ISTHMUS 
235 
the nmneroiis localities, it becomes most difficult to define their limits as species, the kindred phases 
seeming as if they were geographical representatives, or the widespread lineage of a normal species, which 
the laple of time and the influence of climate had changed, and brought into an apparent state of per- 
manence. 
1098. Blechnum lanceoh, Sw., Spreng. Syst. vol. iv. p. 92.— Hook. Bot. Mag. t. 3240.— 
Knnze, Schk. Crypt, t. 57. f. 1.— -B. lanceolaium, Uadd., 1. c. vol. i. t. 60. f. 3. Volcano of Chiriqtii, 
Veraguas. 
Brazil (Miers).— v. v. Hort. Kew. 
The name lanceola is only applicable to this whUe the frond is simple; it often becomes trifoliate and 
pinnate. 
1099. Blechnum occidentale, Linn., Willd. 1. c. p. 412. Woods near Panama. 
Jamaica (Wilson), Tumaco (Barclay), Brazil (Miers), Martinique (Sieber), Trinidad (Aldridgc).-v.v. 
Hort. Kew. 
1100. hoMAViiA striata, Willd., 1. c. p. 291, Presl, 1. c. p. 143. Southern Darien and Bay of Choco. 
Peru (Barclay), Brazil (Miers, Gardner), Mexico (Liebold), Martinique (Sieber). 
Forms of what I consider to be tMs species are found in many parts of Tropical America, and have in 
several cases been described as distinct species ; thus we have Lomaria BrasiUensis of Eaddi from Brazil, 
Lomaria OUlensis of Kaulfuss from Chile ; but, on taking a general view of specimens from different 
localities, I cannot find sufficient characters whereby to distinguish them as specifically distmct. 
In collecting native specimens of Lomaria, and simUar genera which have the sterile and fertile fronds 
distinct from each other, it often happens that the fertile ones are not found at the time of the collector's 
visit and in that case, the only evidence of the species being derived from imperfect material., the sterile 
fronds are often referred to wrong genera. A remarkable instance of this has ktely come to my know- 
ledge Barren fronds of a plant, a native of South Africa, had been received by ICunze, who, at page 
506 vol X of the ' Linna^a,' referred them to Lomaria coriacea of Schrader, but afterwards, at p. 152, vol. 
riii.'of the same work, having observed that the specimens differed from Schrader's plant m several points, 
especiaUy in the stipes being .oolly, he called them Lonaria eriopus. Judgius from what I cousider 
satisfactory evidence, a Hving plant of this is now growing in the Apothecaries' Botamca^^Gardcns at 
Chelsea, wLh was received Lm Port Natal : this pUnt has a pinnate frond 3^ feet m length ( he s^^^^^^^^^ 
being t^o-thirds of the whole length) ; the pinn. are smooth, G-7 mches long by H ^^!^-^^ '^^l^^' 
acumlate, attenuated at the base, the lower ones petiolate and somewhat secuud, marg^ ;*- ' 
spinulose-serrate beyond the middle, veins evidently rising from a true midnb, ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
venules direct paraUel, cuiwed upwards, terminating in the cartdagmous margm. On ^ le. mg this structure 
to C,.a,e., and .ost .e.e.bUng the e.aU A-™ ^^ ^ ^ I^ of a sp'oein^en, Ited, in the 
plant, I ^vas favoured by Professor Balfour of Edmbi^gh «rtl _^ _^ ^^^^^ ^.^^^ 
hand^-riting of the collector Gnenz.ins, to be the fertile state of Loma, ,u c, '^''^ 
