Ophiogiossum (C heir og loss a) palmatum, L. 287 
‘ Studies ii, Figs. 120-129, indicates that greater variations still may occur 
in the vascular connexions of the spikes than those above noted. 
In order to check my former statements and verify the drawings, 
a re-examination has been made of the specimens at Kew. This confirms 
the accuracy of the description and drawing already given as Fig. 120, in 
point of the insertion of the median branched spike which it shows ; its 
vascular connexion also is clearly intramarginal relatively to that of the 
lower-lying, but more marginal spikes. The specimen of Miers from 
S. Brazil, represented in my Fig. 121, was also re-examined. I state 
specifically that my former representation of it is substantially correct. 
The spike fourth from above is inserted in an almost median position, and 
its vascular connexion, which can be quite easily followed since the specimen 
is young and transparent, runs internally (i. e. more near to the median 
line), as compared with those of the next two spikes on the right, which are 
more marginal in insertion. To show that these are not isolated cases, it 
may be stated that there is a second specimen at Kew, also collected by 
Miers from S. Brazil, very like that of Fig. 121, bearing two spikes in 
approximately a median position : these are the fifth and sixth counting 
from below, and they are inserted between those which are lateral, and they 
have their vascular connexions visibly joining a strong strand which runs 
up the median region of the leaf. This strand lies clearly in a more median 
position than the vascular connexion of the next lower lateral pinna. 
Another specimen collected by L’Herminier, but without locality, 
shows on a leaf bearing ten spikes a median insertion of the spike sixth 
from the base ; those directly below it are inserted right and left of it, one 
of them being branched. At almost the same level as this median spike 
are other lateral spikes, while the vascular connexions, which are readily 
recognized in the dried condition of this specimen, pass internally to those 
of the next lower marginal spike. This is again a clear case of intra- 
marginal insertion, with the vascular connexion also intramarginal relatively 
to that of a lower spike. It is to be noted that these examples of pro- 
nounced intramarginal insertion are all seen in cases where the spikes are 
numerous. It is precisely in such cases that the clearest departure from 
the marginal position would be probable if the origin of the plurality of 
spikes were by some process of interpolation or chorisis. 
Dr. Chrysler, in his paper, 1 makes certain deprecatory remarks on 
‘ inspection of the external surface ’. This is at least better than no examina- 
tion at all. It is to be borne in mind by those who criticize, that specimens 
in the Herbaria of Kew and the British Museum cannot be cut up at will. 
Nevertheless, evidence from examination of them without cutting them into 
sections, though neither final nor so convincing as this would be, has its 
value. It cannot be summarily dismissed, however great may be the 
1 loc. cit, p. 11. 
