LOPHODIUM SPINOSUM. 161 



of nearly equal length, and are nearly twice as long as the cor- 

 responding superior ones : this discrepancy between superior 

 and inferior pinnules gradually diminishes, and it altogether 

 ceases with the sixth pair, which are of equal length : a sonae- 

 what similar discrepancy is observable in the pinnules of the 

 second pair of pinnse, but beyond these it becomes scarcely 

 observable : some of the lower pianules are deeply pitmatifid, 

 almost pinnate : the lobes of the pinnules are toothed, and the 

 teeth terminate in short but sharp and distinct spines ; each 

 serrature, with its accompanying spine, has a decided curvature 

 towards the apex of the pinnule. 



The veins of the pinnules are alternately branched, each 

 system of branches entering a division of the pinnule, and the 

 anterior branch bearing a circular cluster of capsules just 

 within the sinus which occurs between each two divisions : this 

 cluster is covered by a flat, reniform involucre, the margins of 

 which are sinuate, entire, and without glands, a character which, 

 as far as my observation has extended, is constant, and is of 

 great importance in distmguishing the present plant from the 

 spinulosa of Swartz, "Willdenow, Schkuhr, Presl, and Fran- 

 cis, all of which I imagine to be L. multiflorum of this work. 

 Owing to the constant position of the clusters on each pinnule, 

 they form a regular double line, the midvein of the pinnule 

 passing up the centre : but when the pinnule is completely 

 divided into lobes, each branch of the vein usually bears a clus- 

 ter of capsules : this is more frequently the case in those pin- 

 nules which are nearest the main rachis of the frond ; and it 

 may be observed that the clusters on all, except the usual cap- 

 sule-bearing branch, are of smaller size. The seed, as pointed 

 out by Linneus and Withering, is confined to the upper portion 

 of the frond. The clusters are usually distinct and perfectly 

 separate. Each branch of the vein enters one of the serratures 

 of the pinnule, but terminates before reaching the spine, with 

 which it is quite unconnected. 



Like the last, this fern should be planted in peat, which may 

 be mixed with any light soil of the garden, and it is important 



T 



