346 
OPHIOOLOSSACE.E. 
lirely concealed, the uppermost piiinsB are incurved, as if to give 
still further protection to the fruit. The whole is invested and 
completely enclosed in scale-like alternate sheaths, doubtless 
the decaying stalks of many previous years. As the spring ad- 
vances the frond rapidly increases in size, until, in April, it 
makes its appearance above ground, and in May or June attains 
its perfect development. Mr. Wilson observed, as long ago as 
1830, that within the stem of the growing frond, at its base, 
was enclosed the frond for the ensuing year, and again within 
this, at its base also, the frond for the next following year. Mr. 
Wilson having most kindly communicated to me this most inte- 
resting observation, I have, during the 
past spring, carefully examined an 
abundant supply of specimens, for 
which I am indebted to Mr. Hanson 
of Reigate ; and I am thus enabled 
to give a magnified figure of one of 
these future fronds. I find the frond 
of the ensuing year in every respect 
perfectly formed ; indeed exactly in 
the same state in which it is found in 
the early spring, as above described, 
but somewhat less. The frond for the next following year is 
less perfectly formed ; indeed its component parts are not to be 
made out without some difficulty ; still it is evidently bifid, the 
fruitful and leafy portions being already distinct from each other. 
These observations were made in May (1843), while the plant 
was still growing with apparent vigour, so that we have the 
fronds for three successive years before us at the same time. In 
the plants I examined the fronds were placed alternately ; i. e. 
having laid all the specimens before me, with the fruit on the 
right hand and the leafy portion on the left ; then the frond for 
1844 invariably had the fruit on the left and the leafy portion 
on the right : the frond for 1845 appeared to be again reversed, 
having the fruit on the right and the leafy part on the left. 
I must not conclude these observations without acknowledging 
the obligation I am under to Miss Beever, who, two years sub- 
sequently to my receiving Mr. Wilson’s letter on the subject. 
