Hollick: Status of Ophioglossum Alleni L. 211 



of the midrib; Fig. 5, the latter flattened by pressure; Fig. 6, 

 the same with seeds detached. Fig. 7 is a reproduction of 

 Cockerell's figures illustrating his description of Brachyruscus, 

 and Fig. 8, a drawing of a cladode of Ruscus aculeatus Linnaeus, 

 with infloresepce attached. A comparison between the last 

 two figures hardly seems to suggest, even with the assistance 

 of an earnest effort of the imagination, that there could be any 

 near relationship between the specimens that they represent; 

 and, in any event, it is evident that, if the description and 

 figures of Brachyruscus correctly describe and depict the speci- 

 men selected by the author as the type of the genus, Brachy- 

 ruscus Alleni Cockerell can not possibly be either congeneric 

 or morphologically identical with Ophioglossum Alleni Les- 

 quereux. The author has, however, provided for this contingency 

 to a certain extent, in the footnote previously mentioned, 

 which should be read in this connection. 



Incidentally, on Plate 12, fig. 9, is a drawing of a bract of 

 Dobinia vulgaris Hamilton, showing the character of the nerva- 

 tion and a fructification attached to the midvein, in order that 

 it may perhaps be recognized and accepted, in preference to 

 the cladode of Ruscus, as the morophological equivalent and 

 a possible family relative of Brachyruscus. 



In view of the facts here presented if anyone should deem it 

 necessary to coin a seventh generic name for Ophioglossum Alleni, 

 based upon its resemblance to capsules or carpels of species of 

 certain genera included in the Staphyleaceae and Sapindaceae, 

 the responsibility will rest on him, not on me. The already 

 established name, which is descriptive of what the species appears 

 to morphologically simulate and which is therefore properly ap- 

 plicable, is Carpolithes Alleni (Lesquereux) Cockerell. 



Explanation of plates 10-12 



Plate 10 



Salvinia Alleni (Lesquereux) Lesquereux 

 [= Ophioglossum Alleni Lesquereux] 



Fig. I. U. S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept. Vol. 7 (The Tertiary Flora): pi. 

 $.f. a. 1878. 



10 Fig. 2. Idem. Vol. 8 (The Cretaceous and Tertiary Floras): pi. 21, f. 

 1883. 



Fig. 3. Idem. /. //. 



