180 



F I L I C E S. 



Fronds pinnate, smooth, of a membranaceous texture, and from 15 to 

 25 inches long. Pinnce consisting of from 4 to 6 pairs, with an odd 

 one, the inferior 3 or 4 pairs sessile, the superior ones decurrent, elon- 

 gate-lanceolate, acuminate, with a somewhat wedge-shaped base and 

 repand margin, from 6 to 8 inches long, and 2 inches broad, the termi- 

 nal one 2-%-parted in a lobate-pinnatifid manner. Stipes 2 feet and 

 upwards in length, about the thickness of a goose-quill, smooth, half- 

 round, and grooved in front, with long, slender, acuminate, reticulated, 

 chaffy scales at the base. Sori numerous and large, and arranged out- 

 ward from the costa to the margin in a nearly biserial manner. 



This differs from the preceding species in its pinnate and less mem- 

 branaceous fronds (at least they are so at the base), and repand 

 pinnae, the terminal one 2-3-parted; and also in the absence of the 

 broad wing on the stipe, peculiar to that species. 



3. ASPIDIUM MACROPHYLLUM, Sw. 



Aspidium macrophyllum, Sw. Syn. Fil. p. 43 & 239 ; Willd. Spec. PL 5, p. 217 ; 

 Kaddi, Plant. Brasil. p. 29. 



Hab. Woods, on the Corcovado, near Rio Janeiro, Brazil. 



When growing in the shade (which is the usual station for the 

 species) the fronds are large, 2 or 3 feet high, with remote and mem- 

 branaceous pinnae ; while in open situations they are more compact in 

 their habit, with pinnae consequently of a firmer texture, and the 

 costa above partially pubescent. 



4. Aspidium irregulare, Sp. Nov. 



A. stipitibus nigris Icevibus angulatis; frondibus membranaceis bipin- 

 natis; pinnulis oblongo-lanceolatis acuminatis acutisve margine lobato- 

 sinuatis basi cordatis, supremis coadunatis, lobis crenatis ; rhachi 

 costaque fusco-pubescentibus ; sorts parvis biserialibus ; i?idusio orbicu- 

 lari crenato. 



Var. (3. frondibus lernatisectis, divisionibus triangulatis pinnatis ; pinnis 

 petiolatis lobato-pinnatifidis. 



