THE FERNS OF NICARAGUA. jgj- 



ascertaining the exact species intended by Svvartz for his 

 Aspl. Icetum." Schkuhr, according to the same authority. 

 " gives a figure of A. Icetum, which appears sufficiently to 

 accord with Swartz's description." To this Presl later gave 

 the name A. schkuhr ianum. That this is really the same as 

 Swartz's A. Icetum is by no means certain, and it may be 

 necessary to adopt PresFs name. A. schkuhrianum, if indeed 

 the whole vexed question of synonymy in this case will not 

 be settled by referring this to A. resectum Smith, as has been 

 suggested by Baker. 1 Certainly judging from the descrip- 

 tions and figures of A. resectum to which the author had 

 access, and from the variation in the form of the pinna' and in 

 the character of the rootstock in the Xicaraguan specimens, 

 there is no constant difference between A. resectum and A. 

 latum. Hooker' 2 says of A. Icetum: "Its nearest affinity is 

 unquestionably with the A. resectum of Sir James Smith, an 

 Oriental plant, whose long creeping caudex at once distin- 

 guishes it." Baker (ib/d.). comparing A. latum with A. 

 resectum. says of the former: "The texture is usually firmer 

 and the pagina is more developed on the lower side of the 

 midrib." Hooker's plate 3 of A. resectum. but for the remote- 

 ness of the stipes, accurately represents some forms in the col- 

 lection. 



But for the doubt which exists concerning the variation in 

 texture and in the arrangement of the stipes on the rootstock, 

 which cannot be removed because of a lack of authentic series 

 of A. resectum. the author would include A. tectum in A. 

 resectum. 



The specimens all have dull green rachises (like some 

 forms of resectum), and most of them have the lowest pair of 

 pinna 1 deflexed. — a character generally possessed by latum. 



There is much variation in the character of the upper basal 

 portion of the pinna. In some specimens there is no distinct 

 auricle, others are auriculate, and in still others the division is 

 carried to the extent represented in Fig. i, PI. xv. 



1 In Hook, and Bak., Svn. Fil., p. 210, in note under A. tectum. 

 - Sp. Fil., vol. in, p. 134, in note under A. Icetum. 

 3 Icon. Fil., pi. cxiv. 



