THE FUGACE Jî OF JAPAN. 93 



Description of the species. Fronds of a matured plant mea- 

 sure 2-2.") i'cet in total lengtli. The root is complanated, disc- 

 shaped and has a subcylindrical stem on its top. The scars of 

 the fallen basal leaves, as in many other members of the 

 Bactrophyims, give to the lower portion of the stem a knotty 

 appearance. Several fastigiate branches are sent forth in all 

 directions from the stem at a few centimeters above the root. 

 The stems of the branches are triquetrous, slightly twisted with 

 a few dentations on the ridges, but gradually become terete and 

 and smootli upwards. 



The leaves on the sterile branches as well as on the lower por- 

 tions of the fronds are retrofractive, elongato-elliptical with round 

 apex and short complanated and often winged petiole. In the 

 fresh specimens they are dark brown in colour and thick and 

 cartilaginous in texture. Small but well defined cryptostomata 

 are discernible in translucent light. The margin is generally 

 entile but in some leaves on young sterile branches it is often 

 coarsely serrated. As a rule, these serrated leaves are variable 

 in their shape ranging from ovate to lanceolate according to 

 individuals and the locality of the plant. An elevated midrib 

 runs through the meridional line and disappears before reaching 

 the apex. 



The leaves on the fertile branches are highly variable in their 

 shape according to their position in the frond. On the lower 

 portions they are mostly lanceolate or spathulate, very often 

 obliquely cuneate, with comparatively short stipe and sparingly 

 serrated or entire margin. Those on the upper portions are 

 narrow, cuneate or spathulate, tapering towards the base into a 

 long stipe; mostly entire at the margin but frequently sparingly 

 dentated. The midrib becomes gradually obsolete as the 



