Page:Miscellaneousbot02brow.djvu/269

This page needs to be proofread.

ON WOODSIA. 253

The difficulty, too, of separating the membrane entire from the frond, to which, by the pressure of the capsules, it is closely applied, is so considerable, that, since the pub- lication of my remark already quoted, its existence has been doubted by a botanist, whose opinion, especially in whatever regards this order of plants, is of peculiar weight, and in opposition to which I should not retain full con- fidence in my own observations, though frequently repeated, were they not so distinctly confirmed by Mr. Bauer's ex- cellent drawing.

I first observed the involucrum six years ago in living plants of Woodsia hyperborea, and have since repeatedly ascertained its existence in dried specimens of the same species, and of Woodsia ilvensis. These two plants are indeed so nearly related, that I find myself unable to con- struct for them clear specific characters ; and therefore, in proposing them here as distinct species, I am, from want of sufficient materials to determine the question, rather fol- lowing the prevailing opinion than my own.

To the characters and synonyms which follow, I have not thought it necessary to add descriptions of the two supposed species, these having been given by several of the authors referred to, and in every respect correctly, except what regards the involucrum.

Woodsia. cits

Sori dorsales, subrotundi.

Involucrum calyciforme apertum margine crinitum : in- cludens Cccpsulas pedicellatas : receptaculo communi elevato nullo.

Eiliculse, frondibus ccespitosis, pinnatim divisis ; pills simplicibus squamidisque angustis instructs.

1. ilvensis. W. frondibus bipinnatifidis, pinnis oblongis, pinnulis confluentibus multifloris : inferioribus subrepandis : infimis subaequalibus.

Polypodium ilvense, Swarlz, Synop. Fil. 39. Willden. Sp. PL 5, p. 198. Schkuhr, Crypt. 16, I 19.

�� �