isgaiiesiisata
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ALBERT R. MANN
LIBRARY

NEW YorRK STATE COLLEGES
OF
AGRICULTURE AND HomME ECONOMICS

AT

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

The ferns of Bombay,

Sowa Sai owiay

Library

The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.

http://www.archive.org/details/cu3 1924000636849

Lygodium flexuosum Bedd

_ Frontispiece

THE
FERNS OF BOM BAY

BY

E. BLATTER, S.J., PHD., F.LS.

Professor of Botany, St. Xavier's College, Bombay
AND

J. F. @ALMEIDA, B.A., B.Sc. (Hon.)

’ Professor of Botany, St. Xavier's College, Bombay

With 2 coloured and 15 black and white plates,
and 43 text figures.

: BOMBAY
D, B. TARAPOREVALA SONS & CO.
190 HORNBY ROAD, FORT

1922
ae a

PRINTED AT THE
DIOCESAN PRESS, MADRAS
1922

PREFACE

Ir is strange that the ferns, though distin-
guished by an infinite variety in the form and
division of their leaves and the elegant beauty
of their whole appearance, received so little
attention in the Bombay Presidency on the
part of botanists as well as of amateurs.
An explanation of the fact may be found in
the circumstance that just near the centres of
human commerce in the Presidency, the fern
vegetation is very scanty or almost m/. Other
parts with a rich growth of ferns are inacces-
sible to most of us during the tour rainy
months of the year, when plant-life is at its
best. A second reason might be the dithculty
that is generally experienced in the identifica-
tion of the members ot this class of plants.
To obviate the latter difficulty we offer this
volume to the public.

We have to thank Professor J. P. Mullan
for taking a number of photographs, Miss
Mercia Stanton, Mr. Jos. Fonseca and Mr.
Sutaria tor the drawings and Miss Eileen
Rosario for the coloured plates.

E. Biatter,
J. F. p’AvMeipa.
St. XAVIER’S COLLEGE,
Febniary 2, 1922.

CONTENTS

PAGE
PREFACE es eee a ee iti
List OF PLATES awe aes we Vil
INTRODUCTION oe ood ae we Cll
1. History of our knowledge of the Fern

Flora of the Bombay Presidency ae OL

2. The Structure of Ferns wes en 63

3. The Life History of Ferns ua a. «13

4. Vegetative Reproduction sie . =«18

5. Distribution and Habitats of Ferns .. «19

6, Cultivation of Ferns he as 23
CLASSIFICATION... bai ae rey
Sub-order I. Gleicheniacez ee aa OF
II. Polypodiaceze sts ais 229

II]. Osmundacez aa ... 192

IV. Schizeacez ‘seis ... 193

V. Marattiacee as «. 197

VI. Ophioglossacee .... .. 198

SYNOPSIS OF GENERA sine oor .-. 205

INDEX was re Sis is 223

LIST OF PLATES

Frontispiece Lygodium flexuosum Bedd. (coloured).

PLATE

I,
II.
III.

VIL.

VIII.
IX.

FACING
PAGE
Ferns with creeping and erect stem aa 3
Different varieties of margin ... 6
Different varieties of apex and different
shapes of fronds .. tee gat 148

Different shapes of fronds, continued

from Plate III a ww =10
Different kinds of venation ae ve AY
. Leucostegia immersa Presi. (coloured) ... 42

Cheilanthes albomarginata Clarke.

Cheilanthes farinosa Kaulf.

Cheilanthes tenutfolia Sw. ... .. 79

Pteris quadriaurita Retz. var. setigera
Bedd.

Pteris pellucida Pres.

Preris longifolia L.

Pteris aquilina L.

Pteris cretica L.

Pteris ensiformis Burm. oe 3 388

Ceratopteris thalictroides Brong. wor. 97

Asplenium lunulatum Sw.

Asplenium laciniatum Don.

Asplenium falcatum Lam,

Athyrium felix-feemina Roth.

Athyrium hohenackerianum Bedd.

Athyrium falcatum Bedd. .,.. . 108

viii
PLATE

X,
XI,
XIT.

XII.

XIV.

XV.

LIST OF PLATES

Actiniopteris dichotoma Bedd.
Aspidium polymorphum Wall.
Aspidium trifoliatum Sw.
Aspidium sub-triphyllum Hook.
Aspidium macrophyllun Sw.
Aspidium cicutarium Sw.
Lastrea tenericaulis Bedd.
Lastrea calcarata Hook.
Lastrea syrmatica Bedd.
Lastrea dissecta Bedd.

Lastrea crenata Bedd.
Angiopteris evecta Hoffmann.
Lygodium japonicum Sw.
Lygodium microphyllun R. Br.
Lygodium flexuosum Bedd.
Osmunda regalis L.
Ophioglossum fibrosum Schum,

. 144

..- 192
.. 202

INTRODUCTION

1. History OF OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE FERN

HOHE

FLora OF THE BomBay PRESIDENCY

Or those that wrote expressly on the Flora of
the Presidency, Graham ’* is the first to give
some information on the: cryptogamic vegeta-
tion. He mentions twenty-five species of ferns
with notes as to the places where they had been
collected. Dalzell and Gibson’ did not add
anything to the knowledge of the cryptogams.
We read in the preface to their ‘ Bombay
Flora’: ‘The cryptogamic portion of the
catalogue has, in order to meet the present
wants of our readers, been literally transcribed
from that of Mr. Graham, but we hope, ona
future opportunity, to be able to present it to
the public ina more compact and enlarged
form.’ Whether their hope was ever realized
we are not able to say; -at least we could not
find any further publication on the subject by

1J. Graham: Catalogue of the Plants growing in Bombay and
its vicinity, 1839.

2A, Dalzell and A, Gibson: The Bombay Flora, Bombay,
1861.

2

either of the two botanists. In 1886 H. M.
Birdwood* wrote a catalogue of the Flora of
Matheran, in which he enumerates twelve
species of ferns as growing in that place. In
1887 he published a catalogue of the Flora
of Mahableshwar and Matheran mentioning
fourteen speciés as occurring in both places.
In a final revision of the same catalogue in
1897 the species of ferns found at Mahablesh-
war and Matheran*, amount to thirty-two.
The latest and at the same time the richest
contribution towards the knowledge of the fern-
vegetation of the Bombay Presidency is con-
tained in Vol. V of the Journal of the Bombay
Natural History Society, where T.R. M.
Macpherson * gives a list of seventy-five species
gathered in North Kanara. Reference is some-
times made to the Bombay-ferns in W.
Hooker’s ‘Species Filicum’ and ‘ Synopsis
Filicum,’ in Smith’s ‘ Historia Filicum,’ R. H.
Beddome’s ‘Ferns of Southern India,’ ‘ The
Ferns of British India,’ and especially in his

1H. M. Birdwood: A Catalogue of the Flora of Matheran; in
Journal, B.N.H.S., vol. i, p. 203.

2 H.M. Birdwood: A Catalogue of the Flora of Mahableshwar
and Matheran ; in Journal, B.N.H.S., vol. ii, p. 107.

3 Ibid., vol, x, p. 394.

47.R.M. Macpherson: List of Ferns gathered in North
Kanara; in Journal, B.N.H.S., vol. v, p. 375.

PLATE |

\ PIT

\)
A A ar (een
fos
: i Pb ahd
Nat anit

A, FERN WITH A CREEPING STEM. B. FERN WITH AN ERECT STEM.

Rh. = Rhizome. Cd. = Caudex.
P. = Pinna. St. = Stipe.
C. = Young frond, circinate in bud. R. = Rachis.
C. = Young frond, circinate
in bud.

To face page 3

3

‘Handbook to the Ferns of British India,
Ceylon and the Malay Peninsula.’ Here we
must not forget to mention Gray-who, in his
treatise on the ‘ Botany of the Bombay Presi-
dency,’ * mentions about fifty species of Ferns.

If our readers wish to consult the plant-
material on which this volume is based, they
will finda complete collection of the ferns
mentioned, in the Herbarium of St. Xavier's
College, In addition we examined the herbaria
of the Economic Botanist at Poona, of’ the
Bombay Natural History Society, of Mr. L. J.
Sedgwick, and of the Sibpur Botanic Gardens,
Calcutta.

2. Tue STRUCTURE OF FERNS

Before: the beginner can proceed with the
study of Ferns, it will be well for him to be
acquainted with their structure and the terms
which are in vogue and which it is impossible to
omit in any treatise on Ferns, however ele-
mentary it may be. If the terminology is made
clear at the outset, very little difficulty will be
experienced by the reader in the course-of his
studies of Ferns.

1Ww.! Gray: The ‘Botany of the Bombay Presidency ’; in
Bombay Gazetteer, vol. xxv.

4

The Root. Ferns possess roots by. which
they are fastened to the soil and obtain nutri-
ment therefrom. These roots consist entirely
of fibres and are said to be fibrous; they have
a more or less rigid wiry texture and, when
young, are covered with fine soft downy hairs,
termed rvoot-hairs. The roots are borne on the
underside of the stem, when the latter is pros-
trate or creeping along the ground; but when
the stem is more or less erect, they arise towards
its lower end on all sides indifferently and
proceed from amongst the bases of the decayed
leaves.

The Stem. The stem forms either an upright
or creeping stock, The upright stem is called
caudex. [Plate I.-B.Cd.] Though the caudex
rises not much above ground in most species,
there are some ferns in which it reaches a height
of thirty to fifty feet or more and gives a tree-like
appearance‘to the plants. The latter are conse-
quently known as Tvee-Ferns or Arborescent
Ferns. The creeping or prostrate stem is known
as the rhizome. [Plate I.-A. Rh.] Parts
of the stem not buried in the soil are
often covered with hairs or scales and:
sometimes so thickly as to become quite

shaggy.

5

The Frond. The leaves of ferns consist of
two parts—(r1) the leafy portion which is termed
the frond and (2) the stalk which is called the
sitpe. [Plate I.-B. St.] When the stipe is want-
ing the frond is said to be sesstle. The fronds of
ferns are either barren or fertile. As arule the
latter differ scarcely from the former. Sometimes
they vary greatly, the barren ones presenting
the ordinary leafy appearance, the fertile being
contracted often to such an extent that the
leafy part is entirely absent.

The young fronds of ferns (except the Ophio-
glossacez) present a very characteristic appear
ance, the upper portion being coiled inwards
like a watch spring, and as growth proceeds the
coils unwind. Hence the fronds of ferns are
said to be cirvcinate (Lat. Czircino, I turn round)
in bud.

Fronds vary much. in size, some kinds being
less than one inch, whilst others fifteen to
twenty feet long.

Fronds are either simple or compound. The
simple frond is one which consists of one
piece even though it is cut into lobes or
segments.

The compound frond is one which consists
of two or more pieces, each of which may be

6

similarly divided. In compound fronds, the
primary divisions are termed pinne [Plate I.-A.
and B. p.] and when more than once divided
the ultimate ones are known as pinnules.
Compound fronds may be of the palmate or
pinnate type. In the former the leaflets all
radiate from the apex of the stipe.. Such fronds
are saidto be one-foliate, two-foliate or binate,
three-foliate or ternate, etc. according to the
number of leaflets they possess. In the pinnate
type the divisions or pinne are arranged on
either side of the prolongation of the stipe
termed rachis. [Plate I.-B. r.] When the
pinne are themselves pinnate and bear pinne
of the second order, the frond is termed. dipzn-
nate; when these secondary pinne are again
pinnate, the frond is tripiumnate. If the division
extends beyond this, the frond is decompound.
_ The Margin. The following terms are em-
ployed to describe the edges of fronds or of
the parts of fronds [Plate II.] :—

(1) Entire, if the margin ‘is even. (2)
Serrate, if it has sharp teeth and all point to
the apex like the teeth of a saw. (3) Buserrate, if
the teeth themselves are serrate. (4) Serrulate, if
the teeth are minute. (5) Spindlose-serrate, if the
teeth are. spiny. (6).Crenate, if the teeth are

PLATE II

aN

DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF MARGIN.

1. Entire. 2. Serrate.
5. Crenate. 6. Bicrenate.
9. Palmatifid. 10. Pinnatifid.

3. Biserrate.
7. Sinuate.
11. Bipinnatifid.

4. Spinulose serrate.
8. Wavy or undulate.
12. Pectinate.

To face page 6

7

rounded. (7) Crenulate, if the teeth are minutely
crenate. (8) Bicrenate, if the crenatures them-
selves are crenate. (9) Simurte, sinuous, sinuose,
if the margin has deep concavities and convexi-
ties. (10) Wavy or undulate, if the margin is
wavy. (11) Crisped or curled, if the margin is
very irregular, being twisted and curled.

‘When the margin of the frond or of a part of
it is more deeply divided than is the case in the
above instances, the sufix ‘fid’ is employed to
describe it, and the divisions are termed lobes
or segments. Hence, according as the frond or
part of the frond belongs to the palmate or
pinnate type, it is said to be palmatiid or
pinnatifid. If the divisions of a pinnatifid frond
or part of frond are again incised the terms &-
pinnatifid or two-pinnatifid, tri-pinnatifid or
three-pinnatifid, etc. are used. If a frond or
part of it is deeply incised and the divisions are
narrow and close so as to resemble a comb, the
same is said to be pectinate.

The Apex. The apex of the frond, whether
simple or compound, or of the pinnz or pinnules,
or of the segments, varies considerably in outline
and has received various names. [Plate III.-B.]
It is obtuse or blunt, if it is rounded; retuse, if
it is rounded with a rounded depression in the

8

middle ; emarginate, if the depression is sharp ;
acute or sharp-pointed, if it is sharp so that the
two margins form an acute-angle; acuminate
or taper-pointed, if the point is very long and
tapering ; mucronate, if it is rounded and bears
at the top a pointed process; /runcate, if it
seems to be cut across.

Shape. The following are the common terms
used in descriptions to express the genera] out-
lines of fronds or the parts of fronds. [Plate
III.-C. and Plate IV.] They are said to be
acicular when they are necdle-shaped ; /inear, if
they are narrow with the two margins parallel ;
subulate or awl-shaped, if equally narrow but
tapering to a very fine point; Janceolate or
lance-shaped, if elongated and gradually taper-
ing towards the base and apex; oval or elliptt-
cal, if like the last but relatively shorter and
broader ; oblong, if of much the same breadth
but rounded at the base and apex; ovate or
egg-shaped, if broadest and rounded off towards
the base and pointed towards the apex ; obovate,
if just the reverse of ovate; cordate, if pointed
at the apex and broad and notched at the base
(this term is often applied to a frond or part
of a frond if simply the base is notched);
obcordate, if just the reverse of cordate; reni-

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form or kidney-shaped, if rounded at the apex,
broader than long and notched at the base ;
obrentform, if the reverse of reniform; cuneate
or wedge-shaped, if broad at the apex and-
tapering towards the base; sagittate or arrow-
shaped, if shaped like an arrow-head with the
two basal lobes directed backwards ; hastate or
halberd-shaped if the two basal lobes are
directed outwards; oblique or unequal, it the two
halves of the frond are not equal; falcate or
sickle-shaped, if curved like a sickle; aurtcled,
if they bear more or less rounded or ear-shaped
lobes ; the lobes are then termed auricles.

It will be noted that in actual descriptions
the terms above explained are often coupled
together as linear-lanceolate, elliptic-ovate, and
so on, to suggest that the shape is scmething
between the two. .

Texture. The texture of fronds varies very
much in the different species. It is said to be
(a) membranous or membranaceous, if it is thin
like a membrane; (b) herbaceous, if it has the
texture of a herb; (c) coriaceous, if it is lea-
thery ; (d) fleshy or carnose, if it is succulent.

Surface. The surface of fronds may be
quite smooth or covered, with hairs, glands or
scales, or they are covered, particularly the

10

under-surface, with white or yellow meal. The
rachises and stipes may also be covered with
hairs and scales.

Venation. The venation or the mode of
arrangement of the veins in the fronds often
form an important criterion for distinguishing
ferns. [Plate V.] The midrib of a simple
frond or of the pinne or pinnules of acompound
frond is called the costa. The first branches
of the midrib are called veins and the branches
proceeding from the veins, veimlets. Veins or
veinlets are spoken of as free when they are
unconnected with the neighbouring ones ; anas-
tomosing when the veinlets of one vein are con-
nected with those of the next; reticulate when
they anastomose so as to forma _ net-work.
Free veins are either simple or branched.
Branched veins may be either (a) forked when
they break up into two or more branches after
leaving the costa ;' (6) #imnate when they run
from the costa to the margin giving off branch-
es on both sides; or (c) radiate when the veins
spread out from a definite point at the base of
the frond. Areoles or meshes are spaces formed
by the anastomosing of veins. Veins or veinlets
are said-to be excurrent when directed towards
the margin and recurrent when directed away

PLATE IV

NMSk.
Ves

Continued from Plate III: 9. Cordate, 10. Obcordate, 11. Reniform,
12. Obreniform, 13. Cuneate, 14. Sagittate, 15. Hastate, 16. Oblique,
17, Falcate, 18. Auricled.

To face page 10

11

tromit. The apices of veins or veinlets are
said to be clavate when thickened like a club.

Reproductive Organs.

1. Receptacle. The sporangia or spore cases
are arranged on a projection of tissue termed
the receptacle or placenta. Its position on the
frond varies. It may terminate a vein or its
branches ; it may be on the point where the
veins fork, or on the point of union of two
or more veinlets, or on the back of a vein
or veinlet. It presents various forms, being
a rounded elevation, or more elongated or
conical, or very long and filiform or ridge-like.

2. Sporangium. (Fig. 1). The sporangia or
spore-cases or capsules are the organs which con-
tain the reproductive
spores (sp.). They are
minute roundish oval
bodies containing a
single cavity and are
usually stalked, but
sometimes sessile. They
are encircled by acom-
plete jointed elastic ring

Fic. 1.—A sporangium
termed an annulus (an.) (magnified); Az. = Annulus ;

ox destitute of such 5? Stl; Sp.'— Spores.

1Z

a ring. The ring when present is either
(I) vertical if it passes vertically from the
stalk over the apex of the sporangium, or
(2) horizontal when it passes horizontally
round the sporangium at about its middle, or
(3) apical when it is at the apex, or (4) oblique
when it passes obliquely round the sporangium.
When the sporangium reaches maturity, the elas-
ticity of the annulus gives way, the case opens in
a direction transverse to the ring and the spores
are dispersed in the shape of fine dust. Exan-
nulate sporangia burst by means of a simple
slit or pore. Groups of sporangia are termed
sort when the individual sporangia are distinct,
and synangia when they are coherent. The
sporangia in the latter case are exannulate.
Sori vary in shape and may be linear, round,
oblong, oval, etc.

3. Indusium. Sori are either naked or pro-
vided with hairs and scales or covered in the first
instance at least with a membranous or rather
leathery covering called an indusium (a
shirt) or txvolucre (L. tnvolucrum, cover). The
presence or absence of the indusium and its form
when present are of importance in classification.
The indusium is attached to the receptacle
in various ways.

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(z) It may be inthe form of a disc and
attached by its centre to the centre of the
receptacle, the edge being free (peltate).

(2) Asa rule it is more or less elongated
and attached to the side of the receptacle
(lateral), (a) either by a point or notch on one
side, in this case it is reniform, oval or oblong ;
or (b) by the entire length of one side when it
is enear. Sometimes the indusium is attached
all round the base of the receptacle and
it is at first globose and entire enveloping
the sorus when young, eventually opening at
the summit and then it resembles a cup
(calictform).

3. Lire History ofr THE FERN

The spores which are borne inside the
sporangium are extremely minute bodies of a
dark brown colour resembling the pollen grains
of flowering plants in structure, and are like

‘them cells consisting of the living substance,
protoplasm, enclosed, as a rule, in a double coat
made up of an outer exime and an inner. tntine.
The former is provided with markings and
elevations of various patterns. Provided with
this double coat spores are capable of resisting

14

longer or shorter periods of unfavourable
conditions.

In suitable soil the spore germinates, growing
out into a filmy, heart-shaped plate scarcely
one-third of an inch
across. This is
known as the fro-
thallus or prothallium
(Fig. 2). It very
much resembles a
liverwort, but can be
distinguished from it
by its paler green
colour. It lies pros-
trate on the soil to

Fig. 2.—A prothallium which it is attached
aizaanind Riss; by a number of
Archegonium. root-like processes,
yhuzotds (Rh.) which are given off from the
under-surface. Amongst the rhizoids one can

distinguish numerous small projections. These:

are the male sexual organs, the autheridta
(Fig. 2 Anth. and Fig. 3). Each antheridium
contains several male sexual cells—the sperms
(sp.). Near the notch of the heart-shaped

prothallus may be seen the female sexual.

organs—the archegonta (Fig. 2 Arch. and Fig. 4).

fad ee 2

Fic. 4.—An Archegonium (magnified) ; Es. = Egg-cell.

16

Each archegonium is flask-shaped and contains
in its lower swollen portiona single female
sexual cell—the ovum or egg-cell (Es.).

The sperm isa long spirally coiled body,
blunt behind and tapering to a point in front
where it bears fine hair-like processes termed
cilia, by the vibratile movements of which it
moves about in the water which saturates the
soil in which the prothalli are growing. Sooner
or later it comes into the neighbourhood of an
archegonium, being attracted to it by the
mucilaginous exudations from the neck. It
enters the archegonium by the neck and
fuses with the egg-cell. Thus fertilization is
accomplished.

From the fertilized egg-cell, what is com-
monly known as the ‘ Fern Plant’ is produced.
This is at first extremely small and grows at
the expense of the food-material supplied by
the prothallus to which it remains attached till
it is able to spread its own roots and live
independently. (Fig. 5.)

From what has been said above it will be
evident that there are two stages or phases in
the life-history of the Fern :—(1) The short-
lived prothallus which grows from the spore
and bears the sexual cells, and (2) the ‘ Fern

17

Plant’ which is the result of the union of the
sperm and egg-cell, and which, when it is adult,
produces the asexual spores. The former is.
known as the sexual generation, the latter as

Fic. 5.—Young fern plant attached to Prothallus.
Fl,=First frond ; FR.=First root; Rk.=Rhizoids of Prothallus.

the asexual. Neither of these generations can

be produced independently of the other ; there

must be an interposition of the one generation

between two of the other. The life-cycle of

the fern thus. shows what is known as the
2

18

‘ alternation of generations’. This is represented
in a graphic manner below :—

PROTHALLUS
(Sexual Plant)

Archegonium Antheridium

| Spore
Egg-cell Sperm
Sporangium
Fertilized '
Egg-cell
Fern Plant

» (Asexual Plant)

4. VEGETATIVE REPRODUCTION

Besides the sexual reproduction illustrated
in the life-history described above, many ferns
are capable of reproducing themselves vegeta-
tively. Thus the fronds of Adiantum cauda-

19

tum L. and Adiantum lunulatum Burm. often
root at the extremities producing new plants
which separate from the parent plant and live
independently. In the genus Nephrolepis the
rhizome sends out several stolons which bear
buds that develop into new plants. Small buds
or bulbils which fall off and become indepen-
dent individuals are often produced on the
fronds of several ferns like Ceratopteris thalic.
troides Brong., Asplentum viviparum Presl.,
Asplemum Belangert Kaze. Amtsogonium
esculentum Presl., and Aspidium cicutarium
Sw. In Asprdiwm macrophyllum Sw. the buds
arise on the rhizome.

5. DistRiBuTION AND Hasitats oF FERNS

To gain an idea of the distribution of Ferns
in the Bombay Presidency, it will be necessary
to briefly describe the physical features of the
country which have a great influence on the
vegetation. Along the sea coast to the north
and south of Bombay isa tract of low-lying
country, the Konkan, bounded on the east by the
Western Ghats. The latter mountains form
the western escarpment of the high plateau of
the Deccan, a good portion of which comes

20

within the boundaries of the Presidency. North
of the river Tapti are Gujerat (including
Kathiawar), Kutch and the isolated province of
Sind.
. The rainfall of the whole area is not even.
The monsoons which blow from the Arabian
Sea spend most of their strength in the Konkan
and on the Western Ghats, more so towards the
south. Thus the Deccan is robbed of a large
portion of its rain by the screen of the Ghats.
Sind, Gujerat and Kutch receive very little rain.
In consequence of this uneven distribution of
rainfall, the vegetation of the country is not
uniform. The last mentioned areas are semi-
desert and it would be too much to expect ferns
to grow here, though Adzantum caudatum L.
var. edgeworthit Bedd. has been recorded by
Lowe to occur in Sind. It is also possible that
Adiantum lunulatum Burm. which is common
throughout the rest of the Presidency, and the
cosmopolitan Adiantum capillus veneris L.
occur in Gujerat and Sind.

In the Konkan and on the Ghats, as far
south as Mahableshwar, where the rainfall is
considerable, though’not so great as in the
country to the south of this hill, are the
deciduous forests, whose trees shed their foliage

21

during the dry season. The ferns that grow
here are, for the most part, green only in the
monsoons, drying up to the level of. their
rhizomes after the heavy rains are over. In
this dormant state they await the next wet
season when they again send out fresh foliage.
Others again roll up their fronds after the rains
and so resist the dry season.

But from Mahableshwar southwards the
rainfall is heaviest and the moist ever-green
forests predominate. Here the shade, shelter,
and abundance of moisture together with an:
equable temperature and suitable soil have given.
rise toa luxuriant fern vegetation. Here it is
that one sees along the mossy banks of the
streams the gigantic tree ferns. Here in the mois-
ture-laden atmosphere are to be found the tiny.
filmy ferns. In whichever direction the eye
gazes it meets with ferns—ferns in great profu-
sion, ferns in great variety, ferns in the rich
humus, ferns on the damp rocks, ferns on the
trunks of trees—in short, ferns at every point of*
vantage.

On the plateau of the Deccan, which receives
less rain than the Konkan and the Ghats and
which has a varied vegetation consisting of arid
wastes, grassy expanses, areasof deciduous:

22

shrubland and woodland, there is little scope for
a luxuriant fern flora. It is only in the decidu-
ous forests along the Satpura Hills that a good
number of ferns occur.

The majority of ferns recorded in this book
are moisture-loving and live in the shade of the
forest, either in the damp soil rendered rich by
vegetable mould or on damp rocks, or again (as
epiphytes) on the trunks of trees.

But there are a good number of ferns which
prefer open situations and are to be found on
hill-sides and grassy places on the_ outskirts of
forests, especially on the lee-ward side of the
prevailing winds. Amongst these may be
mentioned Gletchenta linearis Bedd., Schizolo-
ma ensifolia J. Sm., Adiantum caudatum L.,
Cheilanthes farinosa Kaulf., Pteris aquilina L.,
Actiniopterts dichotoma Bedd. and Hemionitis
avifolia Bedd. The West Indian Gymno-
gramme calomelanos Kaulf., which is fast
becoming naturalized in India, also occurs in
similar situations.

Altitude is also a factor that determines the
distribution of species. Many ferns occurring
at high elevations are not to be found lower
down and vice versa. Thus Chetlanthes fari-
nosa Kaulf. and Gleichenta linearis Bedd. have

23

not been known to exist below 1,000 feet. The
lower limit of Cheilanthes albo-marginata
Clarke, Actimopteris dichotoma Bedd. and
Adiantum caudatum L. is 2,000 feet. Adian-
tum lunulatum Burm. does not occur above
3,000 feet.

Though a good number of ferns have been
found to live in water, there is only one, viz.
Ceratopterts thalictroides Brong., which can
properly claim to be called a water fern, in
the sense that it is particularly adapted to live
in water by reason of its contained air-spaces
and other peculiarities which distinguish
aquatic plants.

6. CULTIVATION OF FERNS

In the cultivation of ferns the best rule is to
imitate the conditions under which the indivi-
dual species grow in their native haunts. But
as ferns differ considerably in their require-
ments and it is not possible in an elementary
book like this to allude to all of them, we have
attempted only to give a few general hints on
the cultivation of ferns grown in Bombay.
These are mostly tropical and require shade,
shelter, abundance of moisture, together with a

24

suitable soiland temperature.. By shade is
meant diffuse sun-light, and not absolute shade
such as would be obtained under a perfectly
thatched roof. The shelter must be such as
to protect the plants from strong winds which
are injurious to them. Moisture in the soil
and in the atmosphere is another requirement,
but it must be remembered that absolutely
dry soil and a clogged soil are the two extremes
to be avoided. The soil must be well drained,
and there must be enough of food material
available. In many cases ordinary garden
soil will do, but an admixture of vegetable
mould is always beneficial. On this side of
India temperature will present very little
difficulty as it is more or less equable.

