i\o. 483] STUDIES OF THE OPHIOGLOSSACE.^ 



145 



Even in the small number of specimens collected (the plant is 

 an extremely rare one) a number of very interesting variations 

 were found, some of which approximated quite closely the condi- 

 tion found in O. simplex. In these the lamina was greatly reduced, 

 and in one case (Fig. 4, E) formed merely the narrow wing along 

 the margin of the petiole and peduncle of the spike. In the other 



cases the lamina was wider and its apex free, but even in these the 

 lamina was \ery small, and the terminal position of the spike 

 extremely evident (C, D). 



In both 0. pendulum and 0. intermedium the spike is more 

 flattened than in the section Euophioglossum, and the central 

 sterile portion wider in proportion. Stomata are almost entirely 

 absent from the spike of O. pendulum, and the few that are occa- 

 sionally found are confined to the criitral part. In O. Infrniirdium 

 the stomata are more numerous than in (). piitdiduin, but much 

 less numerous than in 0. moluceatium, for example, where they 

 also occur upon the epidermis of the wall of the sporangium. 



