TAKEDA—ASIATIC POLYPODIUMS. 289 
9896). However, these particular specimens have been de- 
scribed as a distinct species under the name of P. oligolepis, 
Baker.* Although that author considers his fern as allied 
to P. hemionitideum, Wall., it actually represents P. ensatum, 
Thunb. with uniseriate sori. 
1g. P. ovatum, Wall. 
This species gives an extraordinary case of variation in the 
shape of the frond, which has led Christ to create a new specific 
name—phyllomanes.t| The writer does not, however, see 
any reason why a new name should be used instead of the well- 
known old name—P. ovatum. It is true that those peculiar 
forms have been described as different species, yet it is difficult 
to find any necessity to propose a new name when all those 
forms are united into one species. If such a practice be carried 
out, there would be introduced a great number of new names 
into the already complicated fern-nomenclature. However, I 
cannot doubt but that Christ is quite correct in uniting all those 
monstrous forms into one, notwithstanding the fact that the 
peculiar shape of the fronds has led other botanists to regard 
them as distinct species. 
P. ovatum occurs in N. India, including Bhotan, Nepal, 
Sikkim, Khasia, and Manipur. It is, however, in China that 
the monstrosity has been found.{ All the specimens but one 
or two which I have examined from China are quite normal 
and do not show the tendency to produce lobes. This species is 
-closely related to the preceding ; it differs, however, in the broad 
base of the frond and the more commonly multiseriate sori. 
The following specimens from China have been examined :— 
Chekiang: Ningpo (Hancock, n. 8, Faber, Aug. 1885) ; 
Hupeh: without special locality (Henry, n. 7879), Ichang 
(Henry, n. 3123, 3279 §), Changyang (Wilson, n. 437) ; Kiangsi: 
Kiukiang (Shearer, 1873); Szechwan: Mt. Omei (Wilson, 
n. 5320, Faber, n. 1095 ||); Yunnan; Szemao (Henry, n. 10,078k), 
Mengtsz, shady rocks at from 5500-6700 ft. (Hancock, n. 55) ; 
Feng-chen Lin Mts. forest, 6800 ft. (Henry, n. 10,078c) ; 
Kwangsi: Lungchow (Morse, n. 72). as 5 Sin maga 
This species occurs also, but seldom, in Madagascar ; a speci- 
men with young thin fronds has been described as P. Lastit, Bak. 
* Kew Bull. 1898, p. 231. oe cf. the Menge —_ p. 307. 
+ Bull. Acad. Intern. Geogr. Bot. xi, p. 210, ¢ g. (1902). 
2S P. Rosthorni, Diels (Engl. Bot. Jahrb. xxix, Fs 8 [1900]) is probably one of 
the fi 
§ ‘The t type specimen of P. deltoideum, Bak. in Journ. Bot. 1888, p. 2 
|| This specimen has been recorded by Diels as P. ensatum. See Engl Bot. 
Jahrb. xxix, , P. 203 (1900). 
{] Baker in Journ. Bot. 1891, p. 5 (fide spec. original. in hb. Kew.). 
. 
