CLASS XXII. ORDER I. 65 



Capsules disposed in obloug spots arrang- 

 ed along the margin of the frond : involucre is formed 

 by turning back the margin of the frond over the cap- 

 sules, and it opens inwards. (The lines of oblong 

 spots are generally along that margin, which may be con- 

 sidered the end of the leaf or of the segments of the leaf.) 



JUspidium. Capsules in scattered roundish spots on 

 various parts of the whole lower surface of the frond : in- 

 olucre a kidney-form or round membrane, fastened to 

 the frond in or near the centre of the fruit-dot, and open- 

 ing on all sides. (The involucre, when a little opened, is 

 strictly peltate.) 



Dicksonia. Capsules in small roun dscattered fruit-dote 

 at the margin of the frond : involucre double ; one part 

 is formed of the thin margin of the frond turned over- 

 apon the fruit-dots, the other is from the frond on the 

 inward side of the fruit-dots, each part opening opposite 

 to where it is fastened to the frond. 



B. Wiih capsules not annulatcd. 



Osmunda. Capsules globose, pedicelled, radiate-stri- 

 ate or wrinkled, having a hinge at the joining of the two 

 valves, which resembles part of the jointed rings of annu- 

 lated ferns : the capsules either occupy the whole lower 

 surface of the frond, or a panicled-raceme. (The parts 

 of the frond occupied by the fruit are always more con- 

 tracted than the barren parts.) 



APPENDIX TO THE ORDER FILICES. 

 PTEROIDES. 



Botrychium. Capsules coriaceous, globose, one-celled, 

 smooth ; they are disposed in spikes or racemes, general- 

 ly open lengthwise, sometimes irregularly. 



Lycopodium. Capsules mostly kidney-form or round- 

 ish, 2 or 4-valved opening elastically ; they are placed 

 under separate scales in a spike, or sometimes in the axils 

 of leaves. 



Eqidselum. Fruit placed under peltate bodies which are 

 arranged in whorls forming a spike-form raceme ; four 

 spiral filaments surround the seed (probably) which re- 

 semble green globules, ^Fertile plants mostly leafless, 

 the stems of all are jointed with toothed sheaths at every 

 ioint, and usually longitudinally striated and hollow.) 



F 2" 



