TAB. XLIV. 



Asplenium (Athyrium) Nigkitianum, Hook. 



Tota planta siccitate nigra, caudice brevi robusto erecto 

 squamis copiosis atro-ferrugineis subulatis paleaceo, stipiti- 

 bus casspitosis robustis spithamreis rachique dense fusco- 

 villosis, frondibus 1-1J pedem longis rigide coriaceis ob- 

 longo-lanceolatis acuminatis basi attenuatis bi-tripinnatis, 

 pinnis infimis remotis, reliquis magis approximates hori- 

 zontalibus 2 \ vix 3 uncias longis lanceolatis acuminatis, 

 pinnulis 2-3-lineas longis omnibus petiolulatis oblique 

 rhomboideis obscure et obtuse auriculatis seu insequaliter 

 bilobis serratis, pinnulis infimis ternatis seu subpinnatis 

 rachin imbricantibus, venis obscuris subflabellatim dicho- 

 tomis, soris 1-5 in singula pinnula parvis lato-oblongis, in- 

 volucris convexis integerrimis fere nigris. 



Asplenium Nigritianum, Hook. Sp. Fil. 3. p. 223. 



Hab. Prince's Island, Fernando Po, Barter in Baikie's 2nd 

 Niger Exped. n. 1898. 



A distinct and very peculiar Asplenium, which has no near 

 relationship to any species known to me ; remarkable for its 

 firm, rigid texture, very stout stipes and main rachis, shaggy 

 with woolly, hair-like scales, and for the very black colour of 

 the whole plant when dry. I place it with some hesitation 

 among Athyria, on account of a certain peculiarity of habit, 

 and of the convex involucres, which however are very firm 

 and coriaceous, and nearly of the same colour as the (dried) 

 frond. 



Portion of the base and apex of a fertile plant ; nat. size. 

 Fig. 1. Inferior pinnule from a sterile pinna, f. 2. Fertile 

 pinna with sori : magnified. 



