattrasses, and the like. During the ten years- 
 previous to 1865 it became an article of commerce under 
 the name of Pulu, and ship loads of it were sent to Aus- 
 tralia and California, but lately it 'has fallen into disuse. 
 
 Dicksonia chrysotricha. 
 
 This is a tree Fern, a native of Java. Its silky hairs 
 have been imported and used as a styptic. 
 
390 PROPERTIES AND USES. 
 
 Adantium Capillus Veneris. 
 Venus' Hair, or Maiden Hair Fern. 
 
 This Fern is found in many countries, and is abundant in 
 the South of Europe ; it derives the name of Maiden Hair 
 from the circumstance of a syrup being prepared from it 
 called Capillaire, which being slightly odoriferous, or made 
 so by the addition of Orange flower water, is used by the 
 women in dressing their hair, and for promoting its 
 growth. Dioscorides, and other physicians of his time, 
 attributed numerous medicinal virtues to it, and our old 
 herbalists held it in high repute. Bay, in his " History of 
 Plants," details at great length its wonderful properties, 
 his catalogue of diseases curable by preparations of this 
 Fern seems to include nearly " all the ills that flesh is heir 
 to." Its fronds are still sold in herb shops for the prepa- 
 ration of " Syrup of Capillaire," from which, by dilution 
 with water, a refreshing beverage is made. It contains 
 tannic and gallic acids, and is slightly astringent. 
 
 A. pedatum. In North America this is used for making 
 Capillaire. It is included in the list of herbs prepared by the 
 Shakers, who subject them to heavy pressure, producing, for 
 trade purposes, a kind of hard cake in the form of a brick, 
 of which there are many specimens in the Kew Museum. 
 
 A. trapeziforme is a native of the West Indies, it 
 possesses the same qualities as A. Capillus Veneris* 
 
 A. JEthiopicum is used in South Africa as a pectoral 
 medicine, and A. dolabriforme is used for the same purpose 
 in Brazil. 
 
 Ornithopteris aquilina. 
 
 This Fern is well known by the name of Brake or 
 Braken, it is the most common and at the same time the 
 most useful of Ferns in an economic point of view. 
 
PROPERTIES AND USES. 391 
 
 In this and other countries the fronds are cut and dried, 
 and used for many domestic purposes, such as thatching, 
 and for protecting vegetables and tender plants from frost, 
 and the young fronds are given to swine. The fronds are 
 burned in large heaps, and the ashes contain a considerable 
 quantity of alkali, which is made into cakes or balls, which 
 form an article of trade, especially in Wales, and are used 
 as soap in washing, it is also used by glass makers. The 
 whole plant contains a considerable amount of tannic and 
 gallic acids, and its astringency is such that in some 
 countries it is used for tanning leather. 
 
 Many medical properties have been ascribed to it, but 
 with the exception of being used as a vermifuge its many 
 extolled virtues are now obsolete. 
 
 It is, however, an important food fern, its creeping 
 underground stems contain a quantity of starch and muci- 
 lage, and are used in some parts of Europe and other 
 northern countries for mixing with meal to make bread ; 
 even in the Canary Islands, especially those of Palma and 
 Gomera, where food is often scarce, it is mixed with barley 
 meal and made into a kind of gruel. Of late years it has 
 been brought into notice as a substitute for better food in 
 this country. The Rev. M. J. Berkeley, in an article in 
 the Journal of the Lmnsean Society, says the roasted roots 
 are eatable, but extremely disagreeable from their slimy 
 nature and peculiar flavour, in both of which they resemble 
 ill-ripened Bringles, but by cutting up and soaking them 
 in water the slimy matter and astringent principle is got 
 rid of, and the pulp, when sufficiently dry and made into 
 cakes, forms a coarse but palatable food. 
 
 In 1857 it was again brought into notice by Mr. Ben- 
 jamin Clark, who, in an article in Hooker's " Journal of 
 Botany," described its qualities as a vegetable, but in this 
 
392 PROPERTIES AND USES. 
 
 case the young- fronds were used, being cut when very 
 young, cooked and eaten as asparagus. He says, "I 
 took it exclusively as a dinner vegetable for more than a 
 month, no objection arising except that the last week or 
 two I thought it was slightly astringent. It tastes like 
 asparagus, and is very cooling and suitable for salt pro- 
 visions." Although such is the case this article has not 
 yet appeared in the London vegetable markets. 
 
 In the southern hemisphere 0. esculenta takes the place 
 of 0. aquilina in the northern. In Australia and New 
 Zealand it forms a great part of the food of the aboriginal 
 natives, but, like other plants that contain only starch, it is 
 incapable of supporting life without the addition of some 
 other substance containing nitrogenous matter. Since the 
 colonization of these countries, and the introduction of the 
 potato and corn, it will ere long cease to be an article of food. 
 
 In some parts of this country it is a vulgar belief that 
 the burning of Fern brings down rain, of which the follow- 
 ing is a curious illustration. In a volume containing a 
 miscellaneous collection by Dr. Richard Pocock, in the 
 British Museum, is the copy of a letter written by Philip 
 Herbert, third Earl of Pembroke, Lord Chamberlain, to 
 the Sheriff of Staffordshire. It is as follows : 
 
 " Sir, His Majesty taking notice that the burning of 
 Feme doth draw down rain, and being desirous that the 
 country and himself may enjoy fair weather as long as he 
 remains in these parts, his Majesty has commanded me to 
 write to you to cause all burning of Fern to be forborne 
 until his Majesty be past the country. Wherein not 
 doubting but the consideration of their own interest as well 
 as of his Majesty's will invite the country to a ready ob- 
 servance of this his Majesty's commands, I rest, your very 
 
 loving friend, 
 
 "PEMBROKE and MONTGOMERY." 
 
PEOPERTIES AND USES. 393 
 
 Asplenium lucidum. 
 
 A Fern with pinnate shining fronds, 2 or more feet in 
 length. By the New Zealanders it is regarded as a sacred 
 plant ; it is used by their priests when praying over a sick 
 person ; holding a frond of it in his hand, he waves it over 
 the patient, and if it happens to break it is regarded as a 
 fatal omen. Before engaging in any war-like enterprise, 
 it is also waved in the same manner whilst offering up 
 prayers to the spirits for success ; if it breaks it is supposed 
 the gods are adverse to their engaging in war. When the 
 chief has his hair cut, he holds a frond of this Fern in his 
 hand, and when finished the priest takes it and waves it 
 over his head, and at the same time prays ; it is afterwards 
 dipped in water, and shaken over the chief's head ; if the 
 frond does not break it is considered to indicate long life, 
 but if it breaks it is regarded as a sign that he will not 
 live long 1 . It is also used as an emblem of mourning. 
 The European Asplenice, such as A. Ruta-muraria, A. Tri- 
 chomanes, A. Adiantum nigrum, and A. marinum, well known 
 by the name of spleenworts, have in old times been famed 
 for their many remedial virtues, but are now of no repute, 
 
 Scolopendrium vulgare. 
 
 The Hart's Tongue was in ancient times highly reputed 
 for its medicinal properties ; it is considered astringent 
 and useful in diarrhoea ; the fronds are also made into an 
 ointment for scalds, wounds, &c. 
 
 Ceterach officinarum. 
 
 At one time this was in high repute as a remedy in 
 diseases of the spleen and jaundice. Gerard, however, in 
 his Herbal, says, that many of the properties attributed to 
 it are no better than " old wives' fables." 
 
394 PROPFRTIES AND USES. 
 
 MoTiria tJiurifraga. 
 
 A native of South Africa. When burnt it has the scent 
 of benzoin or olibanum, and is made into an ointment, and 
 used for burns, &c. 
 
 Osmunda regalis. 
 
 In some parts of England the fronds of this are in high 
 repute as an external application for bruises, sprains, and 
 the like ; the fleshy part of the rhizome is made into a 
 drink for internal injuries ; it also has the repute of being 
 a styptic. 
 
 Angiopteris evecta. 
 
 This, under different forms, is found in India, Malay, 
 Philippine, Pacific, and Polynesian Islands ; the caudex, as 
 also the thick part of the stipes, is of a mealy and mucila- 
 genous nature, which is eaten by the natives in times of 
 scarcity. The fronds possess a peculiar odour, and are 
 used by the women of Tahiti for making into crowns, 
 which they wear on feast days. 
 
 Mamttia alata. 
 
 The fleshy caudex of this is used in the Sandwich Islands 
 as food when better food is scarce. 
 
 M. attenuata. In Fiji the fronds are used as a pot herb ; 
 they are very tender, and taste not unlike spinach. In 
 New Zealand the soft part of the stem is eaten. 
 
 Botrychum virginicum. 
 
 A widely diffused species ; the succulent fronds are eaten 
 by the natives of New Zealand and Upper India. 
 
PROPERTIES AND USES. 395 
 
 Ophioglossum vulgatum. 
 
 Adders' Tongue Fern in this country is extensively 
 collected by herb gatherers ; being mucilagenous it is used 
 in the preparation of salves, but now, with its congener, 
 the moonwort, its use has become obsolete. 
 
 Helminfhostachys dulcis. 
 
 A native of Ceylon, India, and Malay Islands, and is 
 used as a pot herb; the young fronds are eaten as 
 asparagus. 
 
396 LIST OF AUTHORS. 
 
 PART IV. 
 
 LIST OF AUTHOKS AND BOOKS. 
 
 THE AUTHORITIES FOR THE GENERIC AND SPECIFIC NAMES 
 QUOTED IN THIS WORK. 
 
 N.B. When no special book is quoted after an author's 
 name, his writings on Ferns are to be found in botanical 
 and other scientific journals of their time, especially in the 
 " Linnse," a German periodical work ; and botanical jour- 
 nals in this and other countries. 
 
 Agardh. J. G. Agardh, Professor of Botany at Stockholm ; 
 
 author of a " Monograph on the genus Pteris." 
 Ait. W. & W. T. Aiton, father and son, Directors of the 
 
 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, from 1760 to 1841 ; 
 
 authors of 1st and 2nd edition of " Hortus Kewensis," 
 
 1793 and 1813. 
 Andrews. W. Andrews, an Irish amateur botanist ; " On 
 
 British Hymenophylleae." 
 A. Rich. A. Richard, a French botanist ; " Voyage de 
 
 1' Astrolabe (Botanique)." 
 
 Arn. Walker Arnott, Professor of Botany at the Univer- 
 sity, Glasgow (see Hook, et Arn.) 
 
 Bab. 0. C. Balington, Professor of Botany at the Univer- 
 sity, Cambridge ; an eminent British botanist. 
 
 Backhouse. James Backhouse & Son, nurserymen, York ; 
 importers and cultivators of Ferns. 
 
