[From the Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 42: 651-658. /A. jo, j/. 22 Ja 1916.) 



Notes on Trichomanes — I. The identity of Trichomanes 



pyxidiferum L. 



Margaret Slosson 



(with plates 30 AND 31) 



The genus Trichomanes as included by Linnaeus in his "Species 

 Plantarum " contains eleven species of the genus as now under- 

 stood, in addition to certain species now included in Hymeno- 

 phyllum and Davallia. The first species mentioned is Trichomanes 

 membranaceum . But Linnaeus had previously established the 

 genus as a monotypic one based on Plumier's pi. 86* This 

 plate represents Trichomanes crispum, which must thus be re- 

 garded as the type of Trichomanes . 



Since Linnaeus's time many subdivisions of the genus have 

 been made and some raised to generic rank. It is not proposed to 

 enter into a discussion of the validity of these groupings in these 

 "Notes." The genus Trichomanes is here referred to in its widest 

 sense. Nor is it proposed to undertake a monograph of the genus 

 or any of its subdivisions. To do so would be a somewhat tre- 

 mendous undertaking, as those who have attempted to sort out 

 even a few of the species will agree. The genus is in a chaotic 

 state. The chief reason for this is the large number of descriptions 

 of species that have been published without illustration. With 

 plants of this nature, accurate figures of some sort accompanying 

 specific descriptions are in many cases a necessity; it is often prac- 

 tically impossible to furnish a written description that will apply 

 to one species and to one alone. 



* Gen. PI. 20. 1737; also Hort. Cliff. 476. i737- 



651 



