p innules, tlie stem bearing thorns. Ra re in cultivation.
A n evergreen stove F e rn .
Native of the W e s t In d ie s, Hispaniola , Jamaica, Dominica,
where it has been found b y P lum ie r, Menzies, Swartz, D r.
Bancroft, and D r. Imray.
F ro n d s ve ry long, scandent and spinous, sub-triplica to-pinnate,
subcoriaceous, lower pinna; trip in n a te , ultimate pinnse lanceolate,
pinnules somewhat cuneate.
Rachis wiry, flexuous or zigzag, p rick ly , with spines curved
downwards.
Sori small and cup-shaped.
Caudex th in , b ran ch ed , woody, black and woolly.
Rachis and stipes ebeneous.
T h e h ab it of tbe p lan t closely resembles a bramble, covering
whole fields, and investing th e largest forest trees if growing near
them.
F o r fronds my thanks are due to S it W . J . H o o k e r, D ire c to r
o f th e Roya l Gardens, Kew.
I t may be p ro cu red of Mr. Sim, of F o o t’s Cray.
T h e illustration is from Sir W . J . H o o k e r’s frond.
