169 221 



specimens. It approaches D. asterothrix, from which it differs by its not so densely 

 pubescent fronds, glabrous sporangia and proliferous leaves. From D. asplenioides 

 it differs b}' its obtuse pinnæ, stellate pubescence of the leaf-tissue, scarcely pro- 

 minent veins and nearly sessile pinnæ; from var. tenera by the distant lower 

 pinnæ and proliferous leaves. 



Most specimens from Cuba, Central America and Florida belong to this variety, 

 which represents the most developed state of the species; in the largest form it is 

 very different from eiireptans, but there are numerous intermediate forms between 

 the two varieties. 



Florida; Hammock on left bank of Withlacoochee, near Brookesville, cavernous, calcareous rocks, J. 

 DoNNELL Smith (type collection, W - Dade Co., Castella's hammock, A. A. Eaton nr. 262 

 (W) — Isthacatta, L. M. Underwood nr 277 |W) and A. H. Curtiss nr. 5965 W. approa- 

 ching var. eureptans). 



Bahamas: Andros, .Iohn J. and Alice R. Northrop (Bs. 



Cuba: Prov. Habana, Rincon, Wilson nr. 205 (B, Wj; San Antonio de los Bafios, A. H. Curtiss nr. 039 

 (B, H. W) and van Hermann nr. 3360 (W) — Prov. Pinar del Rio, near EI Guama, Palmer 

 and Riley nr 126 pt., 230 pt., 403 [W), 248 (CC, H. W) — E. Otto nr. 62 (B), 



Mexico: in speluncis près Orizaba, Bourgeau nr. 2514 (B, H, S, W); base of calcareous cliffs, near 

 Orizaba, Pringle nr. 5594 (Wi — Yucatan, Schott nr. 779 (W). 



217. Dryopteris asterothrix (Fée) C. Chr. comb. nov. — Fig. 29. 



Syn. Goniopteris asterothrix Fée, Gen. 253. 1850—52. 

 Phegopteris asterothrix Mett. Pheg. nr. 40. 1858. 

 Dryopteris reptans ''asterothrix C. Chr. Ind. 288. 1905. 



Type from Cuba, leg. Linden nr. 1917 (f. Fée, not seen), nr. 1878 (B!). 



This seems to me a very distinct species, although some forms of the protean 

 D. reptans resembles it very much. The accompanying figure will give an idea of 

 its habit. The oblique or short-creeping rhizome, which bears some few stellato- 

 pilose scales, bears a small number of leaves, which are of a very thin texture and 

 throughout clothed with small stellate hairs. The stipe is slender, stramineous and 

 like the rachis densely soft-hairy by patent, whitish hairs under which numerous 

 small stellate hairs are to be found. Lamina 15 cm x 5 — 6 cm, bipinnatifid, the 

 apex obtuse. Pinnæ opposite or subopposite, 6 — 10 on each side of rachis, the 

 lower ones short-stalked, the upper ones sessile, at least confluent, 2'(3 — 3 cm long, 

 1 — I'/icm broad, obtusely rounded at the apex, slightly broader at the base, the 

 lowest pair generally a little shorter and deflexed; and below them a pair of small, 

 reduced pinnæ are often seen; both surfaces densely and shortly stellato-piiose and 

 costæ and veins besides with long, soft, patent hairs. Lobes or segments broad, 

 obtuse, the middle one soften a little lengthened. Veins rather indistinct, about 4 to 

 each side of the midrib of the lobe, the lower pair united. Sori small, exindusiate, 

 medial or a little inframedial; receptacle with numerous, long-stalked branched 

 hairs; sporangia very loose, at the bearing 2 — 3 erect 2 — 3 branched hairs, which 

 are very deciduous, and therefore the sporangia may be found to be glabrous. 



n. K. I). Vidensk. Selsk. Skr., 7. Række, naturvidensk. oy" mathem- .\fd. X. 2. 29 



