GENERA OF FERNS. 663 
genus, as restricted by me, yet its venules do not actually 
anastomose, thus affording another illustration of the transi- 
tion of structure. 
Hemitelia has the smooth, shining habit of the preceding 
genus, from which it is distinguished by the indusium being 
attached only half round the base of the receptacle, as it be- 
comes reflexed, presenting the appearance of a half cup. 
121. CYATHEA, Sw., J. Sm. 
(Cyathez sp. Presl, Disphenia Prest.) 
Veins costeform, pinnate; venules forked, direct and 
free. Sori axillary. Indusium globose, its apex operculeform, 
becoming calyciform, its margin then entire, or unequally 
laciniated. Receptacle columnar. Sporangia compressed. 
Fronds large, decompound ; ultimate pinnules pinnatifid, 
usually articulated with the rachis. Stipes frequently aculeate 
or squamose. Sori universal, often close to the midrib of t 
lacinie. 
Examp. 1. C. arborea, Sw. 2. C. medullaris, Sw. 3. C. 
affinis, Sw. 4. C. dealbata, Sw. 5. C. excelsa, Sw. 6. C. 
muricata, JVilld. 7. C. aculeata, Willd. . 8. C. elegans, Hew. 
Ilust. Hook. et Bauer, Gen. Fil. t, 23. Schk. Crypt. t. 133. 
Obs. Since I adopted my views of the genera of this 
tribe, I have again examined the whole in order to determine 
the value of the character assigned by Presl to his genus 
Disphenia, which he founds upon two species, viz., Cyathea 
arborea of Swartz. and C. aculeata of Willdenow. The genus 
Disphenia is characterised, as distinct from Cyathea, by 
the sporangiferous receptacle of each series being bipartite, 
that is, consisting of two slightly diverging flattened 
columns included within each indusium or cup, as repre- 
sented at t. 32 of Schkuhr’s Cryptogamia. I have examined 
a number of specimens, of what are understood to be the two 
species, and I will admit that there is such a structure ; but it 
is of such a rare occurrence that no value can be placed on it 
as a generic distinction, being occasionally found, only in a 