 Bak. J. G. Baker, Assistant Curator of the Kew Herba- 
 rium ; editor of Hooker's " Synopsis Filicum," 1 vol., 
 1868 ; second edition and appendix to the above, 1874 ; 
 "Ferns of Brazil" in "Martius' Flora" of Brazil; 
 
LIST OF AUTHORS. 397 
 
 On the geographical distribution of Ferns in " Linnaen 
 
 Transactions," vol. 26, 1867. 
 Bauer. Francis Bauer, a celebrated botanical painter (see 
 
 Hook, et Bauer). 
 Beauv. Palisot de Beauvois, a French botanist ; author of 
 
 " Flore d'Oware ;" figures and descriptions of plants in 
 
 the Bight of Benin, 1810. 
 Bedd. Captain R. H. Beddome, Officiating Conservator of 
 
 Forests of India ; " Ferns of Southern India," being 
 descriptions and plates of the Ferns of the Madras 
 
 Presidency, 271 plates, Madras, 1863; "Figures and 
 
 Descriptions of the Ferns of British India" (exclusive 
 
 of the above), 345 plates, quarto, Madras, 1870. 
 Bernh. J. J. Benhardi, Professor of Botany at Erfurt. 
 Blume. C. L. Blume, Director of the Botanic Garden, 
 
 Batavia; "Enum. Plant. Jav.," 1830; "Fl. Jav.," 
 
 figures and descriptions of the plants of Java. 
 Bolt. J. Bolton, an English botanist ; " Fil. Brit.," figures 
 
 of British Ferns, 1790. 
 Bomm. J. E. Bommer, Secretary of Koyal Botanic Society, 
 
 Belgium ; " Monographie de la Classe des Fougeres," 
 
 Paris and Brussels, 1867. 
 Bory, J. B. G. Bory de St. Vincent, a French traveller and 
 
 botanist. 
 Brack. W. D. Brackenridge, Botanist to the United States' 
 
 exploring expedition ; Descriptions and figures of the 
 
 Ferns of the expedition. 
 
 Braun. A. Braun, Professor of Botany, Berlin ; " Mono- 
 graph on Selaginella." 
 Br. R. Brown, the most celebrated of botanists ; " Pro- 
 
 dromus Floras Novse Hollandise," 1810 ; " Observations 
 
 on Ferns in Wallich's Plants Asiatics Bariores ;" 
 
 Horsfield's "Plantee Javse." 
 
398 LIST OF AUTHORS. 
 
 Br. P. Brown, author of a " History of Jamaica," 1756. 
 Brongn. A. Brongniart, a French botanist. 
 Burm. J. Burmann, a Dutch botanist, and writer on plants 
 of India, Ceylon, &c. 
 
 Carm. Captain D. Carmichael, a Scotch cryptogamic bota- 
 nist. 
 
 Carr. W. Carruthers, Keeper of National Herbarium, 
 British Museum ; " An Enumeration of the Ferns 
 collected by Dr. Seemann in Fiji ;" published in Flora 
 Vitiensis. 
 
 Oav. A. J. Cavanilles, Professor of Botany, Madrid. 
 
 Golenso. Rev. W. Colenso, a New Zealand botanist. 
 
 Coll. A. Colla, a collector and namer of Chilian Ferns. 
 
 Cunn. A. Cunningham, a celebrated botanist and traveller 
 in Brazil and New South Wales from 1815 to 1830. 
 
 Dec, Aug. Decandolle, a celebrated French systematic 
 
 botanist. 
 Desf. M. Desfontaines, a French botanist and traveller in 
 
 Barbary ; " Flora Atlantica." 
 Desv. N. A. Desvaux, an eminent French botanist ; author 
 
 of several papers on Ferns, from 1808 to 1814. 
 De Vriese. G. H. De Vriese, a Professor of Botany, Leyden ; 
 
 " Monograph on the genus Angiopteris." 
 Dick. J. Dickson, an English cryptogamic botanist. 
 Don. D. Don, Professor of Botany, King's College, London ; 
 
 "Prodromus Florae Nepalensis," 1825. 
 Dry. Jonas Dryander, librarian to Sir Joseph Banks ; a 
 
 writer on Ferns in the " Linnsean Transactions." 
 
 Eat. D. C. Eaton, an American botanist; "Enumeration 
 of the Ferns of Cuba and Venezuela," 1860. 
 
LIST OF AUTHOKS. 399 
 
 Ehrhart. F. Ehrhart, a German botanist. 
 
 Endl. Endlicher, Professor of Botany, Vienna ; " Prodro- 
 
 mus FloraD Norfolkicse." 
 Eng. Bot. English Botany, "Figures and descriptions of 
 
 British plants," by Sir J. E. Smith and Jas. Sowerby. 
 Eschw. F. L. Eschweiler, a German botanist. 
 
 Fee. A. F. A. Fee, Professor of Botany, Strasburg, an 
 eminent pteridologist ; " Genera Filicum," descrip- 
 tions and figures of the genera of Ferns, 1850-52 ; 
 " Memoirs on Acrostichum and other Genera." 
 
 Fisch. Dr. Fischer, a Russian botanist, and Director of 
 the Imperial Botanic Garden, St. Petersburg (see 
 Lang, et Fish.). 
 
 Fl. d'Oware (see Beauv.). 
 
 Forsk. Peter Forskahl, a Danish naturalist and traveller in 
 Arabia ; " Flora Jilgyptiaca." 
 
 Forst. John Reinhold Forster, botanist to Captain Cook's 
 second voyage ; " Figures of Ferns in Schkuhr's 
 * Cryptogamia,' " 1787. 
 
 Gal. H. Galeotti, a German botanical collector in Mexico. 
 Gard. Chron. Gardeners' Chronicle, a weekly journal. New 
 
 garden ferns described by T. Moore. 
 Gardn. Dr. G. Gardner, a botanical traveller in Brazil, and 
 
 Director of the Botanic Garden, Ceylon, 
 Gaud. M. C. Gaudichaud, a French botanist; "Plants of 
 
 Freycinet, Voyage de 1'Uranie," 1817-1820. 
 Gill. Dr. Gillies, a Scotch botanist and collector of plants 
 
 in Chili. 
 Gmel. J. G. Gmelin, a Russian botanist and traveller in. 
 
 Siberia ; author of a " System of Plants " and " Flora 
 
 Sibirica." 
 
400 LIST OF AUTHOES. 
 
 Gray. Dr. Asa Gray, Professor of Botany, Harvard Uni- 
 versity, United States. 
 
 Grev. Dr. R. K. Greville, an eminent botanical artist (see 
 Hook, et Grev.). 
 
 Griseb. A. H. E. Grisebach, a German botanist ; " Flora of 
 the West Indies," 1864. 
 
 HaenJc. (see PresT). 
 
 Sam. Dr. Francis Hamilton, an Indian botanist. 
 
 Hance. Dr. H. F. Hance, an English botanist, and writer on 
 Chinese Ferns. 
 
 Hedw. J. Hedwig, a German cryptogamic botanist. 
 
 H. et B. & H. B. K. Humboldt, Bonpland, and Kunth. The 
 two first famous travellers and botanists in South 
 America. Kunth, a German botanist. 
 
 Hew. Robert Heward, a zealous botanist, and writer on Ferns 
 of Jamaica, in the " Magazine of Natural History." 
 
 Hitch. Hitchcock, a North American writer, " Silli- 
 mann's Journal." 
 
 Hoff. G. F. Hoffmann, a German botanist, and writer on 
 cryptogamic plants, 1784. 
 
 Homb. et Jacq. Hombron et Jacquemont, French voyagers to 
 the South Pole ; "Voyage au Pol Sud," &c., History 
 of the Yoyage and Plants. 
 
 Hook. Sir W. J. Hooker, Director of the Royal Botanic 
 Garden, Kew, from 1841 to 1865 ; an admirable de- 
 scriptive botanist and eminent Pteridologist ; " Exotic 
 Flora," figures of rare plants, 1823; "Icones Planta- 
 rum," figures of 1,000 rare plants many Ferns ; 
 " Second Century of Ferns," 100 figures of rare Ferns ; 
 "Filices Exotica?," figures of 100 Ferns; "Garden 
 Ferns," 64 figures ; " Journal of Botany," 4 vols. ; 
 " London Journal of Botany," 7 vols.; "Journal of 
 
LIST OF AUTHORS. 401 
 
 Botany and Kew Miscellany," 9 vols. ; " Species 
 Filicum," 5 vols., description of all known Ferns with 
 upwards of 300 figures, 1844-64 ; " Synopsis Filicum," 
 completed by J. Baker in 1868. 
 
 Hook, et Am. Hooker and Arnott, " Botany of Captain 
 Beechey's Voyage." 
 
 Hook, et Bauer. Hooker and Bauer, the " Genera Filicum," 
 figures of the genera of Ferns, illustrated by Bauer, 
 1838. 
 
 Hook, et Grev. Hooker and Greville ; " Icones Filicum," 
 figures of rare Ferns, 230 plates, 2 folio vols., 1831. 
 
 Hook. fil. Dr. Joseph Hooker, Director of the Royal Botanic 
 Gardens, Kew ; appointed 1865 ; " Flora Antarctica," 
 "Flora of New Zealand," "Flora of Tasmania." 
 
 Hoppe. J. C. Hoppe, a German botanist, and collector of 
 plants. 
 
 Hort. Gardens ; Hort. Aug. English gardens ; Hort. Berol. 
 Berlin garden ; Hort. Linden. Horticultural Gardens, 
 Brussels. 
 
 Houlst. (see Moore et Houlst.). 
 
 Huds. W. Hudson, an English writer on British plants. 
 
 Humb. A. V. Humboldt, a celebrated traveller and philo- 
 sopher (see H. B. K.). 
 
 Jaqq. Nicolas Joseph and Francois Jacquin, father and son, 
 eminent Austrian botanists ; " Icones rariorum," 
 figures of rare plants. 
 
 Johns. J. Y. Johnson, a writer on Madeira Ferns. 
 
 /. Sm. John Smith, Curator Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 
 (retired 1864); "Gen. Fil.," an arrangement of the 
 genera of Ferns in Hooker's " Journal of Botany," 
 1841 ; " Enum. Fil. Philipp.," an enumeration of the 
 Ferns collected by H. Cuming in the Philippine Islands ; 
 D D 
 
402 LIST OF AUTHORS. 
 
 " Seem. Bot. Voy. Herald," an enumeration of the 
 Ferns in Seemann's " Botany of the Voyage of the 
 ' Herald ;' " " Cat." Ferns cultivated at Kew, in ap- 
 pendix to Botanical Magazine, 1846 ; " Cat. Cult. Fern," 
 catalogue of Ferns cultivated in British gardens in 1857; 
 " Ferns, British and Foreign," history and enumeration 
 of Ferns cultivated at Kew, with definitions of the 
 genera, illustrated by 164 wood-cuts, and treatise on 
 their cultivation, 1 vol., 1866. 
 
 Karst. Dr. Karston, a German botanist and traveller in 
 
 Tropical America ; " Flora Columbise." 
 Kaulf. G. F. Kaulfuss, Professor of Botany, Leipsic ; 
 
 " Enum. Fil.," Enumeration of the Ferns collected in 
 
 Chamisso's Voyage, 1821. 
 Klot. Dr. Klotzsch, a German botanist. 
 Kunze. G. Kunze, Professor of Botany, Leipsic ; "Analecta 
 
 Pteridographia," figures and descriptions of Ferns, 
 
 1834 ; " Schkuhr's Cryptogamia," continued, 1841-51 ; 
 
 numerous other papers on Ferns in the Linnee. 
 
 Lcibill. J. J. Labillardiere, a French navigator sent in search 
 of M. La Perouse ; " Nov. Holl. Plant. Spec.," figures 
 and descriptions of New Holland plants, 1804-1806 ; 
 " Sertum Austro-Caledon.," figures and descriptions of 
 plants in New Caledonia. 
 
 Lag. M. Lagasca, Professor of Botany, Madrid. 
 
