270 F I L I C E s. 



our notice. The fronds are either bipinnatifid or tripinnatifid, with 

 the primary divisions recurved or ascending; and the tips of the 

 lacinise are usually emarginate (a character overlooked by Gaudi- 

 chaud). The stipes are either very slightly margined or winged. 

 The indusium is either orbicular and entire, or ovate and serrate at 

 the upper margin, its position either supra-axillary or terminal (the 

 latter seldom), the base immersed, while above it is two-valved about 

 half-way down, 



16. Hymenophylltjm polyanthos, 8u). 



HymenophyUum polyanthos, Sw. Syn. Fil. p. 149; Willd. Spec. PI. 5, p. 530; Hook- 

 Spec. EL 1, p. 106 ; H. abietinum, Hook. & Grev. Ic. Fil. t. 127. 



Hab. Vicinity of Rio Janeiro, and also in the Organ Mountains, 

 Brazil. 



Our plant is 4 or 5 inches high, with ovate-oblong and tripinnatifid 

 fronds ; the inferior pinnae small and rather distant. Stipes slightly 

 winged. Indusium ovate and partially immersed, divided into two 

 valves almost to its base. 



In his Species Filicum, Sir William Hooker has referred to H. 

 polyanthos a great number of nominal species, established by various 

 authors. Whether this view be ultimately adopted or not, his excel- 

 lent judgment, and the vast amount of materials at his command, 

 entitle his opinions to the highest consideration. 



17. Htmenophyllum gracile, Bory. 



HymenophyUum gracile, Bory, in Willd. Spec. PL 5, p. 527; Hook. & Grev. Ic. Fil. 

 t. 198; Hook. Spec. Fil. 1, p. 110. 



Hab. Tahiti, Society Islands : in mountain forests, growing on the 

 trunks of trees. 



The inferior pinnae in our plant are shorter than they are repre- 

 sented in Hooker and Greville's Icones Filicum ; giving the outline of 