FERNERIES

In Bombay we grow ferns together with
orchids, begonias and other foliage plants
in artificial homes known as Ferneries which
copy the conditions of climate and soil under
which ferns are found in a wild state.

The Bombay Ferneries are of a different sort
in character from the more elaborate structures
employed for similar purposes in England and

25

*
going by the names of conservatories, green
houses, hot houses, etc.

The Fernery is a simple shed consisting of a
roof supported: on posts, bamboos, or rafters.

The roof should be soconstructed as to allow
diffuse sun-light to pass through. Various
materials, such as split bamboos, wooden trellis
work, chicks, etc. have been employed, but a
most useful and at the same time decent
roofing is afforded by coir-matting having a
mesh varying from half-an-inch to one inch.
The Fernery should be enclosed on all sides by
wooden trellis work or wire-netting on which
creepers can be trained.

The inner arrangement oft the Fernery
depends on individual tastes, but provision
should be made: for a few small fountains and
a couple of tanks of water which not only add
to the beauty of the Fernery but also provide
a moist cool atmosphere. There should also
be a rockery or two made up of boulders,
clinkers or old masonry debris on which many
ferns which are otherwise stunted will luxuriate.
Ferns may also be grown in pots to advantage.
Ordinary garden soil rendered rich by an
admixture of leaf mould, debris of, decayed
wood and charcoal will serve the purpose.

26

Care should always be taken to see that the
pots are well drained by a layer of broken tiles
or bricks at-the bottom. Epiphytic ferns are
best grown in hanging wire baskets in a soil
containing a quantity of charcoal and gravel.
Many ferns which in their wild state grow on
trees or damp rocks thrive well in ordinary
soil, while others require, like orchids, to be tied
up with moss to pieces of wood or old tree
trunks.

CLASSIFICATION

SUB-ORDER I—GLEICHENIACE/

SORI DORSAL, without indusium, composed of a
few sporangia having a transverse or obliquely
transverse complete ring and opening vertically.

Genus I.—GtercHenia R. Br.
(Named after W. F. Von Gleichen.)

Caudex creeping; stipes forked; segments
small, almost round or pectinate.

Gleichenia linearis Bedd.

Stipes zig-zag, repeatedly forked, ultimate
branches with a pair of forked pinnz which are
cut down almost to the midrib into elongated,
entire, blunt segments, bluish-green beneath.
A distinct pair of pinnz arises from the base
of the forked branches. [Fig. 6.]

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara—Tyagli, Yellapur, Barch, Idagoonji,
Nuji, Sumkund, Nilkund, Sirsi, Jog, Hoolgeri,
Harshikuta, Herigoota, Katgal, Honawar,

28

Kasurgode, Bhatkal, Hebunkerri, Castle Rock;
Konkan ; Goa Territory, in the neighbourhood
of Dood Sagor.

FIG 6.—Gleichenia linearis Bedd..
(2) Portion of frond (x 2).
(b) Segment (x 2).°
(c) Capsule (magnified).

29

Mountains of Southern India and Ceylon,
up to 6,000 feet; Sikkim; Bhotan; Nepal;
Kumaon; Khasya, etc. up to 5,000 feet;
Malay Peninsula.—Japan ; Tropical Australia ;
America; Polynesia.

SUB-ORDER IL—POLYPODIACEZ

Sori dorsal or marginal with or without an
indusium; sporangia stalked, provided with a
vertical more or less complete ring and opening
transversely (except in Hymenophyllez).

(A) Involucrate

Sori furnished with an indusium (except in

Alsophila).

Tripe [.—CvyatHe®

Tree-ferns—Sori dorsal, round; sporangia
stalked or ‘sessile on an elevated receptacle ;
indusium inferior, in the form of a scale
beneath the sorus, or completely enveloping
the sorus, ultimately bursting at the top and
. forming a cup. It is absent in Alsophila.

Genus I].—CyatHEAa

(Deriv. Gr. Kyathos, a cup—in allusion to
the indusium.)

30

Caudex arborescent ; indusium globose, ulti-
mately rupturing at the apex so as to forma
cup holding the sorus. |

Cyathea spinulosa Wall.

A tall tree-fern. Stipes and main rachis
armed with sharp elevated points. Fronds

F1G. 7.—Cyathea spinulosa Wall.
{@) A pinnule (nat. size). b) Portion of pinnule (* 3).
c) Portion of segment with a sorus (magnified about 15 times)
(4) Portion of rachis. (e) Sporangium (magnified).

31

glabrous, bipinnate; pinnules cut down into
elongated serrated segments. Sori on either
side of and near the midribs of the segments,
indusium globose in the young state, ultimately
bursting irregularly at the top. [Fig. 7.]
Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North

Kanara—Anmode, Cooesi Hoolgeri, in damp
shady places.

. Wynaad at 3,000 feet ; South Kanara; Coorg;
Jeypoor Hills (Vizag) ; Nepal; Jaintea Hills.

Genus II].—Atsopuira R. Br.

(Deriv. Gr. Grove-loving.)

Caudex arborescent ; sori round, naked.

(Distinguished from Cyathea by the absence
of indusium.)

(a) Stipes armed with short, blunt or sharp
elevated points. Segments narrow. Texture
herbaceous. Veinsall once forked. Sori occu-
pying nearly the whole segment.

1. A. latebrosa.

(b) Stipes rough or scaly at the base.
Segments triangular or ovate, serrated. Tex-
ture leathery to membranaceous. Veins pin-
nated. Veinlets all simple. Sori arranged in

32

the shape of an inverted V, not extending to the
apex of the segment.

2. A. glabra.

1. A. latebrosa Hook.

A tree-fern. Stipes armed with short or
sharp elevated points. Fronds _bipinnate ;
pinnules gradually tapering from a broad base,
cut down almost to the rachis into narrow
serrated segments, upper surface naked, lower
surface hairy or scaly, the scales being bullate
(i.e., puckered) and often mistaken for involucres,
Texture herbaceous. Veins all once forked.
Sori occupying nearly the whole segment.

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara.—A lofty tree-fern.

Nilgiris and all the western mountains of
the Madras Presidency and the Shevaroys, up
to 7,000 feet; Sikkim; Bhotan; Khasya
3,000-5,000 feet; Malay Peninsula; Penang.

2. Alsophila glabra Hook.

A tree-fern. Stipes rough, scaly at the base.
Fronds bipinnate, tapering from the base, cut
down into triangular rounded serrated segments.
Texture almost leathery to membranaceous.

33

Veins pinnated. Veinlets all simple. Sori
arranged on the segments in the shape of an
inverted V not extending to the apex of the
segment. |[Fig. 8.]

Fic. 8.—Alsophila glabra Hook.
(2) Pinnule (nat. size). (b) Portion of pinnule.
(ec) Sorus (magnified).

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara—Jog, Barch, Idagoonji, Anmode,
3

34

Cooesi, Kumbarwada, Devimunni, Sumkund,
Nilkund, Sirsi, Tyagli, Hoolgeri, Munchekerri,
Harshikuta, Katgal, Yan.

Western Hills of the Madras Presidency up
to 4,000 feet; North Arcot and Cuddapah
Hills; Jeypore; Himalayas, very common in
Sikkim, Nepal, etc. ; Burma and Ceylon.

Tripe II.—DiIcKsonic£

Sori round, at the back or apex of a vein;
indusium inferior, leathery, mounted on a
stalk, covering the whole sorus and _ bursting
irregularly, or cup-shaped, entire or two-lipped.
Veins free or anastomosing.

Genus IV.—Peranema Don.

(Deriv. Pert, around; nema, a thread—in
allusion to the thread-like stalk on which the
sorus is raised.)

Sori round, arising from the back of a vein
or veinlet; indusium inferior, globose, at first
enclosing the sorus, ultimately splitting verti-
cally into two lips. Veins free forked, termi-
nating within the margin into clavate (club-
shaped) apices.

35

Peranema cyatheoides Don.

Stipes scaly. Fronds 4-6 feet long, decom-
pound, ultimate pinnules sessile, linear oblong,
cut down deeply into
narrow segments having
a wavy oor crenate
margin. Rachis and
costa of the segments
scaly or hairy. [Fig. 9.]

Distribution: Bombay
Presidency—In shady
places at Mahablesh-
war.

Nepal and Bhotan,
6,000-10,000 feet;

Fic. 9.—Peranema

Khasya, 4,500-6,000 eyatheoides Don.
: 5 : (a) Pinnule (nat. size).
feet ’ Anamalais, 6,000 (b) Segment (5 times nat. size).

feet (c) Sporangium (magnified).

Tre II].—HymenopHyLte&

Sporangia globose or ovate, furnished with
a transverse ring ; indusium inferior, two-valved
ortubular. Filmy ferns, usually epiphytic in
habit.

Genus V.—HyMENopHYLLuM L.

(Deriv. Hymen, membrane; phyllon, leaf—

in allusion to the filmy texture.)

36

Sori margiral; indusium more or less _two-
valved ; receptacle elongated, columnar, pro-
truding beyond the mouth of the indusium or
included within it.

Hymenophyllum polyanthos Sw.

Stipes 2-33 inches long, wingless or narrowly

[

a

Fic. 10.—Hymenophyllum polyanthos Sw.
(a) Pinna (x 7).
6) A sporangium (magnified).

37

winged above. Frond 2-8 inches long, 1-3
inches broad, not crisped, ovate, oblong, three-
pinnatifid, main rachis winged; lower pinne
divided. to the winged rachis into severa]
pinnules, on each side, the lowest of which are
pinnatifid, with the segments linear. Sori more
or less terminal on the segments; indusium
distinctly two-valved, the valves ovate or
rounded. [Fig. 1o.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Castle
Rock.

Western Ghats of the Madras Presidency ;
Ceylon; Himalayas and Khasya mountains,
4,000—12,000 feet ; Burma.

Genus VI.—TricHoMANES SMITH

(Deriv. Thrix, hair ; manos, soft.)

Sori always terminating a vein, more or less
sunk in the frond ; indusium tubular or slightly
two-lipped; receptacle elongated, columnar,
often considerably protruding beyond thé
mouth of the indusium.

(a) Fronds entire below, palmate or digi-
tate above.
1. T. kurgit.

38

' (6) Fronds more or less deeply pinnatifid,
but not truly pinnate :—

(1) Main rachis. distinctly winged
throughout; indusium cylindrical,
tapering at the base ; receptacles
protruding.

2. T. intermarginale.

() Main rachis hardly, if it all, winged
in the lower part. Indusium
tubular, mouth very distinctly
two-lipped.

3. T. bipunctatum.

1. Trichomanes kurzit Bedd.

Rhizome slender, creeping. Stipe very short.
Frond less than an inch long, pinnatifid with
the segments one to three-lobed ; ultimate seg-
ments linear. Surface somewhat wavy ; margin
bounded by a thickened line. Texture thick.
Veins a single midrib to each segment. Sori
terminal; indusium sunk in the frond, top-
shaped, with the mouth dilated but without lips.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—-North
Kanara—Godhulli, Anshighat, at no great
elevation. Found on moist trunks of trees
during the monsoon.

39

Malabar, foot of the Tambacherry Ghat;
Assam ; Andaman Islands.

2. Trichomanes intermarginale Hook. and Grev.

. Rhizome slender, creeping, hairy. Stipe
short. Frond 1-2 inches long, 4-4 inch broad,
piunatifid with a few segments which are
simple, forked or pinnate; apices of segments
notched. Texture almost leathery. Margin
thickened. Veins a single midrib in each seg-
ment. Sori terminal; indusium almost cylin-
dric, tapering at the base, entirely sunk in the
frond ; receptacle protruding beyond the mouth
of the indusium. [Fig. 11.]

Distribution: Bombay »Presidency—North
Kanara—Devimunni. On moist rocks and
ground in shady places by the banks of streams.

Malabar plains ; foot of Bhagamandal Ghat
which. descends from Coorg; Sivagiri Hills
(Tinnevelly district); Ceylon, in the Amba-
gamwa district. |

é

3. Trichimanes bipunctatum’ Poir.

Rhizomeslender, creeping. Stipes 1-2 inches
long, naked, slightly winged above. Frond
1-4 inches long, 13-2 inches broad, ovate,
three-pinnatifid, main rachis narrowly winged’ or

Fic. 11.—Trichomanes intermarginale Hook. and Grev.

41

free below, pinnz pinnatifid. down to a narrow-
ly winged rachis; ultimate segments linear.
Texture firm, membranaceous. Veins a central
costa in each segment, spurious venules none
or indistinct. Sori terminal; indusium tubular,
sunk or somewhat protruding ; mouth very
distinctly two-lipped with the lips almost tri-
angular.

Distribution : Western forests of the
Bombay Presidency.

Western forests of the Madras Presidency, up
to 8,000 feet; Ceylon; Himalayas and Khasya
hills up to 6,000 feet. Throughout the tropics
of the whole world.

Tripe IV.—DavaLLic&

Sori rounded or oblong, situated at or near
the margin; indusium adherent at the base,
open at the apex, i.e. exteriorly, open or free at
the sides.

Genus VII.—Leucostecia PRESL.

(Deriv. Gr. Leucos, white ; stegos, a cover.)

Indusium small, narrow, thin, fixed only
by its broad base. Rhizome creeping, stipe
articulated with the rhizome.

42

(2) Rhizome creeping, downy or covered
with fibrillose scales. Pinnules cut down into
roundly lobed finely crenate segments. Tex-

ture herbaceous.
1, L. wmmersa.

(b) Rhizome creeping ; covered with blunt
often peltate scales. Pinnules cut down toa
narrowly winged rachis into very narrow linear
sharply pointed segments. Texture almost

leathery.
2. L. pulchra.

1. Leucostegta immersa Presl.

Rhizome creeping, downy or covered with fib-
rillose scales. Fronds three-pinnate, triangular,
12-18 inches long, 6—g inches broad ; pinnules
cut down into broad segments, excised at the
base below and roundly lobed, with the lobes
crenulate above. Surfaces naked. Texture thin
Sori large, close to the margin. [Plate V-a.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Maha-
bleshwar ; on trees and banks, Lonavla.

Madras Presidency on the western moun-
tains; Coorg; Himalayas, from Mussorie to
Bhotan, 3,000-6,000 feet; Sikkim; Khasya;
Malay Peninsula.—lava.

PLATE Y-a

Leucostegia

To face page 42

immersa Presl

43

2. Leucostegia pulchra J. Sm.

Rhizome creeping, covered with blunt often
peltate scales. Stipes scaly below. Frond

Q@

Fic. 12.—Leucostegia pulchra J. Sm.
(4) Pinnule with two sori (« 7). (b) Sporangium (magnified).

triangular-lanceolate, g-1o0 inches long, 4-8
inches broad, 3-4 pinnate ; pinnules cut down to
a narrowly winged rachis into very narrowly
linear sharply pointed segments. Texture
almost leathery. Sori at the base of the teeth
of the segments. [Fig. 12.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Maha-
bleshwar on trees ; Lonavla ontrees ; Khandala..

44

Madras Presidency, on the western moun-
tains ; Ceylon, Central Provinces 3,000—5,000
feet; Himalayas, Nepal and Bhotan, 2,000-
9,000 feet ; Khasya ; Moulmein.

Genus VIII.—Davatiia So.
(Deriv. after Davall, a. Swiss Botanist.)

Indusium leathery, attached at sides and
base, half cup-shaped. Rhizome creeping,
stipe articulated with the rhizome.

(a) Sori half cup-shaped with usually a
horn on the outside. .
1. D. bullata.

(5) Sori half-cylindrical with no horn.
2. D. fijtensis.

1. Davallia bullata Wall.

Rhizome creeping, covered with hair-pointed
scales. Frond triangular, 8-12 inches long, 4-8
inches broad, four-pinnatifid with deeply incised
segments. Texture leathery. Sori half cup-
shaped, marginal and with usually a horn on
the outside. [Fig. 13.]

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—Western
Ghats.

45

Western Ghats of the Madras Presidency ;
Himalayas, Nepal to Bhotan, 2,000-6,000 feet;

Fig. 13.—Davallia bullata Wall.
A pinnule (* 7).

Khasya ; Ceylon; Burma; Malay Peninsula.—
Japan ; South China ; Malay Islands.
Also grown in gardens.

2. Davallia fyjiensis H. K.

Rhizome thick, creeping, densely covered
with fibrillose scales. Frond triangular, 12-18
inches long, 6—12 inches broad, four-pinnatifid,
pinnules of the lower pinne triangular-elon-
gated, segments cut into narrow linear divisions

46

3-4 of an inch long. Texture leathery. Sori
half-cylindrica] with no horn.
Distribution: Fiji Islands, plentiful.
Cultivated in Bombay gardens. A very fine
species.

Genus IX.—MIcrRo.Lepia PRESL.

(Deriv. Gr. Micros, small; Jepis, scale—in
allusion to the small indusium.)

Indusium membranaceous, half cup-shaped,
attached at the sides and base. Rhizome
creeping ; stipe continuous with the rhizome.

(a) Surfaces hairy when young, naked
when adult. Ultimate segments broad, blunt-
ish toothed, oblong triangular.

1. M., platyphylla.

(0) Surtaces hairy, pinnules or ultimate
segments rhomboidal.
(2) Frond bipinnate, lanceolate; indusium
hairy.
= 2. M. strigosa.

(#2) Frond 3-4 pinnatifid, ovate or tri-
angular; indusium hairy or naked.

3. M. spelunce.

47

1. Microlepia platyphylla J. Sm.

Rhizome thick, creeping. Stipes erect.
Fronds 3-4 feet long, three-pinnatifid; pinnz

large, spreading,
ovate, elongate in
form with the
apices acuminate;
ultimate segments
broad, bluntish
toothed, oblong tri-
angular. Surfaces
hairy when young,
naked when adult.
Texture leathery.
Sori one in each
tooth of the seg-
ment. [Fig. 14.]
Distribution :
Madras Presidency
throughout the
western moun-
tains, up to nearly
6,000 feet; Ceylon;
Himalayas, Nepal,

_—_-___ernenrnree_e_eeee

Fic. 14.—Microlepia platyphylla
Sm

(a) A pinnule (x 4).
(6) A sorus (magnified).

Sikkim, Bhotan 3,000-5,500 feet elevation ;

Khasya.

48

Occurs in Bombay only in cultivation.

2. Microlepia strigosa Moore
Frond bipinnate; pinnules oblong, rhomboidal,
rather bluntly toothed. Veins hairy on both
sides; rest of the surface hairy or naked.
Rachis hairy. Indusium half cup-shaped,
hairy. .

Very much like M. spelunce, except that it
is never more than bipinnate.

Cultivated.

Distribution: Tinnevelly and Travancore
mountains, South India; Ceylon; Himalayas ;
Malay Peninsula—Japan ; South China ; Sand-
wich and Fiji Islands.

3. Microlepia spelunce Bedd.

Rhizome short, creeping. Stipes 1-14 foot
long. Fronds up to six or more feet long,
triangular to ovate, 3-4 pinnatifid. Ultimate
segments rhomboidal, almost entire or slightly
crenated (or more or less deeply cut). Surfaces
hairy or almost naked. Texture membranace-
ous. Sori half cup-shaped with the indusium
hairy or naked. [Fig. 15.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara—Jog, Gersoppa Ghat, Yan; Bombay
Island—Sion Wood.

49

Western mountains of the Madras Presi-
dency; Ceylon; Himalayas from Kumaon

Fic. 15.—Mierolepia spelunce Bedd.
(a) A pinnule (nat. size). (b) A segment ( x 3).
(c) A sorus (magnified).

eastwards; Khasya; Chittagong ; Malay Penin-
sula—China; Japan; Malay Islands; Polynesia;
Tropical America.

Also cultivated.

Specimens from North Kanara are very large
and three-pinnate. Those collected in gardens
and in Sion Wood are much smaller and only
two-pinnate. The Sion ones are probably
escapes from cultivation.

GENUS X.—STENOLOMA FEE

(Deriv. Stenos, narrow ; loma, border.)
4

50

Indusium forming a compressed, almost
round or cup-shaped pouch, only open at the
top. Rhizome creeping; stipes tufted, not
articulated upon the rhizome.

Stenoloma chinensis Bedd.

Rhizome short, creeping, covered with
fibrillose scales. Stipes glossy, naked, polished.
Fronds triangular to ovate, 12-18 inches long,
6-9 inches broad, four-pinnatifid; pinnz and
pinnules triangular or ovate, elongate ; ultimate
segments wedge-shaped, narrowed from tip
to base. Surfaces naked. Texture almost
leathery. Sori confined to the tips of the
segments.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara—Sumkund, Tyagli, Nilkund, Hoolgeri,
Harshikuta, Castle Rock on earth banks.

Madras Presidency, western mountains 3,000-
6,000 feet ; Himalayas, Kumaon to Bhotan, up
to 1,000-4,000 feet; Khasya; Ceylon; Malay
Peninsula—China; Japan; Polynesia; East
African Islands.

Tribe V.—LInpSayvEx

Sori placed in a line at or near the margin of
the frond at the apex of and uniting two or

51

more veinlets. Indusium double, i.e. formed of
two valves, the inner of which is membranaceous,

the outer formed of the slightly changed margin
of the frond.

Genus X].—Linpsaya Dryanp

(After Lindsay, a writer on ferns.)
Veins forked, free; pinnz unequal-sided or
equal-sided.
Lindsaya cultrata Sw.

Rhizome short, creeping, wiry, scaly. Stipes
wiry. Fronds 6-12 inches long, about an inch
broad, pinnate; pinne
stalked or sessile, un- gReG
equal sided; lower edge, ;
straight ; upper more
or less lobed or entire.
Texture leathery. [Fig.
16.]

This fern has the
habit of Adiantum. It Fic. 16.—Lindsaya cultrata
; Sw. Pinna (* 4).
is called the hay-scented
fern from its scent when drying.

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara.

Very common on the western side of the
Madras Presidency, up to 6,000 feet ; Ceylon ;

52

Himalayas, Nepal to Mishmee and Chittagong
up to 4,000 feet ;, Burma; Malay Peninsula—
North Australia; Formosa; Japan; Malay
Islands ; East African Islands.

Genus XII.—Scuizotoma Gaup.
= (Deriv. Gr. Schizo, 1 cut ; loma, margin.)
Veins more or less uniting. Pinnz unequal-
sided or equal-sided.
(a) Pinnz unilateral (unequal-sided).

tg 1. S. lobata.

(>) Pinnz equilateral (equal-sided).
(2) Frond pinnate. Pinne rarely reduced
to one, 14-6 inches long, }-1 inch
broad, gradually tapering from a
broad unequal base.

2. S. ensifolia.

'(#) Frond pinnate with large linear-
lanceolate pinne or bipinnate,
occasionally tripinnate ; pinnules
4-1 inch long, } inch broad, entire
or unequally lobed.

3, S. heterophylla.

53

1. Schtzoloma lobata Poir. «:

Rhizome short, creeping. Fronds pinnate or
bipinnate ; pinnules about 4 inch long, 4 inch
broad, curved up, unequal-sided ; lower margin
entire; upper rather deeply lobed. Texture
thin, herbaceous. Sori on the lobes.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara—Jog and Gersoppa Ghat.——Malabar
and Travancore mountains ; Ceylon—Queens-
land, Polynesian Islands,

2. Schizoloma ensifolia J. Sm.
Rhizome creeping, scaly. Stipes wiry.
Fronds 6-12 inches long, 3-4 inches broad ; pin-
nate, rarely reduced to 1, 14-6 inches long,
t-+1 inch broad, gradually tapering from a broad
unequal base, slightly toothed at the margin
where sterile; veins forming a net-work; sori
continuous along the margin. [Fig. 17.]
Distribution : Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara—lIdagoonji, Nuji, Anshi, Devimunni,
Sumkund, Nilkund, Hoolgeri, Herigooti, Katgal,
Honawar, Kasurgode, Bhatkal, Castle Rock ;
Mahableshwar.
Western mountains of Madras; Ceylon;
Himalayas, Sikkim to Muneypore and Chitta-
gong upto 4,000 feet ; Burma—North Australia ;

54

Tropical Africa; East African Islands; Poly-

nesia.

TED Bice

Fic. 17.—Sehizoloma ensifolia J. Sm.

(b) Portion of pinna (x 24).

(z) Pinna (nat. size).

55
3. Schtzoloma heterophylla J. Sm.

Rhizome creeping. Fronds 6—12 inches long,
3-6 inches broad, pinnate with large linear-
lanceolate pinnz or
bipinnate, occasion-

Se

=

ally _tripinnate ; nh
1 ] . h IN?
pinnules 4-1 inc AW

SS

long, 4 inch broad,
entire or unequally
lobed. Texture
herbaceous. Sori
more or less con-
tinuous along the
margin. [Fig. 18.]
Distribution:
Bombay Presi-
dency—North ®
Kanara common, Fic. pameauen: a heterophyl la
Sumkund, Katgal, (a) Pinna (nat. size).
Aybail Ghat, (6) Portion of pinna ( x 14).
Malabar mountains, Travancore; Ceylon;
Malay Peninsula—Mauritius; Hongkong;
Malay Islands.

ra

FE
S

Krgido
AS SS

yf
Ma:

Trise VI.—PTEeRIDEZ

Sori marginal, oblong or ina line. Indusium
formed of a more or less changed and

56

reflexed margin of the frond opening in-
wardly.

Genus XIII.—Apbiantum L,

(Deriv. Gr. Adtantos, dry ; from the curious
property of repelling moisture.)

Sori marginal, rounded or in a line, usually
numerous and distinct, sometimes confluent
and continuous, bearing the sporangia on the
underside ; veins free.

(a) Radicantes Group—Frond simply

pinnate, rachis rooting at the apex.
(t) Pinnz half-moon shaped, distinctly
stalked, 3-4 inch by 14-1 inch.

Texture herbaceous.

, 1. A. lunulatum,

(tt) Pinnze wedge-shaped at the base,

nearly sessile, $—} inch by } inch.
Texture leathery.

2. A. caudatum.
(0) Polysorous Group.—Frond once or

more pinnate; sori numerous, roundish,
oblong or transversely kidney-shaped.

57

(t) Ultimate. segments- not- dimidiate

_ (ie. halved or. appearing as if one

half had been cut off), but having

two or more distinctly opposite
rows of sori. ’

3. A. peruvianum.

(ii) Ultimate segments dimidiate.
(1) Stems naked and polished. Ulti-
mate pinnules 14-2 inches
Ing. Texture thin.

4. A. trapeztforme.

(2) Stems hairy, rough. Ultimate
pinnules 4-}$ inch long.
Texture almost leathery.

5. A. formosum.

(c) Oligosorous Group.—Frond once or
more pinnate. Sori more or less continuous on
either side of the leaflet.

6. A. macrophyllum.

. . (a) Capillus-Veneris Group—Frond at
least bipinnate ; segments fan-shaped with the
stalk near the centre ; sori oblong or obversely
‘kidney-shaped. .

58

(I) Fronds longer than broad.
(t) Sori roundish or transversely
oblong.

1. Pinnules distinctly wedge-shaped
at the base. Sori in shallow
depressions of the lobes.

(1) Pinnules deciduous.

7. A, tenerum.
(2) Pinnules not deciduous.
8. 4. capillus venerts.

2. Pinnules roundish, being straight,
almost wedge-shaped or round-
ed at the base. Sori in deep
hollows of the lobes.

g. A. aethtopicum.

() Sori obversely kidney-shaped in
deep round hollows of the lobes.
t. Pinnules distinctly crenate at
the base.
(1) Frond 3-4 pinnate. Pinnules
4+ inch broad.

10. A. cuneatume

59

(2) Frond at least four-pinnate.
Pinnules 4-4 inch broad.

11. A. gracillumum.

2. Pinnules rhombic in shape (being
obliquely wedge-shaped at the
base).

12, A. concinnum.

(II) Fronds about as broad as long.
13. A. collisit.