 Lam. Jo. Bapt. Monet de Lamarck, a celebrated French 
 naturalist and compiler, 1783-1796. 
 
 Lang, et Fisch. G. Langsdorf, a Russian botanist. " Icon. 
 Fil.," figures of Ferns, chiefly Brazilian, 1810. 
 
 ItHerit. C. L. L'Heritier, a French botanist. 
 
 Lieb. Liebmann, a German botanist. 
 
LIST OF AUTHOES. 403 
 
 Lieb. Lielold, a German traveller and botanist, and col- 
 lector of plants in Mexico. 
 
 Linden. J. Linden, a nurseryman at Brussels, and traveller 
 Mexico and Peru j a collector and importer of rare 
 plants. 
 
 Lindl. Dr. John Lindley, an eminent systematic botanist, 
 Professor of Botany, University College, London ; 
 " Lindl. and Moore : Nature -printed British Ferns." 
 
 Link. H. F. Link, Professor of Botany, Berlin ; " Enumera- 
 tion of the Ferns of the Berlin Garden," 1833-1841. 
 
 Linn. Car. Linnceus, the celebrated Swedish botanist, and 
 founder of modern botany. 
 
 Lodd. Conrad Loddiges and Son, nurserymen and great 
 cultivators of Ferns at Hackney. 
 
 Lour. Loureiro, a Portuguese botanist and traveller in 
 Cochin China : " Flora Cochinchinensis." 
 
 Lowe. E. J. Lowe; " Lowe's Ferns," figures and descriptions 
 of exotic Ferns, in 9 vols. 
 
 Lowe. ft. T. Lowe, a writer on Madeira Ferns. 
 
 Luer. Dr. C. Luerssen, a German botanist; "Enumeration 
 of Ferns of Vite, Samoa, Tonga and Ellice's Islands ;" 
 Leipsic, 1874. 
 
 Mart, et Gal. " Figures and descriptions of Mexican Ferns," 
 H. Galeotti and M. Martens. 
 
 Mart. C. F. P. Martins, Professor of Botany in Munich ; 
 "Icon. Crypt.," figures and descriptions of Brazilian 
 Ferns, 1820. 
 
 Metten. Dr. G. Mettenius, Professor of Botany at Leipsic, 
 and eminent writer on Ferns ; " Figures and descrip- 
 tions of the Ferns in the Leipsic Gardens ;" " Mono- 
 graph on the genus Asplenium," &c., and many articles 
 on Ferns in the Linnae. 
 
404 LIST OF AUTHORS. 
 
 Mey. C. Meyer, a German botanist, 
 
 Miclix. A. Michaux, a French botanist and traveller in 
 
 North America; " Mora Boreali- Americana," 1803. 
 Mild. Dr.J.Milde; " Filicis Europae et Atlantidis, Asia3 
 
 Minoris et Siberiae," Liepsic, 1867. 
 Miq. F. A. G. Miquel, a Dutch botanist. 
 Moore. T. Moore, Curator of the Apothecaries' Garden, 
 
 Chelsea ; " Index Filicum," an alphabetical list of all 
 
 names of Ferns ; various books on British Ferns (see 
 
 Lindl.'). 
 Moore et Houlst. T. Moore and W. Houlston; "Descriptions 
 
 and Wood-cuts of Cultivated Ferns," published in Ayer's 
 
 " Magazine of Botany." 
 MuJil. Muhlenberg, a North American botanist. 
 
 Newm. Edwd. Newman, author of works on British Ferns. 
 Nutt. D. Nuttall, a North American botanist. 
 
 Papp. et Haw, L. Pappe, M.D., and Hon. R. W. Raw son ; 
 " Synopsis of the Ferns of South Africa," 1858. 
 
 Plum. Car. Plumier, a French botanist and traveller in the 
 West Indies ; " Plum. Fil.," figures and descriptions 
 of Ferns, chiefly of the French West India Islands, 
 1666. 
 
 Poir. M. Poiret, a French botanical compiler. 
 
 Presl. C. B. Presl, Professor of Botany, Prague ; a famous 
 Pteridologist ; "Beliqua Haenkaen a," figures and de- 
 scriptions of Ferns collected by the traveller Haenke, 
 1825 ; " Tent. Pterid.," a new arrangement of the 
 genera of Ferns, 1836 ; " Epimelise Botanicas," figures 
 and descriptions of Ferns, being an addenda to the 
 preceding, 1849. 
 
LIST OF AUTHORS. 405 
 
 Pursh. Frederick Pursh, author of a "Flora of North 
 America." 
 
 Radd. J. Raddi, a German botanist, who travelled in Brazil ; 
 
 " Fil. Bras.," figures and descriptions of Brazilian Ferns, 
 
 1825. 
 Raoul. M. M. E. Raoul, a French botanist and writer on 
 
 New Zealand Ferns. 
 Regel. Regel, Director of the Imperial Garden, St. 
 
 Petersburgh, 1866. 
 Retz. A. J. Retzius, a German botanist and writer on plants 
 
 of Ceylon. 
 Rheede. H. vnn Rheede, a Dutch botanist; "Hortus Indicus 
 
 Malabaricus," a large work on the plants of Malabar, 
 
 1703. 
 Reichenb. Reichenbach, a German botanist ; " Flora 
 
 Germanica." 
 Reinw. Reinwardt, Professor of Botany, Leyden, and 
 
 traveller and collector of plants in Java and other 
 
 Malayan islands. 
 Remy in Gay. Remy, an authority in 01. Gay's " Flora of 
 
 Chili." 
 
 Rich. L. R. Richard, a writer on the plants of Guiana." 
 Roth. A. G. Roth, a celebrated German botanist and writer 
 
 on Ferns. 
 Rox. Dr. Roxburgh, an English botanist ; " Observations 
 
 on St. Helena Ferns." 
 Rudge. E. Rudge, author of a work on the plants of Guiana. 
 
 Sadl. J. Sadler, a Hungarian botanist ; " An enumeration 
 and description of the Ferns of Hungary and adjoin- 
 ing countries," 1830. 
 
 SM. C. Schkuhr, a German botanist ; " Crypt. Schk.," 
 
406 LIST OF AUTHORS. 
 
 figures of cryptogamic plants, 1809 ; " Crypt. Supp.," 
 
 supplement of the above, continued by Kunze. 
 Schlecht. D. F. L. Schlechtendahl, Professor of Botany in 
 
 Berlin ; Schlecht. Adumb. " Adumbratio Plantarum," 
 
 figures and descriptions of South African Ferns. 
 Schott. Heinrich Schott, Director Royal Gardens, Vienna ; 
 
 " Schott Gen. Fil.," the genera, illustrated by figures, 
 
 1834. 
 
 Schreb. J. C. Schreber, a German botanist, 
 ScTium. Schumacher, a writer on plants of Guinea. 
 Scott. J. Scott, Curator of Botanic Gardens, Calcutta ; 
 
 " Tree Ferns of India," Linnean Transactions, 1874. 
 Seemann. Dr. Berthold Seemann, an eminent botanist and 
 
 voyager ; " Botany of the Expedition of the Surveying 
 
 Ship Herald," " Flora Vitiensis." 
 Sibth. Dr. Sibthorp, an English traveller and botanist in 
 
 Greece; author of "Flora Grseca." 
 Sieber. Sieber, a celebrated German botanical traveller 
 
 and collector in various parts of the world. 
 Sim. R. Sim, a nurseryman and celebrated grower of 
 
 Ferns at Foot's Cray, Kent. 
 Sloan. Sir Hans Sloane, a traveller in the West Indies ; 
 
 author of " History of Jamaica," and founder of the 
 
 British Museum. 
 Sm. Sir James Edward Smith, a celebrated British botanist 
 
 and writer on botany in various journals ; first Presi- 
 dent of the Linnaean Society, and purchaser of the 
 
 " Linnaean Herbarium." 
 Smith, John. See J. Sm. 
 Sowerby. E. Sowerby, a British botanist, author of a work 
 
 on British Ferns. 
 Spenn. Spenner, a German botanist. 
 
ETYMOLOGY. 407 
 
 Split. F. L. Splitgerber, a Dutch botanist ; " Au Enumera- 
 tion of the Ferns of Surinam." 
 
 Spreng. C. Sprengel, Professor of Botany, Halle ; " Syst.," 
 a systematic enumeration of plants according to the 
 Linnsean arrangement, 1827. 
 
 Spring. Spring, a German botanist and writer on Lyco- 
 podiaceoB. 
 
 Stansfield. Stansfield, a nurseryman at Todmorden, 
 Yorkshire, celebrated as a discoverer and cultivator of 
 numerous varieties of British species of Ferns. 
 
 Strume. Dr. J. W. Strume, German botanist ; " Enumera- 
 tion of the Ferns of Chili," 1858. 
 
 Sw. Olaf Swartz, a Swedish botanist and traveller in 
 Jamaica ; " Synopsis Filicum," an enumeration and 
 description of all known Ferns since 1806. 
 
 Thurib. P. Thunberg, a Dutch traveller and botanist in 
 Japan and Cape of Good Hope ; " Fl. Jap." the Flora 
 of Japan, 1784. 
 
 TJiwaites. G. J. TJiwaites , Director Botanic Garden, Cey- 
 lon ; author of "Flora of Ceylon." 
 
 Tuckerman. E. Tuckerman, a United States botanist. 
 
 Vdhl. Mart. Vahl, a German botanist. 
 
 Van den Bosch. Dutch botanist ; " Synopsis Hymeno- 
 phyllacese," 1858. 
 
 Van Houte. L. Fan Route, a Belgian nurseryman ; author* 
 of several periodical botanical works. 
 
 Veitch. James Veitch & Son, nurserymen, London, cele- 
 brated importers and cultivators of rare Ferns. 
 
 Vent. E. P. Fentenat, a French botanist. 
 
 Vogler. Vogler, a German botanist. 
 
408 LIST OF AUTHORS. 
 
 Wall. Dr. Nathaniel Wdllich, Director Botanic Garden, 
 Calcutta ; MSS. catalogue of the plants contained in 
 the " WalKchian Herbarium " at the Linneean Society. 
 
 Watson. Hewet Cottrell Watson, an eminent British 
 botanist. 
 
 Webb. P. B. Webb, an English botanist; " Flore des 
 Canaries." 
 
 Weis. F. W. Weis, a German cryptogamic botanist. 
 
 Wei. Dr. Frederick Welwitsch, a botanical collector for the 
 King of Portugal, in Angola, and author of an illus- 
 trated work on the plants of that country, 1852 to 
 1861. 
 
 Willd. G. L. Willdenow, Professor of Botany, Berlin; 
 " Species Plantarum ;" Enumeration of plants in the 
 Berlin Garden, 1809. 
 
 Wollast. T. Wollaston, an English botanist and writer on 
 Ferns. 
 
 Wulf. F. H. Wulfen, a German botanist. 
 
 Zenlc. Zenker, a German botanist and writer on plants 
 of the Neilgherry. 
 
ETYMOLOGY. 409 
 
 2. ETYMOLOGY. 
 
 DERIVATION OF THE GENERIC NAMES ADOPTED IN THIS WORK. 
 
 As a general rule it may be admitted that the generic 
 names of plants are derived from three principal sources. 
 The first, and greater number, being generally a compound 
 of two Greek words. The second, names of persons, with 
 the addition of a Latin termination. The third source is 
 various, such as the adoption of local aboriginal names, 
 names from Heathen Mythology, and often words of 
 doubtful origin, and incomprehensible application, have 
 been given as generic names by botanists. 
 
