MaXON : A NEW BOTRYCHIUM FROM JAMAICA 221 



as the type. Other Jamaican specimens are : Undenvood lyg and 

 2620, Maxon 1573, and D. E. Watt (U. S, N. M. ^2og82\ all 

 from the vicinity of Cinchona, altitude about 1 500 meters ; and two 

 specimens in the herbarium of Capt. John Donnell Smith, com- 

 municated by Hart. The last, though indicated by Dr. Christ as 

 representing a new species, were not described, presumably on 

 account of their immature condition. 



The series at hand indicates that B. Underwoodianwn is one of 

 the most distinct species in the tcrnatiim group. As stated, it ap- 

 pears to be most nearly related to B. Jenuiauiljni^trw,'^ and B. 

 deconipositiun Mart. & Gal.f From the former it differs conspicu- 

 ously in its greater size and more delicate texture ; and from the 

 latter imperfectly known species very noticeably in the following 

 distinctive characters: (i) the peculiar shape and spacing of the 

 segments, and (2) the wide divergence of the main divisions which 

 spread ordinarily at an angle of nearly or quite ninety degrees, 

 There is, moreover, in most specimens so pronounced a basiscopic 

 development of the first lateral division as to give a decided pen- 

 tagonal shape to the leaf, though this feature is not especially 

 noticeable in the type specimen. 



The type measures 13 cm. In width ; others 20 cm. The 

 illustration is at two thirds natural size and represents the type, 

 therefore, on the printed page at less than one half the actual 

 dimensions frequently attained by individuals of this species. 



The small figure at the right represents a bud (exposed) in the 

 enveloping hollow base of a sterile plant (Jenman collection). 

 The upper bud is quite the same and is produced upon nearly all 

 the sterile plants at a point from which the sporophyll would 

 normally have had its origin. 



United States National Museum. 



*Fern Bull. 8 : 59. 1900. (Type from Jamaica.) 



tMem. Acad. Sci. Brux. 15^: 15. //. /. 1842. (Type from Mexico.) 



