148 
THE GENERA AND SPECIES OF CULTIVATED FERNS. 
compact linear spore-cases opening by two rows of pores. It is one of the most distinct of genera, and contains 
but a few species, which are natives of the "West India Islands, and South America; they are very scarce in 
cultivation, though oftentimes introduced, being difficult to establish. Fig. 95 represents a pinna of a sterile and 
fertile frond of D. nodosa (nat. size), with part of a spore-case (magn.) 
1. D. nodosa , Smith.—An evergreen stove Fern, from Jamaica. Fronds glabrous, somewhat triangular, two 
to three feet high, pinnate, deep shining green ; pinnae oblong-lanceolate, petiolate, coriaceous, unequal or cuneate 
at the base, subentire at the margin. Rachis winged, knotty. Stipes half the length of the frond, swollen at 
the base, and covered with small scales. Fronds lateral, indistinctly articulated with a thick decumbent rhizome. 
This plant is very scarce in cultivation, and has not yet produced fructification. 
Order —Ophioglossaceae. 
According to the strict principles of the classification of cryptogamous plants, this small group is excluded 
from among true Ferns, in consequence of having a straight vernation. It contains three genera, and about 
twenty species, which are very widely distributed throughout both hemispheres. They are of a rather suc¬ 
culent nature, with thick roots, the fronds usually bipartite, their spore-cases large, roundish or subglo- 
bose, sessile, opaque, unilocular, without a ring or cellular reticulation, bivalved, and opening by a transverse 
fissure. 
B OTRYCHIUM, Swartz. —Name derived from botrys , a bunch ; alluding to the form of the fertile portion of 
the frond, which somewhat resembles a cluster. 
Spore-cases sessile globose, distinct and unilocular, bivalved, of a leathery texture, opening transversely. 
Fronds usually two-branched; fertile branch erect, contracted, constituting a compound sporangiferous unilateral 
panicle. Veins simple or forked, radiating ; venules direct, free. Fronds solitary, stipitate, from a few inches 
to two feet high, bi- or tripartite; sterile branch spreading, 
pinnate or bi-tripinnate, and shorter than the fertile one. 
Stipes covered at the base with membranous scales. Rhizome 
fasciculate.—In aspect and habit the species of this genus 
have a great similarity to Aneimia, sterile and fertile branches 
being united on the same frond. About ten or twelve species 
of Botrychium are described : these are all terrestrial, and are 
chiefly found inhabiting'extra-tropical countries, one species 
being indigenous to Britain. They are known by their com¬ 
pound solitary fronds, which are rather tieshv, and by their 
spore-cases being without a ring, or reticulation. Fig. 
96 represents a frond of B. lunarioides , of veiy small 
size. 
1. B. lunaria, Swartz.—A hardy deciduous species, indi¬ 
genous to Britain, and found throughout Europe and North 
America. Fronds solitary, glabrous, bi- or tripartite, three to 
ten inches high, glaucous green. Sterile branch pinnate; 
pinnae lunate or flabelliform, crenate on the margin. Fertile 
branch erect, contracted, bipinnatifid, with the spore-cases 
crowded on the margin. Fronds terminal, with membranous 
sheaths at their base, in which they are inclosed during the 
state of hybernation. 
2. B. lunarioides , Swartz.—A half-hardy, or frame species, 
from North America. Fronds solitary, glabrous, one to one 
and a half feet high, dull green. Sterile portion bipartite, 
branches bipinnatifid, with oblong or flabellate segments, 
crenate on the margin. Fertile branch erect, paniculate, and “ 
much longer than the sterile one; spore-cases crowded on 
the 'margin. Fronds divided below the middle of the 
stipes. 
3. B. dissectum, Muhlenberg. — A half-hardy or frame 
species, from North America. Fronds solitary, glabrous, 
about a foot high, reddish-green. Sterile portion tripartite, 
branches bi-tri-pinnatifid, ultimate divisions small, flabellate- 
multipartite, with linear dentate or bidentate segments. Fer- Fig. 96. 
tile branch erect, paniculate, longer than the sterile one; spore-cases crowded. Fronds divided below the middle 
of the stipes. 