 N.B. For all names ending and beginning with Pteris, 
 see Pteris. 
 
 Aconiopteris, akon, a point, and pteris ; the veins forming 
 sharp angles close to the margin of the frond in the 
 typical species. 
 
 Acrophorus, dkros, highest, phoreo, to bear ; the position of 
 the sori on the veins. 
 
 Acrostichum, akros, highest, stichos, order ; the fructifica- 
 tion at the top of the fronds. 
 
 Actinostachys, actin, rays, stachys, spike ; the fructification 
 spikes in rays. 
 
 Adenoderris, aden, a gland, derma, skin ; the frond covered 
 with glands. 
 
 Adenophorus, aden, a gland, phoreo, to bear ; bearing 
 glands. 
 
 Adiantum, adiantos, dry ; when plunged in water comes 
 out dry. 
 
 Aglaomorpha, aglao, splendid, morpha, form ; splendid 
 form. 
 
410 ETYMOLOGY. 
 
 Allantodia, allantos, a sausage ; indusium like a sausage. 
 Allosorus, allo, a heap, and sorus, in allusion to the crowded 
 
 sori. 
 Alsophila, alsos, grove, phileo, to love ; grows in groves 
 
 and shady places. 
 
 Amphiblestra, a word meaning the fronds are reticulated. 
 Amphidesmium, amphi, around, or on both sides, desmos, a 
 
 band ; relating to the position of the sori to one 
 
 another. 
 Anapeltis, ano, without, peltis, shield ; the sori naked, in 
 
 opposition to* Pleopeltis. 
 Anchistea, agnati, kindred ; intermediate between Wood- 
 
 wardia and Doodia. 
 
 Anemia, aneimon, naked ; naked spikes of fructification. 
 Anemidictyon, veins reticulated ; not free as in Anemia. 
 Anetium, probably from the Greek anaitos, guiltless. This 
 
 is perhaps meant to indicate that A. citri 'folium has 
 
 been put wrongfully to Acrostichum. 
 Angiopteris, angio, open, pteris ; the open sporangia. 
 Antigramma, anti, opposite, gramma, a line ; the linear 
 
 sori being in pairs opposite to each other. 
 Antrophyum, antrum, a den or hollow ; the receptacles of 
 
 sporangia being in a groove or channel. 
 Arthrobotrya, arthron, joint, botrys, bunch ; the segments 
 
 articulate with the rachis, thus differing from Poly- 
 
 botrya. 
 
 Afthromeris, arthron, joint, wen's, parts ; the pinnse arti- 
 culate with the rachis. 
 Arthropteris, arthron, joint, pteris; the frond and pinna? 
 
 being articulate. 
 Aspidium, aspidos ; the indusium being like a buckler or 
 
 shield. 
 
ETYMOLOGY. 
 
 Asplenidictyon, dictyon, netted, Asplenium, with netted 
 
 veins. 
 
 Asplenium, a, privative, splen, the spleen ; medical qualities. 
 Athyrium, unexplained. 
 
 Balantium, lalantion, a purse or bag ; the form of the 
 
 indusium. 
 
 Blechnum, one of the Greek names for a Fern. 
 Botrychium, lotrys, bunch or raceme ; the fructification like 
 
 a bunch of grapes. 
 Brainea, in honour of C. Braine, Esq., who introduced the 
 
 first plant. 
 
 Callipteris, hallos, beautiful, and pteris, beautiful Fern. 
 Calymmodon, kalymma, cover, odon, tooth ; the dents of 
 
 the pinna3 being folded like a hood, enclosing the 
 
 sporangia. 
 Campteria, kamptos, arched ; the veins meeting forming an 
 
 arch. 
 Camptodium, kamptos, bent ; the form of the indusium (not 
 
 very applicable). 
 Campyloneurum, kamptos, arched, neuron, a nerve ; the 
 
 veins forming arches. 
 
 Cassebeera, in honour of J. H. Cassebeero, a German phar- 
 maceutist. 
 
 Ceratopteris, keras, keratos, a horn, pteris ; horned Fern. 
 Ceterach, a name given by Persian physicians. 
 Cheilanthes, cheilos, lip or margin, anthos, flower ; the 
 
 fructification on the margin. 
 Cheiropleuria, cheiro, a band, pleuria, sides ; alluding to 
 
 the sporangia on each side of the costa. 
 Cibotium, kibotos, a casket or coffer ; the form of the 
 
 indusium. 
 
412 ETYMOLOGY. 
 
 Cincinalis, meaning unknown. 
 
 Colysis, kolysis, separation, ; a species separated from other 
 genera. 
 
 Coniogramma, konis, dust, gramma, a line ; imperfect spo- 
 rangia, but not applicable in perfect specimens. 
 
 Cryptosorus, kryptos, hidden, sorus, the sori ; sori immersed 
 in the substance of the frond. 
 
 Ctnopteris, ptilon, pluma or wing ; the small plume-like 
 fronds of many of the species. 
 
 Cyathea, kyathos, a cup ; the form of indusium. 
 
 Cyclodium, kyklos, circle ; the form of indusium. 
 
 Cyclopeltis, kyklos, circular, peltis, shield ; the form of 
 indusium. 
 
 Cyrtogonium, kurtos, convex, gonia, an angle ; the anas- 
 tomose of the veins. 
 
 Cystodium, a cyst, and odium, a tooth ; form of indusium. 
 
 Cystopteris, Jcystos, a cyst ; the inflated indusium. 
 
 Danse, in honour of Pierre Martin Dana, a Piedmont 
 botanist. 
 
 Davallia, in honour of Edmond Davall, a Swiss botanist. 
 
 Dennstadtia, Dennstadt, a German writer. 
 
 Deparia, a cup or basin the form of the indusium. 
 
 Diacalpe, dia and Tcalpe, a vessel ; in allusion to the cup 
 indusium. 
 
 Dicksonia, in honour of James Dickson, a British crypto - 
 gamist. 
 
 Diclidopteris, di, two, klidia, a bed, pteris ; the two recep- 
 tacles of the sporangia. 
 
 Dicranoglossum, dikranos, forked, glossa, tongue ; the fronds 
 forked and pendulous. 
 
 Dictymia, diktyon, a net ; the netted venation. 
 
ETYMOLOGY. 413 
 
 Dictyocline, diktyon, a net, Mine, a bed; the receptacles 
 
 netted. 
 
 Dictyogramma, diktyon, gramma, a line ; the sori reti- 
 culated. 
 
 Dictyopteris, diktyon, pteris ; the veins reticulated. 
 Dictyoxiphium, diktyon, xiphion, sword ; the veins reticu- 
 lated, and the form of the frond. 
 Didymochlsena, didymos, two or double, chlcena, a cloak ; 
 
 the indusium being double. 
 Diplazium, diplazo, to be double ; two indusia on the same 
 
 vein. 
 
 Diplora, in allusion to the double bordered receptacle. 
 Dipteris, di, two, pteris ; the fan fronds in two parts. 
 Doodia, in honour of Samuel Doody, a London apothecary, 
 
 and British cryptogamist. 
 Doryopteris, dory, spear or halbert, pteris ; form of the 
 
 fronds. 
 Drymoglossum, drymos, wood, glossa, tongue ; the fronds 
 
 like tongues upon trees. 
 Drynaria, dryads ; the sterile fronds being like oak leaves, 
 
 which tree was sacred to the Dryads or wood nymphs. 
 Dryomenis, dryos, dryads (as above), meniskos, a crescent ; 
 
 shape of the sori. 
 Dryostachum, dryos (as above) stachys, spike ; the form of 
 
 the fertile pinnao. 
 
 Bgenolfia, in honour of Christian Egenolph, a German 
 
 author of a book on Herbs. 
 Elaphoglossum, elaphos, a stag, glossa, tongue ; the fronds 
 
 being like the stag's tongue. 
 Eupodium, eu, good, pous, podos, a foot ; the sorus having a 
 
 foot-stalk. 
 
414 ETYMOLOGY. 
 
 Fadyenia, in honour of Dr. M'Fadyen, an eminent physician 
 
 in Jamaica. 
 Feea, in honour of Mons. A. L. A. Fee, Professor of Botany 
 
 at Strasburg, a celebrated writer on Ferns. 
 
 Gleichenia, in honour of Baron P. von Gleichen, a German 
 
 botanist. 
 Glyphoteenium, glyphis, sinuose, tainia, a fillet or ribbon ; 
 
 form of fronds. 
 Goniophlebium, gonia, angle, phlebes, veins ; the veins 
 
 meeting, forming angles. 
 Goniopteris, gonia, angle, pteris ; the veins meeting, forming 
 
 angles. 
 
 Grammitis, gramma, a line ; the sori being linear. 
 Guernia, in honour of M. C. Guerin, a French officer under 
 
 Captain Freycinet in the voyage of the Urania. 
 Gymnogramma, gymnos, naked, gramma, a line ; the sori 
 
 on the veins in lines, and naked. 
 Gymnopteris, gymnos, naked, pteris ; the fructification naked. 
 
 Haplopteris, Jiaploos, simple, pteris ; simple venation. 
 Hecistopteris, hecistos, very small, pteris ; a small Fern. 
 Helminthostachys, helminthos, worm, stachys, a spike ; the 
 
 fructification in compact spikes, worm-like. 
 Hemidictyum, Jiemi, half, diktyon, a net ; the outer portion 
 
 only of the veins being reticulated. 
 Hemionites, a name given by ancient botanists to a plant 
 
 now called Asplenium hemionites, but retained as a 
 
 generic name for a West Indian Fern by Linnaeus. 
 Hewardia, in honour of Robert Heward, a collector and 
 
 writer on West Indian Ferns. 
 Histiopteris, unexplained. 
 Humata, liumatus, humid j in opposition to Adiantum. 
 
ETYMOLOGY. 415 
 
 Hymenodium, hymen, membrane ; the character of the 
 frond. 
 
 Hymenolepis, hymen, membrane, lepis, a scale ; membra- 
 neous scales covering the fructification. 
 
 Hymenophyllum, hymen, membrane, phyllon, leaf; "Filmy- 
 leaf Fern." 
 
 Hymenostachys, hymen, membrane, stachys, a spike ; the 
 fructification on spikes. 
 
 Hypoderris, hypo, under, derma, skin ; the indusium under 
 the sori, like a thin skin. 
 
 Hypolepis, hypo, under, lepis, a scale ; the sporangia under 
 the indusium. 
 
 Isoloma, isos, equal, loma, a border or margin ; the indusium 
 and margin equal. 
 
 Jamesonia, in honour of Dr. Jameson, a zealous botanical 
 collector, many years resident in Quito. 
 
 Kaulfussia, in honour of D. G. F. Kaulfuss, of Halle, a cele- 
 brated writer on Ferns. 
 
 Lastrea, in compliment to Chev. de Lastre, a French noble- 
 man, 
 
 Lecanopteris, lekane, a basin, pteris; the sori on concave 
 lobes. 
 
 Lepicistis, lepis, scale, Tcistis, a cysb or cell ; the sori being 
 immersed in scales, which form a cyst. 
 
 Leptochilus, leptos, slender, cheilos, lip ; narrow indusium. 
 
 Leptogramma, leptos, slender, gramma, a line ; short linear 
 sori. 
 
