16 Chrysler.—The Nature of the Fertile Spike in 
bundles of the branches of the fertile spike, however, leave either a distinct 
gap, or a more or less degenerate one. The condition found in these 
species is therefore considered to be derived by reduction from that found 
in B. virginianum. 
4. Certain other species of Botrychium show no trace of this gap, and 
are considered to be further reduced. 
5. Abnormal specimens of B. obliquum show either a pair of fertile spikes, 
in which case they resemble Aneimia , or a pair of spikes with an additional 
larger one inserted somewhat below the pair and corresponding to two 
fused spikes. The internal structure of these and other similar specimens 
bears out the view here adopted (see 2 above), hence such cases are to be 
regarded as reversions. 
6. In Ophioglossuni the bundles leading to the fertile spike break off from 
the two edges of the curved row of strands which represents the leaf-trace. 
This condition is considered to be derived from that found in Botrychium. 
7. The vascular supply of the fertile spike in Helminthostachys is 
derived principally from one edge of the curved row of bundles which forms 
the leaf-trace ; this is more clearly seen in a young specimen. It is inferred 
that the fertile spike in this genus represents a single pinna. 
8. The Ophioglossaceae are considered to be related to the ferns and to 
have sprung from near the level of Osmundaceae. They appear to have 
branched off from the primitive stock at a very remote period. 
9. A study of the internal structure of the leaf in Ophioglossaceae 
strongly supports the view of Roeper that the fertile spike represents two 
fused basal pinnae, though in certain cases a spike represents a single pinna, 
which, however, does not arise ventrally. No support is afforded to the 
view of a strobilar origin or of a direct derivation from Hepaticae. 
Orono, Maine, 
August , 1909. 
Note. —During September, 1909, the writer visited at Sandwich, N.H., one of the stations 
where abnormal Botrychium obliquum had been found. A number of additional specimens were 
collected, and it was observed that nearly all of the unusual forms mentioned on pp. 7-9 are 
exemplified also in the variety dissectum. One specimen approaching dissectuvi had the fertile spike 
sterile with the exception of part of one of the basal branches. At this station and at Manchester, N.H., 
the number of abnormal specimens amounts to at least 10 per cent. 
Literature cited. 
1 . Bachelder, F. W.: Preliminary list of plants growing without cultivation in the vicinity of 
Manchester, N.H. Proc. Manchester Inst., iv, part 2, 1909. 
2. Bertrand, C. Eg., and Cornaille, F.: Etude sur quelques caract^ristiques de la structure 
des Filicinees actuelles, I. Trav. et Mem. de l’Univ. de Lille, X; xxix, 1902, pp. 1-221. 
3 . Bower, F. O. : Studies in the morphology of spore-producing members. Preliminary state¬ 
ment on the Lycopodinae and Ophioglossaceae. Proc. Royal Soc., London, 1 , 1891, 
PP- 2 65 - 73 - 
