TAB. XLIV. 
Asplenium (Athyrium) Nigritianum, Hook. 
Tota planta siccitate nigra, caudice brevi robusto erecto 
squamis copiosis atro-ferrugineis subulatis paleaceo, stipiti- 
bus Cffispitosis robustis spithammis rachique dense fusco- 
villosis, frondibus 1-4 pedem longis rigide coriaceis ob- 
lono-o-lanceolatis acuminatis basi attenuatis bi-tripinnatis, 
pinnis iniimis remotis, reliquis magis approximatis hori- 
zontalibus 2\ vix 3 uncias longis lanceolatis acuminatis, 
pinnulis 2-3-lineas longis omnibus petiolulatis oblique 
rliomboideis obscure et obtuse auriculatis seu insequaliter 
bilobis serratis, pinnulis infimis ternatis seu subpinnatis 
rachin imbricantibus, venis obscuris subflabellatim dicbo- 
tomis, soris 1-5 in singula pinnula parvis lato-oblongis, in- 
volucris convexis integerrimis fere nigris. 
Asplenium Kigritianum, Hook. Sp. Fil. 3 . p. 223. 
Hab. Prince’s Island, Fernando Po, Barter in Baikie's 2nd 
Niger Exped. n. 1898. 
A distinct and very peculiar Asplenium , wbicb bas no near 
relationship to any species known to me ; remarkable for its 
firm, rigid texture, very stout stipes and main rachis, shaggy 
with woolly, hair-like scales, and for the very black colour of 
the whole plant when dry. I place it with some hesitation 
among Athyria, on account of a certain peculiarity of habit, 
and of the convex involucres, which however are very firm 
and coriaceous, and nearly of the same colour as the (dried) 
frond. 
Portion of the base and apex of a fertile plant ; nat. size. 
Fig. 1. Inferior pinnule from a sterile pinna, f. 2. Fertile 
pinna with sori : magnified. 
(Jest. 2. i. -Fi. 