 Leucostegia, leukos, white, steyos, a cover ; the indusium 
 being pale-coloured, approaching white. 
 
416 ETYMOLOGY. 
 
 Lindscea, in honour of Dr. Lindsay, of Jamaica, a writer on 
 
 the germination of mosses and Ferns. 
 Lithobrochia, lithos, a stone, brocha, spots ; the aeroles of 
 
 the reticulated veins like pavement. 
 Llavea, named by Lagasca after a Mexican traveller. 
 Lomaphlebia, lomma, a margin, phlebia, a vein ; marginal 
 
 vein. 
 
 Lomaria, loma, a fringe or border ; relating to the indusium. 
 Lomariopsis, lomaria, opsis, like ; like Lomaria. 
 Lonchitis, logche, a lance ; form of pinna3. 
 Lopholepis, lophos, a crest, lepis, scale ; the sori being fur- 
 nished with a tuft of slender scales. 
 Lophosoria, loplios, crest or tuft ; sori furnished with hairs 
 
 like a tuft. 
 Lorinseria, in honour of Gustave Lorinser, a Bohemian 
 
 physician. 
 Loxsoma, loxos, oblique, soma, band ; the oblique broad ring 
 
 of the sporangium. 
 Loxoscaphe, loxos, oblique, scaphe, a scathe ; the form of the 
 
 sori. 
 Lygodium, lygodes, flexible ; climbing plant. 
 
 Marattia, in honour of J. F. Maratti, of Tuscany, who wrote 
 
 on Ferns. 
 Matonia, in honour of Dr. Maton, an eminent London 
 
 physician. 
 
 Meniscium, meniskos, crescent ; shape of the fructification. 
 Mesochlsena, mesos, middle, clilcena, a cloak ; attachment of 
 
 the indusium. 
 Microgramme, mikros, small, gramma, a line ; sori in short 
 
 lines. 
 
 Microlepia, mikros, small, lepis, scale ; the indusium small. 
 Micropodium. Small footed. In allusion to the stipes. 
 
ETYMOLOGY. 41 7 
 
 Micropteris, mikros, small, pteris, a small Fern. 
 
 Microsorum, mikros, small ; small sori. 
 
 Microstaphyla, mikros, small, staphyle, a bunch ; the fertile 
 
 frond being like a little bunch. 
 
 Mohria, in honour of D. D. Mohr, a German botanist. 
 Monogramma, mono, one, gramma, a line ; sori in one line 
 
 on each frond. 
 Myriopteris, myrios, myriad, pteris ; the frond being divided 
 
 into a number of small parts. 
 
 Neottopteris, neottia, nest, pteris; Bird's-nest Fern. 
 Nephrodium, nephros, kidney ; form of the indusium. 
 Kephrolepis, nepliros, kidney, lepis, scale ; the indusium 
 
 being kidney-shaped and scale-like. 
 
 JSTeurocallis, neuron, a nerve, Jcallos, beautiful ; the venation. 
 Neurodium, neuron, nerve ; the venation. 
 Niphiclium, nipnos, of snow, idium, like ; like niphobolus. 
 Niphobolus, nipJios, of snow, ~bolos, a large pill ; the under 
 
 side of the frond densely covered with white scales, 
 
 snow-like and the round sori. 
 
 Niphopsis, niplios, snow, opsis, like ; like niphobolus. 
 Notholcena, nolhos, spurious, chlcena, cloak ; the imperfect 
 
 indusium. 
 
 Ochropteris, ochros, pale ; pale Fern. 
 
 Odontosoria, odontos, of a tooth, sori ; the sori-like teeth. 
 
 Oleandra, resemblance to Nerium Oleander; the Oleander. 
 
 Olfersia, in honour of Professor Olfers, a celebrated astro- 
 nomer. 
 
 Onoclea, onos, a vessel, Ideio, to enclose ; the rolled-up fer- 
 tile segments of the frond. 
 
 Onychium, onychion, a little nail ; resemblance to the fertile 
 segments of the fronds. 
 E E 
 
418 ETYMOLOGY. 
 
 Ophioglossom, ophios, of a serpent, glossa, tongue ; the spikes 
 
 of fructification. 
 
 Ormopteris, ormos, a necklace, pteris; the form of fronds. 
 Osmunda, Osmunder, one of the names of Thor, a Celtic 
 
 divinity. 
 
 Paragramma, para, near to, gramma, a line ; the sori in 
 
 short lines parallel with and close to the margin. 
 Pellsea, pellos, dark-coloured ; the dusky colour of the fronds. 
 Pelleeopsis, Pellcea-opsis, like ; like pella3a. 
 Peranema, peri, around, nema, a thread ; the sori born on a 
 
 slender thread like stalk. 
 Phegopteris, pliegos, beech ; beech Fern, by some called 
 
 Sun Fern. 
 Phlebodium, pJilebes, veins, odous, a tooth ; the joining of 
 
 the veins in the areoles being like teeth. 
 Photenopteris, pJioteinos, shining, pteris; shining Fern. 
 Phym&todes, phymata, tubercles ; the impressed sori having 
 
 the appearance of tubercles on the upper side of the 
 
 frond. 
 
 Phymatopsis, Phymatodes, opsis, like ; like Phymatodes. 
 Plagiogyria, plagios, oblique, gyros, a circle ; the obliquity 
 
 of the ring of the sporangia. 
 Platycerium, platys, broad, keras, horn ; the fronds divided 
 
 in broad segments like stags' horns. (The Stags'- 
 
 horn Fern). 
 Platyloma, platys, broad, loma, border ; having broad sori 
 
 close to the margin. 
 Platyzoma, platys, broad, zoma t a band ; the ring of the 
 
 sporangia broad. 
 
 Plecosorus, plektos, plaited ; relating to the form and posi- 
 tion of the sori. 
 
ETYMOLOGY. 419 
 
 Pleocnemia, pleos, full, knemia, rays ; full of rays ; the 
 venation. 
 
 Pleopeltis, pleos, full, peltis, shield ; the sori being furnished 
 with numerous round scales. 
 
 Pleuridium, pleura, side (ribs) ; the primary veins being 
 costaeform, like ribs. 
 
 Pleurogramma, pleura, side, gramma, a line ; sori on the 
 side of the mid-rib. 
 
 Podopeltis, pous, foot, peltis, a shield ; the indusium. 
 
 Poecilopteris, po&kilos, spotted, pteris ; the appearance of 
 the venation. 
 
 Polybotrya, polys, many, lotrys, bunch ; the fructification 
 being in bunch-like racemes. 
 
 Polypodium, polys, many, pous, foot ; polypus ; the rhizome, 
 when destitute of the fronds, having the appearance of 
 some kind of sea-polypus. 
 
 Polystichum, polys, many, stichos, order ; not especially 
 applicable to the genus Polystichum, as now defined. 
 
 Prosaptia ; sori immersed in the margin of the frond. 
 
 Psomiocarpa, psomion, a small pellet, Jcarpa, fruit; the 
 sporangia being in small round patches, in spikes. 
 
 Pteris, pteryx, wing ; the scientific name given to the plant 
 known by the names of Brake, Bracken, and Fern ; on 
 account of the supposed likeness of the branching of 
 its fronds to wings. This, being the commonest of all 
 Ferns, has become the type of the whole race ; hence 
 Pteris means Fern, all generic names of Perns ending 
 in pteris ; such as Ceratopteris means horned Fern, 
 Dichjoptens netted Fern; also, if at the beginning of 
 a word, as Pteridogrctpliy, a book or writing' on Ferns ; 
 Pteridologist, a studier and writer on Ferns; Pteri- 
 dophilist, a lover of Ferns. 
 
420 ETYMOLOGY. 
 
 Bhipidopteris, rhipis, fan ; shape of the fronds like a fan. 
 
 Saccoloma, sakkos, a bag or sack, loma, margin ; the union 
 
 of the indusium with the margin, forming a hood or 
 
 cyst. 
 Sadleria, in honour of Josephus Sadler, an Hungarian 
 
 botanist. 
 Salpichleena, salpi, pipe, chlcena, a cloak ; the indusium 
 
 being like a pipe. 
 Schaffneria, in honour of Schaffner, a German botanical 
 
 collector in Mexico. 
 Schellolepis, schello, skeleton, lepis, scale ; the character of 
 
 the scale surrounding the sori. 
 Schizolepton, schizo, to cut, Uptos, slender ; sporangia 
 
 seated in a slit. 
 Schizoloma, schizo, I cut, loma, a border or margin j the 
 
 sori in the form of a slit on the margin of the frond. 
 Scolopendrium, sJcolopendra, a centipede ; the appearance 
 
 of fructification on the under side of the frond. 
 Scypholepia, skyphos, a cup, lepis, scale ; the form of the 
 
 indusium. 
 
 Selliguea, in memory of M. Selligue, a French optician. 
 Soromanes, soros, heap, mania, fancy ; the sporangia in 
 
 fanciful and irregular heaps. 
 Stegnogramma, stegnos, a cover, gramma, a line ; sori 
 
 linear, but not furnished with indusia, as stated by 
 
 Blume. 
 
 Stenochlaena, stenos, narrow, chlcena, cloak ; narrow in- 
 dusium. 
 Stenosemia, stenos, narrow, sema, standard ; the fertile 
 
 frond with its narrow segments being like a flag. 
 Stromatopteris, stroma, a cover ; the sori being covered 
 
 with wool-like hairs. 
 
ETYMOLOGY. 421 
 
 Struthiopteris, strutliios, ostrich ; the fronds being like the 
 
 feathers of an ostrich. 
 Syngramma, syn, to unite, gramma, a line ; the sori in 
 
 united lines. 
 
 Tsenitis, tainia, a fillet or ribbon ; the linear pinnae of the 
 fronds. 
 
 Thylacopteris, thelo, a nipple ; the sori like teats or nipples 
 on the upper side of the frond. 
 
 Thyrsopteris, thyrsos, bunch or raceme, pteris; the fructifi- 
 cation in raceme bunches. 
 
 Todea, in honour of Henry Julius Tode, of Mecklenburg, an 
 experienced mycologist. 
 
 Trichocarpa, thrix, trichos, a hair, karpa, fruit; the fructi- 
 fication borne on a hair-like stalk. 
 
 Trichomanes, thrix, hair, manos, soft ; the delicate nature of 
 the fronds. 
 
 Trichopteris, thrix, hair, pteris; the sori being furnished 
 with hairs. 
 
 Trochopteris, trochos, a wheel, pteris; the disposition of the 
 fronds. 
 
 Yittaria, vitta, riband ; shape of narrow fronds. 
 
 Woodsia, in honour of Joseph Wood, a celebrated British 
 
 botanist (died 1864). 
 Woodwardia, in honour of Thomas Jenkinson Woodward, 
 
 an English botanist. 
 
 Xiphopteris, xiplios, sword, pteris ; form of the frond. 
 
422 
 
 LIST OF GENERIC NAMES. 
 
 3. ALPHABETICAL LIST OF GENEKIC NAMES GIVEN TO FERNS 
 BY DIFFERENT AUTHORS NOT ADOPTED, EACH FOLLOWED BY 
 THE NAMES OF THE GENERA ADOPTED IN THIS WORK, UNDER 
 
 WHICH ALL OR PART OF THE SPECIES OF THE NON-ADOPTED 
 
 GENERA ARE RECORDED. 
 
