—86— 



of the figure. If this be the correct solution, one has only to 

 consider how very slowly the Osmundas move onward each year 

 to realize the great age of a large ring. A hundred years is a 

 very low estimate of the time needed to form one. — Willard N. 

 Clute. 



OUR WESTERN WOODWARDIA. 



By Alvah A. Eaton. 



HAVING become familiar with the plant known as Wood- 

 war dia radicans during my sojourn in California and 

 through cultivation since, I was quite forcibly struck by 

 the difference in aspect when compared with veritable speci- 

 mens of the species from Maderia; especially so as Brewer and 

 Watson (Bot. Cal. II, 344) remark that the only difference is in 

 the presence or absence of the scaly bud, although Eaton {Ferns 

 of N. A. II, 117 et seg.) touches slightly on other points of 

 variance. 



Doubtless many who have analyzed this plant have noticed 

 that the venation does not agree with that of the section Euwood- 

 wardia, but rather of Anchistea, being almost identical in plan 

 with IV. Virginica. My studies on this subject have convinced 

 me that in spite of a superficial resemblance, those authors, who 

 are neither few nor second rate, that consider our plant distinct, 

 are in the right. The first available name appears to be spinnlosa 

 of Martens and Galeotti, recently taken up by Mr. Maxon (Proc. 

 Nat. Mus. XIII, 4. 4, '01). Some of the points of difference are: 



First. The venation, radica?is having one, and usually two 

 rows of meshes outside the fructiferous row, and the veins ter- 

 minate at the margin, while spinulosa has fewer veins, all free 

 beyond the fruit except occasionally at the base of the segment, 

 and usually excurrent into a pellucid awn, whence the name. 



Second. The characteristic bud of radicans, which gives it 

 its name, has never been seen on our plant. 



Third. The appearance of the fronds is different, radicans 

 being relatively broader with tips of pinna) and segments very 

 long scuminate, the latter separated by a very narrow linear 

 sinus, while the segments of spimtlosa are obtuse and separated 

 by a broad, rounded sinus. 



Fourth. Radica?is appears to be glabrous, while spinulosa 

 is provided with resinous glands to which dust and debris freely 



