NOTES. 
7 
Polypodium Parasiticum, Mett.—Some specimens gathered about Hoolankanda, and erroneously 
referred to this species in my herbarium, are regarded by Mr. Baker as clearly distinct. 
They resemble very closely P. Australe, Mett., but it would be unsafe to refer them to that 
species without the confirmation of more numerous specimens. They differ from the 
typical form of P. Parasiticum in being of much thinner texture, and also in colour and 
general character. They have very much the appearance of a minute form of 
P. Zeylanicum. I have not seen the var. Pilosiuscula of Thwaites, except at Kew. 
Polypodium Thwaitesii, Beddome, is included with P. Repandulum, Mett., in the Synopsis, but 
is now recognized as a distinct species, being characterized by its having a creeping 
rhizome, whilst that of P. Repandulum is upright; and notably by its strong odour of 
rhubarb. 
Polypodium Minutum, Blume.—This fern was formerly referred to P. Parvulum, Bory, and sub¬ 
sequently to P. Subfalcatum, Blume. It seems, however, to belong properly to P. Minutum, 
and is so classified in the herbarium at Kew, for which reason it is so named in this list. 
Polypodium (Drynaria) Linn^i, Bory, does not seem to be specifically distinct from Quercifolium, 
but is retained here on the faith of specimens found in Ceylon wdiicli are considered to be 
typical. 
Meniscium Triphyllum, Sw. —The normal form of this fern is triphyllate ; but it departs widely 
from that type in some localities and cases, approaching sometimes so closely to the least 
divided forms of M. Thwaitesii as to be mistaken for that species. It is curious that the 
least divided forms of M. Thwaitesii are found in East Matale, on the same range of 
mountains, but on the opposite side, of the range, where the most divided forms of 
M. Triphyllum grow. On this range, therefore, the two forms approach each other most 
closely. The pinnae in both forms are of two kinds: the lowest are patent and acuminate, 
the upper ones point upwards, are blunt, and often falcate. The terminal pinna in both 
species, but especially in Tliivaitesii, has a tendency to become pinnatifid, or divided more 
or less into lobes, which gradually pass below into the form of the upper pinnae, and become 
sometimes stalked. It seems probable, therefore, that the lower, acuminatg, regular pinnae 
are the only true ones, and that the upper, blunt ones, are mere lobes or divisions of the 
terminal pinna. 
Antrophyum Plantagineum, Klf., seems to me to be very doubtfully distinct from Reticulatum, 
and these from Semicostatum. The only characters which are relied on as distinguishing 
the species respectively, are the distinct, wingless stipes, and broad, irregular form of 
Plantagineum, —the winged stipes, and narrower, longer frond of Reticulatum, —and the 
semicostate character of Semicostatum. Dr. Thwaites considers the best distinguishing 
character of Reticulatum to be its very numerous barren sporangiastra, which, in some 
instances, give the sori for a considerable length the appearance of a velvet pile. If 
Semicostatum were recognized as a distinct species, Demi-semicostatum would have an equal 
claim to be also distinguished. 
Yittaria Lineata, Sw., has its fruit in some cases so closely resembling V. Elongata as to lose 
the Tceniopsis type altogether. None of the Ceylon species which I have seen have their 
sori completely independent of the outer margin of the frond. In some plants found 
