280 Bower . — Studies in the Phytogeny of the Fili cates. 
spread. In shape of frond, character of vestiture, and scant number of cap- 
sules, it differs materially from all the other species. 
There has never been any question of the identitj' and distinctness of 
of the plant, the uncertainty has been how it should be treated systematically ; 
and this is an indication of its aloofness, which gives it an added interest in 
relation to the present inquiry. 
As regards the details, beyond such facts as are used by descriptive 
botanists quoted above, little is known of this Fern, except what has been 
stated by H. Karsten (‘Vegetationsorgane d. Palmen p. 123). He described 
and figured transverse sections of the stem and leaf-bases, and of the 
adventitious buds. From his drawings and description it is clear that the 
axis is solenostelic, and that the leaf-trace is at its base a continuous horse- 
shoe (compare ‘ Land Flora p. 605, where Karsten’s figures are reproduced). 
This relatively primitive anatomical structure is so clearly divergent from 
that usual in the Cyatheaceae that the facts fix the attention still more 
forcibly upon this outstanding type. 
Lophosoria is a widely spread Fern of the Western Tropics. It is 
found on the West Indian Islands as well as on the mainland, where 
it extends southwards as far as Patagonia. Its general characters, its habit, 
and large’dimensions will be sufficiently gathered from Jenman’s description, 
above quoted. Associated with each leaf is usually a bud, which may 
be only initiated in the case of the upper leaves, or it may be developed in 
the case of the leaves at the base of the plant ; the bud takes then the form 
of a runner, which after growing horizontally, for a distance usually short, 
then turns upwards. The leaves on those parts that are underground may 
be arrested, but those at the distal end of a runner develop in the full form 
typical for the plant. The position which the buds hold is median at the 
base of the leaf that bears them, and on its abaxial side. There is in this 
way a very profuse provision for the vegetative expansion of the individual 
(PL XXXI, Fig. G). 
As implied by the name ‘ quadripinnata ’ which has been given to the 
species by some authors, the leaf is highly divided, and of the Cyathea- 
ceous type, with a clean rachis without either basal pinnae or thorny 
emergences ; except that in large leaves some low emergences may appear 
at the extreme base (Fig. G). The rachis, together with the axis, is 
covered by a dense felt of hairs— not ‘scales ’ as Jenman described them. 
They persist till maturity on both axis and the base of the leaf-stalk, 
as shaggy rufous masses. They are present also on the under side of the 
pinnae and pinnules, giving a rusty appearance to the veins, while the rest 
of the under surface is glaucous. The upper surface of the mature pinnule 
is free from hairs. Numerous hairs are also associated with the sori. 
There are no scales on any part of the plant, though such appendages are 
