93 



Genus XIII. BLECHNUM, Linnam. 



IT is not quite agreed among botanists, whether the English 

 plant should be considered a member of the genus or family 

 called BlecJmum, or that which bears the name of Lomaria. 

 We think it most nearly related to the former, although 

 in the contraction of its fertile fronds it approaches very 

 near the latter. Among the British species the plant under 

 notice for there is only one native species of the genus 

 is known by having its fructification extended longitudinally 

 on the pinnse, so as to form a linear or continuous sorus on 

 each side the midvein, and about midway between it and 

 the margin. The only other British Pern which has its 

 fructification in extended lines lying parallel with the mid- 

 rib, is the Pteris, or Bracken, in which, however, the sorus 

 is on the margin, and not within the margin and near the 

 mid vein, as in Bleehnim. The BlecJmum may, however, 

 be at once known from the Pteris, by the division of its 

 fronds, which are merely pinnate, while those of Pteris are 

 decompound. 



The name BlecJmum is an adaptation of the Greek blech- 

 non, which signifies, a Fern. There is but one native 

 species, . Spicant; and we take the opportunity to state 



