352 CRYPTOGAMIA. 
It may be remarked that the Spike is at first yellowish, — 
changing to brown, when the Capsules open and discharge 
their powder. This powder is the real seed, for after its — 
discharge the plant gradually perishes, though new shoots 
are sent out the ensuing year, eee 
OSMUN’DA spicant. Hedwig thinks this undoubtedh 
belongs to the Genus AcrosticHUM, but we rather refer it - 
with Dr. Smith to the BLecunuM. wate sia 
Early in the spring the flowering leaves come up, al- 
most rolled into a ball, and not the leaves only, “¢ 
leafits also are rolled up. f.9.. On the back si 
_ of these leafits there are two white lines, exten 
the base of the leafit to the point ; they are bordered wit 
green, and depressed in the middle. f. 10. “These w 
ines are fine membranes, and on carefully separating the 
at their union with the leafit, we discover yery minul 
pellucid bodies, srpporied upon footstalks. f.. 11. ¢e¢ 
In the younger leafits, by the assistance of 
nifiers, we may discover small bodies of a brow 
composed of two parts, the one very slender and: 
proceeding from the rib, the other a coloured oval 
standing upon it. Pl. 13. f.11. When the leafit 
unfolded, and the lines become more turgid, 
puscles upon the rib disappear. (Hedwig.) 
POLYPO’DIUM Thelypteris. This, as Hed 
“serves, does not well rank with the Acrosticha, 
Genus Li referred it. The disposition of it 
fication accords with the Polypodiums. 
Schmidel. Icon. plant, t. xi. 13. p. 45. has de 
and described this plant so accurately, that nothing 
to be added, but that the vesicles of a shining 
colour, viz. the Anthers, are found upon the ml 
ramifications, as well as upon the projecting 
membranes which cover the clusters of s¢ 
(Hedwig.) geri, tome 
- ‘POLYPO’DIUM FP. foemina. When it first 
out of the earth, and is yet in its curled state, we 
the assistance of a good Microscope, the back 
leafits covered with turgid capsules, f.12, Ontht 
