) 
From all the British species of M:tophyllum, except NV. laceratum, 
this handsome plant may be at once distinguished, when in 
tetrasporic-fruit, by the marginal position of the sori; from J. 
laceratum it can only be known by difference in form, m sub- 
stance, and, in some measure, by its brighter colour. ‘The usual 
narrow varieties of JV. daceratum are so different from any state 
of VV. Gmelini, that we should hardly anticipate the occurrence 
of individuals of doubtful characters, which seem to stand almost 
equidistant from either species. And yet some luxuriant speci- 
mens of JV. daceratum so nearly approach the cloven varieties of 
NV. Gmelini, that im a dried state especially, they are apt to de- 
ceive even a practised eye. When the plants are freshly gathered 
indeed, they are most easily separated,—/V. Gmelini beg known 
by a peculiarly crisp, rigid feel, and WV. Jaceratum by softness, 
and at the same time toughness. ‘The colour of the latter is 
more purple, and often reflects prismatic colours ; and the nerves 
are much more clearly defined than in WV. Gmelini. 
Fig. 1. NrropHyitium GMEini :—of the natural size. 2. Portion of the frond, 
with a marginal sorws. 3. Tetraspores, from the same. 4. Portion of the 
frond with tubercles. 5. Section of one of the tubercles :—all more or less 
highly magnified. 