(e) Pedatum Group.—Frond not pinnate-
ly branched but dichotomously forked with
numerous pinne springing from the upper side
of each of the branches.

14. A. hispidulum.

1. Adiantum lunulatum Burm.

Stipes 4-6 inches long, black to brown, wiry,
polished. Fronds often rooting at the tip, 6-12
inches long, 3 inches broad, pinnate, pinne
distinctly stalked, half-moon shaped, #-14 inches
broad, 4-1 inch deep, frequently lobed. Rachis
on both surfaces naked. Texture herbaceous.

60

Sori linear, frequently -becoming confluent.-
[Fig. 19.] -

. Fic. 19.—Adiantum lunulatum Burm.
(az) Small frond (nat. size). (6) Large pinna (nat. size).

- Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara common, Castle Rock; Panchgani,

61

.-Mahableshwar; Lonavla, Purandhar, Khan-
dala; Nasik district: Lena Hill, Igatpuri
Ghats, Igatpuri; Khandesh, north slope of
Chanseli; Savantwadi State, Vetora; Goa
territory; Konkan, Matheran; Bassein and
Bassein Range; Bombay Island, Sion, Sewrie,
Mahaluxmi; Salsette, Bandra, Coorla, Mul-
gaum, Conditta, Bhandup, Vehar Lake, Tulsi
Lake, Keneri Caves, Thana, Versova, Trombay
Hill.

Throughout Northern India in moist places ;
South India, general onthe western side and
lower slopes of the hills; Ceylon; Burma—in
the tropics of nearly the whole world.

The fern dies down after the rains.

The vernacular name is Rata Kombada, also
Kombada. Used in making bracelets by the
wild tribes. It is a very graceful fern and
would do well in a fernery.

2. Adiantum caudatum L.

Stipes and rachises brown, polished, hairy.
Fronds 6—12 inches long, often rooting at the
tip, pinnate, pinnz nearly sessile, 3-3} inch by
4 inch, wedge-shaped at the base, deeply cut
into several narrow spreading lobes. Surfaces

62

hairy. Texture asarule leathery. Sori on the
edge of the lobes, nearly round. ([Fig. 20.]

Distcibution: Bombay Presidency—Southern
parts in the higher Ghats ; Purandhar; Satara
district, Shirgaon Ghat; Nasik district, Lena
Hill ; Khandesh, north slope of Chanseli.

Throughout India, Ceylon, and the Malay
Peninsula, in the plains and on lower slopes of
the hills—South China; Malay Islands, Java;
Mauritius; Tropical Africa; Cape Verde
Islands.

Also cultivated.

The variety edgeworthii Bedd. of Northern
India, with the pinne and rachis naked and
pinne less cut, has been recorded by Lowe in
his Ferns, British and Exotic, to occur in Sind;
elsewhere in the Presidency it has not yet been
found.

3. Adiantum peruvianum Klotzch

Stipe 6-g inches long, strong, erect, black
polished, naked. Fronds simply pinnate, or
the lower branches again pinnate or bipinnate ;
ultimate pinnules two inches or more broad, 14
inches deep, obliquely ovate, base wedge-shaped,
apex often long, pointed, upper and outer sides

Fic. 20.—Adiantum caudaium L.

(a) Frond (* 4).

(6) Pinna (* 2),

64

slightly lobed, with the lobes serrate; rachis
and surfaces naked. Texture papery, herbace-
ous. Sori in elongated patches on the lobes.
[Fig. 21.]

Distribution: Peru.

Common in gardens.

Fic. 21.—Adiantum peruvianum Klotzch.
Pinnule (nat. size).

65

4. Adiantum trapeztforme L.

Rhizome short, creeping. Stipe scaly at the
very base, otherwise black, polished, naked-

FIG. 22.—Adiantumns trapeziforme L.
Pinnule (nat. size).

Frond up to 4 feet high, 3-2 pinnate, central
pinna the largest, ultimate pinnules 14-2 inches
long, 4-% inch broad, ovate-rhomboidal or
trapezoid, long-pointed with the upper and outer
edge bluntly lobed ; rachis and surfaces naked.
Texture papery, herbaceous. Sori on the upper
and outer edge large, oblong. ([Fig. 22.]

_ Distribution: West Indian Islands, Jamaica,
Cuba, Mexico, Central America, Caraccas,
Brazil, Vera Cruz and Guatamala.

Very commonly cultivated.

5. Adtantum formosum R. Br.

Stipe black, glossy, rough, 12-18 inches long.
Frond 14-2 feet long, about two-thirds broad,
5

66

3-4 pinnate, ultimate pinnules 4—3 inch long,
wedge-shaped at the base, upper edge rounded

y

EA Lil oS

Fic. 23.—Adiantum
formosum R. Br.
Pinnule (nat. size).

and deeply lobed with the
lobes serrate when sterile;
rachis rough, hairy. Tex-
ture almost leathery. Sori
numerous, placed on the
edge of the lobes, trans-
versely oblong with kidney-
shaped indusia. [Fig. 23.]
Distribution : Temperate
Australia and New Zealand.
Cultivated.

.6. Adiantum macrophyllum
Sw.

Rhizome creeping. Stipe
black, polished, naked.
Frond up to 18 inches long,
pinnate; pinne 4-6 pairs,
large, 4 inches by 2 inches,
almost sessile, ovate, acute,
pointed, with the margin

lobed, fertile pinnz narrower; rachis and
surfaces naked. Texture thin, membranous.
Sori in continuous lines or slightly interrupted
on either side of the pinna. ([Fig. 24.]

67

Distribution: West Indies and Tropical’
America, Mexico and Jamaica. ee
Cultivated.

Fic. 24.—Adtantum macrophyllum Sw.

(a) Portion of fertile frond (= 4). (b) Portion of sterile frond ( x 3).

7. Adiantum tenerum Sw.

Rhizome creeping. Stipe about a foot long,.
black, polished, naked except at the very base

68

which 1s scaly. Frond 1-3 teet long, 9-18
inches broad, triangular, 3-4 pinnate; pinnules
$- inch broad, wedge-shaped at the base, more
or less rounded at the outer edge, rather deeply
lobed, lobes finely serrate when sterile ; rachis
and surfaces nal@d.
Texture thin to
almost leathery. Sori
on the lobes rather
roundish or transver-
sely oblong. [Fig.
25.]
Distribution:
Mexico and West
Indian Islands, south-
wards to Juan Fer-
nandez and Feru.
One solitary speci-
men was collected in

Fic. 25.—Adiantum tenerum Sion Wood, Bombay
Sw. Pinnules (nat. size). Island. Itis evident-

ly an escape from cultivation.
The following horticultural varieties occur
in the Bombay gardens :—
_ 1. Var. bauset.—Pinnules drooping, almost -
leathery.
2. Var. farleyense-—Fronds drooping; pin-

69

nules closely overlapping, base wedge-shaped
with curved sides, outer margin rounded, very
deeply and narrowly cut. Texture thin. We
have not seen this variety in fruit. [Fig. 26.]

Fic. 26.—Adiantum tenerum Sw. var. farleyense.
A few pinnules (nat. size).

8. Adiantum capillus veneris L.

Rhizome creeping, densely scaly. Stipes
scaly, purplish black and polished. Fronds 2-3
pinnate; ultimate pinnules 4-1 inch broad,
obliquely fan-shaped with the upper edge ir-
regularly rounded, sometimes broadly lobed,
lobes finely toothed when sterile; rachis and

70

Surfaces naked. Sori roundish or obverseiy
kidney-shaped. [Fig. 27.]

; ; _ Fic. 27.—Adiantum capillus veneris L.
(a) A small plant (nat. size). (b) A pinnule ( x 2).
(c) Var. mariesit, portion of frond (nat. size).
{d) Var. fergusoni, pinnule (nat. size).

ae

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Panch-
gani, on wet rocks; Mahableshwar;. Pashan
Tank, six miles from Poona; Purandhar; Nasik
district, Nasik road in wells, Gungapur, Adgaon
(along brook), Dindori (on the wall of irrigation
canal), Igatpuri Ghats; Khandesh, Dadgaon ;
Gujerat; Sind; Bombay Island, Sewrie,,
Mahim, very common in wells in the coconut
groves ; Salsette Island, Versova, in wells and
conduits in the coconut groves; Goa territory,
in damp places near Dood Sagor.

Madras Presidency, west side, common on
banks of rivers in the plains, and up to 5,000
feet ; Ceylon; North India—Europe ; Africa ;
America ; Australia.

Common in gardens. The True Maiden

Hair.

- The variety mares of gardens has leaflets
laciniate (cut into narrow lobes). The variety
fergusont seems to have arisen as a sport in
a garden in Ceylon. It isa large Fern with
pinnules about an inch across and deeply lobed,
the lobes overlapping each other.

g. Adiantum ethioprcum L.

Rhizome creeping, scaly. .Stipe dark brown.
Fronds triangular in’ outline up to 18 inches

€ 72

long, 6-g inches broad; pinnules $-4 inch broad
straight, almost wedge-shaped or rounded ai
the base and deeply lobed upper border ; rachi:
and surfaces naked. Texture thin, herbaceous
Sori roundish or transversely oblong.

Like Adiantum capillus veneris, but the
-pinnules are broadly wedge-shaped at the base

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Nortt
Kanara, Supa, rare.

Nilgiri and Pulney mountains at the highe
elevations ; Ceylon.—Australia; New Zealand
America; Africa ; East African Islands.

10. Adtantum cuneatum Langs. and Fisch.

Stipe 6-9 inches long, slender, black, naked
polished. Frond upto 18 inches long, 6-<
inches broad, triangular, 3-4 pinnate; pinnule:
4-8 inch broad, wedge-shaped at the base
rounded at the outer edge with crenated lobes
rachisand surfaces naked. Texture thin. Sor
4-6 on a pinnule situated in hollows of the
lobes, indusium kidney-shaped. [Fig. 28.]

Distribution : Brazil.

Very common in cultivation and runs intc
many varieties, very difficult to identify.

73

°
11. Adiantum gracillimum Moore

Frond about a foot or more long, triangular,
at least four-pinnate ; pinnules very minute, 4-4
inch wide, base wedge-shaped, outer side round-

FIG. 28.—Adiantum cuneatum Langs. and Fisch.
Part of frond (nat. size).

ed and Jobed with the lobes somewhat serrate.
Sori in hollows of the lobes, large, kidney-
shaped.

A very pretty fern. It is of horticultural
origin and is perhaps a variety of Adiantum
cuneatum,

74

12. Adtantum concinnum H. B. K.

Rhizome somewhat creeping. Stipe 4-8
inches long, black polished, naked. Frond
F 1-14 feet long, 6-9 inches
broad, ovate, triangular,
2-3 pinnate ; pinnules rhom-
boidal, 4-3 inch across,
obliquely wedge-shaped at
the base, outer edge more
or less rounded and lobed
with the lobes entire, crenate
or blunt ; rachis and surface
ote ciate. Ramee Texture. membra-
concinnum H.B.K, naceous. Sori kidney-shaped,
Pinnule (nat. size): laced in hollows on the

lobes. [Fig. 29.]
Distribution : Tropical America from Mexico
to West Indies, southwards to Peru and Brazil.
Cultivated.

13. Adiantum collistt Moore

Stipe and rachis black, polished, naked.
Frond about as long as broad, at least four-
pinnate; pinnules up to $-inch broad, wedge-
shaped at the base, outer edge rounded and
deeply lobed with the lobes finely serrate.

75

Rachises apparently repeatedly forked.. Sori
transversely oblong, indusium kidney-shaped-

Occurs in the Bombay gardens. Of garden
origin.

14. Adtantum hispidulum Sw.

Stipe and rachis black polished, rough with
stiff close hairs. Frond f orked, the two divisions
branching in a fan-like manner ; largest pinnz
6~g, inches long, ultimate pinnules about 4-inch
or more, bluntly oblong, wedge-shaped at the
base and crenate on the margins; surfaces
hairy. - Texture almost leathery. Sori small,
kidney-shaped on the ORT and upper edge.”
[Fig. 30.] /

Distribution: Common in hie western hills of
the Madras Presidency, 3, 000-5, ooo,.feet ; Ceylon
up to 4,000 feet —Australia, N New Zealand ;
Fiji; Africa ; East African Is] nds.

GENUS XIV Che anrdes Sw.

(Deriv. Gr. Cheilos, lip ; anthos, flower—in
allusion to the marginal Sori.) |

Indusium roundish and distinct, or'more or
less confluent, but not continuous, sporangia
on underside of the frond, veins free.

76

(a) Frond two-pinnatifid, more or less
covered with white or yellow meal beneath.

a

Fic. 30.—Adiantum hispidulun,
(a) Frond ( x3 ). (6) Pinnule ( x 3).
a

(1) Stipes only scaly. Scales evenly
coloured. Indusium entire, even

or toothed.
1. C. farinosa.

77

(11) Stipes, rachis and coste scaly.
Scales pale-margined. Indusium
lacerate.

2. C. albomarginata.

(0) Frond three-pinnatifid, not covered with
mea] beneath.
3. C. tenutfolia.

1. Chetlanthes farinosa Kaulf.

Rhizome creeping, stout, scaly. Stipes red-
dish brown to black polished, naked or scaly
near the base (scales evenly coloured). Fronds
triangular or Janceolate-triangular in outline,
bi-pinnatifid, varying in size, basal pinne auri-
cled below ; under side thinly or thickly coated
with white meal; upper side naked. Rachis
naked. Texture varying from membranace-
ous to leathery. Indusium entire, even or
toothed. [Fig. 31 and Plate VI.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara — Nidgod; Deccan— Mahableshwar,
Panchgani, Sakar Pathar, Lonavla, Khandala ;
Konkan, Matheran; Parsik Hill near Thana,
Igatpuri ; Turanmal (W. Khandesh); northern
slope of Chanseli (Khandesh) ; Trombay Hill,
near Bombay.

78

-Throughout North India, in thé hills up to
5,000 teet; Madras Presidency, in the plains

FiG. 31.—Cheilanthes farinosa.
(2) Pinna (nat. size). (b) Part of segment ( x 6).

and up to 8,ooo feet on the hills; Ceylon;
Burma.—Tropical America; Java; Philip
pines ; East Africa; East African Islands ;
Arabia.

Var. chrysophylla Bedd. has rich yellow

powder on the under-surface. It must be

PLATE VI

Cheilanthes albomarginata Clarke. Cheilanthes tenuifolia Sw-
Chetlanthes farinosa Kaulf.

To face page 79

79

noted, however, that’ the white powder of the
‘typical farinosa often turns yellow through age.
Such specimens should-not be mistaken for
chrysophylla. . é
Distribution: Bombay | Presidency—Lena
Hill (Nasik District), Khandala, Matheran,
Igatpuri.—Khasya, 5,000 feet. .

2. Cheilanthes albomarginata Clarke

Very much like Cheilanthes farinosa but ‘dis-
tinguished from it by the following characters :—
(1) The presence of pale-margined scales on the
stipes as well as on the primary. and secondary
rachises and coste, (2) the highly lacerate
indusia, (3) a dwarfish sturdier habit, and (4)
the comparatively small size of the fronds and
their outline. which is nearer to lanceolate than
to triangular. (Plate VI.]

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—lIgatpuri,
Panchgani, Mahableshwar, Purandhar, Lohagad
Hill (Poona District), Matheran, Ambcli
Hills.

North-west Himalayas; Kashmir, Basaoli
5,000 feet ; Dalhousie, 6,000 feet ; Simla 7;000
feet ; Gurwhal 2,000-9,000 feet. é;

80

3. Chetlanthes tenutfolia Sw.

Rhizome short, creeping. Stipes purple-black,
scaly. Frond ovate or triangular, tri-pinnatifid ;
“pinnules linear-acuminate, segments oblong-
lanceolate. Main rachis winged above, partial
rachises all narrowly winged. Texture almost
membranaceous. Sori circular, eventually
confluent.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, common everywhere during the rains,
dying down shortly after, Karwar, Castle Rock;
Deccan, dry localities ; Londa on claybanks;
also seen at one place at Mahableshwar ; Goa
territory, Margao (near a spring). [Plate VI.]

Madras Presidency, common in the plains
and on low hills up to 4,000 feet; Bengal;
Assam ; Chittagong; Dacca; Chota Nagpur ;
Khasya upto 3,500 feet; Sikkim; Malay
Peninsula—China ; Australia ; New Zealand ;
Polynesia ; Uruguay; Malay Islands.

Genus XV.—Pr_ris L.

(Deriv. Greek name for fern, from Gr. Pteryx,
a wing—in allusion to the prevalence of pinnate
form.)

81

Indusium quite continuous, sori linear, conti-
nuous, occupying a slender filiform receptacle in
the axis of the indusium. Veins free, rarely
those of the last division but one or more are
less connected by arching veins at the very
base:

I. Stipes tufted, indusium single.

(a) Integrifoliz—Lower pinne linear, un-

divided.
1. P. longtfolta.

(b) Furcate.—Lower pinnz forked or
slightly pinnate.

(:) Pinnz of the sterile frond consider-
ably broader than the fertile and
distinctly toothed.

1. Sterile frond about the size of the
fertile. Lower pinnz cleft down
into two or three pinnules.

2. P. crettca.
2: Sterile frond much smaller than
the fertile and more compound.

Lower pinne simple, forked, trifid
or compound.

3. P. enstformis.

8Z

(a), Pinne of the sterile frond not
much broader. than the others;
scarcely toothed,

4. P. pellucida,

(c) Bipinnate.—Lowest pinne at least
bipinnatifid. '
(2) Pinnz cut down nearly to the rachis
into numerous linear oblong seg-

ments.

5. P. quadriaurita.

(12) Pinnz cut down into several narrow
linear lobes which widen sudden-
ly on both sides within a short
distance of the base.

6. P. patens.
(2) Tripartite.—Lowest pinne much

longer than the others, often nearly equalling
the central portion of the frond.

7. P. wallichiana.

II. Stipes distant on a creeping rhizome,
indusium double.

8. P. aquiiina.

83

1. Pteris longifolia L.

Rhizome creeping. Stipes scaly. Fronds
broadly lance-shaped in outline, 1-2 feet long,
4-9 inches wide,
often narrowed
_ below, pinnate

with an odd pinna
at the apex;
pinne numerous
on each side, ses-
sile, up to. $-inch
broad, gradually
tapering from a
broad base, entire
or minutely cre-

hf AEM EE ao
RES

VIVIVIY LZ

SAR

YVAN

NY

Sat

aa niavamblibas
> S

BS

a
nate. Rachis MA

iw Ze:
naked or scaly. VA
Texture mem- %

KA
branaceous to |W
leathery. [Fig. \Y

ww

32 and Plate VII.]

Distribution:
Bombay Presi-
dency—N orth FIG. 32.—Pteris longifolva L.

‘Kanara, Pupa, (a) Pinna (nat. size).
Pere Ghat, (b) Part of Pinna (* 3).

84

Anshi, Yan, Castle Rock; Konkan, below
Mahableshwar, Bassein; Bombay Island,
Mahim, Malabar Hill; Goa territory, Old
Goa, Panjim, Mapuca, Marmagoa and along
the. M.&S.M. Railway in damp _ places;
abundant in the neighbourhood of Dood Sagor.

Madras Presidency; Bengal, in the plains -
and up to 5,000 feet; Ceylon; Burma.
Widely distributed over the whole world.

This fern is commonly grown in gardens.
It has run wild at Mahim, where it is very
common on the damp walls of wells, likewise
on Malabar Hill, where it grows in hedges
near the Hanging Gardens. The capacity
of the spores to vegetate abundantly upon
all moist surfaces and in the crevices of
walls probably explains its frequent occurrence
outside the limits of cultivation.

Var. martes (Hort.)—This is a garden variety
with shorter fronds and narrower pinne. It
keeps closer to the pot.

2. Pteris cretica L.

Rhizome creeping. Stipe erect, naked,
straw-coloured. Frond 6-12 inches long, 4-8
inches broad, pinnate; pinne linear, lance-
shaped, up to nearly an inch broad, the upper

85

pinne simple and usually sessile with the
wings decurrent on the rachis, the lower usually
stalked and cleft down to the base into 2-3
pinnules, margin serrate, fertile segments
narrower, and serrate where barren. Surfaces
naked. Rachis naked. Texture leathery. Veins
simple or forked, closely parallel. Sori continu-
ous on the margin. [Plate VII.]

Distribution: Madras Presidency, very
common from sea level up to 8,000 feet; Bengal
Presidency, very general up to 9,000 feet ;
Ceylon; Burma.—Africa, Tropical America,
South Europe and elsewhere.

A garden fern.

Var. albolineata (Hort.)—This is a garden
variety having broad white bands down the
centre of the pinne.

3. Pteris ensiformis Burm.

Rhizome short, creeping. Stipe up to Io
inches long, naked. Fronds of two sorts, up
to 12 inches long by 3-6 inches broad;
fertile fronds with lateral pinne either simple,
forked, trifid, narrow, pinnules linear, acuminate,
more compound, about 4-inch broad, segments
very narrow, }-inch broad, almost sessile with
lower wing continuous on the rachis. Sterile

86

fronds generally smaller, more compound with
the pinnules, much broader and crenate, serrate:
at the margins. Surfaces naked. Rachis naked.
Texture almost leathery. Veins usually once
or twice forked. [Plate VII]

Distribution: Malabar, rare; hills of Vizaga-:
patam district, common; plains of East:
Bengal; Bhotan to Chittagong; Ceylon;
Burma; Malay Peninsula.—Tropical Australia;
China; Polynesia. .

Var. vutctovie (Hort.)—This is a garden
variety having the fronds variegated with
white.

4. Pterrs pelluctda Pres}.

Stipes naked. Fronds 12-18 inches long,
egg-shaped to lancé-shaped, pinnate; pinne
few, usually sessile, lance-shaped up to about
1-inch broad, all simple or the lowest pair
forked, margin when barren, entire wavy, crisped
or finely crenate. Surfaces bright, green, glossy,
naked. Rachis naked. Texture leathery. The
frond often consists of one pinna only.
[Fig. 33 and Plate VII.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, very common everywhere, Anmod,
Pupa, Karwar, Guddhali, Anshi, Nilkund Ghat,

87

Jog Forest, Castle Rock; Mahableshwar ;
Savantwadi, Vetora; Salsette Island, above
Kaneri caves, 1,500 feet high; Matheran.

Fic. 33.—Pteris pellucida Presi. nat
(a) Complete plant (~ 3). (b) Part of pinna (nat. seas:

/ Western forests of Madras ee
plains and hills of Bengal up to 3,000 feet

88

elevation; Burma.—Malay Islands; Guinea
Coast.

A variety with broad white bands down the
centre of the pinne occurs on the Anshi and
Nilkund Ghats and in the Jog Forest.

5. Pteris quadriaurita Retz.

Caudex short, erect. Stipes naked or rough,
varying much insize. Fronds lanceolate or
ovate; pinnate pinne cut down nearly
to the rachis into numerous linear-oblong seg-
ments, the lowest pair or several lower pairs
usually again compound with similar but
smaller pinnz arising from the lower side of
the base. Texture membranaceous to almost
leathery. The costze are armed with bristles
above. Veinlet usually once forked and free
(Forma quadriaurita Type) or the lowest ones
of two adjoining veins unite in pairs into an
arch (Forma liaurita) or both these kinds of
venation occur in one and the same frond.
(Forma nemoralis.)

The above is an expanded description in-
tended to embrace the three species, Pteris
quadriaurita Retz., Pteris (Campteria) biaurita
L. and Pteris (Campteria) nemoralis Willd.,
which we consider simply as forms of one and

PLATE VII

Pterts quadriaurita Retz. var. setigera Bedd.
Pteris pellucida Pres.
Pterts longifolia L.
Pteris aquilina LL. portion of frond. $

Pteris cretica L. Pteris enstformis Burm.
fertile frond. sterile frond. fertile frond—sterile frond.

To face pa

89

the same species based on venation which is
not constant, specimens of obvious biaurita
lapsing into nemoralis by some of ‘the basal
veins missing connection, whilst those which
would ordinarily be taken for guadriaurita
having some arched veins,

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Forma
quadriaurita,—North Kanara, Tinai Ghat,
Castle Rock ; Konkan, Matheran, Amboli Ghat,
Vetora (Savantwadi State) ; Panchgani ; Maha-
bleshwar ; Khandala.

Forma snemoralis—Amboli Hills, Castle
Rock, Mahableshwar.

Forma diaurita.—North Kanara—Jog Supa,
Jugelput, Anmode, Kumbarwada, Anshi,
Idagoonji ; Mahableshwar ; Panchgani; Khan-
dala—throughout India, Ceylon; Malay
Peninsula.—All round the world throughout
the tropics and a little beyond them.

This fern is also grown in gardens.

Var. seligera Bedd.—Texture papery, colour
brown when dry, segments narrower than in
the type, copious stiff hairs on the rachis and
costz, veins all free (as in Forma quadriaurita).

A very distinct looking plant. [Plate VII.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara; Mahableshwar; Dajipur above the

90

Fonda Ghat; Ambowne; Matheran—Coorg
and Malabar.

Var. argentea Bedd. has broad white bands
down the centre of the pinne. We have seen
this fern in the Victoria Gardens. In horticul-
ture it is known as Plerts quadriaurita var.
argyrea.

Distribution : Nilgiris and western mountains:
of the Madras Presidency only at high latitudes;
much in cultivation in. England.

6. Pterts patens H. K

Caudex erect. Stipes stout, scaly at the
base. Fronds pinnate with a terminal pinna,

Fia..34.—Pteris patens H. K.
* Portion of pinna (x 134).

6-9 inches long, 14-2 inches broad and several
lateral ones, pinne cut down into several

91

narrow linear lobes which widen suddenly on
both sides within a short distance of the base,
lobés serrate where sterile, lower pinnz often
divided twoor three times. Surfaces naked.
Texture almost leathery. Veins usually once
forked. [Fig. 34.]° i

This fern is rarely found in pec eyanice in
the Presidency. ‘

Distribution : Madras Presidency—Carcoor
Ghat, Wynaad ‘and Travancore hills, 2,000—
5,000 feet; Ceylon, Dodawilla, Matele- and
Modecnws forests above 2,000 feet eleva-
tion—Borneo, Philippines and Society ‘Islands.

7. Pteris wallichtana Ag.

Stipe 5-6 feet long, strong, bright, chestnut
brown, naked, glossy. Frorid divided into three
parts, the lateral ones again forked ; the central
one often 2 feet long, 1 foot broad, pinnate ;
pinnules sessile, 4-6 inches long, linear-lanceo-
late, acuminate, deeply pinnatifid ; segments
about 4-inch long, linear lance-shaped, blunt at
the apex, finely serrate when sterile. Surfaces
naked. .Rachis like the stipe. Texture her-
baceous. Basal veins uniting in pairs into an
arch, the rest free. The arching of the’veins is

9

92

not constant. Sori continuous along nearly
the whole length of the edge.

This fern was growing in Mr. W. S. Millard’s
Fernery on Malabar Hill in 1918. How it
came to be there Mr. Millard was at a loss to
explain. He had certainly not cultivated it.
Possibly some spores finding his fernery a
congenial place for their development germi-
nated there giving rise toa stately plant. The
frond sent to the St. Xavier's College Museum
for examination had a stipe 5-6 feet long and.
was 4-5 feet each way. There are several goodly
specimens of this fern in the Victoria Gardens.

Distribution: Abundant on the Himalayas
from Chumba to Bhotan, 3,000-8,000 feet;
Khasya—Philippines, Java and Samoa.

8. Pterts aquilina L.

Rhizome stout, creeping extensively beneath
the surface of the ground. Stipes erect, naked,
arising at intervals from the rhizome, dark-
coloured at the lower extremity which is cover-
ed by the soil. Frond decompound, almost
triangular in form, apex pinnate, below it are
ovate pinne which become gradually more and
more divided downwards until the lowest ones.
are pinnate with lanceolate pinnules cut down

93

into numerous lanceolate segments; ultimate
segments up to about an inch long and 4-inch
broad. Surfaces and rachis naked or hairy.
Texture thin or almost leathery. [Fig. 35
and Plate VII.]

Fic. 35.—Pteris aquilina L.
Vertical section through segment showing the double indusium.

