'OE&MïtM X X o -S m » S<
SCHIZÆA PUSILLA.
LEAST FERN.
Cryptogamia Filices, Linn. Filices y Juss.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
.Spikes unilateral, flabellate, aggregate. Capsules radically striated at the summit,
sub-turbinate, partly opening by an oblong, lateral pore. Indusium continuous,
formed from the inflected margin of the spikes.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Frond very simple, linear, compressed; spikes conglomerated, inflexed, secund.
Pursh.
From two to four and a half inches high. Root densely fibrous,
umber-brown. Barren fronds numerous, sixteenth part of an inch
broad, compressed, obtuse, contorted. Fertile fronds fewer, radical,
simple, the breadth of the barren, divaricating from the root, very
much compressed, of a leek-green colour, two-thirds of their length,
honey-yellow above. Spikes arcuate, leaning to one side, fanshaped,
of a honey-yellow colour.
2
SchiZcea pusilla. 77
The genus Schizsea was established by Dr. James Edward Smith.
The term is derived from the Greek, «■*>?*, to cleave asunder, in
allusion to the cloven appearance of its aggregate fan-like spikes.
The genus, which is very distinct and well-marked, contains about
ten species, of which number one inhabits Cape of Good Hope, one
Cape Van Diemen, one South America, two New South Wales, one
Ceylon and Tranquebar, one East Indies, one Society Isles, one
the Island of Trinidad, and the tenth the state of New Jersey, in
North America—the plant here figured.
This delicate little Fern was first detected by Dr. Eddy of New
York. It is exceedingly rare, never having been found any where
in the United States, but at one spot, near Quaker-Bridge, Burlington
county, New Jersey. Its minuteness, together with its rarity,
render it difficult to be detected even when in pursuit of it in the
place where it grows.
Table XX, fig. 2 . Represents a large specimen of the plant in flower,
its natural size.