199 
in a doubtful position. Among others, two specimens of 2. matrt- 
cartaefolium, which, on account of the unusually high position of the 
sterile frond, and their very acute segments, I had removed from my 
sheet and placed. with &. /anceolatum, I have since been able to 
return to their proper place. 
I have found on examining a great many specimens that in that 
wonderful species (2. matricariaefolium) the segments are often more 
acute than they are usually credited with being, and that the sterile 
frond is sometimes approximate to the fruit panicle as in B. Zanceola- 
tum, while in the latter species the sterile frond is at times placed far 
down upon the common stalk, so that it is extremely difficult, if not 
impossible, at times to distinguish them by their external characters 
alone: but their bud forms are invariably distinct. 
Taking full grown specimens of 2. simplex and B. Lunaria the 
general appearance of the sterile frond in each will sometimes be 
found to resemble the other so much, in the form of the segments, 
that it is difficult to understand why the apex should ‘be bent over 
,in one species and not in the other. Such, however, is the fact, and 
while it illustrates nature’s methods in preserving her marks of dis- 
tinction between species otherwise similarly related, aud. furnishes 
us with reliable characters by which to distinguish them under 
different conditions, it also proves very clearly, to my mind, the dis- 
tinctive character of the different species of Botrychia. 
Boston, Nov., 1877. : Geo. E. DAVENPORT. 
_ Note.—The figures with which these notes are illustrated have 
been drawn by Mr. J. H. Emerton, directly from the buds furnished 
to him for that purpose by myself. Nos, 1 and 2 are of natural size ; 
the proportions of the others have been enlarged to give more dis- 
tinctness to the parts. G. E. D. 
§ 208. Camptosorus rhizophyllus, Link.—It is with pleasure 
that I inform you of the discovery of Camptosorus rhizophyllus in 
this vicinity, and within 14 miles of Boston. It was found growing 
on a rocky knoll near the banks of the Charles River, and, as it has 
never before been reported this side of Mt. Tom, in the western part 
of the State, its presence here will be received with rejoicing by the 
many lovers of ferns in this quarter. Wm. EpwarpDs, 
SouTH Natick, Dec. 17th, 1877. 
§ 209. Pringle’s Plants.—We recently, § 193, called attention to 
Mr. Chas. G. Pringle’s sets of Alpine, Sub-alpine, and Northern 
plants of New England, which he offers for sale at ten cents a speci- 
men, or, we believe, for exchange. We have, however, lately re- 
ceived such an endorsement of them from good judges, that we deem 
it for the interest of our readers to repeat the notice. One corre- 
spondent writes : “I received on Saturday a set, and never before 
knew what good specimens from that region looked like. The color 
is kept, the specimens are collected root and all, are furnished with 
very handsome labels, are liberally supplied, the exact date of col- 
lection both of flowers and fruit is given, and locality, and all species 
so requiring have both states represented.”’ Address Mr. C. G. 
Pringle, Charlotte, Vt. . 