This is the common Brake or Bracken. It
grows up to seven feet high. Used as packing
material.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, common on the crest of the ghats in
dry places, Castle Rock; Mahableshwar ;
Panchgani; Sakar-Pathar (Lonavli) ; Khan-
dala; Konkan— Matheran, Amboli Hills; Kanor
(Belgaum District).

Throughout India, Ceylon and the Malay
Peninsula on the mountains 2,000-8,000 feet,

94

Throughout the whole world except the Arctic
Zone and temperate South America.

Genus XVI.—Dorvyopteris J. SMITH

(Deriv. Dory, spear ; pterts, fern—in allusion
to the shape of the fronds.) .

Fronds triangular or halberd-shaped or pal-—
mately divided ; veins copiously anastomosing,
without free included veinJets. The rest as in
Pteris.

Doryopteris ludens Bedd. (Pteris ludens Wall.)

Rhizome creeping, scaly; scales closely ad-
herent tothe rhizome and having white margins. ©
Stipe arising at intervals from the rhizome,
black polished, slightly scaly, often hairy,
those of the barren frond 3-4 inches long, those
of the fertile up to 12 inches long. Fronds of
two kinds. Barren ones triangular to halberd-
shaped with two well-marked lobes, margin
entire. Fertile fronds 4-6 inches each way,
deeply lobed and roughly palmate, the lobes
lanceolate and five in number, two basal, two
spreading and one terminal. The basal lobes
are deflexed and often forked. Texture leathery.
Midribs of the segments polished like the

95

stipe. Veins anastomosing, hidden. Sori con-
tinuous all round. ;
Grown in gardens.
Distribution: Chittagong Hills up to 1,000
feet elevation; Orissa on the Balasore Hills;
Burma ; Malay Peninsula.—Philippine Islands.

Genus XVII.—LitHosprocuia PRESL.

(Deriv. Lithos, stone ; brocha, spots—from the
areoles of the veins resembling pavement.)

Veins copiously anastomosing with free
included veinlets. The rest as in Pteris.

Lithobrochta tripartita J. Sm.

Stipe erect, straw-coloured or brownish,
naked, polished. Frondsdivided into three parts ;
the central division, the longest, having a termi-
nal pinna 6-g inches long and several lateral
pinne; pinnz cut down almost to the rachis
into linear-oblong segments which are slightly
toothed when barren ; lateral divisions smaller
than the central and similar to it; sometimes
forked again. Surfaces and rachis naked.
Textureherbaceous. Veins fine, anastomosing,
forming chiefly two series of areoles (parallel
with the midrib) from which proceed free veinlets
which fall short of the margin and terminate

96

in thickened ends. Sori continuous on the
‘lower two-thirds of the segments.

Cultivated.

Distribution : Ceylon—common about Galle
and the Central Provinces ; Madras Presidency
much cultivated, and said to be found wild in
the Cochin forests.; Malacca.—West Tropical
Africa; East African Islands ; Queensland ; the
Philippines ; Polynesia.

Genus XVIII.—CeEraropreris Brone.

(Deriv. Gr. Keras, Keratos, a horn; pteris, a
fern. The horned fern—in allusion to the stag-
horn looking fronds.)

A true water fern. Fronds fragile; fertile
fronds decompound with the segments forked
and pod-shaped. Sori Jinear, marginal, almost
parallel. Veins of sterile frond transversely:
elongated and distantly anastomosing.

A very anomalous genus.

Ceratopterts thalictroudes Brong.

A water plant growing in stagnant pools,
tanks and ‘marshes. Stipes somewhat quad-
rangular, thick, inflated, filled with air spaces.'
Fronds of two kinds. Barren ones, simple or
slightly divided or 2-3 pirinate. Fertile ones

PLATE VIII

Ceratopteris thalietroides Brong.

To face page 97

97

2-3 pinnate, segments forked, pod-like. The
fronds often bear buds which fall off and
form new plants. [Plate VIII.]_ -
Distribution : Bombay Presidency—Common
in tanks and streams, in swampy ground, and
even in rice-fields in the rains ;, North Kanara,
Karwar, Yellapur; Londa; Goa Territory,
Panjim ; Salsette: Islands, Vehar Lake, Vehar
Stream, Condita in tank; Bombay Island,
Matunga, in Sonny ground ; nee Nirmal
tank, pee
achmagekeat india, Gis aaa the Malay
Peninsula -up to 3,000 feet elevation —In: the
tropics of the whole world. ‘

t

Trt VII—BLEecHNEz

Sori linear, oblong, parallel with the midrib
and margin, nearer the midrib; indusium meats
opening towards the midrib.

. GENUS: XIX, —BrLecunum L:

_ (Deriv. One of the Greek names for fern.)
* Sori linear, mostly continuous, parallel to
and quite close to: the midrib ; veins free.
(2) Lower pinnae ‘reduced to mere. auricles. .

1. B. ortentale.

98

(b) Lower pinnz not reduced to mere
auricles,
(t) Greater portion of the frond pin-
nate.
2. B. occidentale.

(#2) Frond pinnate only at the very
base. .
3. B. cartilagineum. .

1. Blechnum orientale L.

Caudex stout, erect, scaly. Stipes 4-8 inches
long, scaly below; fronds 1-3 feet long, 6-12
inches broad, lance-shaped, ovate in outline,
pinnate ; the pinne 4-8 inches long, 3-3}
inch broad, alternate, adherent, entire, linear,
sessile, tapering from a broad unequal base to
a fine point ; the upper pinnz decurrent ; some
of the lowest reduced to mere “auricles. Sur-
faces naked. Texture leathery. Veins fine
and close, nearly parallel. [Fig. 36.]

We have grown this fern ina fernery and
found that it thrives well when the pot i is
saturated with water.

Distribution: Bombay Sega cited
Kanara, very common—Tinai Ghat, Devi-
munni Ghat, 1,300 feet, Katgal, Castle Rock ;
Mahableshwar ; Konkan, Amboli Hills (foot of

99

Ram Ghat and also by the sides of rivulets),
-Vetora (Savantwadi) in marshy places; Goa
territory, common all along the railway line
from Collem to Dood Sagor.

CUNY

Cin

fi

Fic. 36.—Blechnum orientale L.
(z) and (6) Pinnz (nat. size). (b) Portion of pinna ( x 2). |

Throughout India, Ceylon and the Malay
Peninsula—Malay Islands; China; Poly-
nesia; Australia.

2. Blechnum occidentale L.

Caudex stout, erect, clothed at the crown
with lance-shaped long pointed scales. Stipes

100

6-12 inches long, erect, scaly. Fronds pinnate,
lance-shaped, acuminate, 9-18 inches long,
4-8 inches broad, pinnze 3-6 inches long,
8-3 inch broad, narrowed gradually to a
point from a broad cordate or even auricled
base. Rachis and both surfaces naked or
slightly hairy. Texture leathery. Veins in-
conspicuous.
" Cultivated.

Distribution: America, common from Mexico
and West Indies southward to Chili and

South Brazil.

3. Blechnum cartilagineum Sw.

Caudex oblique, densely clothed at the crown
with blackish fibrillose scales. Stipes 4-6
inches long, scaly and covered with short, hard
tubercular excrescences. Fronds: 1-2 feet.long,
6-g inches broad, pinnate, broadly lancé-
shaped ; pinnez sessile, dilated and connected
at the base, narrowed gradually towards the
point; margin finely toothed. Rachis and
both surfaces naked. Texture leathery. Veins
fine. Sori in a broad line close to the midrib.
« Cultivated.

-,. Distribution : Temperate Australia.

101

Trine VIIIL—AspLenin&

Indusium- linear or oblong or horseshoe-
shaped, sometimes double; sori attachéd to
the veins.

GeNus XX.—THAMNOPTERIS PRESL. ,

(Deriv. Thamnos, a thicket ; pteris, a fern.)

Sori linear; veins forked, more or less
parallel, connected just within the margin by
a transverse vein. (This connection is not
quite constant.) Fronds simple.

Thamnopteris nidus Pres].

Rhizome erect. Stipes short, scaly. Fronds
up to 6 feet long and 6 inches broad, linear-
lanceolate, margin entire. The fronds are
arranged symmetrically on a crown forming a
circular, deep, vase-shaped hollow. Sori-along
the veins, not reaching the margin. [Fig. 37-a.]

Cultivated. Known in gardens as Asple-
num nidus, Asplemum mdus-avis, and Bird’s
Nest Fern. - ‘

The fern occurring wild in the Presidency is
what would come nearest to Beddome’s variety
phyllitidis, but this, we think, is merely a size-
form of the species.

102

Fic. 37.—(a) Thamnopteris nidus Pres]. Portion of frond (about

size).
(b) Asplenium lunulatum Sw. Portion of pinna (x 2%).

103

(c) Athyrium hohenacke-ianum Bedd. Portion of segment
(much magnified).

(d) Di aoe latifolium Moore. Portion of segment
x 5B).

(e) Antsogonium esculentum Presi. Portion of pinna ( x 34).
(f) Allantodia javanica Beda. Portion of pinna (magnified).

(g) Actiniopteris dichotoma Bedd. Portion of segment
(magnified).

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Jog, Kansar, Nilkund, Tyagli, Sirsi to
Sidhapur. Growing on trees.

Western forests of the Madras Presidency,
very common; North India, Himalayas,
Khasya; Malay Peninsula.—Java; Luzon;
Samar; the Philippines; Tropical Asia ;
Mauritius ; Madagascar, etc.

Genus XXI.—AspceENiumM L.

(Deriv. A, primitive; splen, spleen—in allu-
sion to its medical properties.)
Sori linear or oblong, single, veins free.

I. Fronds once pinnate.

(2) Pinne narrowed suddenly on the
upperside, the inner edge nearly parallel with
the main rachis, the lower side obliquely
truncate.

104

(t) Texture of frond herbaceous, colour
dark-green, the veins clearly’
visible.

1. A. lunulatum + + °

(wz) Texture of frond leathery or almost
leathery, colour pale-green, veins
comparatively. obscure.

1. Pinne more or less lanceolate,

often caudate.
2. A. falcatum,

2. Pinne rather linear-oblong or half-

ovate.
3. A. lacinvatum.

(6) Pinnz with from half to whole of the

Jower side cut away. .
4. A. unilaterale.

II. Fronds 2-4 pinnate, ultimate divisions
linear.
(a) Fronds dimorphous.
5. A. dimorphum,

(6) Fronds not dimorphous.
(2) Frond 6-8 inches broad, segment
distant.
6, A. viviparum.

105

(2) Frond 2~3 inches broad, segments
close.

7. A. belangert.

1. Asplenium lunulatum Sw.

Rhizome short, erect or obliquely ascending.
Stipes tufted, nearly naked, grey or black
polished. Fronds 8-18 inches long, 14-3
inches broad, lance-shaped, pinnate; pinnz
4-4 inch broad, crenate, unequal-sided, the
upper side suddenly narrowed at about a right
angle, the lower obliquely cut off ; lower pinne
often deflexed. Veins simple or once-forked.
Sori not reaching the margin or midrib
[Fig. 37-b and Plate IX.]

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Nilkund.

South India: Nilgiris, Anamallays.

Var. trapeziforme Bedd. Pinne 15-20 pair,
the lowest the largest, 14-inch long.

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—Maha-
bleshwar, Panchgani in caves behind the Table-

land. ;
South India: Nilgiris, Anamallays.

2. Asplenium falcatum Lam.

Rhizome scaly, slightly creeping. Stipes
tufted, glabrous or more or less scaly. Fronds

106

up to three feet long, pinnate ; pinnz lanceolate,
often caudate, with the base often much auri-
cled; edges serrated, or lobed with the lobes
serrate; the two sides unequal, the lower
obliquely truncate at the base. Texture
leathery. Rachis glabrous or covered with
hair-pointed scales. Sori in long irregular
lines reaching nearly to the margin. [Plate IX.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Yekambi; Savantwadi; Mahableshwar.

Madras Presidency, western mountains;
Ceylon; Malay Peninsula; Soonderbun ;
_ Koolna in Jessore.—Australia ; South Africa
and its islands ; Polynesia.

Asplenium crinicaule Hance and Aspleniwm
macrophyllum Swartz being doubtfully distinct
from Asplenium falcatum are placed here as
varieties of the species.

Var. crimicaule. Stipes and rachises densely
covered with hair-pointed scales.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara.

Madras Presidency on the Anamallays and
in Coorg, 3,000-4,000 feet; Sikkim, Jaintia
Hills, 4,000-5,000 feet —China.

' Var. macrophyllum. Pinne generally larger
and broader and less cut than those of the type.

107

Distribution: -Bombay Presidency—North

‘Kanara.
Madras Presidency, western mountains;

Ceylon; Malay Peninsula.—Australia ; South
Africa and its islands ; Polynesia.

4. Asplenium unilaterale Lam.

Stipes scattered, naked, dark-brown, polished
or grey. Fronds 6-15 inches long, pinnate ;
pinne 1-3 inches long, 4-1 inch broad, unequal
sided, two-thirds of the lower half being entirely
cut away, the upper half of the base narrowed.
at a right angle; margin incised except at the
portion where it has been cut off. Texture
thinly herbaceous. ;

Though the type is not found in the Presi-
dency, the following varieties occur :—

Var. vivale Bedd. Pinnz close set, smaller’
than in type, in shape almost a parallelogram ;
sori confined to the apex. ;

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, N ilkund, Yan, Malimani—Pulney
Hills and Anamallays, only in river-beds.

Var. udum Atkinson? Pinnez transparent,
membranaceous, smaller than in the type, very
oblique and the cutting often fimbriate (ie.,
fringed).

108

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Anmode, Cooesi.

Himalayas, Dalhousie, 5,500 feet and other
localities, pendent from dripping rocks.

3. Asplenium laciniatum Don.

Stipe scaly. Frond up to two feet long, pin-
‘mate; pinnz linear, oblong or half-ovate, very
much cut away and unequal at the base,
‘slightly pinnatifid with segments serrated, or
deeply pinnatifid with segments distant. Tex-
‘ture almost leathery. Rachisscaly. [Plate IX.]

The fronds roll up after the rains and so
resist the dry season. When dry the fronds can
be artificially uncurled in water.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Anshi, Yekambi ; Panchgani; Maha-
‘bleshwar ; Matheran, on trees ; Lonavla.

Madras Presidency, all the western moun-
tains, 3,000-8,000 feet; Himalayas, Gurwhal
to Bhotan ; Khasya ; Ceylon.—Japan.

Be ‘Asplenium dimorphum Kze.

Stipe 6-12 inches long, naked. Fronds 2-3
feet long, 12-15 inches broad, ovate-triangular ;
of two kinds ; sterile frond as a rule bipinnate
with roundish oval pinnules which are wedge-

PLATE 1X

Asplenium lunulatum Sw.
Asplenium laciniatum Don. Asplenium faleatum Lam.

le
Athyrium felix-foemina Roth.
Athyrium hohenackerianum Bedd. Athyrium faleatum Bedd.

To face page 108

109

shaped at the base and serrated at the margin ;.
fertile frond almost three-pinnate with the secon-
dary pinnze cut down toa winged rachis into
very narrow simple or forked linear pinnules or
segments ; sometimes fertile and sterile pinne
on the same frond. Textufe herbaceous. Sori
linear, one to each segment.

Cultivated.

Distribution : Norfolk Island.

6. Asplenium viviparwm Pres.

Stipe 6-9 inches long, firm, erect, greenish,.
covered with deciduous hair-pointed scales.
Frond 1-2 feet long, 6-8 inches broad; pinne
4-6 inches long, 14-2 inches broad, cut down
to a compressed rachis into numerous pinnati-
fid pinnules ; ultimate segments narrow, linear,.
often forked. Pinnz proliferous.

Cultivated. The garden synonym for this.
fern is Asplenium bulbiferum (Hort.).

Distribution: Mauritius and Bourbon.

7. Asplenium belangert Kze.

Caudex short, stout, erect. Stipe 4-8 inches
long, erect, greenish. Fronds 1-2 feet long,
2-3 inches broad, bearing on each side nume-
rous horizontal pinnz, which are cut down

110

throughout to a broad winged rachis into blunt
linear pinnules, the lowest of which are often
forked. Texture leathery. Veins one to each
segment. Sori one to each segment. The fronds
are proliferous bearing bulbils in the axils of.
many of the pinnz:

Cultivated.

Distribution: Malay Peninsula.—Java ;
Sumatra ; Borneo.

Genus XXII.—Atruyrium Rota.

(Deriv. unknown.)
Veins free, sori more or less curved, some-
times horseshoe-shaped.
I. Frond less than five feet long.
(a) Indusium bullate (i.e. puckered).

1. A. hohenackertanum.

(b) Indusium not bullate.
(2) Sori large, some at least reniform.

2. A..macrocarpum.

(2) Sori never reniform.

1. Fronds one-pinnate, segments
crenate.

3. A. falcatum.

111

2. Fronds 2-3 pinnate, segments
with strong sharp serratures.

4. A. felix feemina.
II. Fronds 5-6 feet long.

5. A. gymnogrammodes.

1. Athyrium hohenackerianum Bedd.

Rhizome short, densely covered with scales.
Stipes tufted, scaly throughout. Fronds 6-18
inches long, 14-3 inches broad, lanceolate or
ovate-lanceolate, pinnate or almost bipinnate
with pinnatifid apex; pinna 1-23 inches long,
cut down nearly or quite to the rachis into ovate
or oblong serrated segments. Texture herbace-
ous. Surfaces naked. Rachis scaly below.
Indusium curved or horseshoe-shaped, bullate
(i.e., puckered). [Plate IX.]

The limits of this species and of Athyriwm
felix femina have not been clearly defined
by authors. Indeed, small specimens of the
latter fern are often mistaken for this species.
The chief difference between the two seems to
lie in the involucre which in Athyrium hohen-
ackertanum, according to Hooker, in his ‘ Spe-
cies Filicum,’ is ‘ singularly bullate, afterwards

112

‘appearing to burst irregularly and to be reflex-
ed, often giving the appearance of such an
involucre as Brown describes to his genus
Allantodia, but it is not so in reality.’

The strong and sharp serratures of Athyrism
felix femina may well be relied upon in distin-
guishing that species, when the involucres have
been wiped off, as often happens in herbarium
specimens. [Fig. 37-c.]

Distribution: Bombay ' Presidency—North
Kanara, common during the rains; Karjat ;
Khandala ; Igatpuri, Igatpuri Ghats ; Mathe-
ran; Vetora *(Savantwadi); Bombay dsland,
Sion Wood ; Salsette Island, near Tulsi Lake,
Keneri Caves, Borivli; Sind.

Madras’ ‘Presidency in the western forests,
from the plains up to 4,000 feet ; Ceylon.

2. Athyrium macrocarpum Bedd.

Stipes scaly below. Fronds up to three féet
long, lanceolate, pinnate with pinnz pinnatifid
or bipinnate with pinnules deeply pinnatifid.
Texture herbaceous. Sori very large, reniform,
(asin Lastrea), rachis naked, linear or horseshoe-
shaped. Indusium fimbriate (i.e., fringed) at
the margin.

113,

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara. » -

South India, very common on the western
mountains, above 3,000 feet ; Ceylon ; Himala-
yas, Gurwhal to Bhotan, 2 ,000-9,000 feet;

Khasya; Burma; Malay Peninsula. ra aay
Islands ; China ; : Japan. .

3. Athyrium falcatum Bedd.

We have examined several specimens of
Athyrium, which we are not able to place.
They answer well Beddome’s description of
Athyrium falcatum which we quote.

Stipes 1-g inches long with many linear
golden scales at the base; fronds 6-14 inches
long, with the rachis above dilated or winged,
linear-lanceolate, narrowed at both ends,
pinnz 15-20 on each side, sessile, alternate,
1-14 inches long, by #-4 inch broad, falcate-
ovate, deflexed, obtuse or acuminate, generally
with a large obtuse auricle at both the superior
and inferior base, above pinnatifid almost half
down to the costa; segments obtuse, crenated,
sori numerous on ‘each side of the costa, at
length confluent and covering the whole or nearly
the whole of the under surface. [Plate IX.]

8

114

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Khan-
dala, Lonavla, Purandhar, Panchgani on the
way to the Tableland, Mahableshwar, Mathe-
ran, Igatpuri.

South India, Anamallay Hills, dry grassy
places, 5,000 feet ; Myhenda Hill near Berham-
pore, 4,500 feet ; Parasnath, 4,000 feet.

4. Athyrium felix femina Roth.

Caudex ascending, scaly. Stipes tufted,
straw-coloured, scaly. Fronds 1-4 feet long,
lanceolate, 2-3 pinnate; lower pinnules of
pinne deeply pinnatifid into ovate segments
having a few sharp serratures; superior ones
more entire, coarsely serrated, uppermost ones
confluent into a pinnatifid, or serrated long
point. Texture thinly herbaceous. Rachis
naked. Involucres in two rows on the second-
ary pinne, short, oblong. [Plate IX.]

Two varieties, viz. pectinata and flabellulata,
have been mentioned by Birdwood as occurring
in the Presidency. We have not been able to
distinguish these in the material at our disposal.
The specimens we have examined came from
Panchgani—north side of Tableland, Mathe-
ran, Khandala, and North Kanara.

115

Below isa description of the two varieties
given by Beddome in his Handbook.

Var. pectinata Wall? Very finely cut, tri-
pinnate, four-pinnatifid, bright-green ; rachis
slender, but scarcely succumbent or grooved
when dry; involucre sub-quadrate, or short
oblong, little horseshoe-shaped, sub-persistent.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Maha-

bleshwar; Sind. :
’ Himalayas, Sikkim-to Gurwhal, 2,000-5,000
feet; Parasnath, 4,000-5,000 feet ; mountains
of the Godavari and Central India; Mount
Abu.

Var. flabellulata Clarke. Two-pinnate; rachis
firm, round when dry, fronds red, 1-3 feet ;
‘secondary pinne deeply pinnatifid; segments
laciniate, i.e. deeply cut, involucre small,
fugaceous ; sori scattered, round.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Maha-
bleshwar.—Sikkim, 13,000 feet, Yakla ; Jongri.

5: Athyrium gymnogrammordes Bedd.

Fronds large, 5-6 feet long, 2-3 pinnate;
-pinnz 12-16 inches long, secondary pinne up
to 44 inches long, 14-inch broad ; either deeply
cut almost to the winged rachis, or pinnate, the
wing being absent. Ultimate segments oblong,

116

Jobed: one-third of the way down; sori near
the midrib.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Maha-
bleshwar.—Ceylon, Central Provinces, 5,000-
‘6,000 feet.

Genus XXIII.—Dipctazium Swartz

(Deriv. Dzplazo, I double+in allusion to the
double indusia.)

Veins free, some of the sori double, that i is,
on each side of the vein, others single as in
Asplenium.

(a) Caudex not arborescent. Frond simply
pinnate.

1. D. sylvaticum.

(6) Caudex often arborescent. Frond bi-
pinnate.

. (2) Stipes and all the rachises prickly
andscaly. Veinlets 8-12 to a seg-
ment. Sori reaching thé midrib
but not the margin.

2. D. asperum.

(tz) Stipes simply scaly, rachises naked.
Veinlets fewer, about six in number,

117

Sori reaching both midrib and.
Margin.

3. D. latifolium.

1. Diplazium sylvaticum

Caudex somewhaterect. Stipe scaly. Frond
1~3 feet long, 4-8 inches broad, ovate-lanceolate
and simply pinnate ; pinnz about six inches long,
one inch broad, tapering to a fine point from a
broad base ; margin entire or broadly lobed or
slightly waved orserrated. Rachisand surfaces
naked. Texture thin, herbaceous. Veins pin-
nated in the lobes. Sori in long slender lines,

Cultivated.

Distribution: Madras Presidency, throughout
the western forests up to 4,500 feet ; Ceylon,
Central Provinces; Malay Peninsula.—Mauri-
tius; Fernando Po; Borneo.

2. Diplazium asperum Metten and Blume

Caudex often arborescent. Stipes and all
the rachises prickly and scaly. Fronds large,
two-pinnate ; pinnules cut down nearly to the
rachis into obtuse, crenate or serrate segments.
Texture rather leathery. Veins 8-12 toa
segment, simple or forked. Sori reaching the

118

midrib but not the margin, only the lower ones
double. [Fig. 38.]

Fic. 38.—Diplazium asperum Métten and Blume.
(2) Pinnule (nat. size). (b) Segment (x 4).

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Supa, Sirsi, Tyagli, Jog.

Madras Presidency, throughout the western
forests, from no elevation up to 3,000 feet;
Cuddapah forests ; Sikkim, banks of the Teesta.
—Java.

3. Diplaztum latifolium Moore

Caudex quite a trunk. Stipes scaly. Fronds
large, two-pinnate; pinnules less deeply cut than

119

in D. asperum. Veinlets fewer than in
D. asperum, about six in number. Sori
reaching both midrib and margin. [Fig. 37-d
and Fig. 39.]

FIG. 29.—Diplazium latifolium Moore.
Pinnules (nat. size).

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Tyagli, Hoolgeri.

Madras Presidency, in all the western forests ;
North India, throughout the Himalayas and
Khasya Hills; Ceylon; Malay Peninsula.—
Australia ; China; the Philippines.

120

Genus. XXIV.—Anisoconium PRESL.

(Deriv. Gr. Anisos, unequal; gonia, an angle:
referring to the angles of the venation.)
Veins anastomosing ; sori as in Diplazium.

Fic. 40.—Anisogonium esculentum Presl.
(a) and (b) Pinnules (about nat. size). (c) Portion of pinnule (x 2).
Anisogonium esculentum Presl.
Caudex sub-arborescent, erect. Stipes 1—2
feet long, strong, erect, tufted. Frond 4-6

121

feet long, as a rule bipinnate, sometimes
simply pinnate ; pinnules lanceolate, 3-6 inches
long, #-1 inch broad, apex acuminate, base
suddenly narrowing, often auricled, margin more
or less deeply lobed. Surfaces naked. Rachis
often hairy. The main vein of each lobe gives
off on each side 6-10 veinlets which tend to
unite towards the margin . with each .other as
well as with the veinlets of the next lobe.
Sori single or double on the veinlets. [Fig.
37-e and Fig. 4o.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Jog, Kygaghat, Barch, Idagoonji, Supa,
Chandwadi, Anmode,. Cooesi, Devimunni,
Sumkund, Tyagli, Kadra, Katgal, growing on
the banks of streams, Castle Rock, on the
banks of Duski River; Mahableshwar. _

South India, common in the plains on the
western side and up to 3,000 feet; Bengal
plains; Ceylon; Malay Peninsula.—China ;
Formosa; Malay Islands. Also cultivated.

GENUS XXV.—ALLantTop1a WALL.

(Deriv. Allantos, a sausage—in allusion to the
form of the indusium.)

Veins anastomosing ; areoles elongated near
the midrib, smaller towards the margin, with

122 |

free marginal clavate veinlets. Sori linear-
oblong. Indusium sausage-shaped, quite cover-

ing the sorus and bursting irregularly down the
centre.

Allantodia javantca Bedd.

Fronds up to 2 feet long, 1 foot broad,
pinnate; pinne 4-8 inches long, 1-1? inches
broad, unequal at base to a fine acumination.
Veins anastomosing, forming elongated areoles
oneither side of the midrib and smaller ones
near the margin. Sori sausage-shaped, bursting
irregularly down the centre. [Fig. 37-f.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, in moist places along the ghats.

Nepal and Bhotan, 4,000-7,000 feet; Khasya,
Makir Hills ;, Ceylon—Java ; Samoa.

Genus XXVI.—Actiniopteris Link
(Deriv. Actin, rays ; pteris, a fern.)
Fronds fan-like, sori placed on each side of
the narrow segment of the frond, linear, elongat-
ed, opening towards the midrib.

Actimiopterts dichotoma Bedd.

Stipes densely tufted arising from an oblique.
caudex, scaly. Fronds like the leaves of a minia-
ture palm (Chamerops); segments dichoto-

PLATE X

Actiniopteris dizhotoma Bedd.

