DESCRIPTION OF COPTOPHYLLUM. 133 
ìs figured as the barren frond, seems to be a Pteris, nearly 
allied to P. leptophylla; while the fertile is perhaps a repre- 
sentation of an old frond of Acrostichum trifoliatum (Linn.) 
The third species, A. filiculifolia, Sw. (Plum. t. 161), Mr. 
Smith believes to be a Polybotrya; and the character of 
the fertile frond is quite distinct from that of any of the 
known „nemias. Of the two remaining species of this 
division, 4. aurita (Sw.), and A. cicutaria (Peppig), no 
figures have been published ; but, judging from their descrip- 
tions, neither of them will associate with Coptophyllum; nor 
can they be considered as .4nemias, since they possess a very 
different habit from that of the normal species of that 
genus. 
I have already explained what I consider to be the true 
structure of Anemia, in my remarks on Trochopteris, in a 
former number of this Journal ; viz, that the fructified spikes 
are not the lower pinnz of a barren frond in a changed and 
modified state, but that an union of the stipes of two fertile 
fronds, similar to those of Coptophyllum, with that of a barren 
one, takes place; and several arguments, besides those al- 
ready adduced, may be brought forward to support this 
Opinion. It has been said, by some, that an analogy exists 
between Anemia and Osmunda, in the manner in which their 
fructification is produced; but, if we compare them atten- 
tively, we shall find but little indeed; for in Osmunda, the 
sporangia are borne either on a distinct frond, as in O. cinna- 
momea, or on the upper or middle divisions of fronds which 
_ have their remaining portions barren. In this respect, 4ne- 
- "ia exhibits much greater affinity with Botrychium and 
` Ophioglossum ; for in all of them we find the fructified por- 
_ tion to be formed on the same principle; the only difference 
. being that, in the two latter, an union of two stipes only takes 
| place, and this accounts for the fertile spike and the barren 
. portion standing fore and aft (so to speak) to each other, and 
not laterally, as in Anemia. We find, also, that their fertile 
and barren fronds resemble each other, quite as much as 
| those of Anemia; and that in the same species, even, they 
