67 
D. subincisa is as to cutting, shape of ultimate segments, colour and texture 
rather constant, but it varies considerably in size and pubescence. As the above list 
of synonyms indicates, several authors have described as species a series of forms, 
which I, however, cannot separate from D. subincisa. The scales are always toothed, 
but the teeth are somewhat different, and Metrenius (Fil. Lechl.) maintained two 
species characterized by the teeth of the scales: Pheg. subincisa (teeth short, patent, 
mostly triangular) and Ph. Galeottii (teeth long, mostly retrorsely claw-shaped). I 
cannot consider that character of essential value; specimens from about all localities 
have both kinds of teeth. Most uniform are the specimens from Mexico, with which 
the majority of Central-American specimens agree; they have always claw-shaped 
teeth (Ph. Galeottii, Pol. Sloanei Liebm., Ph. stenolepis Fée, Ph. martinicensis Fourn.). 
Intermediate forms are described as Alsophila martinicensis Syn. and Pheg. epierioides 
Fée, both from the West Indies. The specimens from the Southern Lesser Antilles 
agree very well with the typical form from the Northern Andes, i. e. they have 
short-toothed scales. 
As to pubescence we find forms from all localities with the underside perfectly 
glabrous or shortly downy with minute, erect hairs; this variation is probably due 
to age and perhaps to outer conditions. The rachis and coste beneath are never 
shortly puberulent as in D. vasta. The most different form seen, with regard to pu- 
bescence, is represented by some specimens from Porto Rico, which have the under- 
side finely but rather sparsely glandulose by erect, capitate glands (f. glandulosa). 
Phegopteris dilatata Fée is a variety from the Lesser Antilles, that is marked by its 
mostly bright-green leaf with brighter, nearly entire scales and with supramedial sori. 
D. subincisa is commonly said to be distributed through tropical America, from 
Mexico to Argentina, but it inhabits, however, a more restricted area. It is common 
from Southern Mexico through Central America to Bolivia and it occurs, probably 
as a rather rare species, on the four larger Antilles; further it is found frequently 
in the Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe to Grenada. It is wanting in the Virgin 
Islands and apparently also in Trinidad and Guyana. No Brazilian specimen seen 
may properly be referred to D. subincisa, and the Chilean plants often referred hereto 
belong to D. spectabilis. he 
Below I enumerate a number of the very numerous specimens seen, omitting: 
exact localities for Costa Rica, where the species is very common. 
Lesser Antilles: Grenada, Eaceks nr. 6116 b (B), 6144 (B, RB), 6213 (B, RB, W); SHERRING nr. 102 
(B, W); Broapway nr. 1860 (B), 3765, 3781 (RB) (Obs. All these specimens fall rather under 
Pheg. dilatata Fée) — St. Vincent; Eacers nr. 6868 (B, R, RB, W); H. H;-& G. W. Smirn 
nr. 292 (B, RB) (all the typical form). — Martinique, Sreper: Syn. Fil. exs. nr. 162, Fl. Mart. 
nr. 348 (B, — type of Alsophila martinicensis Spr.); Hawn nr. 552 (B, RB), Pére Duss nr. 
1559, 4124 (B), 1562 (RB), 1581 b (B, W) — Guadeloupe, L’HERMINIER (B, RB — type of 
Pheg. dilatata Fée, Mazé nr. 249 (B); Pére Duss nr. 4034, 4109 b (W), 4340 (B, W). 
Porto Rico: Sinrents nr. 1371 (B), 4570 (B, RB, $8, W); GuNpbLacH nr, 1372 (B), A. A. HELLER s. n. 
(W); Hroram s. n. (CC, R, RB, W = f. glandulosa). 
g* 
