TAB. LYI. 
Hymenophyllum asplenioides, Sw. 
Frondibus oblongis obtusis pendulis (siccitate fusco-brunneis) 
profunde pinnatifidis, lobis ovatis rarius integris plerumque 
bi-tri-quadrifidis nunc subpalmatis, lobulis obtusis apice 
soriferis, involucris solitariis (singulo lobulo) fere orbi- 
cularibus liberis integerrimis basi cuneata solummodo 
immersa profunde bivalvibus, receptaculo brevi onmino 
incluso, stipite tenui fronde breviore. 
Hymenophyllum asplenioides, Sw. Syn . Fil p. 145. Hook. 
Gen. et Spec. Fil. 1. p. 87. 
H. palmatum, Klotzsch , in Herb. Reg. Berol. et in Herb. Hook. 
Hab. On the trunks of trees, Jamaica, ( Herb Nostr .) Brazil, 
Sellow. 
None of the great Fern Family more needs illustration by 
good figures than the species of Hymenophyllum and Tricho- 
manes. One cannot say much in praise of the representations 
of this plant by Lamarck and Hedwig, quoted in the Genera 
et Species Filicum. It is, indeed, a distinct and well marked 
plant, and yet, Dr. Klotzsch, did not recognise his Hy- 
menophyllum palmatum to be identical with it. When the 
primary segments of the fronds bear three or four lobes with 
the sori upon them, they are necessarily broader and sub- 
palmate : — so that one cannot really consider such a character 
worthy of being recorded as constituting even a variety. The 
fewer or greater number of lobules may be seen on one and 
the same plant. The caudex is long, creeping, filiform. 
The texture of the frond is firm, composed of closely placed 
minute areoles. The venation consists of a central costa, and 
veins to each primary segment, sending off free branches to 
the apex of every lobe. 
Fig. 1. A primary segment or lobe, with fructifications: — 
magnified, f. 2. A lobule with sorus, one of the valves of 
the involucre being removed : — more magnified. 
