334 
GENERA, 
(1.) Acrostichum, (Willd. 1954.) 
covering the whole or the part of 
a fertile fronds, ‘which frequently 
the lower disc of 
differ in shape from the barren ones. 
Willdenow reckons sixty-two species, to which Brown 
(Prodr. Pl. New Hol. two hitherto unde- 
scribed, the A. fraxinifolia and A. pteroides ; the former 
species nearly |, he observes, to A. aureum, but 
different in having the pinne shortly accuminated. The 
A. aleicorne, previously described by Swartz, was obser- 
ved by Brown near Port Jackson. 
The species of this extensive genus are too nume- 
rous, and differ too evidently in appearance, to be ac- 
curately known ; and it is easy to see that they require 
# more natural subdivision than, from our present im- 
perfect acquaintance with their structure, can as yet be 
attempted with success. Some of the species would 
seem to approach to Onoclea in affinity. Genera, how- 
ever, ly distinct, have been confounded with A- 
erostichum, from being examined in an advanced period 
of their fructification. Hence, as Sprengel 
A, hastatum and Liljebad’s A. alpinum, are real Polypo- 
dia, their capsules becoming crowded when about to - 
burst. In many of the en i the fertile fronds, con- 
tracting, put on the appearance of spikes, seeming to- 
tally distinct from the sterile ones; and thus have been, 
even by modern botanists, confounded with Osmunda. 
In the Acrostichum alcicorne, now in the public collec- 
tion at Edinburgh, the sterile fronds are kidney-shaped, 
— and sessile ; ir the — fronds are erect, 
ichotomous, w - at the base, bearing their 
capsules mae Biber io. ors on the lanceolate laci« 
nie. iene aiden is figured by Schkuhr, 
(Crypt. 1. tab. 2.) By far the greater part of the Acros- 
ticha are natives of tropical regions. 
The Acrostichum maranta is the only European spe« 
eies hitherto described. This mpetie Yoke opposite bi- 
pinnate fronds, The pinnules entire, , blunt, 
united towards the point of the frond, the whole of - 
which is in the back covered with scales, as in 
Ceterach, from which, however, it is easily distinguish- 
ed, by comparing them when the Ceterach is m the 
first period of fructification, and the transverse lines 
of its capsules are clearly seen. The A. maranta is 
found on the rocks of Styria, in the Tyrole, Switzer- 
land, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. The A. canariense 
possesses great affinity with A. maranta ; but it differs 
in in every respect, of double the size, the lower 
pinne having nine or ten pinnules on each side, and 
- former being all alternate instead of opposite, as in 
+ maranta. 
(2.) Hemionitis, (Willd. 1955.) 
5—:Lapsules inserted into the reticulated vessels of the 
In this — genus, the fruit accompanies the ra- 
” describes fifteen species, in eight 
of which the frond is entire, and in the vemiconiley 9s 
riously pinnated. In the H, acroslichoides, the cap- 
sules are confluent on the broad, lanceolate, undulated, 
and crenate pinne. This ies is a native of Sierra 
Leone. The H. reticulata, figured by S is evi- 
dently allied to Vittaria lanceolata, with ‘oups 
of capsules in branched lines, with which wn 
FILICES. 
Filices. eS Ny eT ae 
s. The H. rufa 
2. Lin.) This spe- 
Lamarck (E 2. 208:), freee Dees The species 
are all natives of -warth elisnaiany ete" 
(3.) Meniscium, (Willd. 1956.) 
in lunulated groups, situated nearly Le 
iol te each othr, oxi the tesbeaeteiabala tether 
the frond. Pte od 
Only six species are at present (1815) paadeigg a 
to S we are indebted for a correct 
a dt in an engraving of the 1M. triphyl- 
first characterized 
M. t 
China. 
triphyllum, which we native of the East Indies, are 
Sound in the West: Indies aud South Aiaeckie. 
(4.) Tenitis. (Willd. 1957.) 
_ Capsules generally in linear, longitudi 
supposed to belie Pteris (Phy tb 9.) but it 
genus by Swartz, 
reckoned Pierides, as in neither do the s furnish 
wel has a good figure (PL 10 dalets) of the generic che. 
1 has re (P1.10 An : 
Seas co ee ae 
(5.) Grammitis. (Willd..1959.) 
: of longitudinal i : 
beset with eens, = ai cS ss a 
This genus can ly inguished from the 
ee ee ee being strag- 
The greater part of the species known, have simple 
