# A Voyage to the Islands Madera, Barbados, Nieves, S. Christophers and Jamaica/Volume 1/Book 1/Chapter 3

Chap. III.
Of Ferns or Capillary Plants.
The Tribe of Ferns in Jamaica are very numerous, and strange in their manner of growth. Many of them are Scandent, more than one white on the Back; some have Truncs like other Herbs or Trees, and some perfect Stalks. But whatever they are, they shall by me be ranged as those of Europe are by Mr. Ray, according to the division of their Leaves: and whereas it is commonly held that no Fern, has, properly speaking, a Caulis or Stalk, yet it will hereafter plainly appear they have. To avoid a great deal of trouble in the disposition of them, I shall consider the Stalks of those climbing Ferns only as Roots. The divisions of the Leaf its self arising from such Stalk shall determine its place without having regard to this Stalk, which ought otherwise to be first taken notice of in the division. Without doubt all hereafter named Ferns are such: only there are six I call Phyllitidi Scandenti Assines, which am not sure are Ferns, and therefore not having seen their Seeds, I give them this, till a better place is found. The name Trichomanes shall signifie with me the second divided Fern with broad small Leaves, and the word Lonchitis those with longer, though they agree not in every particular with the Europeans. The general divisions are, first, those with undivided Leaves. Secondly, Those with once divided into Pinnæ only, then into those with the middle Rib, a Twig or Surculus, and on it Pinnulæ, which I call Filices non Ramosæ: and the third is the ramose Kind. Many of these Ferns are indented about the edge when young, and afterwards are plain with a ferrugineous Welt on the outside, and sometimes they are sinuated; many other Varieties there are, appearing really differing Plants, which may be easily found out by any, who considers their several descriptions.
It is no great wonder that in so great a number of new and strange Ferns as are mentioned in my Catalogue, and described hereafter, I was put to it to find words, to describe some of them. I think the terms I have made use of are very plain, though Dr. Plukenet is pleased in his Mantissa p. 83. to find fault with one of them, viz. Surculus, and to recommend in its place Ala. I continue to think that Word more proper than the other, for 'tis taken by the best, and even purest Writers, for the Germen Annotinum, or yearly Sprout or Twig, to which are contiguous the Leaves of Trees. Now if any Word can be fitter to signifie the last division of the Stalk of a Fern, to which the Pinnulæ or leaves are fasten'd, I leave any body to judge. The Word Ala is used by the best Herbarists in many, and very incertain significations, and even when it is applied to the wings or Leaves of Ferns, is somtimes taken for the Pinnæ, or Leaves themselves, sometimes for what I call the Twig or Surculus, and sometimes for the whole Ramulus or Branch, so that it would have been very confounding, and not have explained sufficiently my meaning. These Words are so often used here, and the Cuts of the Ferns, either figured elsewhere, or in this ​Book, make my acceptance of them so plain, that there be no doubt about them. As to the Etymology of the Word Surculus, its Definition from Festus, &c, I take them not to be material Arguments, and could prove my Sense of it to agree very well with what he and the best Authors say, were it needful to insist on this matter.
All these sorts of Ferns, no question, may be made use of for the same purposes, as those of the same Kinds in Europe.
I. Lunaria elatior Adianti albi folio duplici spica. Cat. p. 14. Osmunda Americana filiculæ folio Tournefort. El. bot. p 437. Osmunda filiculæ folio major. Ejusd. Inst. p. 547. An filix saxatilis rutæ murariæ foliis Americana seu adianthum album folio filicis ex insula Jamaicensi. Plukenet. Alm. p. 150?
This is sometimes about a Foot, but mostly six or seven Inches high, having a very slender green Stalk, at coming first out of the Earth, being of a dark colour. At about four Inches from the Ground, out of one side of the Stalk goes one Branch, to which are alternatively set on Twigs, which have several broad irregularly figur'd roundish Pinnulæ sometimes deep cut, at other times a little indented on the edges, being of a pale green colour, like to adiantum album, and having many Furrows appearing radiated. Out of the Ala or bosom of this Branch rise two round, small, green, two Inches long Stalks, towards the tops of which are several small Bunches of first green, afterwards ferrugineous Dust, like to that of Lunaria, Osmunda Regalis, or the other Ferns. The Root is like that of Polypodium, and is covered with a blackish Hair, having several Fibrils like the Roots of other Ferns.
It grew on a Rock by the Banks of Rio-Cobre, below the Town, on the same side of the River.
