( ) 
that of the polypodiurn vulgare as nearly re- 
fembles one of the very large kind of ca- 
terpillars, as the root of the polypodiurn 
barometz, if we may judge from the prints 
of it, does a fheep ! This plant is defcribed 
by many eminent botanifts, as being deficient 
in the elaftic ring, which furrounds the 
capfules, and by means of which they are 
burft open, and their feeds difcharged. It 
would be extraordinary to find any of the 
fern tribe deftitute of this feemingly eflential 
part ; neither has it yet been difcovered, that 
they are fo> by the accurate and diligent re- 
fear ches of Mr. Curtis* who afcribes this errour 
of defcription to the blindly following the 
authority of figures ; for had thofe authors, 
who have falfely characterized the polypo- 
diurn vulgare, from it's want of the elaftic 
ring, made ufe of their own eyes, affifted 
only by a common magnifier, they muft 
have feen, what had long before their time 
attracted the notice of inquiring botanifts. 
At the fame time it is not eaiy to account 
for the errour of the ingenious Tournefort, 
who has delineated the capfules of the genus 
polypodiurn without rings ; but this is one 
of the many inftances which ought to deter 
us 
