Tentamen Botanicum de Filicum Generibus Dorsiferarum Mémoires de l'Académie Royale des Sciences de Turin vol. 5, 401-422

About this book

"Tentamen Botanicum de Filicum Generibus Dorsiferarum" by James Edward Smith is a scientific publication written in the late 18th century. This work focuses on the classification and systematic study of certain genera of ferns, specifically those with dorsal fruiting characteristics. Smith aims to refine and expand on the existing botanical knowledge of ferns, which had seen contributions from previous notable botanists but lacked comprehensive organization. The book meticulously reviews and categorizes various fern groups based on their reproductive structures and overall morphology. Smith discusses the characteristics of several genera, including Pteris, Polypodium, and Asplenium, detailing their fruiting patterns and structural features. He emphasizes the importance of the involucrum, or membranous layer surrounding the reproductive structures, which he argues is crucial for accurate classification. Throughout the text, Smith references earlier botanical works while asserting the need for systematic categorization to enhance the understanding of these diverse plant forms, thereby marking an important contribution to the field of botany.