 Abacopteris, Fee, Nephrodium. 
 Abrodictyum, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Achomanes, Neck. Trichomanes. 
 Acropteris, Link. Asplenium. 
 Actinopteris, J. Sm. Cheilanthes. 
 Actinophlebia, Pr. Hemitelia. 
 Adectum, Link. Dennstsedtia. 
 Adiantellum, Pr. Adiantum. 
 Adiantopsis, Fee Cheilanthes. 
 Alcicorniura, Gaud. Platycerium. 
 Aleuritopteris, Fee Cheilanthes. 
 Amauropelta, Kze. Lastrea. 
 Amblia, Pr. Cyrtomium. 
 Amesium, New. Asplenium. 
 Ampelopteris, Kze. Goniopteris. 
 Amphaenadenium, Desv. Adeno- 
 
 phoras. 
 
 Amphicosma, Gard. Alsophila. 
 Amphipterum, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Amphoradenium, Desv. Adeno- 
 
 phoras. 
 
 Anapausia, Pr. Gymnopteris. 
 Anaxetum, Schott. Pluridium. 
 Aneniirhiza, J. Sm. Anemia. 
 Anisocampium, Pr. Goniopteris. 
 Anisogonium, Pr. Callipteris. 
 Anogramma, Link. Gymnogramma 
 Apalophlebia, Pr. Niphobolus. 
 Aphy llocalpa, Cav. Osmunda . 
 Arachniodes, Bl. Alsophila. 
 Argyria, Fee Gymnogramma. 
 Aristaria, Mull. Vittaria. 
 Arsenopteris, Webb. Nephrodium. 
 Arthrobotrya, Wall. Lastrea. 
 Anthrodansea, Pr. Dansea. 
 Arthrolygodes, Pr. Lygodium. 
 Aspidotis, Mett. Pellsea. 
 Asteroglossum, J. Sm. Drymo- 
 
 glossum. 
 
 Bathmium, Pr. Aspidium. 
 Belvisea, Mirb. Ceratopteris, 
 Schizsea, Hymenolepis, Asplenium 
 
 Bergera, Schaff. Trichomanes. 
 Blechnidium, Moore Blechnum. 
 Blechnopsis, Pr. Blechnum. 
 Bolbitis, Schott. Poecilopteris. 
 Botryogramma, Fee Llavea. 
 Botryopteris, Pr. Helmintho- 
 
 stachys. 
 
 Botryothallus, KL Polybotrya. 
 Botrypus, Bich. Botrychium. 
 Bowringia, Hook. Brainea. 
 Brachysorus, Pr. Asplenium. 
 
 Csenopteris, Berg. Asplenium. 
 Csenopteris, Thunb. Onychium. 
 Cafraria, Pr. Stenochlsena. 
 Callogramma, Fee Syngramma. 
 Callymella, Pr. Gleichenia. 
 Calypterium, Pr. Onoclea. 
 Campium, Pr. Poecilopteris. 
 Camptosorus, Link. Antigramma. 
 Candollea, Mirb. Niphobolus. 
 Cardiochlsena, Fee Aspidium. 
 Carddomanes, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Cardiostegia, Moore Nephrolepis. 
 Cassiopteris, Karst. Ophioglossum 
 Catenularia, Zeppel. Ctenopteris. 
 Celanthera, Thouin. Marattia. 
 Cephalomanes, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Cephalosorium, Moore Campylo- 
 
 neurum. 
 
 Ceramium, Reinw. Didymochlaena 
 Ceratodactylis, J. Sm. Llavea. 
 Ceterach, Pr. Leptogramma. 
 Charitophyllum, yam den Bosch. 
 
 Hymenophyllum. 
 Cheilolepton, Fee Lomogramma. 
 Cheiloplecton, Fee Pellsea. 
 Chilodium, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Chladostachys, Wall. Ceratopteris 
 Chorizopteris,J:foore Cyrtogonium. 
 Chnoophora, Kaulf. Alsophila. 
 Chrysodia, Fee Gymnogramma. 
 Chrysodium, Fee Acrostichum. 
 
LIST OF GENERIC NAMES. 
 
 423 
 
 Chrysopteris, Link. Phlebodium. 
 Cionidium, Moore, Tricliiocarpa. 
 Cistopteris, Auct. Cystopteris. 
 Clementea, Cav. Angiopteris. 
 Cnemidaria, Pr. Hemitelia. 
 Cochlidium, J<mZ/'.-Pleurogramma. 
 
 sorous. 
 
 Colposoria, Pr. Odontosoria. 
 Cormophyllum, New. Cyathea. 
 Craspedaria, Link. Lopholepis and 
 
 Anapeltis. 
 Craspedophyllum, Pr. Hymeno- 
 
 phyllum. 
 Craspedoneurqn, Van den Bosch. 
 
 Trichomanes. 
 
 Cremidaria, Hook. Hemitelia. 
 Crepidium, Pr. Hymenophyllum. 
 Crepidomanes, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Crypsinus, Pr. Niphobolus. 
 Cyrpteris, Nutt. Pellae. 
 Cryptogenis, Rich., MS. Cerato- 
 
 pteris. 
 
 Cryptogramma, R. Br. Allosorus. 
 Cryptostigma, A. Braun Pleco- 
 
 sorus. 
 
 Cteisium, Rich. Lygodium. 
 Ctenopteris, New. Polypodium. 
 Culcita, Pr. Balantium. 
 Cuspidaria, Fee Dicranoglossum. 
 Cyatheopsis, Karst. Cyathea. 
 Cycloglossum, Pr. Hymenophyl- 
 
 lum. 
 
 Cyclophorus, Desv. Niphobolus. 
 Oyclopteris, Gray Cystopteris. 
 Cyclosorus, Link. Nephrodium. 
 Cyrtomiphlebium, Hook. Cyrto- 
 
 mium. 
 Cyrtophlebium, R. Br. Campy - 
 
 loneurum. 
 
 Cystea, Sm. Cystopteris. 
 Cystidium, J. Sm. Cryptosorus. 
 
 Danseopsis, Pr. Dansea. 
 Darea, Juss. Asplenium. 
 Dareastrum, Fee Asplenium. 
 Dendroglossa, Pr. Gymnopteris, 
 
 in part. 
 Dermatophyllum, Pr. Hymeno- 
 
 phyllum. 
 
 Diafina, Pr. Blechnum. 
 Diagramma, Bl. Callipteris. 
 Diblemma, J. Sm. Colysis. 
 
 Dichasium, A. Braun Lastrea. 
 
 Dichorexia, Pr. Alsophila. 
 
 Dichsodon, Mtore Lastrea. 
 
 Dicranodium, New. Gymno- 
 gramma. 
 
 Dicranopteris, Bernh. Gleichenia. 
 
 Dicranophlebia, Mart. Alsophila. 
 
 Dictyoglossum, J. Sm. Hymeno- 
 dium. 
 
 Didymochlamys, Moore Diplazium 
 
 Didymoglossum, Desv. Tricho- 
 manes. 
 
 Diellea, Brack. Schizoloma. 
 
 Digrammaria, Pr. Callipteris. 
 
 Digramma, Kze. Antrophyum. 
 
 Discostegia, Pr. Marattia. 
 
 Disphenia, Pr. Cyathea. 
 
 Distaxia, Pr. Blechnum. 
 
 Dorcapteris, Pr. Olfersia. 
 
 Eleutheria, Kze. Hemitelia. 
 Ellodocarpus, Kaulf. Ceratopteris. 
 Eriosorus, Fee. Gymnogramma. 
 Euplasium, R. Br. Dryostachyum. 
 Eupteris, Agardh. Pteris. 
 Euphorophyllum, Van den Bosch. 
 
 Hy menophyllum . 
 Eurostichum, Pr. Gymnopteris. 
 
 Furcaria, Desv. Ceratopteris. 
 
 Galeoglossa, Pr. Niphobolus. 
 
 Gastromeria, J. Sm. MS.'Loxo- 
 scaphe. 
 
 Gisopteris, Bernh. Lygodium. 
 
 Glaphyropteris, Pr. Phegopteris. 
 
 Gleicheniastrum, Pr. Gleichenia. 
 
 Granulina, Bory Egenolfia. 
 
 Gymnia, Ham. Cheilanthes . 
 
 Gymnodium, A. Br. Polypodium. 
 
 Gymnosphoera, Bl. Alsophila. 
 
 Gymnothalmium, Jenk. MS. Las- 
 trea. 
 
 Gymnotheca, Pr. Marattia. 
 
 Gymnosorium, Bak. -Niphobolus. 
 
 Gyrosorium, Pr. Niphobolus. 
 
 Habrodictyon, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Haplodictyon, Pr. Nephrodium. 
 Haplophlebia, Mart. Alsophila. 
 Haplopteris, Pr. Vittaria. 
 Hemicardion, Fee. Cyclopeltis. 
 Hemigonium, /. Sm. Cyrtomiuru. 
 
424 
 
 LIST OP GENEKIC NAMES. 
 
 Hemiotheum, New. Lastrea. 
 
 Hemiphlebium, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 
 Hemistegia, Pr. Hemitelia. 
 
 Heterodansea, Pr. Danaea. 
 
 Heterogonium, Pr. Stenosemia. 
 
 Heteroneuron, Fee and Pr. Poeci- 
 lopteris. 
 
 Heterophlebium, Fee Litobrochia. 
 
 Heteropteris, Fee Nevrodium. 
 
 Hicriopteris Pr. Gleichenia. 
 
 Hippodium,#aw<l Didymochlsena. 
 
 Holcosorus, Moore Drymoglossum. 
 
 Homaloneuron, Klotcli Asplenium. 
 
 Homoeotes, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 
 Homopteris, Ruprecht Crypto- 
 gramma; 
 
 Hyalolepis, Kze. Hymenolepis. 
 
 Hydroglossum, Willd. Lygodic- 
 tyon. 
 
 Hymenocystis, Mey. "Woodsia. 
 
 Hyraenoglossum, Pr. Hymeno- 
 phyllum. 
 
 Hymenoltena, Mey. "Woodsia. 
 
 Hymenostomia, Gaud. Odonto- 
 soria. 
 
 Hypochlamys, Fee Diplazium. 
 
 Hypodematium, Kze. Lastrea. 
 
 Hypopeltis, Bory Aspidium. 
 
 Hysterocarpus, Langsd. Didymo- 
 chlsena. 
 
 Jenkinsia, Hook, and Bauer Pceci- 
 lopteris. 
 
 Lacaussadea, Gaud. Egenolfia. 
 Lecanium, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Lemmaphyllum, Pr . Dry inoglos- 
 
 sum. 
 
 Lepidoneuron, Fee Nephrolepis. 
 Leptocionium, Pr. Hymenophyl- 
 
 lum. 
 
 Leptoneuron, Kl. Pteris. 
 Leptopteris, Pr. Todea. 
 Leptopleurea, Pr. Nephrolepis. 
 Leptostegia, Don. Onychium. 
 Leucomanes, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Lindsaynium, Fee Lindsaya. 
 Lobochlsena, Fee Sagenia. 
 Lomaridium, Pr. Lomaria. 
 Lomariobocrys, Fee Stenochlsena. 
 Lophidium, Pr. Schizsea. 
 Lophodium, New. Lastrea. 
 Lotzea, Klot. Diplazium. 
 
 Loxoscaphe, Moore Aspleninm. 
 Lytoneuron, Klot. Doryopteris. 
 
