198 
‘are curved and turned downward their whole lerigth in precisely the 
same manner as in BZ. danceolatum. In this species, however, beside 
its pubescence, the bud is further distinguished by the longer sterile 
frond, the apex of which extends beyond and hides the fertile pani- 
cle. Figure ro. 
I sum up the result of these notes in the following classification 
of the different kinds of vernation based on my own investigations, 
and append that of Milde for comparison. As the points of differ- 
ence between us are independent of the general character and form. 
of the buds themselves, the purpose for which I have brought for- 
ward these bud-forms is not affected by an apparent disagreement 
on other points, which further investigation on my ~ may wiolly 
remove. 
1. VERNATION WHOLLY STRAIGHT : 
1. B. simplex, Hitch. Bud smooth. — of fertile and sterile 
frond erect. Figure 3. 
2. VERNATION PARTLY INCLINED, in one or both portions. 
1. B. Lunaria,5wz. Budsmooth. Apex only of sterile frond 
bent over and outside of the nearly straight fertile frond. Seg- 
ments of sterile frond arranged nearly perpendicularly. Figure 4. 
2. B. boreale, Milde. Bud smooth. Apex of sterile frond 
bent over inside of the nearly erect fertile frond. Sterile ‘Seg: 
ments arranged on an angle. Figure 5. 
3. B. matricariaefolium, A. Br. Bud smooth. Apex of both 
fronds turned down. Sterile frond clasping the fertile, with its 
apex overlapping the whole. Figure 6. 
4. B. ternatum,Swz. Bud pilose. Apex of both fronds bent 
down with a slight curve inward. Figures 8 and 9g. 
3. VERNATION WHOLLY INCLINED, in the fertile frond recurved. 
1. B. lanceolatum, Angstr6m. Bud smooth. . Fertile frond re- 
curved its whole length, the shorter sterile frond reclined upon 
it. Figure 7. 
2. B. Virginianum,Swz. Bud pilose. Fertile frond recurved 
its whole length with the longer sterile frond reclined upon it. 
Figure ro. 
Milde’s classification is as follows : 
“ Vernatio stricta.” (B. simplex.) 
“ Vernatio inclinata.” (B. Lunaria, matricariaefolium and boreale.) 
“ Vernatio reclinata.”’ (B. lanceolatum and Virginianum.) 
“ Vernatio sub-circinata.” (Fertile panicle of B. ternatum.) 
The importance of the bud-forms in Botrychia as a means for 
determining specimens, or as a help to a better knowledge of ‘the 
genus cannot be overestimated. In the very youngest plants of the 
smaller species it will be safer, perhaps, to rely upon the unvarying 
character of the spores, when there are doubts in regard to their 
identity ; but from the time when the buds begin to take upon them- 
selves any form they will be found to be the best available means for 
determining specimens in all cases where the external characters 
are too uncertain to be relied upon. By their aid alone I have 
been able to place satisfactorily specimens that have long remained 
