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upper pinnae, instead of being lanceolate and tapering, are ob- 

 lanceolate to oblong- oblanceolate, and instead of being cleft into 

 oblong obtuse segments have at their inner ends oblong to oblong- 

 ovate obtuse pinnules, which are alternate and entirely separated 

 by a distance equal to one-half to two-thirds their breadth. The 

 upper-middle pinnules are also entirely separate, but in addition 

 are greatly elongated, oblong-lanceolate and cleft into oblong 

 obtuse segments after the manner of the pinnae in normal O. 

 Claytoniana. In the fruiting specimens the fruit was borne as 

 in O. Claytoniana, but the fertile and sterile pinnae intergraded, 

 as some of the pinnae were wholly fertile and others bore both 

 fertile and sterile pinnules. Some of the pinnules even were in 

 shape and texture like the sterile pinnules, but have sporangia at 

 their edges. This last peculiarity seems to indicate an abnormal- 

 ity of some sort. 



The form and arrangement of the lower pinnules of each 

 pinna suggest a relationship with O. regalis, but it is hardly 

 probable, all things considered, that it is a hybrid of this species. 

 It seems quite possible that it may be a partial reversion to an 

 ancestral type. 



There were two separate rootstalks growing side by side and 

 evidently derived from the same parental rootstalk by growth 

 and the dying away of the connecting portion. This fact, to- 

 gether with the fact that the same form has been collected for 

 two successive seasons, is pretty strong evidence that the form 

 is permanent and not a monstrosity caused by mutilation or 

 peculiarities of nutrition. The plants grew by a shady roadside 

 in close proximity to many plants of normal O. Claytoniana. 

 They were perfectly healthy and there were no evidences or 

 probabilities of mutilation, as the plants were in a position where 

 they were not likely to be much disturbed. They were close to 

 the ditch, but beside a large boulder that had not been moved, 

 and would have protected the plants from all probable inter- 

 ference. 



Plymouth, N. H. 



