THE 0131.0X0 WOODS] A 



Frond* from two to four or six inches long ; terminal on the caudcx, thick membranaceous, dull deep 

 grcon, moro or less rusty beneath from the abundant scales; lanceolate oblong, pinnate. Pinna* 

 opposite or alternate, ovato-oblong, deeply piinmtifid, sessile or very shortly stalked, more distant below, 

 nil spreading or nearly horizontal ; the larger ones about an inch, tho smaller half an inch, in length. 

 Loltfx eight to twelve, oblong obtuse, tho basal ones largest> their margins obscurely crcnate, and as 

 well as tho upper surface furnished with coarse scattered hairs, in addition to which on the under 

 surface are numerous long subulate scales on the rachis and veins. 



Venation of the lobes consisting of a (lexuous and not very distinct midvein, from which arise 

 alternate veins, the lower ones usually forked some distance from their bam, the venules extending quite 

 free nearly to tho margin, and bearing the sori near tho apex, but below it ; the upper veins, which are 

 also fertile, are simple. 



Fructification on tho back of tho frond, scattered nearly equally over the whole surface; situated 

 below the apex of the veins and venules ; sometimes copious and becoming confluent Sort circular, 

 consisting of few spore-cases, seated within, that is above, a small membranaceous scale, whose margin 

 is fringed with jointed shining hairs, which curve inwards, involving the spore-cases ; hence they are 

 involucrato. Spore-caws roundish-obovato. Spores oblong, roundish, or irregularly three-cornered, 

 muriculate* 



Duration. Tho caudex is perennial. The fronds arc annual, growing up in spring, about March, 

 and perishing in autumn. 



The chief peculiarity of the genus to which this species is referred, is found in the peculiar investing 

 membrane which covers the sori, ami which is not easy of examination without careful manipulation. 

 It consists, in fact> of a small concave scale, resting on the vein, beneath the sorus, having its margin 

 fringed with numerous hair-like segnicuts, which are incurved over the spore-cases* This structure 

 gradually merges through some exotic species into an undivided bladder}' cup, containing the spoixs- 

 cascs ; so that Wooihia, in this comprehensive sense, forms the passage from the poly|>odiaccous to the 

 cyatheaceous structure. 



Woothia itvcn&is differs from IK fdpina in the breadth and development of tho froud, which is 

 lanceolate and not linear, and it has elongated oblong not short deltoid pinme. It differs further iu the 

 crinito condition of the stipes and rachis, and of the lower surface of the ribs and veins of tho frond ; 

 FT, alpina being almost destitute of subulate scales, although sparingly furnished with tubular jointed 

 hairs. Mr. Wolln&ton has moreover pointed out to us a further diflcrcncc, namely, that at the period of 

 vernation, whilst W, ilvams shows no 11*000 whatever of its fructification, the sori in W. alpina arc 

 remarkably conspicuous. That thoy are quite distinct, seems to be the general opinion of botanists. 



This species, accenting to Mr, Wollaston's observations, produces one variety — muUifida — in which 

 the apex of the frond, and occasionally the apices of tho lobes, are bitid. 



