MACROGENS. 



453 



of the scales is the same as that of the ramenta, in which the colour 

 is developed from above downwards, a peculiarity as it appears to 

 me. 



The frond of Ceterach is very frondose-looking, it has stomata on 

 its under surface, and the cells of the cuticle very sinuate. There 

 can be no doubt of the propriety of including the nature of these ra- 

 menta and scales in its generic character. 



I can see nothing peculiar in the situation of the scales or ramenta 

 to suggest the reason of the situation of the capsules. 



In several cases, each pinna appears to have scales only which 

 become barren lobes ? the scales and ramenta have the same imbricate 

 situation. In this country it will be useless to expect more proofs. 

 But the four genera alluded to afford evidence enough, and sufficient 

 to show that these ramenta are formed with reference to some im- 

 portant function, that their universality is incompatible with any 

 functions of such minor degree as are attributed to them by those 

 who represent them to be scales or hairs. 



To those who require proof of the existence of the complex male 

 organ of Phsenogams, or of a male of that form with which only they 

 are familiar, I do not address myself ; but to the philosophic botanist, 

 who expects to meet with in the low r er orders of plants, a lower or- 

 ganization, one with a tendency of reduction to the essential elements, 

 and who bears in mind the comparative anatomy and structure of 

 similar bodies in adjoining, or not very distant groups, I beg leave to 

 suggest the intimate study of the ramenta of Ferns. 



Various as the situation of the fructification is, in three out of the 

 above four genera, yet the initial arrangements are precisely the 

 same. The various forms therefore may not depend proximately on 

 fructification itself, but on the peculiar growth given to the species, 

 in the same way in fact as we have the numerous modifications of the 

 theca in mosses, etc. and the infinite modifications of the carpels in 

 Pheenogams. 



[Attention is particularly pointed to those ferns which have general 

 capsules or involucres. 



Above all to the Cyatheoid forms. 



To Ophioglossum. 



To naked Thecae. 



To indusiate as Asplenia, etc.] 



But however erroneous these views may be, they will still have 

 been of service if general attention is directed by them to plants, in 



