GENERAL EEMARKS. 



597 



does it also in the articulate spike evince an approach to arti- 

 culation in some Polypodia. 



Ophioglossum. — No Fern perhaps assumes so much the 

 form and particular appearance of Fuci as does Ophioglossum 

 pendulum : This hangs from trees, and the fronds have an 

 undulated or twisted appearance. It is not common here, 

 and I have only met with it once growing on another Fucoid 

 Fern, the Acrostichum fuciforme. 



In habit, it is widely different from the terrestrial Ophioglossa, 

 in which the leaf bears the usual proportion to the axis, and 

 the inflorescence has the appearance of terminating an one 

 leaved stem. In this plant however the most natural 

 description, would relate to a long frond of linear shape : 

 from the middle of which at a variable distance from the base, 

 but always below the middle, the pedunculated spike origi- 

 nates. 



The fronds have stomata on both sides, which is nothing re- 

 markable. They are similar on both sides, the base is round- 

 ish, whitish cellular, with a circular series of vascular bundles, 

 not in very regular relation with the curve described by the 

 circumference ; the substance of the frond above the inflores- 

 cence is homogeneous, composed of large rounded cells, much 

 green matter in those of the superfices, several vascular 

 fascicles ; ducts in the centre and fibres outside. 



Below the Peduncle the frond is much thickened in the 

 middle, a transverse section shews a linear series of distinct 

 vascular fascicles, and towards the greater angle or protuber- 

 ance another smaller one. This is for the supply of the Pe- 

 duncle, the angle becoming more and more protuberant to- 

 wards its base. 



The formation of the two series is due to a disruption of 

 the original irregular circle into 2, the larger side going on to 

 the leaf, the smaller to the peduncle, it commences where the 

 angle of the peduncle first makes its appearance. The Pe- 