 Macroglena, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 
 Macroplethus, Pr. Hymenolepis. 
 
 Marginalia, Bory Lepicystes. 
 
 Marginalia, Pr., in part Gonio- 
 phlebium. 
 
 Mecodium, Pr. Hymenophyllum. 
 
 Mecosorus, Klot. Pleopeltis, in 
 part. 
 
 Melanopteris, J. Sm. Herb. Dryo- 
 menis. 
 
 Meringium, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 
 Mertensia, Willd. Gleichenia. 1 
 
 Metaxya, Pr. Amphidesmium. 
 
 Microgonium, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 
 Microbroehis, Pr. Psmiocarpa. 
 
 Micropteris, Desv. Pleurogramma. 
 
 Microsorum, Link. Colysis. 
 
 Microstegia, Pr. Callipteris. 
 
 Microstegnus, Pr. Hemitelia. 
 
 Microterus, Pr. Pleuridium. 
 
 Monachosorum, Kze. Phegopteris. 
 
 Monochlsena, Gaud. Didymo- 
 chlsena. 
 
 Monogonia, Pr. Pteris. 
 
 Myriotheca, Lam. Marattia. 
 
 Myrmescostylum, Pr. Hymeno- 
 phyllum. 
 
 Nedroglossa, Pr. Iconiopteris. 
 Nematopera, Kunze Peranema. 
 Neurogramma, Link. Gymno- 
 
 gramma. 
 
 Neuromanes, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Neuronia, Don. Oleandra. 
 Neurophyllum, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Neuropteris, Desv. Saccoloma. 
 Neuroplatycerus, Pluk. Platyce- 
 
 rium. 
 
 Notogramma, Pr. Dictyogramma. 
 Notocarpia, Pr. Schizochenia. 
 Notolepium, New. Ceterach. 
 Nymphopteris, Webb, and Berth. 
 
 Pteris. 
 
 Ochlogramme, Pr. Callipteris. 
 Odontopteris, Bernh. Lygodium. 
 Odontomanes, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Oetosis, Neck. Pteris. 
 Onopteris, Neck. Asplenium. 
 Ophioderma,jEM. Ophioglossum. 
 
LIST OF GENEEIC NAMES. 
 
 425 
 
 Ophiola, Desv. Helminthostachys. j 
 Ophiopteris, Reinw. Oleandra. 
 Orthogramma, Pr. Lomaria. 
 Ornithopteris, Bernh. Anemia. 
 Othonoloma, Link. Cheilanthes. 
 
 I 
 
 Pachychaetum, Pr. Trichomanes. j 
 Pachyderis, J. Sm. Camptodium. 
 Pachyloma, Van den Bosch. Hy- j 
 
 menophyllum. 
 
 Pachypleuria, Pr. Humata. 
 Psesia, St. Hil. Ornithopteris. 
 Paltonium, Pr. Neurodium. 
 Panicularia, Collet. Thyrsopteris. 
 Parablechnum. Pr. Blechnum. 
 Parenclymaria, Mull. Vittaria. 
 Parestia, Pr. Davallia. 
 Parkeria, Hoolc. Ceratopteris. 
 Patania, Pr. Dennstadtia. 
 Peltapteris, Link. Ehipidopteris. 
 Peltochlsena, Fee, Aspidium. 
 Pericoptis, Wall. Schizoloma. 
 Phanerophlebia, Pr. Cyrtomium. 
 Phlebigonium, Fee Aspidium. 
 Phorolobus, Desv. Cryptogramma. 
 Phyllistis, Neck. Asplenium. 
 Physapteris, Pr. Cheilanthes. 
 Physematium, Kaulf. Woodsia. 
 Pinonia, Gaud. Cibotium. 
 Plectopteris, Fee Calymmodon. 
 Plenasium, Pr. Osmunda. 
 Pleurogoniun, Pr. Lepicystis and 
 
 Anapeltis. 
 Pleurogramma, R. Br. Lepto- 
 
 gramina. 
 
 Pleuromanes, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Pleurosorus, Fee Aspidium. 
 Podeilema, R. Br. Spheeropteris. 
 Podopeltis, Fee Aspidium. 
 Polycampium, Pr. Niphobolus. 
 Polydictyum, Pr. Aspidium. 
 Poly gramma, Pr. Plagiogyria. 
 Polytaenium, Desv. Antrophyum. 
 Prionopteris, Wall. Matonia. 
 Prof era, Pr. Pleocnemia. 
 Pronephrium, Pr. Nephrodium. 
 Pseudachomanes, Pr. Trichomanes 
 Pseudathyrum, New. Polypodium. 
 Psilodochea, Pr. Acrostichum. 
 Psidopodium, Neck. Polypodium. 
 Psygmium, Pr. Aglaomorpha. 
 Pteridopsis, Link. Pteris. 
 Pteriglyphis, Fee Callipteris. 
 
 Pteroneuron, Fee Humata. 
 Pterozonium, Fee Gymnogramma. 
 Ptychophyllum, Pr. Hymeuophyl- 
 
 lum. 
 Ptychomanes, Hedweg. Hymeno- 
 
 phyllum. 
 
 Pycnodoria, Pr. Pteris. 
 Pycnopteris, Moore Lastrea. 
 Pyrrhosia, Mirb. Niphobolus. 
 
 Kagatelus, Pr. Struthiopteris and 
 
 Onoclea. 
 
 Kagiopteris, Pr. Onoclea, in part. 
 Eamondia, Mirb. Lygodium. 
 Rhizoglossum, Pr. Ophioglossum. 
 Eiedlea, Mirb. Osmunda. 
 Kipidium, Bernh. Schizsa. 
 Eumohra, Radd. Polystichum. 
 Euncinaria, Mutt. Vittaria. 
 
 Sagenia, Pr. Aspidium. 
 Schaffneria, Fee Antigramma. 
 Scoliosoras, Moore Antrophyum. 
 Scyphofelix, Aub. Pet. Thu.Hu- 
 
 mata. 
 
 Scyphularea, Fee Davallia. 
 Scytopteris, Pr. Niphobolus. 
 Selenidium, Kze. Davallia. 
 Serphyllopsis, Pr. ? Trichomanes. 
 Sitobolium, Desv. Dennstadtia. 
 Solenopteris, Wall. Sellegua and 
 
 Loxogramma. 
 Solenopteris, Zenk. MS. Athy- 
 
 rium. 
 Sphserocionum, Pr. Hymenophyl- 
 
 lum. 
 Sphserodium, Pr. Hymenophyl- 
 
 lum. 
 
 Sphseropteris, Wall. Peranema. 
 Sphseropteris, Bernh. Cyathea. 
 Sphserostephanos, J. Sm. Meso- 
 
 chlsena. 
 
 Sphserostichum, Pr. Niphobolus. 
 Spathepteris, Pr. Pteris and Gym- 
 nogramma. 
 
 Spicanta, Pr. Lomaria. 
 Stegania, R. Br. Lomaria. 
 Stenolobus, Pr. Davallia. 
 Stenoloma, Fee Odontosoria. 
 Stibasia, Pr. Marattia. 
 Sticherus, Pr. Gleichenia. 
 Struthiopteris, Bernh. Osmunda. 
 Synammia, Pr. Goniophlebium. 
 
426 
 
 LIST OF GENERIC NAMES. 
 
 Taeniopsis, J. Sm. Vittaria. 
 Taeniopteris, Hook. Vittaria 
 Tapenidium, Pr. Asplenium. 
 Tarachia, Pr. Asplenium. 
 Taschneria, Pr. Trichomanes. 
 Tectaria, Cav. Polystichum. 
 Tegularia, Reinw. Didymochlsena. 
 Teleozoma, R. Br. Ceratopteris. 
 Thamnopteris, Pr. Neottopteris. 
 Thelipteris, Desv. Lastrea. 
 Trichipteris, Pr. Alsophila. 
 
 Triblemma, J. Sm. Asplenium. 
 Trichothemilium, Kze. Grammitis. 
 Trichosorus, Leibm. Lophosorus. 
 Trismeria, Fee Gymnogramma. 
 
 Ugena, Cav. Lygodium. 
 
 Vaginularia, Fee Monogramma. 
 Vallifelix, Thou. Lygodium. 
 
 Wibelia, Bernh. Davallia. 
 
 Genera not adopted 
 Genera adopted 
 
 354 
 220 
 
 Total 
 
 574 
 
INDEX TO GENERA. 
 
 427 
 
 4. INDEX TO THE GENERA ADOPTED IN THIS WORK. 
 
 Aconiopteris, Pr. . 
 Acrophorus, Pr. . 
 ACB.OSTICHE.E 
 Acrostichum, Linn, in part 
 Actinostachys, Watt. . 
 Adenoderris, J. Sm. 
 Adnenophorus, Gaud, . 
 ADIANTE^E . 
 Adiantum, Linn. . 
 Aglaomorpha, Schott. . 
 Allantodia, R. Br. in part 
 Allosorus, Bernh. 
 Alsophila, R. Br. 
 Amphiblestra, Pr. 
 Amphidesmium, Schott. 
 Anapeltes, J. Sm. 
 Anchistea, Pr. 
 Anemia, Sw. 
 Anemidictyon, J. Sm. . 
 Anetium, Splitg. . 
 Angiopteris, Hoffm. 
 4-ntigramma, Pr. . 
 Antrophyum, Kaulf. . 
 Arthroboytra, J. Sm. . 
 Arthromeris, Moore 
 Arthropteris, J. Sm. 
 Aspidium, Sw. 
 Asplenidictyon, J. Sm. 
 ASPLENLE 
 Asplenium, Linn. 
 Athyrium, Roth. . 
 
 Balantium, Kaulf. 
 BLECHNE^J 
 Blechnum, Linn. . 
 Botrychium, Siv. . 
 Brainea, J. Sm. . 
 
 Callipteris, Bory. . 
 Calymmodon, Pr. 
 Campteria, Pr. 
 Camptodium, Fee . 
 Campyloneurani, Pr. . 
 Cassebeera, Kaulf. 
 CERATOPTEKIDE.E 
 Ceratopteris, Brongn. . 
 Ceterach, Willd. . 
 
 PAGE 
 
 127 
 
 CHEILANTHE.E 
 
 221 
 
 Cheilanthus, Sw. , 
 
 124 
 
 Cheiropleuria, Pr. 
 
 145 
 
 Cibotium, Kaulf. . 
 
 357 
 
 Cincinalis, Desv. . 
 
 222 
 
 Colysis, Pr. 
 
 186 
 
 Coniogramma, Fee 
 
 273 
 
 Cryptosorus, Fee . 
 
 274 
 
 CTENOPTERIDE^J . 
 
 109 
 
 Ctenopteris, Bl. . 
 
 334 
 
 CYATHE.E . 
 
 166 
 
 Cyathea, Sm. 
 
 247 
 
 Cyclodium, Pr. 
 
 194 
 
 Cyclopeltis, /. Sm. 
 
 252 
 
 Cyrtogonium, Pr. 
 
 115 
 
 Crytommm, Pr. . 
 
 311 
 
 Cystodium, /. Sm. 
 
 352 
 
 Cystopteris, Bernh. 
 
 354 
 
 
 128 
 
 Dansea, Sm. 
 
 362 
 
 Davallia, Sm. 
 
 330 
 
 DAVALLIE^; 
 
 154 
 
 Dennstsedtia, Bernh. . 
 
 141 
 
 Deparia, Hook, et Grev. 
 
