59S 



FILICES. 



duncle is cellular with but little green matter with a (trans- 

 verse) series of simple fascicles. 



Spike evidently of a frond, midrib unchanged, cells con- 

 taining sporules between it and margin, the diaphragms of 

 frond, and supplied by vessels proceeding from the outside, 

 and rather distended fascicle of the centre, and as it were, in a 

 series of arches. 



The youngest state that I have observed the frond, has been 

 when it was \ an inch long, the apex consisted of two fleshy 

 bodies or lamina : bent down almost on the round straight 

 part, but not in any way gyrate, the upper of these is the 

 larger, concealing the under, which is the future inflorescence. 



Thus the difference between the frond and the spike, is 

 merely a difference in size, and there is nothing to corroborate 

 the idea that, the spike literally belongs to the frond. 



This genus, Ophioglossum verum, (for I have long known 

 the two be distinct in the structure of the spike, or rather the 

 capsular cells,) Hemionitis, and Antrophyum all agree in being 

 more or lesss Fucoidal, and in having a reticulate, uniform, or 

 subuniform venation. 



This species, Oph. pendulum has little in common with 

 Polypodiaceous Ferns. 



The fronds are not invariably spicigerous. 



Allosurus crispus, (PL CXXXVIII. Fig. II. 3.) This 

 exhibits a close approach to Cryptogram ma, and also to Pteris 

 aurea, but which differs in having an intromarginal vein, 

 and continuous sori. 



In all these the involucral edges meet over the midrib, 

 Cheilanthes, Allosurus, Gymnogramma, Lomaria. Pteris 

 aurea. PI. CXXXVIII. Fig. IL,1. It is doubtful to me 

 whether this is really a Pteris, although Hooker and Geville 

 say it is. 



