34 BOTRYCHIUM TERNATUM. TERNATE GRAPE-FERN. 



of these forms are placed on our plate, because they are both 

 thought by Dr. Gray in the " Manual " to be distinct enough to 

 retain Latin names as varieties. Fig. i is his Botrychium luna- 

 rioides, var. obliqitum ; Fig. 2 is his B. hmarioides, var. dissechmi. It 

 will be seen by even a mere glance at our plate, that in the main 

 features they are both the same. The finer division of the 

 frondose portions is all that strikes the eye; but in most ferns it 

 is so common to notice variations in the subdividing of the 

 frond, that in this case the character is hardly worth even a 

 distinctive varietal name. One of the best characters to dis- 

 tinguish species oi Botrychium is in the degree of union between 

 the barren and fertile fronds. In some species the stipe of the 

 barren is wholly united to the fertile, so that the frond seems 

 sessile on the common stem. In our present species we see 

 in both forms on our plate, that the union is only for an inch or 

 so, before the barren frond diverges and retains the remaining 

 portion of the stipe for its own account. Professor Eaton calls 

 attention to a peculiarity which distinguishes this species from 

 all others. It is that the young bud before it pushes from the 

 ground for the season's growth is pilose or hairy. Not as a specific 

 character — that is, one confined to a single species; but as one 

 common to several other species, he notes that this bud " is com- 

 pletely enclosed in the hollowed base of the stalk, and in it may 

 be distincdy seen the rudiments of the fronds for the next two or 

 three following years." The stem so completely envelops this bud 

 in some species, that it is likely to be overlooked early in the 

 season without a careful examination — but it is worth looking 

 for and studying, as it affords a clew to the union of the stipes 

 as already noted. This pardcular formation of a miniature plant, 

 so far before development, was partially noted by Linnaeus, who, 

 in speaking of the European plant then named by him Osmujida 

 Lujzaria, says. " within the base of the stem, early in spring, may 

 be found a complete rudiment of next year s plant." It shows 

 how closely the great botanist, now nearly one hundred and fifty 

 years ago, examined the plants that came before him, though he 