 110 
 
 Diacalpe, Bl. 
 
 223 
 
 Dicksoniese 
 
 200 
 
 Dicksonia, L'Herit. 
 
 333 
 
 Diclidopteris, Brack. 
 
 315 
 
 Dicranoglossum, J. Sm. 
 
 316 
 
 Dictyocline, Moore 
 
 327 
 
 Dictymia, J. Sm. 
 
 
 Dictyogramma, Fee 
 
 257 
 
 Dictyopteris, Pr. . 
 
 299 
 
 Dictyoxiphium, Hook. . 
 
 300 
 
 Didymochlsena, Desv. . 
 
 369 
 
 Diplazium, Sw. 
 
 307 
 
 Diplora, Bak. 
 
 
 Dipteris, Reinw. . 
 
 332 
 
 Doodia, R. Br. 
 
 182 
 
 Doryopteris, J. Sm. 
 
 293 
 222 
 
 Drymoglossum, Pr. 
 Drynaria, Bory. . 
 
 95 
 
 Dryomenis, Fee 
 
 284 
 
 Dryostachyum, J. Sm. . 
 
 170 
 
 
 170 
 
 Egenolfia, Schoot. . 
 
 336 
 
 Elaphoglossum, Schott. . 
 
 PAGH 
 
 277 
 282 
 13& 
 255 
 165 
 
 99 
 161 
 
 86 
 183 
 184 
 240 
 244 
 203 
 225 
 142 
 204 
 258 
 236 
 
 365 
 82 
 1 
 264 
 265 
 239 
 253 
 254 
 176 
 120 
 148 
 115 
 152 
 195 
 174 
 228 
 325 
 322 
 196 
 308 
 288 
 117 
 107 
 193 
 108 
 
 131 
 125 
 
428 
 
 INDEX TO GENERA. 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Eupodimn, J. Sm. 
 
 . 365 
 
 Lomaphlebia, J. Sm. 
 
 
 
 Lonchitis, Linn. . 
 
 Fadyenia, Hook. . 
 
 . 211 
 
 Lopholepis, J. Sm. 
 
 Feea, Bory. . 
 
 . 349 
 
 Lophosoria, Pr. 
 
 
 
 Lorinseria, Pr. 
 
 Gleichenia, Sm. . 
 
 . 339 
 
 Loxogramroa, Pr. 
 
 GLEICHENIEJ3 
 
 . 337 
 
 Loxoma, R. Br. . 
 
 Glyphoteenium, J. Sm. 
 Goniophlebium, Bl. 
 
 . 187 
 . 89 
 
 Lygodictyon, J. Sm. 
 Lygodium, Sw. 
 
 Goniopteris, Pr. . 
 
 . 191 
 
 
 GRAMMITIDE^E 
 
 . 149 
 
 MARATTIE^E . 
 
 Grammites, Sw. in part 
 
 . 179 
 
 Marattia, Sm: 
 
 Guernia, J. Sm. . 
 
 . 272 
 
 Matonia, R. Br. . 
 
 Gymnogramma, Desv. . 
 
 . 157 
 
 MENISCE.E . 
 
 Gymnopteris, Bernh. . 
 
 . 137 
 
 Meniscium, SchJc. . 
 
 
 
 Mesochlaena, R. Br. 
 
 Hecistopteris, J. Sm. . 
 
 . 178 
 
 Microgramma, Pr. 
 
 Helminthostachys, Kaulf. 
 
 . 369 
 
 Microlepia, Pr. 
 
 Henddictyon, Pr. 
 
 . 335 
 
 Micropodium, Mett. 
 
 Hemionitis, Linn. 
 
 . 150 
 
 Micropteris, J. Sm. 
 
 Hemitelia, R. Br. 
 
 . 246 
 
 Microstaphyla, Pr. 
 
 Hewardia, J. Sm. 
 
 . 277 
 
 Morhia, Sw. 
 
 Histiopteris, J. Sm. 
 
 . 294 
 
 Monogramma, Schk. 
 
 Humata, Cav. 
 
 . 82 
 
 Myriopteris, Fee . 
 
 Hymenodium, Pr. 
 
 . 128 
 
 
 HYMENOLEPIDE^B . 
 
 . 117 
 
 Neottopteris, J. Sm. 
 
 Hymenolipis, Kaulf. 
 
 . 118 
 
 Nephrodium, Schott. 
 
 HYMENOPHYLLE^B 
 Hymenophyllum, Sm. . 
 
 . 342 
 . 345 
 
 Nephrolepis, Schott. 
 Neurocallis, Fee . 
 
 Hymenostachys, Bory . 
 
 . 349 
 
 Neurodium, Fee . 
 
 Hypoderris, R. Br. 
 
 . 197 
 
 Niphidium, J. Sm. 
 
 Hypolepis, Bernh. 
 
 . 234 
 
 Niphobolus, Kaulf. 
 
 
 
 Mphopsis, J. Sm. 
 
 Isoloma, J. Sm. . 
 
 . 227 
 
 Nothochlsena, R. Br. 
 
 Jamesonia, Hook, et Cfrev. 
 
 . 167 
 
 Ocropteris, J. Sm. 
 
 
 
 Odontoloma, J. Sm. 
 
 Kaulfussia, Bl. 
 
 . 366 
 
 Odontosoria, Pr. . 
 
 
 
 OLEANDREJJ 
 
 Lastrea, Pr. . 
 
 . 212 
 
 Oleandra, Cav. 
 
 Lecanopteris, Bl. . 
 
 . 105 
 
 Olfersia, Radd. 
 
 Lepicystis, J. Sm. 
 
 . 112 
 
 Onoclea, Linn. 
 
 Leptochilus, Kaulf. 
 
 . 119 
 
 Onycliium, Kaulf. 
 
 Leptogramma, J. Sm. . 
 
 . 231 
 
 OPHIOGLOSSE^E 
 
 Leucostegia, Pr. . 
 
 . 83 
 
 Ophioglossum, Linn. 
 
 LlNDS.EE,E . 
 
 . 266 
 
 Ormopteris, J. Sm. 
 
 Lindssea, Dry. 
 
 . 267 
 
 Ornithopteris, Agardh. 
 
 Litobrochia, Pr. . 
 
 . 290 
 
 OSMUNDE.E . 
 
 Llavia, Lag. 
 
 . 161 
 
 Osmunda, Linn. . 
 
 Lomogramma, J. Sm. . 
 
 . 143 
 
 Oxygonium, Pr. . 
 
 Lomaria, Willd. . 
 
 . 302 
 
 
 Lomariopsis, Fee . 
 
 . 139 
 
 Paragramma, Bl. . 
 
 PAGE 
 
 182 
 292 
 111 
 251 
 310 
 156 
 262 
 352 
 351 
 
 361 
 363 
 340 
 147 
 147 
 210 
 116 
 260 
 323 
 186 
 130 
 355 
 175 
 280 
 
 328 
 
 206 
 
 226 
 
 145 
 
 121 
 
 99 
 
 97 
 
 105 
 
 278 
 
 287 
 269 
 263 
 80 
 80 
 133 
 311 
 286 
 367 
 367 
 281 
 297 
 358 
 359 
 331 
 
 114 
 
INDEX TO GENERA. 
 
 429 
 
 Pellsea, Link. . . r . 
 
 PAGE 
 
 285 Sadleria, Kaulf. . 
 
 PAGE 
 
 . 306 
 
 Pellseopsis, J. Sm. 
 
 289 
 
 Salpichlsena, J, Sm. 
 
 . 314 
 
 Peranema, Don. . 
 
 240 Schellolepis, J. Sm. 
 
 92 
 
 PHEGOPTERIDE^: . 
 
 188 
 
 Schizsea, Sm. 
 
 . 356 
 
 Phegopteris, Fee . 
 
 232 
 
 SCHIZE^B 
 
 350 
 
 Phlebodium, R. Br. 
 
 93 
 
 Schizocsena, J. Sm. 
 
 . 243 
 
 Photinopteris, J". Sm. . 
 
 144 
 
 Schizolepton, Fee . 
 
 . 121 
 
 Phjoiiatodes, Pr. . 
 
 102 
 
 Schizoloma. Gaud. 
 
 . 270 
 
 Phymatopsis, J. Sm. 
 
 104 
 
 Scolopendrium, Sm. 
 
 . 324 
 
 PHYSEMATE-B 
 
 235 
 
 Scypholepia, J. Sm. 
 
 . 261 
 
 Plagiogyria, Met/t. 
 
 162 
 
 Selliguea, Bory . 
 
 . 101 
 
 PLATYCERES 
 
 122 
 
 Soromanes, Fee 
 
 . 134 
 
 Platycerium, Desv. 
 
 122 
 
 Stegnogramma, BL. 
 
 . 190 
 
 Platyloma, J. Sm. 
 
 164 
 
 Stenochlsena, J. Sm. 
 
 . 312 
 
 Platyzoma, R. Br. 
 
 338 
 
 Stenosemia, Pr. . 
 
 . 135 
 
 Plecosorus, Fee 
 
 169 
 
 Stromatopteris, Mett. . 
 
 . 341 
 
 Pleocnemia, Pr. . 
 
 205 
 
 Struthiopteris, WilU. . 
 
 . 230 
 
 Pleopeltis, H. and B. . 
 
 112 
 
 Synaphlebium, J. Sm. . 
 
 . 268 
 
 Pleuridium, Pr. , in part 
 
 94 
 
 Syngramma, J. Sm. 
 
 . 151 
 
 PLEUROGRAMME;E 
 
 175 
 
 
 
 Pleurogramma, Pr. 
 
 177 
 
 Tsenitis, Sw. 
 
 . 153 
 
 Podopeltis, Fee . 
 
 199 
 
 Thylacopteris, Kze. Herb. 
 
 . 87 
 
 Pcecilopteris, Pr. . 
 Polybotrya, H. and B. . 
 
 136 
 132 
 
 Thyrsopteris, Kze. 
 Todea, WilU. 
 
 . 256 
 . 360 
 
 POLYPODIES 
 
 84 
 
 Tricliiocarpa, Hook. 
 
 . 198 
 
 Poly podium, Linn., in part . 
 
 88 
 
 Tricliomanes, Linn. 
 
 . 347 
 
 Polysticlmm, Schott. 
 
 217 
 
 Trichopteris, Pr. . 
 
 . 250 
 
 Prosaptia, Pr. 
 
 86 
 
 Trochopteris, Gard. 
 
 . 355 
 
 Psomiocarpa, Pr. . 
 
 131 
 
 
 
 PTERIDEJE .... 
 
 288 
 
 Vittaria,, Sm. 
 
 . 171 
 
 Pteris, Linn. 
 
 295 
 
 VITTAEIE2B . 
 
 . 171 
 
 Pteropsis, Desv. . 
 
 173 
 
 
 
 
 
 Woodsia, R. Br. . 
 
 . 237 
 
 Khipidopteris, Schott. . 
 
 129 
 
 "Woodwardia, Sm. 
 
 . 309 
 
 SACCOLOME.E 
 
 259 
 
 Xipliopteris, Kaulf. 
 
 . 179 
 
 Saccoloma, Kaulf. 
 
 259 J 
 
 
 
 THE END. 
 
 H. M. POLLETT, HOETrCTTLTTTBAt, PBIKIEB, BSIDGEWATEB GARDENS, BAHBICAN, LOKUON. 
 
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