206 Maxon — A New Cloak-Fern from Mexico. 



Notholaena hryopoda is without any near Mexican allies. From N. 

 Pringlei Davenp.,* the only species with which it might be confused, it 

 difTers in nearly every essential feature; especially in the peculiar character 

 and vestiture of the rhizome, in the entire absence of any ceraceous cover- 

 ing upon the upper surface, and in the larger and elongate segments. Its 

 most distinctive characters lie in the greatly enlarged and clustered root- 

 stocks, which with their thick tufts of ferruginous chaff closely simulate 

 those of N. sinuata (Sw.) Kaulf. The likeness of these to certain tufted 

 dicranoid mosses has suggested the specific name here employed. 



* Bull. Torrey Club 13 : 132. pi. 58. 18SG. 



