260 



it is becoming more evident in each successive part of the ' Species 

 Filicum,' both from the greater intervals and the style of execution, 

 that the author's self-imposed task is very difficult of accomplishment. 

 ITe has neither the spare time nor the spare energy which such a 

 work imperatively demands. Under all the circumstances of the 

 case, we could wish to see the author relieved from this undertaking ; 

 we could wish to see the work prosecuted by other hands, and the 

 more generalizing mind of the Director of the Botanic Garden at 

 Kew left to a freer and more appropriate exercise of its powers. 

 Under the author's own eye at Kew are two practical botanists, 

 already honourably known as pteridologists, and to one or both of 

 these might be committed the conclusion of a task which seems now to 

 be halting from the overwhelmingly-numerous avocations of its author. 

 Having ventured on these observations, it would be ill-judged and 

 idle to seek out points for criticism. To seek for and even to detect 

 errors which we have thus fully admitted must be attributed rather to 

 want of time than to want of ability, would be most inexcusable. 

 We have nothing therefore to say on this point, and shall only as 

 briefly as possible recite the contents of the present part, which are 

 as under : — 



Suborder IV. — Pteride.*. 



Genus I. — Adiantum. 



§ I. Frond simple. 



Sp. reuiforme, L, ; Asarifolium, Willd. ; Philippense, L. 



§ II. Fronds pitt7iate, rarely suhbipinnate. 



* Sori continuous and solitary or more or less elongated and unequal. 



Sp. macrophyllum, Sw. ; platyphyllum, Sw. ; lucidum, Su;. ; See- 

 manni, Hook., a new species, very difficult to distinguish from platy- 

 phyllum, — it was brought from the Pacific side of central America, by 

 Seemann ; Phyllitidis, J. Sm. ; Wilsoni, Hook., a new species, found 

 in shady, rather dry, and gravelly places near Bath, Jamaica, by Mr. 

 Wilson, the intelligent Curator of the Botanic Garden at that place: 

 it is very closely allied to Phyllitidis, J. Sm. 



( Veins everywhere anastomosing). 

 Sp. dolosum, Kze.; Hewardia, Kze. 



** Sori suhorhicular or oblong, not much elongated nor continuous. 

 Sp. Kaulfussii, iv^^c; obliquuni, Willd.; Cubense, //ooA., a new 



