550 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. 
The following specimen, received from Copenhagen, is in the U. 8. National 
Herbarium: 
Brazit: Without locality, Glaziou 3573. 
14. Polypodium trichomanoides Swartz, Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ. 131. 1788. 
PLATE 35, 
TYPE LOCALITY: Jamaica. 
DISTRIBUTION: Jamaica and eastern Guatemala, ascending to 2,200 meters. 
Ascribed also to British Guiana and Guadeloupe, probably in error. 
In.ustRATION: Schkuhr, Krypt. Gewiichs. 1: pl. 10. 
In his treatment of this group, already mentioned, Hieronymus has described 
at length the peculiar rhizome scales of P. trichomanoides, and has shown very 
clearly their diagnostic value as a means of distinguishing this from those 
related species which have ciliate rhizome scales. In so doing, however, he 
has made the mistake of including in P. trichomanoides a Lesser Antilles form, 
described as P. serricula Fée, which seems to be a distinct species, and has 
wholly overlooked Jenman’s P. basiattennatum and P. sherringiit from Jamaica. 
The scales of all four are too nearly alike to afford good distinctive characters, 
it is true. Still, the species may be distinguished easily by differences in the 
venation, cutting, texture, and vestiture of the fronds. 
The general characters of P. trichomanoides will be evident from the illus- 
tration of a typical Jamaican plant in plate 85 and from Jenman’s excellent 
description.2?. Aside from the stout rhizomes and the stifily erect or shuttlecock 
habit of the very numerous rigid fronds, the most conspicuous and constant 
character lies in the strongly gibbous upper margin of the segments. Rarely 
is this condition lacking, and then only in certain fronds of immature plants 
or in the smaller fronds of mature individuals. The gibbous form of the 
segments is directly associated with the production of a slender elongate fertile 
branch. The sorus is borne distinctly below the tip of this branch, and the tips 
of both veinlets are invariably evident as hydathodes upon the upper surface. 
Polypodium trichomanoides is readily distinguishable from P. basiattenuatum 
and P. sherringii. It is more easily confused with P. serricula Fée, a Lesser 
Antilles species merged with it by Hieronymus, as discussed below. 
The following specimens of P. trichomanoides are in the U. 8. National 
Herbarium: 
JaMAICA: Vicinity of New Haven Gap, alt. 1,650 meters, on mossy trunks 
and branches of forest trees, Mazon 2626, 2627, 2687. Slopes of 
Monkey Hill (above New Haven Gap), alt. about 1,800 meters, Mazxon 
2745, 2752. Sir Johns Peak, alt. about 1,900 meters, Underwood 3175, 
3196. Upper slopes of John Crow Peak, alt. 1,650 to 1,800 meters, 
Maron 1348; Clute 78. Without precise locality, Hart 190, 258. 
GUATEMALA: Near Coban, Alta Verapaz, alt. 1,850 meters, von Tiirckheim 
II. 23838. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE 35.—Medium-sized Jamaica specimens of Polypodium tricho- 
manoides (Maxon 2687, U. S. Nat. Herb. no. 520663). Natural size. 
15. Polypodium serricula Fée, Gen. Fil. 238. 1852, 
TYPE LOCALITY: Guadeloupe. 
DISTRIBUTION: Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Dominica, at 700 to 1,250 meters 
elevation. 
ILLUSTRATION : Fée, Mém. Foug. 6: pl. 7. f. 1. 
Polypodium serricula was described in 1852 from Guadeloupe specimens col- 
lected by L’Herminier and Perrottet and was figured by Fée two years later, 
* Bull. Bot. Dept. Jamaica II. 4: 114. 1897. 