This Plant is perfectly differing in all its parts from the Filix non ramosa pinnulis crebris obtusis crenatis. Cat. p. 21. As one may easily see by comparing their Descriptions and Figures, so that one would wonder how Dr. Plukenet came to doubt whither they were the same in his Mantissa, p. 78.
II. Lunaria elatior matricariæ folio spica duplici. Cat. p. 14. Tab. 25. Fig. 6. Lunaria racemosa cicutariæ foliis Jamaicana. Plukenet. Alm. p. 208.
This is much higher than the former, rising a Foot of more from the Ground. In its higher Spikes, which are double, it exactly agrees with the former, only the Leaves or Pinnulæ, are longer, narrower, not quite cut in to the middle Rib or Twig, and of a paler green colour, something in their Divisions, like the Leaves of Matricaria.
It grew with the former.
III. Phyllitis non sinuata minor apice folii radices agente. Cat. p. 14. Tab. 26. Fig. 1. Filicifolia phyllitis parva saxatilis Virginiana per summitates foliorum radicosa breviore & latiore folio, Plukenet. Alm. p. 154.
This has a small, scaly black Root, with many long Fibers drawing its Nourishment, of a dark brown colour. The Leaves are many, rising from the same root, of a different magnitude, having no Foot-Stalks, the largest being two Inches and a half long, and about half an Inch broad near the middle where broadest, increasing from the Root thither, and thence decreasing, growing very narrow, and ending in a point. This point bows down its self to the Ground, strikes Fibers, takes Root, and sends out rounder Leaves, in time growing longer, and with their ends taking Root, and so propagating its self. The Seed lies in round spots on the back of the Leaf of each side of the middle Rib.
​It grew in a thick, very high, and shady Wood, at the bottom of Mount Diablo, beyond the Maggoty Savanna.
It differs from Mr. Banister's Phyllitis saxatilis Virginiana per summitates foliorum prolifera, Which is sinuated at Base, and has a Foot-Stalk.
IV. Phyllitis arboribus innascens, folio non sinuato tenuiori rotundis pulverulentis maculis aversa parte punctato. Cat. p. 14, Lingua cervina longis angustis & undulatis foliis. Tournef. Inst. p. 545.
This has a long knobbed Root, having fastened to it several Scales, or remains of Leaves dropt of, and a great many reddish brown Fibers, interwoven one within another, having a three Inches long green Foot-Stalk. The Leaf is nine Inches long, two broad in the middle, where broadest, not falcated or sinuated at beginning like European Harts-Tongue, but very narrow, and ending in a sharp, or sometimes blunt point, being very green, thin, and shining, and having on its backside several round ferrugineous spots in which lie the Seeds.
It grows mostly on the Truncs of great, chiefly old, Trees, as Misseltoe, and is to be found on such Trees in the Path going to sixteen Mile Walk, and in shady places of the Hills in Liguanee by Hope River. Sometimes when old Trees fall down, this will then grow on the Ground.
V. Phyllitis non sinuata foliorum limbis leviter serratis. Cat. p. 14.
This, which seemed to be a small starv'd Plant, had a Root made up of many brown Fibres, sending up some eight or nine Leaves without any Foot-Stalks, being about three Inches long, three quarters of an Inch broad, near the further end where broadest, of a yellowish green colour, and smooth dentated about the Edges, being narrow at beginning, they increase to near the end, and then decrease to a blunt point.
It grows in the great shady Woods, in the inland parts of the Island.
VI. Hemionitis peregrina Clus rar. plant. hist. lib. 6. p. 214. Cat. p. 14.
I had this given me by Dr. William Sherard, who had it of one. Who gathered it in Jamaica or Madera.
VII. Filix Hemionitis dicta Maderensis, hederæ arboreæ aliquatenus æmula, sea foliorum basi auriculis binis utrinque donato. Pluken. Alm. p. 155. Phyt. Tab. 287. Fig. 4. Hemionitis Jamaicensis hederaceo folio, lineis seminiferis tenuissimis indorso notato. Bob. hist. Ox. part. 3. p. 560. An Hemionitis Lusitanica elegantior Tournef. el. Bot. p. 436? Inst. p. 546?
This was brought to me with the former, and was gathered by James Harlow in Madera, if I rightly rightly remember. I question much whether this be really differing from the former.
