134 
Mr. Baker assures me that this and 448 are both recognized 
at Kew as forms of P. cordata, J. Sm., but thinks that they are 
distinct enough for two good varieties. I must confess, however, 
that I cannot understand why two plants so entirely distinct 
in every way should be retained under one specific name. 
On the one hand, we have in 448 a plant with a short, stout 
rootstock as thick as one’s finger, bearing clustered herbaceous 
annual fronds, the veins plainly visible; on the other hand, in 461, 
a plant with a long, slender, wide-creeping rootstock, bearing 
scattered perennial sub-coriaceous fronds, the veins obscure, and 
it hardly seems possible to have stronger or more valid specific 
characters. 
The difference in texture between these two plants is much 
like that between P. Breweriand P. Bridgesit; or, although per- 
haps in a less marked degree, P. gracilis and P. atropurpurea. 
The difference in their rootstocks and mode of growth is essentially 
the same as in Aspidium Nevadense and Aspidium Noveboracense, 
a difference constituting almost the one character upon which A. 
Nevadense was founded. Mr. Pringle, whose thorough knowledge 
of plants and extremely careful observations render his views 
too valuable to be set aside lightly, writes very positively in 
regard to the distinct character and habit of these two ferns, and 
considers them two good species rather than mere varieties of one. 
I do not make out to my entire satisfaction the Pella inter- 
media of Mettenius, but Kuhn’s description of it in Linnaza* 
* I give here the description of Pe//wa intermedia, Mett., as I have transcribed it 
from Linnzea :— 
Fellwa intermedia, Mett.—Rhizoma repens, paleis 1-2'" longis, rigidulis, rufes- 
centibus, mox lato nigro-carinatis dense vestitum ; folia subdistantia, membranacea, 
glaberrima ; petiolus 4-6’ longus cum rachi strictus, pallide rubellus, teres, levis; 
lamina 4-6 longa, ovata, bipinnata; pinnz subopposite, distantes ; pinnule 2-3 
jugae, petiolulate,, cordato-ovato, obtusissimz ; nervi densi subimmersi ; sori margine 
revoluto velati.Mexico (Hb. Fournier). 
Var. pubescens. Mett. Rhachi partiali pubescente. Fe//ea flexuosa, Hook. 
Spec., ii., 149, partim. Nov..Mexico. (Wright 825.) 
Hybrida forte inter P. saggittatum, Cav. et P. fl , Kif., rhi paleis- 
que cum posteriore, lamina cum priore congruens, ceterum et P. flexuosa rhachi laevi 
et pubescenti varians.’’—-Kuhn in Linnzea, xxxvi, p. 84. 
REMARKS.—The only apparent discrepancy here is in the membranaceous fronds 
and cordate ovate pinnules, but as the former is inconsistent with densely immersed 
veins, and the latter is a variable character, I consider that the description as a whole 
points more clearly to the plant under consideration than to any other.—G. E. D. 
