Ophioglossum (Cheiroglossa) polmatum , L, 279 
stock of this species, and they are in the main such as I had anticipated : 
their demonstration is, however, given for the first time, so far as my infor- 
mation goes. 
The large stem investigated was about f in. in diameter, and a little 
over an inch in length, bearing one large matured leaf, while younger leaves 
constituted a terminal bud covered in by numerous hairs. Following the 
trace of the large leaf downwards, it was found to consist at the base of the 
petiole of about twenty-five strands arranged in a ring, with their xylems 
all directed inwards (Fig. 2, I). This is in accordance with what has already 
been described for this species. 1 Passing downwards, they show frequent 
and irregular fusions, by which their number is diminished (Fig. 2, II), but 
they still constitute an unbroken series across the adaxial face. In that 
region there is evidence of repeated fusions, which bear at first no relation 
to any definite break in the series. Lower down, however, the strands 
gather into groups right and left of the median plane of the leaf (Fig. 2, III), 
and these condense by further fusion into a few, and finally into two rela- 
tively large strands (Fig. 2, IV), which diverge widely apart. Following these 
deeper into the axis, they attach themselves to the reticulum of the axial 
system, their phloem naturally fusing first with it (Fig. 2, V). At this level 
a vascular commissure traverses the space between the points of attach- 
ment of the two leaf-trace bundles, while from the centre of this usually 
springs the vascular supply to a root ( rt , Fig. 2, V-IX). In sections again 
lower down the fusion of the two leaf-trace strands with the axial system is 
seen to be complete (Fig. 2, VIII, IX), but the commissure has faded out, 
showing the broad leaf-gap upon the divergent margins of which the two 
leaf-trace strands are inserted (Fig. 2, IX). The root {rt) which has been 
seen to be attached to the commissure above the leaf-gap is now free to 
pursue its course, which is usually downwards and obliquely outwards. 
It is thus seen that in Cheiroglossa also, as already showm for Ophio- 
derma , the diagnosis will apply ‘ petioli fasciculi numerosi separatim in 
rhizomae fasciculos inserti ’. The number in Cheiroglossa is, however, the 
lowest plurality, viz. two. In this character these two sections of the genus 
Ophioglossum differ from all other Ophioglossaceae, in which the leaf-trace 
is gathered at its base into a single strand. In this they illustrate an 
anatomical condition which, on the basis of general comparison among the 
Filicales, is held to be derivative, as compared with the section of the 
genus designated Eu-Ophioglossmn. 
The numerous successive leaves of a large stock are found to behave 
constantly like that above described. Upon this basis the vascular system 
of the stock is built up. The condition accordingly seen in the upper 
region of the stock is as shown in the photograph, Fig. 3. Numerous roots 
are seen on their oblique course outwards, and the section is strewn with 
1 Ann, of Bot., xviii, p. 210. 
U 2 
