CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA, 
widely spread over the tropics of both hemispheres ; and 
on account of the apparent or but slightly varied forms 
being found in different countries, has led to great con- 
fusion in the species. In the “Species Filicum," under 
Davallia polypodioides, Sir William Hooker says: “The 
more I study the Ferns, and compare specimens from 
different countries, the more difficult I find it to define in a 
specific character the essential distinguishing character of A | 
species with the much divided fronds; so different are 
they, according to locality, to age on the various portions 
of the same individual, and other cireumstances. Then the 
nature and degree of pubescence augment the difficulty ; 
and all these difficulties seem to be combined in the pre- 
sent species.” Upon this view he unites about a dozen 
specific names of authors under Davallia polypodioides of 
Don, a species originally named and described by D. Don 
on Nepal specimens. 
Sp. M. pinnata (Cav.) (D. flagellifera, Wall., Hook. and 
Grev. Ic. Fil., t. 183); M. gracilis (Bl); M. Moluecana 
(Bl); M. rhomboidea (Wall) (Hook. Secd. Cent., t. 48) ; 
M. scabra (Don.) (v v.); M. Khasyana (Hook.); M. eris- 
tata (/7ook.) (v ei: M. calvescens (Wall.); M. Spelunce 
Linn.) (D. polypodioides, Don., Hook. Sp. Fil., D. flaccida, 
R. Br.) (v v.); M. Nove-Zelandiw (Col.) (v v.) (Acrophorus 
hispidus, Moore); M. strigosa (Sw.) (v ri: M. hirta 
s M. adiantoides (Sw.); M. platyphylla (Don.) (v v.) 
 143.—SCYPHOLEPIA, J, Sm. 
Davallia sp., Wall., Hook. Sp. Fil. 
- Vernation uniserial, Fronds contiguous, pinnate, 2 to 25 z 
feet high; pinnæ lanceolate, 4 to 5 inches long, serrate, —— 
(Kaulf.) ; M. trichosticha (Hook.) (v v.) ; M. alata (Hew.) ; ` 5 
