268 Rhodora [NOVEMBER 
In addition to the characters mentioned, Dr. Milde laid much 
stress on the character of the fibro-vascular bundles in the stipe, and 
it is certain that in 4. /x-foemina, at least, the two somewhat 
crescent-shaped bundles in the lower portion of the stipe are partially 
crooked at the upper ends and retain a partial resemblance to the 
hamate form of the sori, even after the bundles themselves become 
united in the upper portion of the stipe and rachis, into the single U- 
shaped form. 
The genus is pretty generally accepted abroad at the present time, 
and has been adopted in this country by Shimek, Maxon, Clute and 
Gilbert in their recent publications. On this account I have decided, 
after mature deliberation, to adopt it myself, as this seems to be one 
of those instances where the general concensus of views among the 
best authorities should prevail. Accordingly the subject of the follow- 
ing note will be designated as Athyrium filix-foemina, instead of Asple- 
nium filix-foemina as heretofore. 
4. THE INDUSIUM OF ATHYRIUM FILIX-FOEMINA, Roth (Tent. 
Fl. Ger., iii, 65). — During the early months of the present year 
(1901) I devoted a great deal of time to an examination of the early 
states of the sori in Athyrium jilix-foemina, principally for the pur- 
pose of comparisons between the common forms of the Lady fern and 
the California plant known as .4. cyclosorum, which has the margins 
of the indusia in their early states ciliated with jointed hairs (B. D. 
Gilbert). 
The indusium of A. /fZx-foemina is variously described and figured 
by different authors whose descriptions and figures do not always 
agree. Generally the indusium is described as having a jagged or 
toothed margin fringed with cilia, even when the figures represent an 
entire, or nearly entire margin. ‘These discrepancies are due to the 
great diversity in the character of the species itself, specimens of 
which vary according to their form or age. But according to the 
majority of descriptions the indusium has a lacerated and ciliated 
margin, and such a character is figured by good authorities as the 
type form for the species. 
Yet during the months of May and June, I examined many hun- 
dreds of fronds in all stages of development without once finding any 
such type. ; 
In the greater number of sori examined the margin of the indusium 
was either entire, or only very slightly erose, or sinuately notched, so 