Though Dr. Plukenet tacitly confesses in his Mantissa, p. 82. that he had made two of this Plant in his Almag. p. 155. yet any body who compares his Figure of this Plant, Tab. 287. Fig. 4. and mine of the Hemionitis peregrina foliorum segmentis sinuatis, &c. Tab. 26. Fig. 2. figured and described hereafter, will find them vastly differing.
VIII. Hemionitis folio hirsuto & magis dissecto seu ranunculi folio. Cat. p. 14. Filix hemionitis dicta saniculæ foliis villosa. Plukenet. Alm. p. 155. Phyt. Tab. 291. Fig. 4.
This had a great many fibrous, and thready black Roots, sending up several smaller, and two six Inches long shining black cornered Stalks, being covered over with a Ferrugineous Hair or Moss, the Leaf stands at top, being divided into three parts or Segments, very deeply cut in, even almost to ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/244 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/245 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/246 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/247 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/248 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/249 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/250 ​XXX. Lonchitidi affinis arbor anomala folio, alato è pinnarum crenis fructifero. Cat. p. 16. Hippoglosso forte Cognata Surinamensis, foliis oleandri serratis, in crenarum extremo flosculos perminutos sanguineos gerentibus vel forte hemionitidi affinis. Breyn. pr. 2. p. 57. An Hermionitidi affinis Americana epiphyllanthos folio simpliciter pinnato, hyppoglossi æmulo, radice reptatrice lignosa ad foliorum crenas florida angustiori & longiori folio ramosa caulescens. Plukenet phyt. Tab. 247. Fig 4?
This Tree riseth to about eight Foot high, having Stems not much thicker than ones Thumb, whose Wood is white and solid, with small Pith, and Bark is smooth, of a light gray colour, a little striated, and something like that of Fir, to whose Cyma or springing Gemma the top of the Tree is exactly like. The Leaves came out near the tops of the Branches without any order, are winged four Inches long, the Pinnæ being set on to a middle Rib, at about half an Inches distance, alternatively. They are about seven or nine in number, having an odd one at the end of the middle Rib, each of them is about an Inch and an half long, and three quarters of an Inch broad near the middle where broadest, shining something like the Leaves of Laurus Alexandrina, being of a dark green colour, smooth, having one middle Nerve, and several lateral ones. The principal of these Nerves end in some little small notches at the Margin, in which come first a russet or ferrugineous Moss, and then out of the middle of that a very small russet colour'd Flower on a small Foot-Stalk, after which follows sticking close to the Margin of the Leaf, the Fruit, which is round, no bigger than a small Pins Head. It is made up of a great many, almost round, dark brown or ferrugineous Seeds, set round in a fungous Body, as may be easily seen by a Microscope. The Roots are for the most part long Threads and Filaments, running into the crannies of the Rocks, seeking Nourishment to the Plant.
There is a variety of this with much broader Leaves.
It grows among the woody Hills on the Honey-Comb Rocks, near Mr Batchelor's House, &c. very plentifully.
I think this a properer place for this Plant, than to be put in another, as Dr. Plukenet would do in his Mantiss. p. 81.
XXXI. Trichomanes majus pinnis sinuatis subtus niveis. Cat. p. 17. Tab. 35. Fig. 1. Adianthum seu trichomanes maximum Americanum subtus argenteum pinnulis productioribus serratis summo caule involutis ex insula Jamaicensi. Plukenet. Alm. p. 9. An Trichomanes argenteum ad oras nigrum. Plum. Inst. p. 540?
This Plant has several long Filaments of a dark brown colour, coming from a solid Oblong small Root, covered over at the top with a blackish hairy Moss like other the Ferns. From thence rise many Leaves about a Foot long, having reddish brown, roundish, shining Foot Stalks, and middle Ribs, on which the Pinnæ are set sometimes opposite to one another, sometimes alternatively, rarely towards the bottom, but near the top as thick as they can stand by one another, each Pinna being about half an Inch long and a quarter broad at Base, where broadest, and for the most part ear'd, from whence it diminishes, ending in a point. They are of an irregular Figure, notch'd about the edges with some sinuations, and small incisures, being green above, and very white beneath, having on their Margin or edges, a ferrugineous Line or Moss, containing its Seed.
It grew on the side of a woody Hill, amongst the Rocks, near Mr. Elletson's Plantation in Liguanee.
