300 R. H. Compton. 
ficial, though the general aspect is strongly modified thereby. 
Further the resemblances between the two species in the structure 
of the sorus, the anatomy, histology, &c., are so remarkable that 
the separation of M. sarmentosa as a distinct genus seems hardly 
justifiable. The range of frond-form in many other genera is far 
greater, and the fundamental resemblances, so clear in Matonia, 
are often far more obscure, as for instance in the genus Tri- 
chomanes. 
It is to the epiphytic habit that the peculiar form of M. sar¬ 
mentosa must be related: the elongated pendent frond is apparently 
of the nature of an adaptation to the position in which the plant 
grows, and Ophioglossum pendulum may be quoted as a parallel. 
The anatomy of M. sarmentosa has not been examined except 
for the observations of Tansley and Lulham on two fragments of 
rhizome. Both of these shewed a dicyclic arrangement, the inner 
cylinder in one case being haplostelic, 1 in the other solenostelic 
(11, p. 481). 
The following results are based on material collected in 
Sarawak, and kindly sent by Mr. John Hewitt to Professor Seward, 
at whose suggestion the investigation was made. 
Rhizome. 
The rhizome of M. sarmentosa is an elongated creeping 
structure, averaging 3 mm. in diameter, thickly clad with long hairs, 
which, as in M. pectinata, have the appearance of being brushed 
upwards. These hairs consist of a single series of cells, which in 
the old rhizome have slightly thickened walls but still appear to 
have living contents (cf. Seward 9, p. 174): the transverse walls 
are mostly oblique. 
On the dorsal surface of the rhizome are borne the scattered 
petioles : as in M . pectinata there seems to be no definite acropetal 
succession of fronds ; young and old being irregularly placed, and 
in some cases abortion having occurred. On the lower surface are 
found the slender roots, which are inserted chiefly in the neigh¬ 
bourhood of the leaf-bases. 
The rhizome forks here and there, and each branch appears 
to develope equally. 
The epidermis consists of cells, spindle-shaped in surface view, 
the majority of which grow out into the ramenta, one hair being 
1 The word haplostele is used throughout in accordance with 
Brebner’s definition (see Ann, Bot. XVI., p. 523, 1902). 
