230 BOTANY OF THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. HERALD. 
1056. Lepicystis sepulta, J. Sm. 1. c. p. ^Q.~Pohjpodium sejmUum, Kaulf. 1. c. p. 104. Pa- 
nama^ on trees. 
■t 
Brazil (Miers), British Guiana (Schomburgk) , Ecuador (Hartweg), Mexico (Sicbold).~r. y. Hort. 
Kcvr. 
1057. GoMOPHLEBiuM pectinatuiti, J. Sm. ; frondibus lineari-laiiceolatis profunda pinnatifidis 
utrinque attenuatis parcc villosisj laciniis lineari-lanceolatis obtusis intcgerrimis attcnuatis, sons 
uniserialibus. Panama^ on trees. 
Frondes 1-1| pedes altre, 21 uncias lata. 
This species has much the appearance of FoIi/potUum pect'matum, but is distinguished by the sori 
being seated -within an areole formed by the anastomosing of the venules. Although I have described 
it as new, yefc I must confess that it is verj' difficult to define its characters in words so as to distinguish 
it from its allies. Tlie latter are numerous and very generally spread over the islands and continent 
of tropical America, the different localities producing aspects that to the eye look lilvc distinct species, but 
to describe them as such, and so as to convey to the mind their distinctions, is in many cases impossible. 
This remark not only relates to the species under notice, but to many other Ferns ; and such being the 
case, the question arises whether the different phases so closely resembling each other are forms which 
have been created as such, or are only modifications brought about in the lapse of time, consequent on 
the difference of soil and climate in which they are now found. 
r 
1058. Gomovn-L^mv^i patens, J. Smith; frondibus stipitatis deltoideo-pinnatis, pinnis linea- 
ribus acutis Icvitcr falcatis oppositis sessilibus adnatis subdecurrentibus margine obsolete crenatis, 
venis anastomosantibus uniareolatisj soris uniserialibus. Hacienda de Madre rodonda, on trees. 
Frondes pedem alta) ; pinnse 4 uncias longs, 4 uncias latse, 4-5-jugffi. 
In habit this comes near to Polypodium trilohatuon of Cavanilles {Synammia trilohata, Presl) ; but 
the form of the areoles slightly differs, and in this species the sori are punctifonn, not oblong as in 
St/nammia, a character which, as a generic distinction, is hardly tenable. 
, 1059. GoNiopiiLEBiuM attematum, Presl, 1. e. p. 186. J. Sm. 1. c— Polypodium attenuatum, 
Humb., T\'md. 1. c. p. 191. Nomen vemacul. " Calahuala." Island of Taboga, on rocks. 
Peru (Barclay), Esmcraldas, Ecuador (Seemann). 
The examination of numerous specimens in Sir W. J. Hooker's herbarium, has induced me to refer 
the present specimens to the above species, which on comparing it wi(h Polypodium vaciUans and harpeodea 
of Link, I find it difficult to keep them separate as species. The two latter were first described by Link 
from plants cultivated in the Berlin Botanic Garden, which, when viewed growing under the same con- 
ditions, appear so distinct, that, on becoming familiar with their respective aspects in a living state, their 
fronds when in the herbarium can readily be referred to the names by which the plants are known ; biit the 
many gradations in the size and circumscription of the fronds of native specimens of this group render it 
difficult, if not impossible, to find characters to distinguish them in a general collection as distinct species. 
The number of anastomoses of the venidea varies ; in G. harpeodes and G. vacillans two anastomoses 
are fonned between the midrib and margin, three in our present specimens, and four in a specimen from 
Peru ; these differences do not appear to be brought about by the greater or lesser breadth of the pinnjB, 
but I aji not prepared to say that the number is constant and characteristic of distinct species. In G. 
attenuatum and its aUies the sori are uniserial : this distinguishes them from G. neriifolium and its forms, 
m which the sori are in two or more rows ; but there arc many modifications, some passing into the forms 
of G. attenuntum. 
" The caudex of this species is used by the natives for making cooling draughts."—^. S. 