The odness of the Title made me doubt if this was Dr. Plukenet's Adianthum abovementioned, but he himself is positive in it. Mantiss. p. 9. therefore he must explain how it comes to be pinnulis productioribus serratis summo caule involutis. ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/252 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/253 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/254 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/255 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/256 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/257 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/258 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/259 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/260 ​LVII. Filix non ramosa major, surculis crebris, pinnalis longis, angustis. Cat. p 19. Tab. 50. Fig.1. & Tab. 51. An filix palustris mas non ramosa pinnulis obtasioribus planis ex insula Bermudensi. Plukenet. Phytogr. Tab. 243. Fig. 6? Almag. p. 151?
This rises to about two Foot high, having a greenish yellow middle Rib, or Stalk, to which at one third of an Inches distance are set the Twigs, sometimes opposite, at other times alternatively, being each about seven Inches long, and an Inch broad at the Base where broadest. The Pinnule are each half an Inch long, join'd to one another at their middle Rib, or original, and thence grow narrower to their ends, they are sharp, being of a yellowish green colour, and there is a defect between the ends of each of the Pinnulæ. of this there are several varieties, those most remarkable being in the narrowness and breadth, sharpness or bluntness, and crookedness or streightness of the Pinnulæ, two of which varieties are figured Tab. 50. Fig. 1. & Tab. 51. It grew by the inland woody and shady Rivers of this Island.
LVIII. Filix non ramosa major, surculis raris brevioribus, pinnalis crebris latis brevibus non aculeatis. Cat. p. 20. Tab. 48. Fig. 2. Filix Indica major alis longis rotundins crenatis binis macularum ordinibus ad oras notatis. Arana-panna. H. M. p. 12. Tab. 31. Bob. p. 3. hist. Ox. p. 575. quoad. descr.
This was the same with the preceding, only the surculi were not so long, and the Pinnulæ were not aculeated, but blunt and roundish, almost like those of Asplenium.
It was brought from Jamaica to Dr. Sherard, and by him communicated to me.
LIX. Filix non ramosa major, surculis crebris, pinnalis brevioribus, angustis. Cat. p. 20. Tab. 50. Fig. 2.b
This is in every thing the fame with the former, fave one, only the Twigs are not so broad, being not over two thirds of an Inch broad, that is, the Pinnalæ are nor over one third of an Inch long, and not quite so narrow at bottom, so that there is less void space between them, and of this Kind there are several varieties as to length of surculi, &c. The Seed lies in round ferrugineous Spots on each side of the middle Rib running through each Pinnula.
I found it on the rocky Banks of Orange River, and Rio d'Oro, between sixteen Mile Walk and St. Maries.
This is not the Filix non ramosa Jamaicensis, pediculo albicante, alis marrubii aquatici fere divisuris, &c. Pluken. as appears by its Figure and Description compared with those of his, Phyt. Tab. 290. Fig 2.
LX Filix non ramosa minor, surculis crebris, pinnulis longis, latisque. Cat. p. 20 Tab. 50. Fig. 3.
This has a light brown greenish shining Stalk, rising to about nine Inches high, or sometimes a Foot and a half, to each side of which, at about one third of an Inches distance are set Twigs about an Inch and an half long, and near an Inch broad at Base where broadest, the Pinnulæ being joined to near their ends, and being of a dark green colour, much resembling the precedent, only the surculi are broader, or which is all one, the Pinnulæ longer. The Pinnulæ are also broader, so that whereas in that going before there is a defect or empty space between the ends of the Pinnulæ, here it is none or very small, and the Pinnulæ lie over one another. The Root is knobbed, and has many Fibrils of a cinereous colour, sending up three or four Stalks from it by which it is sufficiently distinguished from the Filix minor palustris. ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/262 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/263 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/264 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/265 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/266 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/267 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/268 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/269 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/270 ​There is a variety of it in the broadness of the Twigs, and so consequently of the Pinnule.
It grew in the Woods by the Crescent Plantation, and in all the inland woods of this island.
This is not the Filix Jamaicensis foliis semel subdivisis, pinnulis obtustoribus costae adnascentibus, sorbi aucupariae quodammodo referentibus. Plukenet/ Phyt. Tab. 291. Fig. 1. as Dr. Plukenet conjectures in his Mant. p. 80. but is that figured by him. Tab. 289. Fig. 4. as is apparent to any body that compares their Figures and Descriptions.
