250 198 
is possible that some of the doubtful forms referred as varieties to D. tetragona really 
belong to D.íristis. For the present I prefer to refer to D. tristis the specimens only 
which have medial sori and lower pinnze with a long cuneate base. They are the 
following: 
Peru: Tarapoto, Spruce nr. 4091 (RB) — in valle fluv. Rio Hüallaga, SrüsEL nr. 1090 (v. glabrata 
Hieron. Hed wigia 46: 324), 1090 a (B). 
Ecuador: Fraser (B). 
Colombia: Castaünal, SoNNTAG (B, C) — Magdalena, LiNwpiG nr. 377 b, 383 (B) — Ocana, ENGEL nr. 256 
(B); Scutm™ nr. 129 et 657 (B) — inter Honda et Bogota, SrüBEL nr. 391 (B); LINDEN nr. 
1010 (B) — Sta. Marta, H. H. Surru nr. 2562 (C). 
Panama: HILLEBRAND nr. 195 (B, C) — Bocas del Toro, Harr nr. 21a (W); Maxon nr. 4651, 4682 
4705, 5756 (W). 
Costa Rica: Rio Hondo, plains of Sta. Clara, 100 m, Cook and DoyLe nr. 561 (W). 
Surinam: Paramaribo, KaAPPLER nr. 1776 (B). 
Brasilia: Para, Rio Maraca (near Guiana), M. GuEpos nr. 567 (C — bud on rachis) — in sylvis fl. Ma- 
ranon, SPRUCE s.n. (RB). 
L'950. Dryopteris nicaraguensis (Fourn.) C. Chr. Ind. 279. 1905. — Fig. 41d. 
Syn. Phegopteris nicaraguensis Fourn. Bull. Soc. Fr. 19: 252. 1872. 
Type from Nicaragua: Chontales, leg. P. Lévy nr. 460 bis (Herb. Cos- 
son, Paris!). 
The type-specimen, with which agree a few other specimens, belongs to a 
species, which seems to be a very distinct one. It is marked by its large size: stipe 
up to 8dem long, lamina 5dem, pinne 20—24 cm long by 3!/s—4 cm broad at the 
middle, by the grey-green or yellowish green colour and firm, papyraceous texture 
of the lamina and by the prominent, stramineous cost and costule. Veins 12—18- 
jugate, those of the three lower pairs connivent to sinus, below which they are se- 
parated by a hyaline membrane, folded in the dried specimens. Rachis very finely 
downy, especially upwards, like the costz beneath, or nearly glabrous; surfaces 
otherwise glabrous, opaque. Pinnze 8—10 to a side, at distances of 4—5 cm, the 
inferior ones shortly stalked, (terminal pinna similar in shape), incised about half- 
way to the costa into falcate, subacute, entire segments, 8 mm broad, the lower 
ones of the lower pinnz gradually reduced, those of the basal or two lower pairs 
forming a sinuate wing to the costa. Sori small, inframedial, apparently exindusiate. 
Sporangia glabrous. 
The main differences between the typical form and D. tristis are seen in the 
colour and texture of the lamina, in the base of the lower pinnz and in the po- 
sition of the sori. Unfortunately all these characters seem to be combined in dif- 
ferent ways, and I have examined a number of specimens, which as well may be 
referred to D. nicaraguensis as to D. tristis. Other specimens, partly mentioned under 
D. tetragona, connect this species with D. nicaraguensis, and I have failed to find 
good distinctive characters, by which these intermediate forms can be referred to 
their proper species. To D.tetragona var. 3 and 5 I have referred the forms having 
