CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 359 



both the Old and New World, which, as in many other 

 instances, has led to their being considered as distinct 

 species. 



211. OSMUNDA, Linn. (1737). 



Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose, sub-arboroid, pro- 

 ducing outgrowing aerial, mossy roots, forming a spongy 

 mass. Fronds pinnate or bi-pinnate, 3 to 10 feet high, 

 pinna3 articulated with the rachis. Veins forked ; venules 

 free. Fertile fronds wholly, or the upper or middle portion, 

 contracted, forming simple or compound sporangiferous 

 panicles. 



Type. Osmunda regalis, Linn. 



Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 46 A. ; Moore Ind, 

 Fil., p. 94 B. ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 148 ; 

 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 8, fig. 62. 



* Fertile fronds wholly contracted (Osmundastrum, Pr.). 

 Sp. 0. cinnamomea, Linn, (v v.) ; 0. lancea, Thurib. 



** Lateral pinnae of fertile frond contracted (Plenasium, Pr.) 



0. Javanica, Blume. ; 0. Claytoniana, Linn, (v v.) ; 0. 

 bipinnata, Hook. Fil. Exot., t. 15. 



*** Terminal pinnce of fertile frond contracted (Euosmunda). 



O. regalis, Linn, (v v.) ; 0. spectabilis, Willd. (v v.) ; 0. 

 gracilis, Link, (v v.). 



OBS. 0. cinnamomea and 0. regalis have a wide geo- 

 graphical range, the first being found throughout tropical 

 and temperate America, Eastern China, and Japan, the 

 second being found in most countries conducive to Fern 

 life. 