To face page 122

123

mously radiating, narrow, linear, those of the
fertile frond larger than those of the barren one.
Vernacular ‘BhuiTad’. [Fig. 37-g.and PlateX.]
Distribution : Bombay Presidency—Kandala
Ghat on Mahableshwar road ; Katraj Ghat
near Poona, Parvati Hills, Patas, Chakan,
Talegaon, Purandhar Fort, Shivpur to Nasrapa,
Shirgaon Khind (Satara District), Mungrool
(Sholapur District), Lena Hill (Nasik District) ;
‘ * “Lalling, Dhulia (Khandesh), generally on rocks
and old walls.
Throughout India, especially the Peninsula
below 3,000 feet ;° Ceylon.—North Africa ;
Mascareen Islands; Persia; Kabul.

Tripe [X.—AspIDIEz
Indusium more or less rounded or kidney-
shaped (rarely elliptical), attached either by the
centre or sinus.

Genus XXVII.—MEsocHLana R. Br.

(Deriv. Mesos, middle; chlena, cloak; middle-
cloaked. In reference to the attachment of
the indusium.)

Sori elliptical on the tip of a veinlet but -
within the margin. Indusium attached longi-
tudinally on the centre of the linear receptacle,

124°

free all round the edge. Veins pinnate, the
lower pair of veinlets anastomosing. Fronds
bipinnatifid.

Mesocklana polycarpa Bedd. —

Caudex erect. Stipes tufted, short, hairy.
Fronds 2-3 feet long, 12-18 inches broad,
pinnate; pinne upto g inches long, 34-inch
broad,’ oblong, lanceolate, dwindling down to
mere auricles towards the base, cut down deeply
into oblong linear lobes. Rachis hairy.
Lower surface hairy. [Fig. 41-a and 0.]

The fern has the habit and venation of
Nephrodium.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara.— Malay Peninsula.—Malay Islands.

Genus XXVIII.—Potysticnum Roru.
(Deriv. Gr. Poly, many ; stzchos, order.)
Sori globose; veins free; texture leathery,
teeth awned.
(a) Fronds simply pinnate, margin spinu-
lose-serrate.
1. P. auriculatum.,

(0) Lower pinnz once pinnate, i.e. fronds
bipinnate. Margin with teeth awned.

2. P. aculeatum.

125

1. Polystichum auriculatum Sw.

Stipes tufted and scaly.. Fronds 12-18 inches
long, 2-4 inches broad, pinnate ; pinnae almost
sessile, ovate, rhomboidal, falcate, upper base
suddenly narrowing, prominently auricled,
lower base obliquely cut off ; margin spinulose-
serrate. Rachis scaly. Texture leathery.
Sori in two rows on each side of the midrib.

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—Ghats of
the Southern Presidency.

Throughout India and Ceylon.—Formosa.

2. Polystichum aculeatum Roth.

Caudex erect. Stipes densely scaly (the
scales being awl-shaped or hair-like). Fronds
oblong-lanceolate, bipinnate; pinnw lanceo-
late with the upper base truncate and more or
less auricled and lower base cuneate, pinnate
at the base, sometimes nearly to the apex,
margin awned. Under surface covered with
fine hair-like scales. Texture leathery. ([Fig.
41-c and d.]

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—Ghats of —
the Southern Presidency.

Throughout India on the mountains.
Throughout the whole world.

126

Fig. 41.—(a@) Mesochlena polycarpa Bedd.
Portion of fertile pinna re 31).

127

(b) Sorus of same (much magnified).

(c) Polystichum aculeatum Roth. Pinnule (x 44).

(d) Sorus of same (much magnified)

(e) Cyrtomium faleatum Presi. Portion of pinna (x12).
(f) Aspidium cicutarium Sw. Portion of frond (x 13).
(g) Pleocnemia membranacea. Portion of frond (x 13).
(A) Lastrea calcarata Hook. Portion of pinna ( x2,).
(k) Nephrodium molle Desv. Portion of pinna ( x13).
(1) Nephrolepis exaltata Schot. Portion of pinna ( 12).
(o) A typical sorus of 7, g, h, k and 1.

Genus XXIX.—Cyrromium Pres .
(Deriv. unknown.)
Indusium round, attached by the centre;
veins generally anastomosing with free veinlets
proceeding from their junction.

Cyrtomium falcatum Presl. |

Caudex erect. Stipes tufted, 6-12 inches long,
densely clothed with huge brown scales.
Frond 1-2 feet long, Janceolate, pinnate ;
pinne stalked, ovate, acuminate, upper base
suddenly narrowed, often auricled, lower base
obliquely cut away, margin entire or slightly
undulated. Texture leathery. Surfaces naked,
shining. Rachis scaly like the stipe. Sori
scattered over the under surface. [Fig. 41-¢.]

The variety caryotidem Bedd. has larger,
sharply toothed, slightly lobed pinnules, some-
times auricled on both sides at the base. It is
scarcely separable from the type and ‘is best
considered as a mere form of C. falcatum.

128

Cultivated.

Distribution: Nilgiris at the higher eleva-
tions; Himalayas 3,000-8,000 feet; Khasya
3,000-4,000 feet ; Ceylon.—China; Japan;
South Africa ; Sandwich Islands ; Madagascar.

Genus XXX.—Aspipium Scuort.
(Sw. in part).

(Deriv. Gr. Aspidos, shield—in allusion to the
shape of the indusium.)

Veins copiously anastomosing with free
included veinlets in the areoles. Sori round.
Indusium round or kidney-shaped. Receptacle
at the junction of the veinlets or at the apex
of free veinlets.

(a) Sori copiously scattered irregularly.

1. A. subtriphyllum.

(b). Sori confined toa distinct row on each
side of the principal veins (often scattered in
A. polymorphum).

(2) Pinnz quite entire or crenate to
coarsely toothed. Lateral pinne
2-6 pairs, lower ones often forked.
Fertile frond often contracted.

2. A. polymorphum.

129

(7) Pinnze deeply segmented, Lateral
pinnz 1-2 pairs, the lowest pair
mostly forked.

3. A. trifoliatum.

(1) Pinnze deeply segmented or pinnate.
Lowest pinnz almost triangular
with the lower side always deeply
pinnatifid or pinnate.

1. Lateral pinne 1-4 pairs. Sori on
the connected or free veinlets.

4. A. cicutarium.

2. Lateral pinne 4-6 pairs. Sori
mostly at the apex of the free
veinlets.

5. A. multicaudatum.

3. Terminal pinne three-lobed or
sinuately segmented. Lateral
pinne 4-8 pairs, entire or slight-
ly lobed. Lowest pair forked.

6. A. macrophyllum.

1. Asprdium subtriphyllum Hook.

Rhizome creeping, scaly. Stipes scaly at the
base. Fronds 12-18 inches long, 8-12 inches
9

130

broad, almost triangular, pinnate; terminal
pinne the largest, rather deeply lobed, lateral
pinnze one or two on each side. Surfaces
hairy beneath and onthe main veins. Texture
herbaceous. Main veins distinct to the edge,
veinlets copiously anastomosing with free in-
cluded veinlets in the areoles. Sori scattered
at the junctions of the anastomosing veins.
Indusium kidney-shaped. [Plate XII.]
Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Malimani—Ceylon ; Malay Peninsula.

2. Aspidium polymorphum Wall.

Rhizome creeping. Stipes tufted, scaly at
the base. Frondslarge, 1-4 feet long, one foot
or more broad, pinnate ; terminal pinnz oblong,
or elliptic, acuminate. More or less entire, as
large as or larger than the lateral ones; lateral
pinnee 2-6 on each side, oblong or elliptic,
acuminate, unequal at the base (sometimes
contracted when fertile), quite entire to crenate
or coarsely toothed ; lower pinnz often forked.
Texture herbaceous or almost leathery. —
Principal veins distinct to the edge, areoles
fine, close, with free included veinlets. Sori
large, copious, in two close rows between the
main veins. [Plate XI.]

PLATE XI

Aspidium polymorphum Wall.

To face

131

The smaller fronds of this fern are often
cordate, trilobate or trifoliate.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Malimani, Jog, Anmode, Cooesi,
Supa, Nilkund, Sirsi,, Tyagli, Tinai Ghat;
Deccan, Mahableshwar; along the higher
ghats. ~~

Madras Presidency, western forests up to
4,000 feet; Northern India from Gurwhal
to Mishmee and Chittagong ; Burma;
Ceylon—Malay Islands; Philippines; Fer-
nando Po.

3. Aspidium trifoliatum Sw.

Stipes tufted, scaly. Frond 12-18 inches
long, 6-12 inches broad, pinnate; terminal
pinna ovate, acuminate, .deeply segmented ; seg-
ments acuminate ; lower pinnz 1-2 pairs, nearly
triangular, similarly segmented. Surfaces
naked. Texture thin, herbaceous. Main veins
distinct to the edge, areoles. copious with free
included veinlets. Sori in rows near the main
veins, indusium round, attached by the centre.
[Plate XII.] —Cultivated.

Distribution : Tropical America from Cuba
and Mexico to Brazil and Peru.

132

4. Aspidium cicutarium Sw.

Stipes scaly, close to the base. Fronds vari-
able in size and cutting, triangular in outline ;
terminal pinnz deeply pinnatifid; lateral ones
1-4 on each side, lobed or pinnate with second-
ary pinnz deeply pinnatifid; lowest pinne
almost triangular with lower side always deeply
pinnatifid or pinnate. Texture herbaceous or
almost leathery. Surfaces naked, or hairy.
Principal veins distinct to the edge; areoles
with or without included veinlets. Sori in two
rows near the main veins or connected or free
veinlets. [Fig. 41-fand Plate XII.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, very common, Nagargali, Arbail
Ghat, Castle Rock; Mahableshwar ; Panchgani;
Khandala; Matheran very common; Dajipur
above Fonda Ghat; Bassein (Nagle Forest) ;
Bassein Range.

Throughout India, from the plains up to
5,000 feet. In the tropics throughout the
world.

Also cultivated. Unless we are mistaken
as to the identity, specimens of this fern
obtained from the Victoria Gardens have fronds
proliferous at the ribs.

PLATE XII

Aspidium trifoliatum Sw.

Aspidium sub-triphyllum Hook.
Aspidium macrophyllum Sw.
Aspidium cieutarium Sw.

To face page 132

133

5. Asprdium multicaudatum Wall.

Stipes densely scaly. Fronds 3-4 feet long
with terminal pinnae cut down nearly to the
rachis into lanceolate, acuminate lobed seg-
ments, lateral pinnz pinnatifid, the lowest ones
triangular, deeply pinnatifid above, pinnate
below. Texture thin, herbaceous. Rachis and
surfaces naked. Principal veins distinct to the
edges, areoles with free included veinlets. Sori
rather large in two rows on both sides of the
main veins, nearly all at. the affex of the
free veinlets.

This is scarcely distinguishable from the
largest forms of Aspidium cicutarium, but it
has, we believe, sori restricted only to the free
veinlets.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Nilkund.

Khasya Hills, south side up to 1,000 feet
elevation; Burma; Anamallay forests.

6. Aspidium macrophyllum Sw.

Stipes tufted, scaly below. Fronds 2-3 feet
long, one foot or more broad, pinnate ; terminal
pinne either three-lobed or sinuately segment-
ed, the: basal segments. the longest; lateral
_pinne 4-8, oblong, lanceolate, entire or slightly

134

lobed ;- the: lowest pair forked at the base.
Texture herbaceous. Rachis and_ surfaces
naked. Main veins distinct almost to the edge,
areoles copious with free included veinlets,
Sori in two.rows between each primary vein.
‘(Plate XII.]—Cultivated.

- Distribution: Tropical America "from Cuba
and Mexico to Brazil and Peru.

Genus XXXI.—Pteocnemia PRESL.

(Deriv. ‘Pleos, full; Anemia, rays—in allusion
to the venation.)

As the Aspidium but only the lowest veinlets
of the vein anastomosing so as to form a series
of areoles near the costa without any free vein-
lets within them. All the other veinlets asa
‘rule free. Sori generally at the apex of the free
veinlets, sometimes on the netted veins.

(2) Frond simply pinnate. Stipes covered
with persistent black scales.

1. P. menibranih ola.

OF ond 2-3 pinnate.
(2) Stipes scaly. Sori not mixed with
yellow glandular hairs.

2. P. membranacea.

135

(2) Stipes hairy. Sori mixed with yel-
low glandular hairs.

3. P. leuzeana.

1. Pleocnemia membranifolia Presl.

Stipes tufted, covered with black ‘scales.
Fronds seldom more than one foot long, ovate-
triangular, pinnate ; terminal pinne pinnatifid ;
lateral pinnze few pairs, more or less deeply
pinnatifid ; lowest pair of pinnae much larger
with longer‘segments on the lower side. Fertile
fronds often contracted. Texturé herbaceous.
Rachis and both surfaces hairy. Some or all
of the lowest veinlets connected so as to form
a series of arcs next to the costa. Veinlets all
free in contracted fertile fronds. Sori general-
ly terminating the free veinlets. Indusium
kidney-shaped.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Nilkund, Sirsi, Tyagli, Jog, Hoolgeri,:
Katgal, Hebunkerri, Yan.

East Bengal plains, extending into Assam,
Cachar, and Chittagong; Khasya and Sikkim
-Hills up to 3,000 feet elevation; Burma ; Malay
‘Peninsula.

136

2. Pleocnemia membranacea Bedd.

Stipe about a foot long, sparsely scaly below.
Frond up to two feet long, triangular, 2-3
pinnate, the lowest pinnz much the Jargest, with
lowest secondary pinnz stalked andagain quite
pinnate at the base, the pinnules being deeply
pinnatifid ; ultimate segments finely crenate;
the upper pinne gradually less compound.
Texture membranaceous. Surfaces more or
less hairy. Lower veins forming costal arches,
the rest free or anastomosing. Sori copious,
principally marginal inthe lobes. [Fig. 41-g.]

Cultivated.

Distribution: Ceylon—Java; Philippines ;
China ; Formosa.

3. Pleocnemia leuzeana Pres].

Caudex almost a trunk, densely scaly at the
crown. Stipes 2-3 feet long, seriated, hairy.
Fronds up to six feet long, almost triangular,

‘2-3 pinnate; pinnz 1-14 feet long, 6-8 inches
broad, the upper ones simple, the lowest often
with 2-3 large, secondary pinnz from the lower
side, which are again pinnate with the pinnules
deeply pinnatifid almost to the winged rachis.
Ultimate segments oblong-rounded, entire or

137

finely toothed. Veins anastomosing near the
costa, pinnate in the lobes, or all the veins of
the segment are free. Sori copious in single
rows on each side of midrib mixed with yellow
glandular hairs.

Cultivated.

Distribution: North and East Bengal, base
of the hills up to 2,000 feet’ elevation, Sikkim,
Assam, Cachar, Khasya, Chittagong, Burma,
Malay Peninsula——Malay Islands; China;
Polynesia ; North Australia.

Genus XXXII.—LastReA PRESL.

(After Chev. de Lastre, a French nobleman.)

Sori somewhat round on the back or on the
apex of veinlets.

Indusium kidney-shaped attached by the
sinus. Veins all free. Fronds pinnate or com-
poundly 2-4 pinnate.

I. Frond pinnate. Pinna cut down more
than half to the rachis, compound in some
forms of felix-mas.

(a) Veins all simple.
1. L. calcarata.

(6) Some veinlets at least forked, dispos-
ed in a fan-shaped manner, or pinnate.

138

(t) Texture thin.

1. Pinne cut down almost to the
rachis into linear spreading,
entire oblong lobes. Lower
veinlets forked.

2. L. thelyptens.

2. Pinnz cut down into rounded
sharply serrate segments.
Veins disposed in a fan-shaped
manner.

3. L. odontoloma.

(72) Texture almost leathery.

1. Pinne cut down almost to the
rachis into slightly toothed
segments; the notch between
the segments bearing a tooth.

- Veins forked.

4. L. syrmatica,

2. Pinnz cut down into blunt,
almost entire, crenate or finely
serrate segments; no tooth ‘in
the notch between the seg-
ments. Veins forked or lower
ones pinnate.

5. L. felix-mas.

139

II. Fronds compound, 2-4 pinnate.
(a) Rachis naked or slightly scaly.
Surfaces naked.

6. L. sparsa.

(6) Rachis and surfaces hairy.

(t) Fronds pinnate above, bipinnate
below, the lower basal pinnules
-of the lowest pinnz the longest:
and equivalent to some of the
: upper pinnz in size, shape, and
cutting ; ultimate segments

finely serrate.
7. L. dissecta.

(i) Fronds bipinnate; pinnules cut
‘down almost to the costa,
oblong, lanceolate from a broad
adnate base which is decurrent
so as to form a winged rachis ;
segments either lobed or cre-
nate.

8. L. tenericaulis.

(ii) Fronds 3-4 pinnate; pinnules
-often over-lapping ; cut down
to a winged rachis into oblong
ovate segments which are in

140

turn pinnatifid. Ultimate lobes
rounded.
g. L. crenata,

1. Lastrea calcarata Hook.

Caudex erect. Stipes densely tufted. Fronds
up to two feet long, lanceolate, pinnate with
pinnatifid apex ; pinnz 1-4 inches long, $-inch
broad, tapering from a broad sessile base
towards the apex, cut down about two-thirds or
more towards the midrib into linear oblong
segments ; the lowest segment of the upper side
occasionally larger than the rest. Lower pinne
often reduced to mere auricles. Rachis “and
surfaces more or less hairy. Veinlets simple.
Sori on the back of the veinlets. Indusium
kidney-shaped, hairy or naked. [Fig. 41-h and
Plate XIII.]

Var. ciliata Bedd.—The fern occurring in
the Presidency is Beddome’s variety, ciliata,
which is characterized by him as follows :—
“Texture herbaceous, lowest pinnules deflexed, no
auricles on the stem ; stipes rounded, pinne about
four inches long, caudate at the apex, nearly
one inch broad; indusium hairy or glabrous’.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara,. Anmode, Cooesi, growing on moist

141

rocks and by the banks of streams, Castle Rock
in water-course. .

Southern India, very common in all the
western forests; Ceylon; Khasya; Himalayas ;
Burma.

2. Lastrea thelypteris Presl.

Rhizome creeping. Stipes distant. Fronds
1-2 feet long, 4-6 inches broad, pinnate ; pinnz
cut down almost to the rachis into linear
spreading, entire oblong lobes, those of the
barren frond the broadest, lower pinne equal-
ling the others. Surfaces and rachis naked.
Texture herbaceous. Upper veinlets simple,
lower ones forked.

Cultivated.

Distribution: South India, on the Nilgiris,
swamps near Ootacamund ; North India, Kash-
mir, Bandipoor, City Lake, 5,600 feet elevation,
Kunawar, 6,000 feet.—Europe; North Asia ;
North America ; Cape Colony ; New Zealand.

3. Lastrea odontoloma Moore

Stipes scaly. Fronds up to ro inches long,
6-8 inches broad, two-pinnate, with the second-
ary pinne elliptic-oblong cut down into

142

rounded sharply serrate segments, lower pinnz
not reduced. Texture thin. , Veins disposed
in a fan-shaped-manner. Indusium fringed.

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—Maha-.
bleshwar at Kate’s Point and along the crest of
the hill on the way to Panchgani.

Himalayas, Chamba to Bhotan, 11,000-
16,000 feet elevation.

4. Lastrea syrmatica Bedd.

Stipes tufted. Fronds 3-4 feet long, 12-18.
inches broad, pinnate ; pinna 6-9 inches long,
14-1} inches broad, pinnatifid almost to the
rachis into slightly toothed segments, the notch
between the segments bearing a tooth. Tex-
ture almost leathery. Rachis naked. Sur-
faces naked. Veinlets forked. Sori on the
upper veinlet of the fork. Indusium kidney-
shaped, naked. [Plate XIII.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Anmode.

South India, not common; Carcoor Ghat
2,000-2,500 feet ; Anamallays and Travancore
hills; Ceylon, forests of Central Provinces ;
North India, Sikkim ; Assam; Khasya ; Burma;
Malay Peninsula.—Philippines.

143

5. Lastrea felix-mas Presl.

Stipes tufted, scaly. Fronds up to four feet
long, one foot broad, pinnate-bipinnate ; pinne
lanceolate, cut down nearly to the rachis into
blunt, almost entire, crenate, or finely serrate
segments, lower pinnz sometimes reduced.
Texture almost leathery. Rachis scaly. Sur-
faces sometimes naked, sometimes covered
with hair-like scales. Veins forked or the lower
ones pinnate. Sori on the back of the veinlets.
Indusium kidney-shaped, naked.

The following two varieties occur in the
Presidency :—

Var. elongata Bedd.— Lower pinnz not re-
duced ; bi-tripinnate or rarely pinnate ; ultimate
segments generally narrowed upwards from a
broad base, rachises glabrous or scaly.’

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Maha-
bleshwar.

’ Southern India, on the western mountains,
4,000-6,000 feet; Ceylon; Himalayas and
Khasya, 5,000-9,000 feet.

Var. cochleata Bedd.—Fronds of two kinds.
Sterile ones pinnate, almost bipinnate, lower
pinnules lobed. Fertile fronds bipinnate with
pinnules much contracted and covered with

144

prominent involucres in two rows, and com-
pletely covering the under-surface.
Distribution : Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Anshi Ghat ; Mahableshwar.
Southern India, western mountains 2,000-
4,000. feet; North India: up to 4,000 feet;
Malay Peninsula. :

6. Lastrea sparsa Moore

Stipes ‘tufted, scaly.- Fronds .ovate, 2-3 pin-
nate; lowest pinnze the. largest, lower basal
pinnules as a rule compound ; pinnules deeply
pinnatifid above, less so below. Texture firm,
herbaceous. Rachis naked or slightly scaly.
Surfaces naked. Sori either terminal on a
veinlet or well below the. apex. Indusium
kidney-shaped. 24

Distribution : Haisleny Presidenty—Maha:
bleshwar, on the Yenna near the Falls,

South India, on all the western mountains
and on the hills on the east side; Ceylon;
Himalayas and Khasya, 2, 000-6, ooo feet;
Burma; Malay Peninsula. —Malay Islands ;
China ; Mauritius. °

7. Lastrea dissecta Bedd.

Caudex thick, erect. Stipe scaly. Frond
triangular to ovate, up to nearly three feet long,

PLATE XIII

Lastrea tenericaulis Bedd., portion of frond.
Lastrea calcarata Hook.,a pinna. Lastrea syrmatica Bedd,, a pinna.

Lastrea dissecta Bedd., portion of frond.
Lastrea crenata bBedd., portion of frond.

To face bage 144

145

pinnate above, with pinnze 6-g inches long, by
tf inches broad, cut down two-thirds towards
the rachis, bipinnate below, the lower basal
pinnules of the lowest pinnz being the longest
and equivalent to some of the upper pinne in
size, shape, and cutting; ultimate segments
finely crenate. Texture herbaceous. Surfaces.
somewhat hairy. Rachis hairy. Veinlets
forked, always free. Sori at the apex of the
upper veinlet of the fork, ina single row on
each side of the segments. Indusium kidney-
shaped, naked. [Plate XIII.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Bilgi, near Meushi.

Madras Presidency, western mountains,
common up to about 5,000 feet, North Arcot
and Vizagapatam Hills; Ceylon up to 5,000
feet ; Burma.—Malay Islands ; Polynesia.

8. Lastrea tenericaulis Bedd.

Caudex erect. Stipes tufted, slightly scaly
below, covered with a bluish bloom which easily
rubs off. Frond 1-3 or more feet long, broad.
ovate-lanceolate, bipinnate ; pinnules pinnati-
fid, almost to the costa, oblong-lanceolate from
a broad adnate base which is decurrent so as.
to form a winged rachis; the segments of the

10

146

pinnules either lobed or crenate. Rachis
grooved above and hairy, naked beneath;
rachis of pinnules also hairy above, naked
beneath. Both surfaces hairy along the costa
and costules. Veins pinnate with simple vein-
lets in the larger ultimate segments, only once
forked in the smaller segments. Sori on the
apex or back of the veins. Indusium decidu-
ous. [Plate XIII]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Siddhapur to Jog, Castle Rock.

South India, on the western mountains
2,000-3,000 feet; Ceylon, 1,500-3,000 feet;
North India, Himalayas from no great elevation
up to 4,000 feet; Malay Peninsula—China ;
Australia; Polynesia.

Also cultivated.

g. Lastrea crenata Bedd.

Caudex ascending, densely coated with long,
awl-shaped, golden scales, which conceal the
bases of the stipes. Stipes brown, scaly only
at the base. Fronds up to 14 feet. long,
triangular, 3-4 pinnate ; pinnz triangular,
pinnules often overlapping, ovate-triangular or
ovate-lanceolate, cut down to a winged rachis
into oblong-ovate segments, which are in turn

147

pinnatifid. Ultimate lobes rounded. Texture
herbaceous. Rachis more or less hairy. Sur-
faces hairy. Sori copious on the back of the
veinlets, indusium large, pale, hairy. [Plate
XIU]

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—Western
Ghats ; Purandhar ; Satara ; Panchgani.

South India, on the Anamallays, Perigoonda
Hill, 5,000 feet ; Ceylon; Himalayas from
Gurwhal to Bhotan, 2,000-7,000 feet ; Khasya
2,000-4,500 feet, Chota Nagpur, 2,000-3,000
feet ; Malay Peninsula.—South China; Mau-
ritius ; Tropical Africa.

Genus XXXIIJ.—NeEpurRopIUM ScHOTT.

(Deriv. Gr. Nephros, kidney—in allusion to
the shape of the indusium.)

Sori round; indusium kidney-shaped (often
like that of Athyrium or Asplenium in N.
subpectinatum), sometimes absent. Veins
pinnate, one or more of the lower veinlets
anastomosing at an angle with corresponding
ones of the next group, producing from their
junction an ex-current veinlet which is either free
or joined in the angle of the next superior
pair. Fronds pinnate, pinne as a rule pinnatifid.

148

(a) Rhizome wide-creeping. Only one
pair of veins anastomosing, rarely two in

unitum.
(t) Venation and sori anomalous.

1. N. subpectinatum.

(2) A swamp fern; no auricles on
the pinne.

2. N. umtum.

(iit) Sori confined to the lobes.
3. N. pterordes.

(1v) Venation often as in Lasérea,
when anastomosing the angle
acute at the apex.

4. N. extensum.

(6) Rhizome erect, sub-erect, or occa-
sionally somewhat creeping in molle and
pennigerum Two or more pair of veins
anastomosing occasionally, only one in molle.

(1) Herbaceous, more or less hairy,
auricles present or absent, 1-2
pair of veins anastomose.

5. N. molle.

149
*

(1) No auricles below, 5-8 pair of
veins anastomose, except in
fertile contracted frond.

6. N. pennigerum.

(2) Stipes covered with. hair-like
scales, a pair of veins anasto-
mose. Sori on the back of the
veins.

7. N. crinipes.

(tv) Lobes generally square at apex,
2-4 pair of veins anastomose.
Lower pinnz reduced though
not to mere auricles. .

8. N. truncatum..

1. Nephrodium subpectinatum Wall.

Rhizome creeping. Stipes scaly below.
Fronds 12-15 inches long, pinnate; pinne
truncate at the base, long tapering at the apex,
with shallow serrated lobes, lower pinnz not
reduced. Rachis and surfaces naked. Tex-
ture herbaceous. Veinlets pinnate in each lobe,
6-8 on each side, the lowest pair anastomos-
ing at an angle with an ex-current veinlet which

150

*

passes to the margin or joins one or two of
the upper veinlets.. Sori on the back of the
veinlets ; indusium kidney-shaped, or like that
of Asplenium or Athyrium.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, hill near Nagargli, 2,600 feet.

South India, Anamallay Hills, the dry teak
forests 1,000-3000 feet elevation, appearing in
the rainy season, Tinnevelly Hills and else-
where on the Western Ghats, but by no means
general ; Ceylon 2,000-3,000 feet.—Luzon.