XCVII. Filix ramosa ntajcr, finnulislongis, acutis, raris, falcatis. Cat. p.z^, Filix non ramofj Jamaicenfis fediculo alhjcante alis marruhii aqnatici fere divifw per arfthitum ris quarum finnuU a tergo iiwa candidifflma nf^rgine conflata
du&acrenatd funt. Plukenet. Almag.f.i^-^. P/jyt. z^o. Fig. x. This has a Stalk rifmg about three Foot high, as big as ones Finger, of a pale green colour, and fmooth, being at about a Foot's diftance from the Ground, divided into Branches fet alternatively, about a Foot long. On which at about an Inches diftance from one another, akernatively are plac'd the Twigs, being about nine Inches long, and made up of PinnuU about an Inch long, crooked or falcated , from their Bafe, where they are for a little united, and broadeft, decreafing by degrees, ending in a point or fpinula, being falcated or crooked, having a defeat between each other, of a light green colour on the upper fide, and underneath having a ferrugineous Welt below its edge, wherein lies its Seed. The Leaves are (bmewhat indented before the Seed makes a weir, which inclines me to believe adUcinias mcl" this to be the fame with F. Plumiers Filix latifolta dentata I
liter acttleata.
grew in the inland parts of this Ifland. The Powder on the-back fide of the Leaf
It
is
commended by
Pifo
in
ill
Ulcers. Filix ramofa major, hirfuta, ramulis rarts, ftnnulis afplenii, fcH ereAn Filix Jdwaicenfi. Iris, latts, hrevihus, fuhrotundis, non dentat is. Cat. p.z^. Almag. at Plukenet. dent />. 1 5 5 is, rarioribus, finnulis ramcfa^ fediculis Mufcofes,
XCVIII.
This has many Stalks rifmg from the (ame Root, to be about two Foot about hairy, at and Finger, very ones big as as of them each being high, lowermofl: whereof are the Branches, into divided Ground, from the Foot have another. to one They oppofite almoft (et long, Inches about nine Twigs more than an Inch long, let alternatively, 'being made up of broad, notch'd Pinnul eafily fometimes, though' wl^ole, part Ihort, for the moil " for fome united often ends, their at roundifli Leaves, which are its Stalks, Branches in only hot, being colour, green pale their ^^gt%, of a hair, flrong, whitilh, (horn with a covered over all and middle Ribs, but to it. akin others all from fufBciently diftinguifhing it between Philpfs Plantation Mr. near Oro, Rio d" of Banks It grew by the fide. North the in i^4r/V/ St. and fixteen Mile Walk, fdrotunIrevilus, finnulis raris, ramulis hirfuta, minor, _ XCIX. Filix ramofa corihirfuto fediculo non ramofa, Filix diSy folit apice radices agente. Cat. p. 24. P^^^^ Tab.xS^. Phyt. Pig-S^ Almag. ^ndri foliis Americana, Plukenet. f.i^y hi Bob. qucrcinis. amplioribus alis minor Jamaicenfis fedic'ulis villofif, cffofitis ft. ^ Tournef. quercinis. part. finntdis Inft.f.si7 Ox. Filix villofa 3. f. 576. '
An
or three two many having knobby, and tuberous and was covered with a hairy ferrugineous Mofs, from
The Root of this was Inches long
fibrils,
whence roS three or four Stalks nine Inches, or a Foot high, being very {lender.
•«s
I
f
' ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/272 ​which come the Twigs, which are beset with Pinnæ, much narrower than any of this Kind, so that there is a very large defect or empty space between them, by which they may be easily known from any other of this Kind.
This grew in the inland parts of this Island in the Savannas.
CIII. Filix semina seu ramosa major, dichotoma pinnulis lonchitidis, scil. longis, angustis, non dentatis. Cat. p. 24. Filix Jamaicensis dichotomos seu ramis bifidis, fæminæ nostratis pinnulis ramosissima. Plukenet. Alm. p. 156.
This Fern rose to about seven or eight Foot high, having Stalks as big as ones Finger, being smooth, shining, roundish, of a reddish green colour, always divided into two Branches, standing opposite to one another, and they into two Twigs standing in the same manner, which are for the most part about three Inches long, and made up of many Inch-long Pinnæ, join'd at their bottoms to one another by a narrow membrane running along the Twig or middle Rib, and thence growing very narrow, they end bluntly, leaving a very considerable defect, or empty space between them, and being of a grass green colour on the upper side, and paler underneath. At every one of the larger divisions of the Stalk stand Twigs with Pinnæ, as in the tops of the Branches.
It grew in Jamaica on the Moneque Savanna, and in going down Mount Diablo thither.
It was observed in Martinique by F. Plumier. I find that it grows likewise in China by a Draught of it taken from the Life in that Country, and given me by Mr. James Cuningham.