on British J^erns. v 



capsules form a continuous line : each cluster is covered 

 more or less completely by a linear lateral involucre. 



Genus. — Notolepeum, Newman. 



Mid-vein of pinnules present, lateral veins alternate, 

 branched, branches anastomosing among themselves and 

 with the branches of the next lateral vein : clusters of cap- 

 sules on the first anterior branch of each lateral vein, and 

 all of them directed towards the apex of the pinnule, ex- 

 cept in the first lateral veins, both branches of which bear 

 clusters, the anterior cluster dii-ected as usual, but the pos- 

 terior towards the midrib of the frond, these are therefore 

 placed back to back : each cluster is accompanied by a 

 nan-ow and nearly erect involucre, occupying the same 

 position with regard to the capsules as that of a true As- 

 plenium : the back of the frond is densely clothed with 

 pointed overlapping scales. 



Ohs. — This genus has long been noticed as distmct, but I have seen 

 no description in which the characters are correctly given. A new 

 name seemed needful ; the names of Scolopendiium, Grammitis, and 

 Gymnogramma, successively employed, have been severally restricted 

 to very different genera, and that of Ceterach seems objectionable, as 

 belonging of right to the species. A mode of overcoming the difficulty 

 certainly exists in a repetition of the name, as Ceterach Ceterach, and 

 this plan has been lai-gely followed in the nomenclatm-e of fishes, but 

 I think it has not hitherto found its way into the science of Botany. 

 Whenever it shall be introduced, there can be no doubt that the name 

 of Notolepeum must give way. 



NoTOLEPEUM Ceterach. 



Asplenium Ceterach, Linn. Sp. PI. 1538 ; Light/. Fl. Scot. 



661 ; Huds. Fl. Ang. 452 ; Bolt. Fil. Brit. 20, t. 12 ; 



With. Arr. 767. 

 Scolopendrium Ceterach, Sm. E. F. iv. 315, E. B. 1244. 

 Grammitis Ceterach (Sivartz), Mack. 337. 

 Ceterach officinarum (Willd.), Neivm. N. A. 28, F. 293 ; 



Hook, and Am. 566 ; Bab. 415. 

 Notolepeum Ceterach, Neivm. F. 9. 



