THE PARSLEY FERN. 99 
tacle. There being, consequently, no place for a cheilanthoid genus 
Allosorus, we prefer to follow those who retain the name for the 
Parsley Fern, which was one of the original species of Bernhardi. 
There has not only been a difference of opinion as to the generic 
name of this Fern, but also as to its affinity. By some it has been 
considered as of pteroid structure, and this view may be true of 
some of the species already mentioned as having been referred to 
Allosorus since Bernhardi’s time, but does not well apply to our 
present plant. Pieris has a continuous marginal receptacle, and 
pteroid plants should have the same, but there is nothing of the 
kind in the Allosorus crispus. Its receptacles are punctiform, as in 
Polypodium, and when, as in the allied Cryptogramma, there is any 
deviation from this structure, it is not towards the production of a 
transverse marginal receptacle, but the opposite—an oblong sorus 
parallel to the venation. These receptacles, if the construction of ' 
the sori is of any value, have an undoubted affinity with Platyloma, 
which we think is properly considered a peculiar type of develop- 
ment; and we have no difficulty in coming to the conclusion 
that whether or not truly distinct from Oryptogramma, and con- 
sequently whether belonging to the Platylomew or the Polypodiew, 
the plants referred to these two genera indicate the points at which 
the two groups coalesce, and by which the punctiform Polypodiew 
become connected through the Platylomew, with the line-fruited 
Gymnogrammee, or Grammitidee as they are sometimes called. The 
plant is, in fact, polypodio-grammitoid, the sori being round or 
oblong, and distinct. There is nothing whatever in Allosorus but 
the reflexed indusioid margin, which resembles the structure of 
Pteris; and although this may produce a considerable degree of 
outward similarity, yet the punctiform receptacles and the non- 
indusiate sori of Allosorus at once distinguish it. 
The name of the genus is derived from the Greek, allos, various, 
and sorus, a heap. 
BRITISH SPECIES. 
A. crispus; a dwarf perennial, with dimorphous twice or thrice pinnate fronds. 

