w 



482 MR. G. GA.MMTE ON STKKIM TREE-FERNS. 



* * 



in an abnormal manner and minus that vital line of demarcation 

 between oophore aud sporophore which normally is drawn by 

 the action of the antherozoids upon the archegonial bud. 



Upon close examination of the plant which I exhibit, it will 

 be seen not to be alone, a smaller one, exhibiting the same cha- 

 racters in a minor degree, being associated with it. The original 

 proth alius having decayed, T am unable to determine whether both 

 these plants are derived from it; if so, they are sufficiently far 

 apart to point to an apogamous origin, since twin plants normally 

 produced are usually closely attached to each other. Ac- 

 cording to Prof. Bower* apogamy and apospory undoubtedly 



occur simultaneously in Tricliomanes alatum. Finally, I may add 

 that the fern before you has not been in any way stimulated 

 by abnormal warmth, but developed its peculiarities in a close 

 but cold "Wardian case. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXXIV. 



Young frond of Lastrea Pseudo-mas, var. cristata, bearing aposporous prothalli 



(Natural size % inch.) 



a. Terminal prothallus, with profuse root-hairs at back. 



b. Incipient cushion. 



c. Pinna-tip bearing root-hairs, without any defined prothallus. 

 pr. Marginal prothalli. 



rh. Root-hairs. 



d. Stump of primary frond, apparently eaten off. 



e. Third frond unfolding. 



Note on Sikkira Tree-Ferns. By G. Gammie, Jim., of Mongpo, 

 British Sikkim. (Communicated by C. B. Clarke, F.L.S.) 



[Itead 3rd November, 1892.] 



[The following note was sent to me with the specimens referred to in 

 it, and I communicated it to the Society at the Meeting of 3rd Nov., 

 1892. Mr. Gammie has a grove of tree-ferns adjoining his Bungalow, 

 and has observed them in every stage of fruit. His note was not quite m 

 form for publication ; and I have (at the request of the Council) under- 

 taken the responsibility of editing it. It should be noticed that Mr. Gammie 

 was the first to discover that Alsophila sikkimensis, C. B. Clarke et Baker 

 in Journ. Linn. Soc. vol. xxiv. (1888) p. 409, was=4. ornata, J. Scott, a 



. * 'Annals of Botany/ vol. i. p. 300, pi. xvi. fig. 35, &c. 



