GYMNOCAUPIUM PHEGOPTEEIS. 



49 



THE BEECH FEEN, (natural size). 



Genus. — Gtmnocaepium. Ultimate divisions of the frond 

 with a series of free parallel veins running from the midvein to 

 the margin, and each of these bearing a circular mass of cap- 

 sules before its extremity ; when mature, these clusters are 

 circular, and, in the typical species, have no trace of an invo- 

 lucre. The caudex is a black, slender, stolon-like rhizome, 

 which extends rapidly beneath the surface of the ground, the 

 fronds rising from its extremity. 



Obs. — Tt should here be observed that Koth, one of the most pains- 

 taking and observant of botanists, asserts that he found an involucre 

 in Phegopteris and Dryopteris. I have no reason to doubt this as- 

 sertion, but have not confirmed it by my own observation. An in- 

 volucre is frequently present in montana, and is such as is described 

 by Roth as characteristic of Phegopteris. 



Species. — Phegopteris. Rhizome creeping : stipes long : 

 frond ovate -deltoid, pinnate, drooping : first pair of pinnae ses- 

 sile, distinct, turned back ; the rest confluent, being united at 