2. Nephrodium umtum R. Br.

Rhizome creeping. Stipe naked. Fronds
about two feet long, pinnate ; pinnz 3-5 inches
long, 4-inch broad, pinnatifid about one-third
to the midrib, lobes triangular, sharp pointed ;
lower pinnz not reduced. Texture leathery.
Rachis and surfaces naked. Veinlets pinnate
in each lobe, 4-8 on each side, the lowest pair
anastomosing at an angle, with an ex-current
veinlet running to the margin or joining one or
two of the upper veinlets. Sori on the back of
the veinlets, indusium kidney-shaped, hairy.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Anmode, Samzode, Sirsi, Katgal,
Hebunberri, growing in swampy places and

151

°

tanks; Castle Rock, on the banks of the
Dhuski River and on the edge of a tank;
Dharwar District, Kunnur, under Pandanus,
on borders of rice-fields; Goa Territory, near
Dood Sagor.

‘Throughout the Indian region in swampy
places.—Tropical Asia, Africa, Australia and
America.

3. Nephrodium pteroides J. Sm.

Rhizome creeping. Stipes scaly. Fronds
up to four feet or more long, two feet broad,
pinnate ; pinnz }~-1 inch broad, pinnatifid about
one-third to the midrib, lobes triangular, sharp
pointed; lower pinnze not reduced. Texture
herbaceous. Rachis naked or hairy. Upper
surface slightly hairy, lower glandular hairy.
Veinlets pinnate in each lobe, 7-9 on each side,
lowest pair anastomosing with a free ex-current
veinlet. Sori on the back of the upper vein-
lets and nearer their apex, confined to the
lobes.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Kumbarwada, Anshi, Nilkund, Sirsi,.
Ekambi, Munchkerri, Tyagli, Siddhapur, to.
Jog, Katgal, growing in dry shady places in
evergreen jungle.

152

Madras Presidency, western mountains,
2,000-4,000 feet; Ceylon, up to 3,000 feet |
Burma.— Philippines. F

4. Nephrodium extensum Hk,
Rhizome creeping. Stipe naked or hairy.
Fronds up to four feet long and 14 feet’ broad,
pinnate ; pinnz about 3-inch broad, pinnatifid
two-thirds to the midrib into linear oblong
lobes, lower pinnz not reduced. “Texture her-
baceous. Rachis naked or hairy. Upper sur-
face slightly hairy, lower surface glandular
hairy. Veinlets pinnate in each lobe; 10-13
on each side, the lowest pair anastomosing
with a free ex-current veinlet or meeting at the
sinus without the ex-current veinlet, or quite

free. Sori towards the apex of the veins.
Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North

Kanara, Sirsi, Munchkerri, growing in swampy
places.

South India, Tinnevelly Hills; Ceylon,
Central Provinces, 3,000-4000 feet; Burma;
Penang ; Malay Peninsula; Malay Islands.

5. Nephrodium molle Desv.

Rhizome erect or creeping. Stipes hairy,
scaly or naked. Fronds 1-3 feet long, pinnate ;

153 *

pinne 4-6 inches long, #-inch broad, pinnatifid
half-way to the midrib into oblong lobes;
lower pinnz more or less reduced, often to
mere auricles, sometimes not at all. Texture
herbaceous. Rachis hairy, scaly or naked.
Surfaces hairy or naked. Veinlets pinnate in
tHe lobes, 6-8 pair, the lowest pair (rarely two)
anastomosing at an angle with an ex-current
veinlet. Sori on the back of the veins.
Indusium kidney-shaped, hairy or naked.
(Fig. 41-2.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Sirsi, Katgal, Devaraya (Madras
and Southern Mahratta Railway cutting),
Ekambi, Tinai Ghat, Castle Rock; in Goa
Territory, Mapuca in wells, Marmagoa, and
along the railway line as far as Dood Sagor
watercourse; Mahableshwar, Panchgani;
Konkan; Vetora in coconut groves and
along water, Amboli Hills; Ambowne in
well-pit ; Matheran; Bombay Island, Mahim
in wells.

Throughout the Indian region from the
plains up to 6,000 feet. All over the world in
tropical and sub-tropical regions.

Also common in cultivation in the Presi-
dency.

” 154

6. Nephrodium penmgerum Hk.

Rhizome erect or creeping. Stipes hairy or
naked. Fronds up to 4 feet long, ‘pinnate ;
pinne 8-10 inches long, 1-14 inches broad,
pinnatifid about 4 to the midrib into blunt
lobes; lower pinne not reduced. Texture
herbaceous. Rachis and surfaces hairy. Vein-
lets pinnate in the lobes, 8-12 on each side,
5 or 6 (rarely three) lower ones anastomosing
with an ex-current veinlet. Sori on the back of
the veinlets ; indusium kidney-shaped.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Tyagli, Jog, Yan, Mankibile.

South India, in all the western mountain
forests; Ceylon, Central Provinces, 2,000-
4,000 feet; East *Bengal, from Mishmee to
Chittagong at no great elevation; Malay
Peninsula.—Malay Islands ; Tropical Africa.

7. Nephrodium crimipes Hk.

Rhizome erect or creeping. Stipes densely
covered with narrow hair-like scales. Fronds
2-3 feet long, pinnate; pinnz 4-64 inches
long, 4$-$ inch broad, pinnatifid 3-3 towards
the midrib; lobes oblong; lower pinne
reduced to mere auricles. Texture herbaceous.
Rachis scaly. Surfaces naked. Veinlets* pin-

155
nate in the lobes, 6-8 on each side, the lowest
two pair anastomosing with an ex-current vein-
let. Sori onthe back of the veins but a little
nearer the apex than the costule; indusium
kidney-shaped, naked.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Jog, Sumkund, Katgal. Growing in
swampy places. ;

Malacca; North-East Bengal, up to 1,500
feet from Nepal to Assam ai:d Chittagong.

8. Nephrodium truncatum Pres.

Rhizome erect or creeping. Stipe naked or
hairy. Fronds up to 4 feet long, pinnate ; pinnz
up to 11 inches long, 12-inch broad, pinnatifid.
about half-way to the midrib into blunt lobes,
more or less square at the apex; lower pinne
reduced, though not to mere auricles. Texture
herbaceous. Rachis hairy or naked. Surfaces
hairy or naked. Veinlets pinnate in the lobes,
6-9 on each side, two (rarely 3-4) lowest ones
anastomosing, with an ex-current veinlet. Sori
on the back of the veins, nearer the costule
than the margin ; indusium kidney-shaped.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara.

156

South India, Tinnevelly and Travancore~
Hills; Ceylon, Central Provinces, 2,000—5,000
feet; Cachar and Chittagong Hills at no ele-
vation; Malay Peninsula—Malay Islands;
North Australia ; Polynesia.

Genus XXXIV.—NEPHROLEPIS SCHOTT.

(Deriv. Gr. Nephros, kidney ; lepts, scale—in
allusion to the indusium being kidney-shaped
and scale-like.)

Sori round, indusium kidney-shaped or
roundish ; veins forked, free, with club-shaped
apices. Fronds simply pinnate, pinne articu-
Jated and furnished with white dots above.

_ 1. Rhizome erect, stoloniferous.
(a) Sori about midway between edge and
midrib. Rhizome often bearing tubers.
(:} Plant sturdy in habit. Texture
leathery. Indusium leathery.

1. N. cordifolia.
(wz) Plant delicate in habit. Texture
membranaceous. IJndusium thin.

2 2. N. undulata.

(6) Sori nearer the margin. Rhizome
never bearing tubers.

157

(t) Fronds drooping ; pinnz up to eight
inches long, 1% inches broad, acu-
minate ; upper base rarely shortly
auricled.

3. N. acuta.

(2) Fronds erect; pinnz 2-3 inches.
long, 4-4 inch broad, acute;
base always distinctly auricled,
the upper auricle the larger.

4. N. exaltata.

(wz) Pinnz laciniate, covered with ferru-
gineous hairs.

5. N. rufescens.

II. Rhizome climbing.
6. N. volubtiis.

1. Nephrolepis cordifolia Baker

Caudex almost erect, giving off wiry fibres.
(stolons) bearing tufts of fronds at intervals.
and often bearing tubers.

Stipes tufted, wiry, scaly. Fronds up to two
feet long, pinnate; pinnz 1-1} inches long,
4-8 inch broad, margin entire or crenate,
lower base rounded or cordate, the upper base
distinctly auricled. Texture leathery. Rachis

158

slightly scaly. Surfaces almost naked. Sori
ina single row about midway between edge
and midrib. Indusium firm, kidney-shaped.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Ekambi, growing on Caryota urens;
Mahableshwar on trees; Panchgani.

Throughout India up to 5,000 feet.—Japan ;
New Zealand ; tropics of the whole world.

Common in cultivation. It has run wild
on Malabar hill.

Var. Duffiti—This is a wild variety with
pinnz reduced to mere auricles.

Cultivated.

2. Nephrolepis undulata J. Sm.

Caudex almost erect, giving off a number of
wiry filiform stolons which bear tubers. Stipes
usually arising in twos from the caudex, naked
or nearly so. Fronds slender, drooping, up to 2
feet long, 14 inches broad, pinnate; pinne 4-inch
broad, apex acuminate, acute or rounded;
margin crenate or incised-crenate, with crena-
tures often again crenate. Rachis naked;
surfaces naked. Texture thin, membranaceous.
Sori rounded, indusium kidney-shaped, thin.

This species has not up to now been recorded

159

to occur in India and seems to have been
lumped together with Nephrolepis cordifolia.
A specimen wrongly named Nephrolepts ramosa
(Beauv.) in the Bombay Natural History
Society’s Herbarium is this fern. Of it Mr.
Macpherson says:—‘It is an annual dying
down shortly after the rains.’ The book has
the following note ona specimen of this fern
collécted by Mr. Woodrow in the caves at
Panchgani. ‘I can make nothing of this but
Nephrolepis cordifolia, but the pinnz are more
membranaceous in texture than the fern usually
is. The fact of its growing in a cave may
account for this.’

We consider it to be distinct from N.
cordifolia. It is an annual, whereas N.
cordifolia-is perennial, it isa more delicate fern
than N. cordifolia and has membranaceous
involucres. The specimens we have examined
answer well the description and figure of N.
undulata given in Lowes’ Ferns, British and
Exotic, vol. vii, pp. 51 and 52. Accordingly
we have placed them in this species.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Karwar, Anshi Ghat at no elevation,
Sumkund; Lonavla on trees; Panchgani in
caves.— West Africa ; Sierra Leone.

160
3. Nephrolepis acuta Pres].

Rhizome erect, stoloniferous. Stipes tufted,
naked, or scaly. Fronds up to eight feet or
more long, drooping ; pinne up to eight inches
long, 12 inches broad, acuminate, margin cre-
nate or the crenatures again crenate, upper base
rarely shortly auricled, lower base rounded.
Surfaces and rachis hairy when young but
naked in age. Texture almost leathery. Sori
near the margin. Indusium kidney-shaped or
almost round. =

Distribution: Bombay Presi icy.—North
Kanara, Supa, pendent from dripping rocks.

South India, on the North Arcot Hill at no
great elevation ; Ceylon Now Tndia ; Chit
tagong Hills up to 1,000 feet.—Tropical
Africa. :

Also cultivated in gardens,

Var. furcans having the pinnz once or more
forked is common in gardens. It is wrongly
advertised and known as WN. davallioides
var. furcans not noticed by us in Bombay.

4. Nephrolepis exaltata Schott.

Rhizome almost erect, giving off numerous
wiry creeping stolons. Stipes tufted, scaly.
Fronds 1-3 feet long, 3-6 inches broad, pinnate;

161

pinnz 2-3 inches long, 4-4 inch broad, acute
at the apex, margin entire or crenate; base
auricled, the upper auricle the larger. Rachis
and surfaces scaly when young, but naked in
age. Texture almost leathery. Sori near the
_margin. Indusium firm, kidney-shaped. [Fig,
41-l.]

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara,—Jog, Kyga Ghat, Sumkund, Sirsi,
Tyagli, Honowar, Kasurgode, Devarayi, Ger-
soppa Falls (on rocks in river-bed); Bombay
Island, Sion and Rowli Hills.

South India, mountain forests of the Eastern
and Western sides; East Bengal from Assam
to Chittagong, up to 1,000. feet; Ceylon;
Malay Peninsula.—lIn the tropics of nearly the.
whole world.

Common in cultivation. Specimens occurring
at Sion and Rowli Hills are probably escapes
from cultivation. On Malabar Hill this fern
has run wild. :

‘oo

5. Nephrolepis rifescens Presl. sié

This is probably a variety :.of - Nephrolepis

acuta. It has laciniated pinnze covered. with
ferrugineous hairs; 2 fs 0 + Sag ettt

Cultivated. ALLE
11

iw

162

6. Nephrolepis volubilts J. Sm.

' Rhizome climbing and bearing at intervals,
lateral spurs covered with chestnut scales.
Stipes tufted on the spurs, scaly. Fronds
pinnate; pinnze oblong, blunt, crenate, base
suddenly narrowing and slightly auricled on the.
upper side. Surfaces naked. Texture rather
leathery. Sori near the margin ; indusium firm,
kidney-shaped.

Genus XXXV.—OLEANDRA Cav.

(The fronds resemble Oleander leaves.)

Sori round, in a single row on each side of
the midrib. Indusium kidney-shaped. Fronds
entire. Stipes pointed. Rhizome wide-creep-
‘ing.

Oleandra musacfolia Kunze.

Rhizome wide-creeping, covered with long
golden'scales. Stipes 1-2 inches long, jointed
quite near the base. Fronds single or more
rarely in tufts; 12-20 inches long, 14 inches
broad, lanceolate, elliptical, acuminate. Texture
membranaceous, both surfaces hairy. Midrib
scaly below.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Panch-
gani.

163

South India, on the western mountains,
particularly abundant in Coorg, rare elsewhere ;
Ceylon, Central Provinces.

(B) Exinvolucrate.
Sori without an indusium.

Trine X.—PoLypopir&

Sori on the back of the lobes, round or rarely
somewhat oblong.

Desmobryoid Sertes—Habit and mode of

growth of Aspidiez, the stipes continuous with

the caudex ; sori generally medial on the veins.

Genus XXXVI.—PHEGopPTERIS FEE
(Deriv. Phegos, beech—the beech-fern.)
Veins forked or pinnate, veinlets free. Habit

of Lastrea, but indusium wanting.

Phegopteris ornata Bedd.

Caudex erect. Stipes covered with awl-
shaped scales, or rough owing to the persistent
bases of the scales. Fronds up to twenty feet
long, three-pinnate ; the ultimate pinnules
oblong, often deeply incised, their bases being
connected by a broad wing on the tertiary
rachis. Texture thin, herbaceous. Main and
partial rachises rough and scaly and furnished
with fine pointed hairs. The latter occur also

164

on the:veins. Veinlets simple or forked: Sori
‘on. the back of the veins, one corresponding to
each segment of the pinnule.. 7

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara.

South India, Carcoor Ghat, Malabar and
elsewhere along the Western Ghats ; Himalayas
from Kumaon to Bhotan, in tropical valleys
up to 2,000 feet ; Chittagong Hills, 500 feet ;
Malay Peninsula.—North Australia, Polynesia.

Genus XXXVII—Goniorreris Prest.

(Deriv. Gr. Gonia, angle; pteris, fern, the
veinlets meeting and forming angles:)

Habit and venation of Nephrodium, i.e.
fronds pinnate, veins pinnate, one or more of the
lower veinlets anastomosing at an angle with
corresponding ones of the next group producing
from their junction an ex-current veinlet. Indu-
sium wanting.

Gontopteris prolifera Presl.

Rhizome stout, creeping. Stipes tufted, very
variable in length. Fronds pinnate of two
kinds ; some of them very long, whip-like and
prostrate, with the pinnae much reduced. and
almost triangular or rounded. Such fronds
often root at the apex and produce buds in the

165°

axils giving rise to new plants. These fronds
are always sterile. Others are not so long and
~ have longer bluntly lobed or crenated pinne.
Rachis and lower surface often slightly hairy.
Texture herbaceous to almost leathery. Vein-
lets fine, 6-10 on each side anastomosing at
an angle with an ex-current veinlet connecting
the angles. Sori medial, fine, oblong or even
confluent in age (meniscoid).

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Jog, Birchi, Kalinadi, Supa, Anmode
(in a stream), Kadra. Growing in the beds of
rivers, Dharwar District, banks of a stream
near Kunamalihalli; Konkan. _

Throughout .the Indian region in the plains
or low down in. the hills——North Australia ;
Tropical and South Africa and its Islands ;
Philippines ; New Caledonia ; South China.

Evemobryoid Series—Stipes articulated
with the rhizome: Sori generally, not always,
terminal on the veins.

Genus XXXVIII._—NipHopoLus Kaur.

(Deriv. Gr, Nzphos, of snow ; bolus, a large
scale—in allusion to ‘the snowlike scales and
large sori.)

166

Sori round or oval, superficial or buried in
the hairs. Fronds asa rule simple, covered
beneath with a dense coating of stellate hairs.’
Veins copiously anastomosing, obscure, undefin-
ed or evident with the main veins prominent.
Fertile fronds more or less contracted and
longer than the sterile.

Niphobolus adnascens Kaulf.

Rhizome long, creeping, scaly. Stipes scaly,
Fronds 2-8 inches long, simple, entire; of two
kinds, the barren ones oval-lanceolate; the
fertile ones narrower, linear-lanceolate with the
apex blunt or acute. The upper surface smooth
and green, the lower covered with stellate
(star-shaped) hairs, often very densely. Texture
fleshy to leathery. Midrib prominent, veins
immersed in the substance of the frond, anasto-
mosing, the areoles including 2-4 free veinlets
which are club-shaped at their apices. Sori
often restricted to the upper half of the frond,
reddish brown in colour ; sporangia mixed with
long-stalked stellate hairs.

In some specimens examined by us the
distinction between sterile and fertile fronds does
not exist.

167

Distribution; Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Karwar on trees; Konkan jungles ;
Vetora (Savantwadi State) on trees and rocks;
Goa and Savantwadi; Bombay Islands, Sion
Wood on mango tree; Salsette, Bandara Hill
on mango trees.

Throughout India from the plains up to 4,500
feet ; Ceylon ; Malay Peninsula.—China ; Fiji;
Mascareen Islands ; Cameroon Mountains.

Genus XXXIX.—Drvynaria Bory.

(Deriv. Dyryads, the sterile fronds resembling.
oak-leaves, a tree sacred to the Dryads.)

Rhizome short, thick and fleshy. Fronds
rigid, the sterile when present like an oak-leaf ;
fertile frond pinnatifid or pinnate, rarely simple.
Veins copiously anastomosing forming square
or hexagonal areoles. Sori small, round or oval,
numerous.

Drynaria quercifolia Bory
Rhizome short, thick and fleshy, densely
coated with red-brown hair-margined scales
which are cordate at the base. Fronds of two
kinds : the sterile ones smaller, becoming brown
with age, cordate ovate, variously lobed, some-
times shallowly, sometimes rather deeply,

168

though not to such an extent as the. fertile
ones ; fertile fronds long- ‘stalked, the base often
decurrent on the stipes, éut down almost: to the
midrib into elongated acuminate segments.
Surfaces naked,” Texture membranaceous to
leathery. The costa or midribs of each seginent
give rise to the costules or lateral branches
which run to the margin and are connected by
transverse veins forming 4-6 primary areoles
each including a number of smaller areoles with
or without free veinlets. Sori two in each
primary areole. © ye

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Karwar, abundant on trees and ‘rocks ;
Savantwadi, on trees and rocks; Goa, Old
Goa on trees; — Konkan, Matheran, on
trees ; Mahableshwar ry Salsette ‘on bees ‘of
trees. ;

TPseleu the ite region in the Tr
or low down on the mountains.

, Also occurs in cultivation in Bombay, The
cultivated forms of this. fern are more sturdy
and rigid than the ones growing wild.

<<. GENUS’ XL, —PreopettisH. anp B;

““(Deriv. Pleos, full; <peltis, ‘shield—the sori
often furnished with round scales. )

169
Fronds simple, pinnatifid or pinnate. Veins
copiously anastomosing with free included
veinlets.
I. Fronds simple.
(a) Main veins not distinct to the edge.
(t) Under-surface naked.
1. Fronds 6-12 inches long, 4—%
inch broad. Texture coriace-
ous. Sori neversunk in a cyst.

1. P. linearis.

2. Fronds larger, up to two feet Jong
by 1-2 inches broad. Texture
thinner.- Sori deeply sunk in a
cyst.

2. P. simplex.

(it) Under-surface clothed with small
peltate scales.

oo - oa

3. P. lanceolata.

(6) Main veins distinct to the edge or

nearly to the edge. _
(1) Texture thin, membranaceous.
Venation distinct, prominent.

4. P. membranacea.

170

(1) Texture fleshy, leathery. Vena-
tion sunk, distinct when dry.

5. P. punctata.

II. Fronds deeply pinnatifid.
6. P. phymatodes.

1. Pleopeltis linearis Bedd.

Rhizome wide-creeping, scaly. Fronds
simple, entire, linear-lanceolate up to twelve
inches long and scarcely an inch broad. Sur-
faces naked or nearly so. Texture leathery.
Venation indistinct, reticulated, the meshes
including free forked veinlets. Sori large,
prominent, arranged in two rows on each side of
the midrib and half-way between the latter and
the margin. Each sorus consists of clusters
of sporangia intermixed with peltate long-
stalked scales.

The fronds of this fern roll up after the rains,
remaining green and leathery, and so resist
the dry season.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Castle Rock, Gersoppa Falls; Kon-
kan jungles; Matheran on trees; Amboli
Hills ; Mahableshwar on trees ; Purandhar.

171

Himalayas, 1,000-10,000 feet; Khasya ;
throughout South India; Ceylon; Malay
Peninsula.—Malay Islands; China; Japan;
Central and South Africa and its islands.

2. Pleopeltis simplex Sw.

This fern differs from the last in having
larger fronds, thinner texture and more distinct
venation, and in the sori being sunk so much
so that the upper surface is blistered just
opposite to the sori.

+ Distribution: Bombay Presidency——North
Kanzra; Panchgani.
Himalayas.

3. Pleopeltis lanceolata Pres}.

’ Rhizome creeping, scaly. Fronds 3-9 inches
long, 4-3 inch wide, lanceolate, tapering at both
ends. Surfaces, especially the under-surface,
covered with small peltate roundish scales.
Texture leathery. Venation indistinct, reticu-
late, the main veins forming large obliquely
elongated meshes, within which are irregular
smaller meshes with a few free veinlets rarely
forked. Sori large, prominent, one row on each
side of the midrib and midway between the
latter and the margin. Each sorus consists of

172

sporangia intermixed with long-stalked peltate

scales.

It is distinguished from the two previous
species chiefly by the peculiar venation.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Yan. .

. Nilgiris and higher mountains on the west
ae of the Madras Presidency ; Assam ;
Ceylon, Ambawatta estate.—Tropical Nenedica:
West Indies; South Africa and its islands;
St. Helena ; Sandwich Islands.

4. Pleopeltis membranacea Bedd.

Rhizome short, creeping, stout, :somewhat
scaly. Fronds 6 inches—3 foot long, less than
an inch to six inches broad, lanceolate,
tapering at both ends, entire or irregularly lobed
or sinuate. Texture thin, membranaceous.
Venation distinct; main veins connected by
transverse ones so as to form large meshes
which include smaller meshes with simple or
forked free veins. Sori on the junctions of the
veinlets in two series between the costules or
more or less irregularly disposed.

Distribution : “Bombay Breaideiiey Nod
Kanara, Godhullie, Castle Rock, on trees
common; Mahableshwar on trées common;

173

Panchgani, north side of Tableland, near
caves, on the way of Tableland; Matheran on
rocks and trees; Khandala on trees abundant .
Lonavli; Igatpuri on rocks, Igatpuri Ghats.
Himalayas, from Gurwhal to Bhotan, 3,o00-
8,000 feet; Khasya, 2,000-5,000 feet ; Chota
Nagpur, Parasnath; South India, mountains
on both sides of the Madras Presidency, 2,000-
5,000 feet ; Ceylon.
‘Dies down after the rains.

5. Pleopeltis punctata Bedd.
Rhizome stout, scarcely creeping, scaly. Stipe
short, often absent. Frond 1-3 inches broad,
simple, entire, lanceolate with the apex acute
or blunt. Surfaces naked. Texture fleshy-
leathery. Venation sunk, distinct when dry.
Main veins distinct to the margin and connect-
ed by transverse ones so as to form large
meshes which include smaller meshes with free
simple or forked veinlets. Sori on the‘junction
of the veinlets irregularly deposed, usually re-
stricted to the upper half of the frond.
Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Tyagli, Kansur. .
South India, western mountains up to 3,000
feet; Ceylon; North India, in the Bengal

174

.

plains and up to 3,000 feet; Malay Peninsula —
China; Malay Islands; North Australia;
Polynesia ; Southern and Central Africa and
its islands.

Also cultivated.

6. Pleopeltis phymatodes Bedd.

Rhizome wide-creeping, woody and clothed
with dark brown hair-like scales. Stipes 3-12
inches or more long, firm, erect,smooth. Fronds
6 inches to 3 feet long, varying from simple
oblong-lanceolate to deeply pinnatifid lobes,
numerous, entire, acuminate, lanceolate, oblong,
4-8 inches long by 1-14 inches broad. Texture
leathery. Both surfaces naked. Main veins
not distinct, areoles fine with free veinlets.
Sori large, rather sunk in one or two rows,
' scattered.

Commonly cultivated ; often grown in hang-
ing baskets.

Distribution : Ceylon; Malabar and Travan-
core, cultivated only (?); Malay Peninsula
Throughout the tropics of the old world, the
continent of India excepted.

Trise XI.—GRAMMITIDEE

Sori on the back of the lobes, more than
twice as long as broad, usually linear.

173

Genus XLI.—Gymnocramne_ Dssv.
(Deriv. Gr. Gymnos, naked ; gramme, writing.)
Sori arising from the veins over the under

surface of the frond, linear and usually forked.
Habit and mode of growth of Cheilanthes.
(a) Fronds very small, 2-4 inches long.
Under surface not powdery.

1. G. leptophylla.

(6) Fronds very large, 1-3 feet long.
Under surface coated with white
or yellow powder.

2. G. calomelanos.

1. Gymnogramme leptophylla Desv.

Roots fine, fibrous, tufted. Stipes 1-4 inches
long, tufted, brown polished, filiform.

Fronds 2-4 inches long, 1-14 inches broad,
pinnate to tripinnate, pinnz or pinnules spathu-
late or obovate, deeply lobed with the lobes
entire or finely serrate. Texture thin, membra-
naceous. Veins simple or forked. Sori oblong,
simple or forked.

This is a very delicate annual appearing in
the rains and dying down soon after.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Maha-
bleshwar, Satara Fort walls—Western Ghats

76

of the Peninsula of India, Ootacamund.—
Europe; The Azores; Madeira; Canaries ;
Africa; Persia; Australia; New Zealand ;
South America.

2. Gymnogramme calomelanos Kaulf.

Caudex upright. Stipes tufted, 6-12 inches
long, scaly below and together with the rachis
black polished. Fronds 1-3 feet long, 6-12
inches broad, oblong-triangular, tripinnatifid,
with lanceolate acuminate pinnules and length-
ened acuminate lobed segments. Upper surface
dull green, naked ; lower surface covered with
white powder. Texture almost leathery or
herbaceous.

Distribution: eannae Presidency—Khandala
and Kampoli; Dango Forest. (Surat) ; Bombay
Island, Malabar Hill, Sewrie, Rowli Hill, Sion
Wood.—Nilgiris ; Ceylon.

It isa native of the West Indies, Jamaica,
St. Domingo, Guiana, Brazil, Mexico, the
island of St. Catherine, the Carriba Islands,
etc. _

It isa fine graceful species and is classed
among the silver ferns from the under-side of
the fronds being covered with a farinose
powder. 2, eat, ‘

177.

It propagates freely by spores and this pro-
bably accounts for its having run wild in and
about Bombay. It is particularly abundant
on hill sides which have been cut down for
reclamation purposes. It prefers a bright open
situation as is evidenced by its greater abund-
ance on the sunny hill sides at Rowli than in
the shade of the Sion Wood. The hill sides
also allow of free drainage without ‘which the
fern cannot thrive.

In cultivating this fern, therefore, a sunny
situation and free drainage are required.

Var. chrysophylla (Gymnogramme chryso-
phylla Kaulf.)—It is a smaller fern than the
type and the powder is bright yellow.

