PLANTS JAVANICLE RARIORES. 569 



having pilose capsules ; and it is at least certain that the 

 section of Gymnogramma referred to should be removed 

 from that genus, and if still distinguished as a genus or 

 subgenus, might receive the name of Pleurogramma. 



This section is also manifestly related to Meniscium, 

 which, though readily distinguished by its technical cha- 

 racter, may be considered as a subgenus of Polypodium, 

 nearly approaching in vascular structure to the pinnate 

 species of Lastrea, but differing in the sori terminating 

 the corresponding veins at their point of junction, and by 

 their confluence forming a semilunar line. It is deserving 

 of remark, that in some, and especially the original species 

 of Meniscium in that part of the frond where the power of 

 producing capsules is the weakest, the sorus is transferred 

 from the point of union of veins to the upright branch 

 arising from that point, and from semilunar becomes round 

 or sublinear. 



Lastrea may even be considered as approaching in [5 

 affinity rather more nearly to that section of Nephrodium, 

 which M. Gaudichaud has separated under the generic name 

 of Polystichum, than to any subdivision of Polypodium ; 

 an approximation which appears to be confirmed by more 

 than one fern, entirely agreeing in habit, in undivided 

 veins and lateral fructification with this group of Nephro- 

 dium, but having a short linear sorus, with an Indusium 

 of corresponding form, inserted by its longitudinal axis in 

 the middle of the sorus. To this group the name of 

 Mesochl.ena may be given ; and though in general 

 appearance it is abundantly different from Didymochlaena, 

 it can only be distinguished from that genus, according to 

 my view of the structure of its indusium, by its simple 

 veins and lateral sori. 



The most extensive but least natural section of Poly- 

 podium is that in which none of the veins anastomose, the 

 sorus standing either on the apex, generally more or less 

 dilated, of the branch, or distinctly below the apex, which 

 is then scarcely or not at all dilated ; the vein when simple, 

 or its upper soriferous division when branched, terminating 

 within the margin of the frond or pinna. 



