262 



Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



calls it Dicranoglosmm J. Sm. Amongst its other generic synonyms 

 are Pteropsis J. Sm., Cuspidaria and Taenitis. This uncertainty of nomen- 

 clature would seem to show that systematists have been doubtful of its exact 

 position. The only species is Eschatogramme f 'areata (L) C. Ohr. 



The leaves are simpler than those of Taenitis, for though they may be 

 deeply divided, the dichotomous character appears more obviously in their 

 branching, so that they can scarcely be spoken of as pinnate leaves. They 

 hold, in fact, an intermediate position between the pinnate leaf of Blcchnum 

 and of Taenitis, and the simple leaf as seen in some of the other Tacnitidinae 

 and the Vittarieae. 



a he 



Fin. 6. — Eschatogramme furcata. (a) Venation of upper portion of sterile leaf. 

 (b) Lower portion of same leaf, (e) Venation of fertile leaf. 



No mention is made in Synopsis Filicum or Engler and Prantl of an 

 indusium, and none was visible on the Herbarium specimens available for 

 examination. 



Diels ((5), p. 303) notes that in Dicranoglossum furcatum (Willd.) J. Sm. 

 (= Eschatogramme) the leathery leaf bears small scales on its lower surface. 

 This is remarkably well seen in herbarium specimens collected by Hooker in 

 Trinidad, and by Pamplin in Caraccas. It has an added interest for com- 

 parison with Blechnum, since Taenitis is without them on the leaf surface, 

 though, as has been seen, small scales are present on its rhizome. There is a 

 linear sorus on either side of the midrib. 



