iivpoLEns. 71 



the rest and the pinnules (lee])ly pinnatifid oblong patent, 

 the segments crccto-])atent linear-lanceolate veined niiicro- 

 nato-serrate or incised the a])ex subtruncate bi- tridentate 

 cuneate at the base, the sinus soriferous, sort and involucres 

 marginal subrotund, stipes quadrangular moderately long, 

 primary and secondary rachis margined furrowed ])urple quite 

 smooth, caudex creeping weak densely fusco-paleaceous." 

 Kze. Cheilanthes (Hypolepis) Schimperi, Kunse, in Schk. 

 Fil. Suppl. p. 52, i. 26. 



Hab. Abyssinia, Schimper, («. 1651). — A very peculiar plant, with the 

 habit, as Kunze well observes, of some small Davallim. We have an ana- 

 logue in the following species. The frond is 3 — 4 inches long, pale green 

 when dry ; the stipes rather longer, in my specimens. Kuuac's figure is 

 excellent. 



24. H. Californica ; densely tufted from a short scaly 

 creeping root, fronds small triangular slightly acuminate thin- 

 coriaceous glabrous brown when dry deeply quadripinnate 

 (or more correctly quadripinnatifid) lower pinna) ovate the 

 rest lanceolate, ultimate pinnules lanceolato-subulate the 

 apices spinulose the sides inciso-serrate, the serraturcs or 

 lacinidai sharp pointing upwards soriferous in their sinuses, 

 involucres pale membranaceous reniformi-lunulate rather 

 large directed downwards, stipes dark purple glossy semite- 

 rete, rachises furrowed above compressed subulate, caudex 

 creeping rather thick clothed with black-purple scales. (Tab. 

 LXXXVIII. A.) Aspidotis Californica, Nidt. MSS. in Herb, 

 nostr. Cheilanthes Coulteri, Harv. MSS. n. 820, in Herb, 

 nostr. 



Hab. Sa. Barbara, California, NutiaU, Dr. Coulter. — I have just alluded 

 to the peculiar habit and general appearance of H. Sc/ii7nperi. Our pre- 

 sent species, though from a widely different part of the globe, must rank 

 close to that; and Mr. Nutlall is perhaps not far wrong in considering his 

 siJccies deserving of forming a genus {Aspidotis) to which, if adopted, //. 

 Schimperi must be added. Our plant has almost the san)e beautifully cut 

 fronds as Davallia parvula, Wall. (Hook, et Grev. Ic. Fil. t. 138). The di- 

 visions being all nearly the same in diameter ; the ramification may rather 

 be considered pinnatifid than pinnate. Our present species is essentially 

 distinguished by the peculiarly acuminated and spinulose points of the ul- 

 timate segments. In H. Schimperi the involucres arise from the margin 

 and are directed towards the costa: here from the sinus of a nearly erect, 

 or at most erecto-patent serrature or lacinula, and its direction is thence 

 downward towards the base of the pinnule. Stipes a span long : frond 

 about 3 inches. 



( Adiantoidca). 



25. H. Capensis ; caudex crec]ung scaly copiously root- 



