GENUS X. 
SCOLOPENDIUUM, Smith. 
HART'S TONGUE FERN. 
GEN. CHAR. Sort linear elongate straight, growing 
in proximate parallel pairs on the anterior and posterior 
veuules of adjacent fascicles of veins. Indusium linear- 
elongate attached to the venules on opposite sides of the 
proximate sori, the free margins being face to face, con- 
niving when young, at length separating down the centre 
of the twin sorus, which becomes confluent into one 
linear mass of spore-cases. Veins two or three times 
forked ; mid- vein prominent ; venules parallel, free, their 
apices club-shaped. 
This beautiful feni is one of the most prolific of 
varieties some being very remarkable of all our native 
species. On the ground that Scolopendrium was origi- 
nally given as a specific appellation, and ought not there- 
tore to be used as a generic title, Mr. Newman proposes to 
substitute the name of Phyllitis for this genus, a change 
which is quite unnecessary, and based on arguments 
which, if followed out, must tend to bring the so-called 
law of priority in botanical nomenclature, into merited 
contempt. 
The name is derived from acolopendra, the name of a 
genus of myriapods, to the feet of which the lines of 
fructification are supposed to bear some resemblance. 