It is the ‘ King of Gold Ferns’ and is univer-
sally admired.

It is becoming naturalized on the Nilgiris.
It is a native of South America and the West
Indies.

Genus XLII.—Virraria Sm.

(Deriv. Vitta, a riband; the riband-shaped
frond.)

Veins simple, forming an acute angle with the
midrib and having their apices prolonged into
a transverse marginal vein which eventually

12

178

becomes the. receptacle. Sori situated in a
longitudinal slit of the margin. Fronds simple,
linear, grass-lile.

Vittaria elongata Sw.

Rhizome creeping, clothed with scales having
black hair-like points. Stipes short. Fronds
up to 44 feet long, 4-inch broad, simple, linear
acuminate, (grass-like) pendulous. Surfaces
' smooth, naked. Texture fleshy to almost
leathery. Midrib prominent beneath, veins
sunk in the substance of the frond, proceeding
at an acute angle from the midrib, almost
parallel, their apices connected by a transverse
intramarginal vein. Sori linear, continuous,
quite sunk in the marginal grove. [Fig. 42.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, on trees, Sumkund.

South India, on the western mountains,
2,000-5,000 feet ; Ceylon, Central Provinces ;
North India fromthe plains up to about 4,000
feet; Malay Peninsula; Burma, etc.—Malay
Islands; Queensland; Polynesia; Tropical
Africa ; Mauritius.

Genus XLIIJ.—Hemionirtes L.

(Deriv. Hemtonos, a mule—the mule-fern.)

179

Veins reticulated and wholly covered by
sporangia, the sori being in fact reticulated.
Fronds either simple, pinnatifid or pinnate.

Fic. 42.—Vittaria elongate Sw.
(z) Complete plant ( x }).

(b) Vertical section through frond showing the position
of the sori (much magnified).

180

Hemionites avifolia Bedd.

Caudex short, erect. Stipes dark-brown,
polished, hairy, those of the fertile frond longer
than those of the barren. Fronds 2-3 inches
each way. Barren frond heart-shaped, ovate,
with a deep notch at the base, apex and basal
lobes rounded. Fertile frond halberd-shaped
with the basal notch not so deep and the basal
- lobes and the apex more pointed. Upper
surface dark green, naked, under surface pale
green; hairy. Venation reticulated, meshes
obliquely elongated and rarely having free
included veinlets. Sori continuous along the
veins and reticulate.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—South-
ern Ghats and in Kanara.

South India in the plains and in the moun-

tains up to nearly 3,000 feet; East Bengal oe

plains ; Ceylon; Burma.—Philippines.
It grows in dry localities. Cultivated in
gardens in Bombay.

Trine XII].—AcrostTicHE&

Sori spreading over the whole under-surface
or rarely over both surfaces of the frond, not -
confined to the veins only. Fertile fronds or
segments always more or less contracted. _

. 181

Genus XLIV.—StTeEnocHLana J. Sm.
(Deriv. Gr. Stenos, narrow ; chlena, cloak—
in reference to the narrow involute margin.)
Fronds of two forms; the fertile fronds
contracted and very narrow; the barren
fronds simply pinnate. the pinne leathery in
texture; veins simple or forked, fine and close,
_ generally quite free to the margin, rarely anas-
tomosing ; stipes adherent to the rhizome ;-
pinnz articulate with the rachis.

Stenochlena palustre Bedd.

Rhizome slender, climbing, and covered with
long narrow scales. Stipe adherent to the
rhizome. Fronds 1-4 feet long, of two kinds,
pinnate; pinnz articulated with the rachis,
linear lanceolate, acuminate, wedge-shaped at '
the base, margin cartilaginous, spinulose serrate,
especially towards the apex; pinnz of the
fertile frond much contracted. Surfaces naked,
shining. Texture hard, leathery. Rachis of
the sterile pinnze winged. (This wing has been
looked upon as a transverse vein anastomosing
in loops parallel with the costa.) From the
wing proceed towards the margin a large
number of close parallel veins which are either
simple or forked, free or seldom anastomosing.

182,

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, climbs to the top of the highest trees ;
Goa and Savantwadi.

South India, in the plains of the West Coast
and up the mountains to about 3,000 feet;
Ceylon ; North India, in the plains of Bengal
and at low elevations on the hills; Malay
Peninsula—South China; Queensland; Fiji.

Genus XLV.—Potysotrya H. B. K.

(Deriv. Poly, many ; botrys, bunch—in allu-
sion to the fructification.)

Fronds pinnate, bipinnatifid or almost pin-
nate, bipinnate; sterile frond generally proli-
ferous ; fertile frond much contracted; veins
pinnate,.all free ; stipes adherent to rhizome.

Polybotrya appendiculata Bedd.

Rhizome creeping. Stipe scaly. Sterile
fronds often proliferous at the apex, pinnate ;_
pinne 25-50 pair, 2-3 inches long, 4-inch broad,
oblong, lanceolate, cut down, often deeply, into
blunt lobes with a bristle in the notch between
the lobes, the upper base often auricled, the
lower obliquely cut off. Fertile fronds much
contracted with the pinne much shorter. Sur-
faces naked. Rachis often scaly. Texture

183

membranaceous to almost leathery. Veins
pinnate, free.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara: Siddhapur, Jog, Castle Kock, in
shade of trees; Belgaum; on the ghat at
Ghotne, east of Ratnagiri ; Amboli; Matheran.

Throughout the Indian region—Philippines ;
Hongkong.

Var. asplemifolia Bedd.

Rachis very scaly, pinnz very unequal sided,
the inferior basal portion being much cut away;
the upper side much deeper cut than the type.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara.

South India in moist ever-green forests on
the western side up to nearly 4,000 feet.

Genus XLVI.—Gymnopreris BERNH.

(Deriv. Gymnos, naked; pteris, a fern seed-
ing naked.)

Veins copiously anastomosing with free vein-
lets in the meshes; main veins distinct or not
distinguished from the rest; fronds simple or
pinnate, generally of two torms, the fertile
being much contracted, or rarely simple and

184

all similar, bearing the sori on the contracted:
apex ; stipes adherent to the rhizome.
(a) Barren frond entire.
1. G, variabtls.
(6) Barren fronds sometimes simple, but
at least one or two pairs of distinct pinnze when.
fully developed.

(*) Barren fronds more or less oak-leaf-
shaped consisting of a lobed termi-
nal pinna and a pair of unequal

/ sided lateral pinne.
2. G. quercifolia.

(72) Barren fronds simple, trifoliate or
pinnate, the terminal pinnz being
elongated and proliferous.

3. G. flagellifera.

(c) Barren fronds copiously pinnate.

(:) Main veins conspicuous two-thirds of
the way to the margin; meshes
abutting on the costa without any
included veinlets, others including
several veinlets which are either
free with elevate apices or join
with the mesh above.

4. G. contaminans.

185

(72) Main veins conspicuous almost to
the margin; veinlets anastomosing
at right angles, from which pro-
ceed 1-2 free veinlets with clavate
apices.

5. G. subcrenata..

(1) Main veins indistinct; veinlets
meeting at acute angle from
which proceeds a veinlet which
is either free or joined to the
veinlet above; marginal veinlets.
free terminating in a dot within
the margin.

6. G. preshiana.

1. Gymnopteris variabilis Bedd.

Rhizome creeping, scaly. Sterile frond a
foot or more long and 1-24 inches wide, simple,.
entire, lanceolate, base gradually narrowing
into the stipe, apex acuminate or acute. Fer-
tile frond much contracted, often broader with
under-surface covered with sori. Surfaces.
naked. Texture thin, herbaceous. The main
veins proceeding from the midrib distinct
almost to the margin, sometimes indistinct ;
meshes with free included veinlets.

186

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara—Gersoppa Falls, Mysore side, Sirsi
to Siddhapur, Sumkund, Amboli.

Sikkim ; Bhotan ; Assam ; Khasya ; Cachar ;
South India, Tinnevelly mountains, Jeypore
Hills.

Var. lanceolata Bedd.—It has the main veins
indistinct.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Maha-
bleshwar on trees; throughout the western
forests of the Presidency.

All over the western forests of the Madras
Presidency ; Ceylon; Chota Nagpur; Paras-
nath ; Burma.

Var. axillaris Bedd.

It has a long tortuous rhizome ; main veins
less prominent than in the type, more so than
in Var. lanceolata.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara.

In all the western forests of South India;
plains of Bengal and Assam ; Burma.

2. Gymnopteris quercifolia Bernh.

Rhizome stout, creeping, scaly. Stipes of
the fertile fronds longer than those of the

187

sterile. Sterile fronds 3-4 inches long, 14-2
inches broad, nearly prostrate, more or less
oak-leaf-shaped, consisting of a terminal pinna
‘with blunt rounded lobes and a pair of lateral
pinne which are ovate-blunt, unequal-sided, the
inferior portion being longer than the superior.
Surfaces hairy. Texture herbaceous. Venation
reticulated with free included veinlets in the
meshes ; main veins distinct to the edge, some-
times scarcely distinguishable from the others.
_ Fertile fronds much contracted, also consisting
of a terminal pinna 1-2 inches long, $-inch
broad, and smaller lateral pinne.

Cultivated.

Distribution: Peninsular India, Tinnevelly
and Travancore Hills up to 2,000 teet, Anamal-
lays; Ceylon, about Colombo.—South China;
Cochin China.

3. Gymnopteris flagellifera

Rhizome creeping, scaly. Stipes often scaly.
Fronds simple, 3-foliate or pinnate with 5-11
pinne, the terminal pinna often much prolonged
and proliferous at the apex. Pinnz entire or
with shallow lobes or distinctly lobed, 4—5 inches
long, 2 inches broad. Texture herbaceous.
Venation reticulate with or without free

188

included veinlets inthe meshes. Fertile pinne
more or less contracted, wholly. soriferous
or partially covered with elongate confluent
sori.

Cultivated.

Distribution: North India, Sikkim and
Assam, Cachar and epee up to 3,000
feet ; Burma.

4. Gymnopteris contaminans Bedd.

Rhizome creeping, scaly. Stipescaly. Fronds
up to about 14 feet long, of two kinds, pin-
nate; pinne of the barren fronds almost
sessile, lanceolate, margin entire, slightly cre-
nated or more deeply lobed and serrate seg-
ments; terminal pinna more or less elongated,
as a rule proliferous ; fertile pinne much con-
tracted. Surfaces naked. Rachisscaly. Tex-
ture membranaceous. Main veins conspicuous
two-thirds of the way to the margin; meshes
broad, those abutting of the costa without any
included veinlets, the others including several
veinlets which are either free with clavate
apices or join with the mesh above.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara—common in ever-green forests, Gud-

189

dhali near Karwar, Castle Rock, in shady
woods ; Vetora (Savantwadi) ; Matheran.

- South India, in the western coast forests
from the plains up to 4,000 feet; Ceylon;
East Bengal, the lower hills up to 4,000 feet.
Burma.

5. Gymnopterts subcrenata Bedd.

Rhizome creeping, scaly. Stipe scaly.
Fronds 1-4 feet long, of two kinds, pinnate ;
pinne of sterile fronds stalked, lanceolate,
acuminate, margin sinuate or wavy, serrated
towards the apex, terminal pinna the longest
and proliferous; fertile pinne much con-
tracted. Surfaces glabrous. Texture almost
leathery. Main veins close and conspicuous
almost to the margin, the veinlets anastomosing
at right angles from which proceed one
or two generally free veinlets with clavate
apices.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara—common in ever-green forests, Castle
Rock, in shady woods and on banks of streams,
Gersoppa Road; Mahableshwar; Matheran ;
Khandala, ravine behind Coona in thick forest ;
Kodawli (Rajapur); Amba (Manoli torest) ;
Thana District, Sasamghar forest (Bassein).

190

Not uncommon in the western forests of the
Presidency.

In the western moist forests of the Madras
Presidency up to 4,000 feet; Ceylon, Central
Provinces. .

6. Gymnopteris presliana Bedd.

Rhizome creeping, scaly. Stipe 6-10 inches
long, scaly. Fronds 6-12 inches long, of two
‘kinds, pinnate ; pinnz of the sterile fronds 2-4
inches long, $-inch wide, stalked, narrow,
lanceolate, gradually tapering at both ends, .
entire. Fertile fronds much contracted. Sur-
faces naked, rachis scaly, more or less winged.
Texture almost leathery. Main veins indis-
tinct, connected by generally two pairs of
opposite veinlets which meet at an acute angle
from which proceeds a veinlet which is either
free or joined to the veinlets above; marginal
veins free, terminating in a dot within the
margin.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara—common everywhere in_river-beds,
Sumkund, Castle Rock, on rocks, in water-
course ; Konkan.

South India, Coorg—Philippines.

19]

Genus XLVII.—Acrosticnum L.

(Deriv. Gr. Akros, highest ; stichos, order—
fructification at the top of the frond.)

Veins uniform, reticulate, meshes without
free included veinlets, no main veins present ;
fronds pinnate, the upper pinnz smaller and
wholly covered with sporangia on the under-
surface. Stipes adherent to caudex.

Acrostichum aureum L.

Caudex erect. Stipes tufted, naked, glossy,
1-2 feet long. Fronds 2-6 feet long, 1-2 feet
broad, pinnate, the pinnz lanceolate oblong ;
apex acute or blunt, sometimes retuse and
mucronate; base wedge-shaped; margin en-
tire; the upper pinne which, as a rule, are
fertile are sessile with the inferior base adnate
and decurrent on the rachis; the lower pinne
sterile and stalked. Rachis and surfaces naked.
Texture leathery.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, on the banks of salt-water creeks and
in marshy places near the coast.

Tidal backwaters throughout the Indian
region. Throughout the world in warm places
near the sea.

192

SUB-ORDER III.—OSMUNDACE/:

Capsule two-valved, opening across the apex
with a. short horizontal ring; vernation
circinate. : a ae

Genus. XLVIII—Osmunpa L.
(Deriv. Osmunder, one of the names of Thor,
a Celtic divinity:)

Fertile frond wholly on the upper or middle
portion contracted, forming simple or com-
pound panicles bearing sporangia ; veins forked
free; fronds pinnate or bipinnate, articulated
with the rachis.

a

Osmunda ‘regalis L.

Caudex stout, erect. Stipes tufted, 12-18
inches long. Fronds. 2-4 feet long, 1 foot
or more broad, bipinnate to. tripinnate ; barren
and fertile fronds separate or only the upper
part of the frond fertile; sterile pinnules
oblong, blunt,-with the margins finely serrate or
crenate, base. unequal; ultimate fertile pin-
nules cylindrical and covered with capsules ;
occasionally only a portion of the pinnule
fertile and contracted, the other portion remain-
ing sterile. Veins forked free. This is known
as the ‘ Royal Fern’. [Plate XIV.]

PLATE XIV

Angtofterts evecta Hoftm., a pinnule.
barren portion. Lygodium japonicum Sw. fertile portion.

Lygodium microthyllum R.Pr., Lygodium micropkhyllum R.Br.,
fertile portion. Osmunda regalts L. barren portion.
Lygodium fiexuosum Bedd.
barren portion. fertile portion.

To fa

193

Distribution: Bombay Presidency: North
Kanara, in the bed of the river at Jog and other
places, Sumkund, Anmod, Castle Rock, on the
banks of a tank; Mahableshwar.

South India, on the western mountains at
the higher elevations, North India, Kumaon,
Bhotan, Khasya, 4,000-6,000 feet.—Asia ;
North and South Africa; Central and North
America ; Europe.

SUB-ORDER IV.—SCHIZEACE
Sporangia two-valved, crowned by a com-
plete apical ring. Vernation circinate.

Genus XLIX.—Anemia Sw.

(Deriv. Gr. Anetmon, naked—the naked
spikes.)

Sporangia small, very abundant, forming a
copiously branched panicle quite distinct from
the leafy part ot the trond; fronds pinnate or
bi-tripinnatifid ; veins free.

Anemia rotundifolia Schrad.

Stipes 6-g inches long, hairy ; the fertile and
barren portions united in the same frond; the
barren portion pinnate, 8-12 inches long, 1-2
inches broad below, often prolonged and root-
ing at the tip; pinne 1 inch long, 3-3? inch

13

194

broad, very blunt, the lower side obliquely cut

at the base, the outer edge finely toothed.

Texture almost leathery. Rachis and surfaces

hairy. Veins disposed in a fan-shaped manner.

The fertile portion consisting of a panicle 1-3

inches long and a slender stalk 3~4 inches long.
Cultivated. .
Distribution : South Brazil.

Genus L.—Lycopjum Sw.

(Deriv. Lygodis, flexible; the climbing
habit.)

Sporangia solitary (or in pairs) in the axils
of large overlapping clasping involucres, which
form spikes either on separate pinnze or in lax
rows along the edge of the leafy ones. Fronds
scandent ; pinne in pairs (conjugate), palmate
lobed, pinnatitid or pinnate, veins forked free.

(a) Barren pinnules ovate, blunt; the
margin entire or lobed. .
1. L. microphyllum.

(0) Barren pinnules again pinnate or
variously deeply lobed or almost palmate;
margin finely serrate. _

(:) Pinnules 8-12 inches long, 6=12
inches broad.
2. L. flexuosum.

195

(2) Pinnules smaller, 4-8 inches long,
about as broad.
3. L. japonicum.

1. Lygodium microphyllum R. Br.

Fronds scandent, consisting of a long twining
rachis from which arise at intervals short spurs
bearing a pair of pinne each; pinnz pinnate,
pinnules petioled, 3-4 on each side of a zig-
zag rachis with a terminal one which is more
or less lobed ; barren pinnules ovate, blunt, the
margin entire or lobed; fertile ones short,
triangular, with a rounded apex anda square
base and lobed round the margin. Texture
almost leathery. Surfaces naked or nearly so.
[Plate XIV]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency——North
Kanara, Castle Rock, in dense jungle on the
banks of a tank; Ghat jungles and South
Konkan.

South India, Malabar and West Coast gene-
rally, common in plains andalso in the W ynaad,
up to about 3,000 feet; North India, Bengal
plains ; Malay Peninsula—Malay Islands.

2. Lygodium flexuosum Bedd.

Pinne arising in pairs from the ends of short
spurs on the twining rachis. Pinnules 8-12

196

inches long, 6-12 inches broad, again pinnate or
variously lobed or almost palmate; margin
finely serrate. Surtaces slightly hairy. Texture
almost leathery. [Frontispiece and Plate XIV.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, common during the rains, Castle Rock;
Konkan, southern part; Penn to Campoli;
Khandala; Coona ravine; Parsik Hill (near
Thana); Matheran; Mahableshwar; Vetora
(Savantwadi); Goa Territory, Marmagoa;
Salsette -Island, Bhandup, Moolgaum, Kan-
nery caves; Bombay Island, Sion Wood.

South India, common on both sides of the
Madras Presidency up to about 4,000 feet;
North India plains and upto 5,o00 feet; on
the Himalayas; Ceylon; Malay Peninsula.—
Malay Islands ; Philippines ; North Australia ;
Tropica] Africa.

3. Lygodium japonicum Sw.

As in flexuosum, but pinne much smaller;
pinnules smaller, 4-8 inches long, about as
broad and finely cut, the fertile ones often
much contracted. [Plate XIV.]

Cultivated.

Distribution : North India, abundant, extend-
ing west to Kashmir, up to 5,000 feet ; South

197

India, western mountains, rare. It is pro-
bably only a form of flexuosum.

SUB-ORDER V.—MARATTIACE

Sporangia opening by a slit down one side
or a pore at the apex without a ring, usually
joined together in concrete masses (synangia),
vernation circinate.

Genus LI.—AnciopTeris Horrmann.

(Deriv. Angio, open; pteris, fern—the open
sporangia.)

Sporangia opening by a slit down the side,
sessile, very close to one another but not
concrete, arranged in linear oblong or boat-
shaped sori near the edge of the frond; veins
simple or forked, tree ; fronds very large, bipin-
nate, often only pinnate. Stipes club-shaped
at the base, and springing between two fleshy
stipules. Pinne and pinnules articulate with
the rachis.

Angiopteris cvecta Hoffmann.

A handsome gigantic fronded fern. Caudex
short, about two feet high. Fronds 6—20 feet long,
bipinnate, often only pinnate; rachis swollen
at the base ; pinnules (or in the case of pinnate
fronds, pinne) 4-12 inches long, 4-13 inch

198

broad, linear, oblong, with the apex acuminate;
margin entire or toothed. Surfaces naked,
shining. Texture herbaceous to almost lea-
thery. Veins almost parallel. [Plate XIV.j

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Castle Rock, by a stream in ever-
green forest, Katgal; Vetora (Savantwadi) by
a stream on a hill; Southern Konkan.

Throughout the Indian region up to 7,000

feet,—Japan ; Tropical Australia ; New Cale-
donia ; Madagascar; Polynesia.
Also cultivated.

SUB-ORDER VI—OPHIOGLOSSACE/:

Sporangia deeply two-valved, opening down
the side nearly to the base, without a ring ;
vernation erect. Fronds bearing a sterile and ~
fertile branch on the same stem.

Genus LII.—OpuioGiossum L.

(Deriv. Ophis, a snake; glossa, a tongue.)

Sporangia sessile, arranged in two rows,
forming a narrow close spike which arises from
the base or centre of the barren segment,
rarely distinct, rising direct from the rhizome ;
veins reticulate; fronds simple, entire, rarely
palmate.

199

(2) Rhizome elongated, cylindrical, not
tuberous ; midrib indistinct,
(2) No persistent sheaths on the rhizome.

1. O. vulgatium.

(2) Persistent brown sheaths on the
rhizome.
2. O, attchisont.

(0) Rhizome somewhat tuberous, midrib
indistinct, plants very minute.
3. O. nudicaule.

(c) Rhizome etary tuberous, midrib
prominent.
4. O. fibrosum.

1. Ophtoglossum vulgatum L.

Under this name we have lumped together
the hitherto separate species O. vulgatum
L. and O. reticulatun L. as they are merely
forms of the same species, being connected by
a number cf transitional stages.

Rhizome cylindrical, elongated ; sterile divi-
sion ef trond 1-4 inches long, 4-2 inches broad,
ovate, ovate-oblong or lanceolate, blunt or
acute at the apex, often distinctly cordate at
the base, stalked or sessile veins clear, otten

200

scarcely visible, no midrib ; fertile spike 1 inch
or more long on a stalk 2—6 inches long.

2. Ophioglossum attchisom d’ Almeida.
Spec. nov.

Rhizome elongated, not tuberous, with several
fibrous rootlets and crowned with a tuft of
brown persistent sheaths surrounding the bases
of the fronds; fronds several on the rhizome,
sterile division 14-24 inches long, 4-3 inch
broad, linear lanceolate, acute or mucronate.
Veins visible in dry specimens, but not quite
distinct, no midrib; texture stout; fertile
division arising from a little above the base of
the sterile lamina, fertile spike 1 inch Jong
on a peduncle 2 inches long. [Fig. 43.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Siroor
Horse-breeding Farm near Poona.—N.-W.
Himalayas—Cherat 9,000 feet, Mount Tilla.

Atrica ; Abyssinia.

3. Ophioglossum nudicaule L.
Rhizome small, slightly tuberous. Fronds
very minute, I inch or more long. Sterile and
tertile segments on the same stipe; sterile
segment 3-1 inch long, 2-5 lines broad,
linear to ovate, sessile or slightly stalked,

201

Texture thin. Venation reticulate but without
any évident mid-vein or main veins. Fertile
spike $-1 inch long ona slender foot-stalk 2
inches long.

Fic. 43.—-(@) Ophioglossum aitehisoni d' Alm.
(5) Sheath. (c) Portion of sterile division showing venation.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—North
Kanara, Karwar in the rains, Castle Rock ;
Khandala.

202.

South India, Anamallay forests, and on the
western mountains ; Malay Peninsula—America
from United States southward to Brazil;
New Caledonia ; Tropical Atrica.

<

4. Ophoglossum fibrosum Schum.

Rhizome large, round, tuberous, with nume-
rous fibrous roots. Stipe very short with the
sterile segment close to the base, the latter
14-3 inches long, up to 1 inch broad, lanceolate,
acute or obtuse. Texture thick and fleshy.
Venation indistinct except when dry, reticulate
with free and often forked veinlets in the
meshes; midrib prominent, consisting of a
singl2 main vein or of 2-3 strong central veins’
which run parallel and close to each other and
fork and disappear near the apex of the barren
segment. Fertile spike 13-2 inches long on a
foot-stalk 4-5 inches long. [Plate XV.]

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Khan-
dala, on rocks and gravelly ground.

South India, Anamallay teak forests 2,000-
3,000 feet; Ceylon—Tropical America;
Guinea Coast ; Ascension Island.

Genus LII.—Herminruostacuys Kautr.
(Deriv. Helminthos, a worm ; stachys, a spike.)

PLATE XV

To face page 202

203

Sporangia more or less round, sessile in
stalked whorls which are terminated by a crest=
like appendage, forming a clustered simple
spike, opening vertically by a slit on the
exterior side. Fronds divided into fertile and.
sterile segments, the latter palmately pinnate.
Veins forked free.

Helminthostachys zeylanica Hook.

Rhizome fleshy, creeping. Stipe 1 foot long.
Frond divided into two portions ; barren portion
leafy, palmately pinnate, often in three princi-
pal divisions which are stalked and again forked
or pinnate; ultimate segments linear, oblong,
3-4 inches long, 3-1 inch broad. Texture
herbaceous or leathery. Fertile spike 3-4
inches long, 4 inch broad on a stalk about
as long as the spike.

Distribution: Bombay Presidency—Southern
Konkan in swampy places.

South India, western forests up to 3,000
feet; Ceylon; North India; Bengal plains to.
Assam and Cachar; Malay Peninsula—Matlay
Islands ; Philippines ; Tropical Australia; New
Caledonia. : .

Genus LIV.—Bortrycuium Sw.

(Deriv. Botrys, a bunch; in allusion to the
fructification which is like a bunch of grapes.)

204

Sporangia sessile, arranged in two rows on the
face of the spikes. Fronds consisting of a
fertile and sterile segment on the same stipe.
Sterile segment leafy, triangular, 2-3 pinnati-
fidly decompound. Veins forked, free ; fertile
segment consisting of a stalked spike which
forms a compound panicle.

Botrychwum virgimanum Sw.

Stipes 3-18 inches long; sterile portion not
stalked and not prolonged beyond the fertile
segment, up to about a foot each way, triangu-
lar, four-pinnatifid. Ultimate pinnules cut
down almost to the rachis into linear-oblong
segments, fertile branch springing from the base
of the sterile portion (type) or from the middle
of it.

Var. lanuginosum—Surfaces hairy. The
fertile branch always springs from the middle
of the sterile segment which is more or less
hairy.

Distribution : Bombay Presidency—Ghats.

South India, at the higher elevations on the
western mountains; Ceylon; North India,
on the Himalayas, Kumaon to Bhotan, 5,000-
8,000 feet; Khasya, 4,000-6,000 feet—The
type in Europe, America and Japan.

Synopsis of Genera

SUB-ORDER I.—GLEICHENIACE®

Sori dorsal, without indusium, com-
posed of a few sporangia having a trans-
verse or obliquely transverse complete
ring and opening vertically.

Caudex creeping; stipes forked; seg-
ments small, almost round or pectinate.

Geaus 1.—Gleichexia R. Br.

SUB-ORDER II.—POLYPODIACE/:

Sori dorsal or marginal with or without
‘an indusium ; sporangia stalked, provided
with a vertical more or less complete ring
and opening transversely (except in Hyme-
nophy]lez).

(A) Involucrata

Sori furnished with an indusium (except
in Alsophila).

PAGE

27

206

*

Trispe ]—CvyaTHe®

Tree-ferns.—Sori dorsal], round ; sporan-
gia stalked or sessile on an elevated
receptacle ; indusium inferior, in the torm
of a scale beneath the sorus, or completely
enveloping the sorus, ultimately bursting
at the top and forming acup. It is absent
in Alsophila.

Caudex arborescent ; indusium globose,
ultimately rupturing at the apex so as to
form a cup holding the sorus.

Genus II.—Cyathea

Caudex arborescent ; sori .round, naked.

(Distinguished from Cyathea by the
absence of indusium).

