THE FERNS OF NICARAGUA. j6>j 



inches in diameter. The fronds averaged 10 feet in length. 

 The trunk and stipes were covered with polished, black, 

 straight spines, — some of those on the trunk measuring over 

 Y^ of an inch in length. The sori are chiefly confined to the 

 basal fourth of each segment. The involucres do not show 

 the characteristic even margin of arbor ea, the specimens being 

 quite voung. The involucres were at first entirely closed 

 over the sori, and in drying burst rather irregularly. There 

 seems to be no doubt that C. aculeata should be included in 

 arboreal The bifid receptacle of Presl's Dis-phenia is prob- 

 ably abnormal, 2 and in all other respects A. aculeata agrees 

 with aculeate forms of C. arborea, and particularly so with the 

 Nicaraguan specimens. 



The species has not heretofore been reported from Nica- 

 ragua, though Baker gives it in his list from adjacent Costa 

 Rica. 



Genus H EMI TELIA Brown. 



1. H. grandifolia ( Witld.) Sfreng. PI. xvii, Fig. i. 



Hook., Sp. Fil., vol. i, p. 30, pi. xiv B; Hook, and Bak., Syn. Fil., p. 28; 

 Smith, Ferns, Br. and For., p. 245. 



Common in rich soil along the Deseado River near Camp 

 Menocal. The fronds reach a height of 8 feet. The stipes 

 are 3 feet, or more, in length, and, in the fresh plant, are 

 green or brownish, with sparse short prickles and minute 

 scurfy scales. The stipe and rachis dry to a light brown 

 color. New to Nicaragua. Not reported in the Biologia 

 Cent. Am. 



2. H. nigricans Prist. PL xvii, Figs. 2, 3. 



Hook, and Bak., Syn. Fil., p. 454; Fourn., Sertum Nic, p. 261; Hemsl., 

 Biol. Cent. Am., vol. in, p. 593. 



Not rare in woods near Camp Menocal. 



The trunks varied from 3 to 4 feet in height, and 2 to 3 



1 See note under C. schanschin in Hook., Sp. Fil., vol. 1, p. 21, and also 

 remarks on C. arborea in Smith, Hist. Fil., p. 245. 



* See also note under C. arborea in Hook., Sp. Fil., vol. 1, p. 17. 

 IV— 2 N 