Genus IIJ.—Alsophila R. Br,

Tribe [].—DicKxsonin#&

Sori round, at the back or apex of a
vein ; indusium inferior, leathery, mounted
on a stalk, covering the whole sorus and
bursting irregularly, or cup-shaped, entire
or two-lipped. Veins free or anastomosing.

Sori round, arising from the back ofa
vein or veinlet ; indusium inferior, globose,

PAGE

29

207

at first enclosing the sorus, ultimately
splitting vertically into two lips. Veins
free forked, terminating within the
margin into clavate (club-shaped) apices.

Genus LV.—Peranema Don.

Tripe I]].—HymENnopHyLte&

Sporangia globose or ovate, furnished
with a transverse ring ; indusium inferior,
two-valved or tubular. Filmy ferns,
usually epiphytic in habit.

Sori marginal; indusium more or less
two-valved ; receptacle elongated, colum-
nar, protruding beyond the mouth of the
indusium or included within it.

Genus V.—Hymenophylium L.

Sori always terminating a vein, more or
less sunk in the frond; indusium tubular
or slightly two-lipped ; receptacle elongat-
ed, columnar, otten considerably protrud-
ing beyond the mouth of the indusium.

Genus VI.--Trichomaues Smith

Tripe 1V.—DavaLLira&

Sori rounded or oblong, situated at or
near the margin; indusium adherent at

PAGE

34

35

37

208

the base, open at the apex, ie. exteriorly,
open or free at the sides.

Indusium small, narrow, thin, fixed only
by its broad base. Rhizome creeping,
stipe articulated with the rhizome.

Genus VII.—Leucostegia Presl.

Indusium leathery, attached at sides
and base, half cup-shaped. Rhizome creep-
ing, stipe articulated with the rhizome.

Genus VIII—Davallia Sm.

Indusium membranaceous, half cup-
shaped, attached at the sides and base.
Rhizome creeping ; stipe continuous with
the rhizome. Geaus IX.—Microlepia Prist,

Indusium forming a compressed, almost
round or cup-shaped pouch, only open at
the top. Rhizome creeping ; stipes tufted,
not articulated upon the rhizome,

Genus X.—Stenoloma Fee

Trine V.—Linpsayve&

Sori placed in a line at or near the
margin of the frond at the apex of and
uniting two or more veinlets. Indusium
double, i.e. formed of two valves, the inner
of which is membranaceous, the outer

PAGE

4!

44

49

209

PAGE

formed of the slightly changed margin of
the frond.
Veins forked, free ; pinnaz unequal-sided
or equal-sided. Getus XI.—Litdsiya Dryand,
Veins more or less uniting. Pinne un-
equal-sided or equal-sided.
Geaus XI1.---Schizoloma Gaud.

Tripe VI—Preripe

Sori marginal, oblong or in a line,
Indusium formed of a more or less changed
and reflexed margin of the frond opening
inwardly.

Sori marginal, rounded or in a line,
‘usually numerous and distinct, sometimes
confluent and continuous, bearing the
sporangia on the underside; veins free.

Genus XIII—Adiantum L,

Indusium roundish and distinct, or more
or less confluent, but not continuous,
sporangia on the underside of the frond,
veins free. Geaus XIV.—Cheilanthes Sw.

Indusium quite continuous, sori linear,
continuous, occupying a slender filiform
receptacle in the axis of the indusium.
Veins free, rarely those of the last division

14

51

52

56

75

210

but one or mecre or less connected by
arching veins at the very base.
Genus XV.—Pteris L.
_ Fronds triangular or halberd-shaped or
palmately divided; veins copiously anas-
tomosing, without free included veinlets.
The rest as in Pteris.
Geaus XVI.—Doryopteris J. Smith
Veins copiously anastomosing with free
included veinlets. The rest as in Pteris.
Geaus XVII-—Lithobrochia Presl.
Fertile fronds with the segrnents forked
and pod-shaped. Sori linear, marginal,
almost parallel. Veins of sterile frond
transversely elongated and distantly anas-
tomosing. Genus XVIII.—Ceratopteris Brong,

TriBpe VII.—BLECHNEE

Sori linear, oblong, parallel with the
midrib and margin, nearer the midrib;
indusium linear, opening towards the
midrib.

Sori linear, mostly continucus, parallel
to and quite close to the midrib; veins
free, Genus XIX.—Blechnum L.

PAGE

80

94.

95

97

211

Trise VIII.—AspLenize

Indusium linear or oblong or horse-
shoe-shaped, sometimes double; — sori
attached to the veins.

Scri linear ; veins forked, more or less
parallel, connected just within the margin
‘by a transverse vein. (This connection is
not quite constant.) Fronds simple.

Genus XX.—Thamnopteris Presl.

Sori linear or oblong, single, veins free.

Geaus XXI—Asplenium L.

Veins free, sori more or less curved,

sometimes horseshoe-shaped.

Geaus XXII.—Athyrium Roth ;

Veins free, some of the sori double, that
is, on each side of the vein, others single
as in Asplenium.

Genus XXIJI.—Diplaziuom Swartz

Veins anastomosing ; sori as in Dipla-
zium. Genus XX1V.—Aaisogonium Prest.

Veins anastomosing ; areoles elongated
near the midrib, smaller towards the
margin, with free marginal clavate veinlets.
Sori linear-oblong. Iudusium sausage-
shaped, quite covering the sorus and burst-
ing irregularly down the centre.

Genus XXV.—Allantodia Wall

PAGE

Iol

103.

I21i

212

Fronds fan-like, sori placed on each side
of the narrow segment of the frond, linear,
elongated, opening towards the midrib.

Genus -XXVI, —Actiaiopteris Liak

Tripe IX .—ASPIDIEZ

Indusium more or less rounded or
kidney-shaped (rarely elliptical), attached
either by the centre or sinus.

Sori elliptical on the tip of a veinlet but

within the margin. Indusium attached

longitudinally on the centre of the linear
receptacle, free all round the edge. Veins
pinnate, the lower pair of veinlets anasto-
mosing. Fronds bipinnatifid.
Genus XXVII. —Mesochleua R. Br.
Sori globose; veins free; texture lea-
thery, teeth awned.
Geaus XXVIII._—Polystichum Roth,
Indusium round, attached by the
centre ; veins generally anastomosing with
free veinlets proceeding from their junc-
tion. Genus XXIX —Cyrtomium Presl.
Veins copiously: anastomosing with free
included veinlets in the areoles. Sori
ound. Indusium round or kidney-shaped.

PAGE

122

123

124

127

213

Receptacle at the junction of the veinlets-
or at the apex of free veinlets.
Genus XXX.—Aspidium Schott

PAGE

‘128

As the Aspidium but only the lowest’
veinlets of the vein anastomosing so as to '

forma series of areoles near the costa
without any free veinlets within them. All
the other veinlets as a rule free. Sori
generally at the apex of the free veinlets,
sometimes on the netted veins.
Genus XXXI.—Pleocnemia Presl.
Sori somewhat round on the back or on
the apex of veinlets.
Indusium kidney-shaped attached by

134

the sinus. Veins all free. Fronds pinnate -

or compoundly 2-4 pinnate.
Geaus XXXII.—Lastrea Presl.
Sori round; indusium kidney-shaped

137

(often like that of Athyrium or Asplenium — .

in N. subpectinatum), sometimes absent.

Veins pinnate, one or more of the lower.

veinlets anastomosing at an angle with

corresponding ones of the next group,

producing trom their junction an ex-

current veinlet which is either free or:

joined in the angle of the néxt superior

214

pair. Fronds pinnate, pinne as a rule
pinnatifid. Genus XXXIII —Nephrodium Schott.
Sori round, indusium kidney-shaped or

PAGE

147

roundish ; veins forked, free, with club- ~

shaped apices. Fronds simply pinnate,
pinnz articulated and furnished with
white dots above.

Genus XXXIV.—Nephrolepis Schott 156

Sori round, in a single row on each side
of the midrib. Indusium kidney-shaped.
Fronds entire. Stipes pointed. Rhizome
wide-creeping. Genus XXXV.—Oleandra Cav.

(B) Extnvolucrate.

Sori without an indusium.

Tripe X.—PouypoDir&

Sori on the back of the lobes, round or
rarely somewhat oblong.
Desmobryoid Series-—Habit and mode

162

of growth of Aspidiez, the stipes conti-. .
nuous with the caudex; sori generally

medial on the veins.

Veins forked or pinnate, veinlets free. :

Habit of Lastrea, but indusium wanting.
Genus XXXVI.—Phegopteris Fee

163

215

Habit and venation of Nephrodium, i.e.
fronds pinnate, veins pinnate, one or more
of the lower veinlets anastomosing at an
angle with corresponding ones of the next
group producing from their junction an
ex-current veinlet. Indusium wanting.

Genus XXXVII.—Goniopteris Presi.

Eremobryoid Series.—Stipes articulated
with the rhizome. Sori generally, not
always, terminal on the veins.

Sori round or oval, superficial or buried
in the hairs. Fronds as a rule simple,
covered beneath with a dense coating of
stellate hairs. Veins copiously anastomos-
ing, obscure, undefined cr evident with the
main veins prominent. Fertile fronds
more or less contracted and longer than
the sterile.

Genus XXXVIII.—Niphobolus. Kaulf,

Rhizome short, thick and fleshy. Fronds
rigid, the sterile when present like an oak-
leaf; fertile frord pinnatifid or pinnate,
rarely simple. Veins copiously anastomos-
ing forming square or hexagonal areoles.
Sori small, round or oval, numerous.

Genus XXXIX.—Drynaria Bory

PAGE

164

165

167

216

PAGE
Fronds simple, pinnatifid or pinnate.
Veins copiously anastomosing with free
included veinlets.
Genus XL.—Pleopeltis H. and B. 168

Trispe XI.—GRAMMITIDEX

Sori on the back of the lobes, more
than twice as long as broad, usually
linear.

Sori arising from the veins over the
under-surface of the frond, linear and
usually forked. Habit and mode of
growth of Chezlanthes.

Genus XLI.—Gymaogramme Desv. 175

Veins simple, forming an acute angle
with the midrib and having their apices
prolonged into a transverse marginal vein
which eventually becomes the receptacle.
Sori situated in a longitudinal slit of the
margin. Fronds simple, linear, grass-like,

Geaus XLII.—Vittaria Sm. 177

Veins reticulated and wholly covered
by sporangia, the sori being in fact reticu- .
lated. Fronds either simple, pinnatifid or
pinnate. Genus XLIII—Hemionites L. 178:

217

Tripe XII.—AcrosticHEe#

Sori spreading over the whole under-
surface or rarely over both surfaces of the
frond, not confined to the veins only.
Fertile fronds or segments always more or
less contracted.

Fronds of two forms: the fertile
fronds contracted and very narrow; the
barren fronds simply pinnate ; the pinnz
leathery in texture ; veins simple or forked,
fine and close, generally quite free to the
margin, rarely anastomosing; stipes
adherent to the rhizome; pinnz articu-
late with the rachis.

Genus XLIV.—Stenochlena J. Sm.

PAGE

181

Fronds pinnate, bipinnatifid or almost -

pinnate, bipinnate ; sterile frond. generally
proliferous ; fertile frond much contracted ;
veins pinnate, all free; stipes adherent to
rhizome. Genus XLV.—Polybotrya H. B. K.

Veins copiously anastomosing with free
veinlets in the meshes ; main veins distinct
or not distinguished from the rest ; fronds
simple or pinnate, generally of two forms,

-782

the fertile being much contracted, or '

rarely simple and all similar, bearing the

218

sori on the contracted apex ; stipes adher-
ent to the rhizome.
Genus XLVI.—Gymnuopteris Berah.
Veins uniform, reticulate, meshes with-
out free included veinlets, no main veins
present ; fronds pinnate, the upper pinnz
smaller and wholly covered with sporangia
on the under-surface. Stipes adherent to
caudex. Geaus XLVII.—Acrostichum L.

SUB-ORDER III—OSMUNDACE/

Capsule two valved, opening across the
apex with a short horizontal ring ; verna-
tion circinate.

Fertile frond wholly on the upper or
middle portion contracted, forming simple
or compound panicles bearing sporangia ;
veins forked free ; fronds pinnate or bipin-
nate, articulated with the rachis.

Genus XLVINI.—Osmunda L.

SUB-ORDER IV.—SCHIZHACEA

Sporangia two-valved, crowned by a
complete apical ring. Vernation circinate.

PAGE

183

Igt

192

219

Sporangia smal], very abundant, form-
ing a copiously branched panicle’ quite
distinct from the leafy part of the frond ;
fronds pinnate or bi-tripinnatifid; veins
free, Genus XLIX.—Anemia Sw.

Sporangia solitary (or in pairs) in the
axils of large overlapping clasping involu-
cres, which form spikes either on separate
pinne or in lax rows along the edge of the
leafy ones. Fronds scandent; pinne in
pairs (conjugate), palmate lobed, pinnati-
fid or pinnate, veins forked free.

Genus L.—Lygodium Sw.

SUB-ORDER V.—MARATTIACE

Sporangia opening by a slit down one
side or a pore at the apex without a ring,

usually joined together in concrete.

masses (synangia), vernation circinate.
Sporangia opening by a slit- down the
side, sessile, very close to one another but
not concrete, arranged in linear oblong or
boat-shaped sori near the edge of the frond,
veins simple or forked, free ; fronds very
large, bipinnate, often only pinnate.

PAGE

193

194

220

, PAGE

Stipes club-shaped at the base, and spring--

ing between two fleshy stipules. Pinnz

and pinnules articulate with the rachis.
Geaus LI.—Angiopteris Hoffmann 197

SUB-ORDER VI—OPHIOGLOS-
SACEZ

Sporangia deeply two-valved, opening
down the side nearly to the base, without
a ring; vernation erect. Fronds bearing a
sterile and fertile branch on the same
stem.

Sporangia sessile, arranged in two rows,
forming a narrow close spike which arises
from the base or centre of the barren
segment, rarely distinct, rising direct from
the rhizome; veins reticulate; fronds
simple, entire, rarely palmate.

Genus LII.—Ophioglossum L, 198

Sporangia more or less round, sessile in
stalked whorls which are terminated by a
crest-like appendage, formiug a clustered
simple spike, opening vertically by a slit
on the exterior side. Fronds divided into
fertile and sterile segments, the latter

221

PAGE
palmately pinnate. Veins forked free.

Ge1us LILT.—Helmiithostachys Kaulf. 202
Sporangia sessile, arranged in two rows
cn the face of the spikes. Fronds consist-
ing of a fertile and sterile segment on the
same stipe. Sterile segment leafy, trian-
gular, 2-3 pinnatifidly decompound.
Veins forked, free ; fertile segment consist-
ing of a stalked spike which forms a com-

pound panicle. Genus LIV.—Botrychium Sw. 203

INDEX

Acicular, 8

Acrostichee, 180

Acrostichum L., 191

Acrostichum aureum L., 191

Actiniopteris Link, 122

Actiniopteris dichotoma
Bedd., 122

Acuminate, 8

Acute, 8

Adiantum L., 56

Adiuntum e@ethiopicum L., 71

Adiantum capilius veneris
L., 69, 70
Adiantum capillus veneris

*

var. mariesit, 71
var. fergusoni, 71

Adiantum caudatum L., 61,
63

Adiantum collisiti Moore, 74

Adiantum concinnum
H. B. K., 74

Adiantum cuneatum Langs.
and Fisch., 72

‘Adiantum formosum R. Br.,
65, 66

Adiantum gracillimum
Moore, 73

Adiantum hispidulum Sw.,
75, 76

Adiantum lunulatum Burm.,
59, 60

Adtantum macrophyllum Sw.,
66, 67

Adiantum
Klotzch, 62, 64

Adiantum trapeziforme L., 65

Adiantum tenerum Sw., 67, 68

Adiantum tenerum var.
bauset, 68 :
var. farleyense, 68, 69

peruvianum

Allantodia Wall, 121

Allaniodia javanica Bedd.,
122

Alsophila R. Br., 31

Alsophila glabra Hook, 32, 33

Alsophila latebrosa Hook, 32

Alternation of generations, 18

Angiopteris Hoffmann, 197

Anemia Sw., 193

Anemia rotundifolia Schrad.,
193

Angtopteris evecta Hoffmann,
197

Anisogonium Pres].,°120

Antsogoniumesculentum
Pres] , 120

Annulus, 11

Antheridium, 14, 15

Apex, 7

Arborescent, 4

Archegonium, 14, 15

Areoles, 10

Arrow-shaped, 9

Asexual generation, 17

Aspidiew, 123

Aspidium Schott., 128

Aspidium cicutarium Sw., 132

Aspidium macrophyllum Sw.,
133

Aspidiune
Wall., 133

Aspidium polymorphum
Wall., 130

Aspidium subtriphyllum
Hook, 129

Aspidium trifoliatum Sw,
131

multicaudatum

‘Asplenice, 191 % :

Asplenium L. 103
A splenium belangeri Kze., 109

224

Asplenium dimorphum Kze.,
108
Asplentum falcalum Lam.,105

Asplenium faleatum var.
crinicuule, 1U6

Asplenium fulcatum var.
macrophyllum, 106

Asplenium lacintatum Don,
108

Asplenium lunulatum Sw.,
105

Asplenium lunulatun. var.

trapeziforme Bedd., 105
Asplenium nidus, 101, 102
Asplenium nidus-avis, lul
Asplenium unilaterale Lam.,

107

Asplenium wunilaterale var.
rivale Bedd., 107

Asplenium unilaterale var.
udum, 107

Asplenium viviparum Presl.,
109
Athyrium Roth, 110

Athyrium faleutum Bedd.,

113

Athyrium felix-foemina Roth., |

114

Athyrium felix-feemina var.
pectinata, Wall , 135

Athyrium felix-foemina var.
fiabelluluta Clarke, 115

Athyrium gymnogrammoides
Bedd., 115

Athyriune hohenackerianune
Bedd., 111

Athyrium wacrocarpum
Bedd , 112

Auricled, 9

Auricles, 9

Awl-shaped, 8

Barren, 5
Berenite, 7
Binate, 6
Bipinnate, 6

Bipinnatifid, 7
Biserrate, 6
blechnee, 97

. Blechnune L., 97
Blechnum carttlagineum Sw.,

1u0
Blechnum occidentale L.,. 99
Blechnum orientale L., 98
Blunt, 7
Botrychiune Sw., 203
Botrychium virginianum Sw.,
204 :
Buds, 19
Bulbils, 19

Capsule, 11

Carnose, 9

Caudex, 4

Ceratopteris Brong , 96

Cerutopteris thalietroides
Brong., 96

Cheilunthes
Clarke, 79

Cheilunthes farinosa Kaulf,
77,78 “

Cheilanthes tenutjolia Sw., 80

Cheilanthes Sw., 75

Cilia, 16

Circinate, 5

Classibcation, 27

Compound, 5

Cordate, 8

Coriaceous, 9

Costa, 10

Crenate, 6

Crenulate, 7

Crisped, 7

Cultis ation, 23, 24

Cuneate 9

Curled, 7

Cyathea, 29

Cyathea spinulosa Wall, 30

Cyathee, 29

Cyrtomium Presl., 127

Cyrtomium falcatum Presl.,
127

albomarginata

225

Davalliee, 41
Davallia Sw.,44
Davallia bullata Wall, 44
Davallia fijiensis H. K., 45
- Decompouad, 6
Dicksontee, 34
Diplazium Swartz, 116
Diplazium asperum M. and
Bl., 117
Diplazium latifolinm, Moore
118
Diplazium sylvaticum, 117
Distribution, 19-23
Doryopteris J. Smith, 94
Doryopteris ludens Bedd., 94
Drynaria Bory, 167
Drynaria quercifolia Bory, 167

Egg-cell, 16
Egg-shaped, 8
Elliptical, 8
Emarginate, 8
Entire, 6
‘Epiphytes, 22
Exine, 13
Exinvolucrate, 163

Falcate, 9
Fertile,
Ferneries, 24-26
Fibrous, 4°
Fleshy, 9
Frond, 5

Glands, 9

Gleicheniacee, 27

Gleichenia R. Br., 27

Gleichenia linearis Bedd.,
27, 28

Goniopteris Presl., 164

Goniopteris prolifera -Presl.,
164

Grammitideg@, 174

Gymnogramme Desv., 175

Gymnogramme calomelanos
Kaulf, 176

15

Gymnogramme calomelanos
var. chrysophylla, 177

Gymnogramme leptophylla
Desv., 175

Gymnopteris Bernh., 183

Gymnopteris contaminans
Bedd.,188 g~

Gymnopteris Jlagellifera, 187

he dad presliana Bedd.,
190

Gymnopteris-quercifolia
Bernh., 186

Gymnopteris suberenata
Bedd., 189

G ymsnopteris variabilis Bedd.,
185

| Gyn nopiteris variabilis var.
axillaris Bedd., 186

Habitats, 19-23

l Hairs, 9

Halberd-shaped, 9’

Hastate, 9

Helminthostachys Kaulf, 202

Ha esonys seylanica
Hook,

eA be L., 178

Hemionites arifolia Bedd.,
180

Herbaceous, 9

History, 1

Hymenophyllee, 35

Aymenophyllum L., 35

Hymenophyllum polyanthos
Sw., 36

Indusium, 12, 13
Intine, 13

Involucrate, 29
Involucre, 12, 13

_Kidney-shaped, 9
Lanceolate, 8

Lance-shaped, 8 -
Lastrea calcarata Hook, 140

9

a

Lastrea crenata Bedd., 146
Lastrea dissecta Bedd.,, 144
Lastrea felix-mas Presl., 143
Lastréa felix-mas var. elon-
gata Bedd, 143
Lastrea felix-mas
cochleata Bedd, 143
sa A odontoloma Moore,
41
Lastrea sbarsa Moore, 144
Lastrea syrmatica Bedd, 142
Lastrea tenericaulis Bedd.,
145
Lastrea thelypteris Presl., 141
Lastrea Presi., 137
Leucostegia Presi., 41
Leucostegia immersa Presi,
42

var.

Leucostegia pulchra J.Sm.,
43

Life-history, 13

Lindsayee, 50

Lindsaya Dryand, 51

Lindsaya eultrata Sw., 51

Linear, 8

Lithobrochia Presl., 95

Lithobrochia tripartita
Sm., 95

Lobes, 7

Lygodium Sw., 194

Lygodium flexuosum Bedd.,
195

Lygodium japonicuns
196

Lygodiuim wmicrophyllum R.
Brz, 195

J.

Sw.,

Marattiacee, 197

Margin, 6

Membranaceous, 9

Membranous, 9,

Mesochlena R. Br., 123

Mesoohlena polycarpa Bedd.,
124

Microlepia platyphylla J. Sm.,
AT

26

Microlepia Presl., 46

Mierolepia spelunce Bedd.,
48, 49 :

Microlepia strigosa Moore, 48

Mucronate, 8

Nephrodium Schott, 147

Nephrodium crinipes Hook,
154

Nephrodium extensum Hook,
152

Nephrodium molle Desv., 152

Nephrodium pennigeru in
Hook, 154

Nephrodium pterotdes J, Sm.,
151

Nephrodium
Wall, 149

Nephrodium truncatum
Presl., 155

Nephrodium unttum R. Br.,
150

Nephrolepis Schott, 156

Nephrolepis acuta Presl., 160

Nephrolepis acuta var. fur~
cans, 160

Nephrolepis cordifolia Baker,
157

subpectinatum

Nephrolepis var.
Duffii, 158

Nephrolepis davallioides var.
fureans, 160

Nephrolepis exaltata Schott,
160

cordifolia

Nephrolepis rufescens Presl.,
Nephrolepis undulata J.Sm.,
Hep emlaits volubilis J. Sm.,
Nipnobolus Kaulf, 165

Niphobolus adnascens Kaulf,
166

Obcordate, 8

Oblique, 9

227

Oblong, 8

Obovate, 8

Obreniform, 9

Obtuse, 7

Oleandra Cav., 162

Oleandra musefolia Kunze,
162

One-foliate, 6

Ophioglossacez, 198

Ophioglossum L., 198

Ophioglossum aitchisont
d' Almeida, 200

Ophioglossum
Schum., 202

Ophioglossum ° nudicaule L.,
200

Ophioglossum vulgatum L.,
199

fibrosum

Ophioglossum > reticulatum
*L., 199

Osmunda L., 192

Osmunda regalis L., 192

Osmundacee, 192

Oval, 8

Ovate, 8

Ovum, 16

Palmate, 6

Palmatifid, 7

Pectinate, 7

Peranema Don, 34

Peranema eyatheoides Don,
35

Phegopteris Fée, 163

Phegopteris ornata Bedd., 163

Pinnz, 6

Pinnate, 6

Pinnatifid, 7

Pinnules, 6

Placenta, 11 .

Pleocnemia membranacea
Bedd., 136

Pleocnemia
Presl., 135

Pleocnemia leuzeana Presl.,
136 :

membranifolia

Pleocnemiu Presl., 134

Pleopeltis H. and B., 168

Pleopeltis lanceolata Presl.,
171

Pleopeltis linearis Bedd., 170

Pleopeltis membranacea
Bedd., 172

Pleopeltis phymatodes Bedé.,
174

Pleopeltis punctata Bedd., 173

Pleopeltis simplex Sw., 171

Polybotrya H. B. K., 182

Polybotrya appendiculata
Bedd., 183

Polybotrya appendiculata var.
ausplentifolia Bedd., 183

Polypodiacee, 29

Polypodiee, 163

Polystichum Roth, 124

Polystichuxa aculeatum Roth,
125

Polystichun
Sw., 125

Prothallus, 14

Prothallium, 14

Protoplasm, 13

Pteridee, 55

Pteris L., 80

Pteris aquilina L., 92

Pteris cretica L., 84

Pteris erisiformis Burm., 85

Pteris longifolia L., 83

Pteris patens H. K., 90

Pteris pellucida Presl., 86

Pteris quadriaurita Retz., 88

Pteris wallichiana Ag., 91

auriculatum

Rachis, 6

Receptacle, 11
Reniform, 8
Reproductive organs, 11
Retuse, 7

Rhizoids, 14

Rhizome, 4

Ring, 11, 12

Root, 4

Root-hairs, 5
Rounded, 7

Sagittate, 9

Scales, 9

Schizwacee, 193

Schizoloma Gaud, 52

Schizoloma -ensifolia J. Sm.,
53, 54

Stgmainat heterophylla J.
Sm.,

Soh alos lobata Poir,.53

Segment, 7

Serrate, 6

Serrulate, 6

Sessile, 5

Sexual generation, 17

Shape, 8

Sharp-pointed, 8

Sickle-shaped, 9

Simple, 5

Sinuous, 7

Sinuate, 7

Sinuose, 7

Sperm, 14, 15

Spinulose-serrate, 6

Sporangium, 11

Spore-case, 11

Spores, ‘11, 13

Stenochlena J. Sm., 181

Stenochlena palustre Bedd.,
181

Stenoloma Feée, 49

Stenoloma chinensts Bedd.,
50

Stem, 4

Stipe, 5

Stolons, 19

Structure of ferns, 3

Subulate, 8

Surface, 9

228

| Taper-pointed, 8

Ternate, 6

Texture, 9

. Thammnopteris Pres)., 101

Thamnopteris nidus Presl.,
101

Three-foliate, 6

| Fhree-pinnatifid, 7.

Tree-ferns, 29

Trichomanes

~ Poir, 39

Trichowanes intermarginale
Hook and Grev., 39

Trichomanes kurzit Bedd., 38

Trichomanes Smith, 37

Tripinnate, 6

Tri-pinnatifid, 7

Truncate, 8

Two-foliate, 6

Two-pinnatifid, 7

bipunctatum

Undulate, 7
Unequal, 9

Vegetative reproduction, 18
Veinlets, 10

Veinlets, anastomosing; 10
Veinlets, free, 10 ~
Veinlets, reticulate, 10
Veins, 10

Veins, excurrent, 10
Veins, recurrent, 10.
Venation, lo

Vittaria Sm., 177
Vittaria elongata Sw., 178%
Water-ferns, 23

Wavy, 7

Wedge-shaped, 9

Re,
a

PRINTED AT THE DIOCESAN PRESS, MADRAS, 1922.