Filices.] THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS. 429 
(Cryptogramma), found on the lofty mountains of Kemaon, of which the others occur 
in Europe, Arctic America, and on the Andes ; Woodwardia, prevalent in the northern 
hemisphere, chiefly in the New World, and also in Tropical America; Osmunda and 
Botrychium, found in the temperate and cold parts. of both hemispheres ; Scolopendrium 
is stated as being a native of the Himalayas; but Mr. Don, from naming his species, 
S. dubium, appears to be himself doubtful on the subject. Arthobotrys, Dr. Wallich 
suggests, is only a species of Aspidium; and Spheropteris is a genus which is peculiar 
to Nepal. | 
In extending our view from genera to species we shall find confirmations of the same 
- general principles which we have seen to hold good in other natural families ; though 
many species are of course peculiar to India, others likewise occur elsewhere. Thus 
some are found in the New World, as Acrostichum aureum, L., Polypodium phymatodes, 
L., Adiantum lunulatum, Burm., Aspidium exaltatum, Sw., Davallia tenuifolia, Sw., 
Pteris longifolia, L.., P. biaurita, Lin., is also considered by some botanists as occurring 
in India, but the species has been named P. nemoralis by Dr.Wallich. 
Others, common in the islands of the great ocean, and in the Indian Archipelago, 
extend into India, as Polypodium alternifolium, Willd., P. quercifolium, L., Pteris nemo, 
ralis, Lomaria scandens, Willd., Vittaria elongata, Sw., Davallia polypodioides, Don- 
which appears to be the same as D. flaccida, Gleichenia Hermanni, Br., Lygodium micro- 
phyllum, L., and semibipinnatum. + 
Some Chinese and Japan species are also found in the Himalayas, as Nothochlena 
piloselloides, Kaulf., which is common in the Archipelago, Meniscium triphyllum, Pteris 
semipinnata, Linn., and P, nervosa, Thunb., Blechnum orientale, and Lygodium japonicum. 
As we have seen the prevalence of European species of other families in the Himalayas, 
so do we among the Ferns, as Adiantum Capillus Veneris, L., Asplenium Trichomanesy L., 
and A. septentrionale, Sw., Woodwardia radicans, Sw., A. plebeium, Br., is near A. Ruta 
muraria, L., and is so named in Dr. Wallich’s Catalogue, No. 233. Pteris leta, Wall., is 
thought by Mr. Don to be identical with P. cretica, of the south of Europe. P/eopeltis 
nuda, found all alowg the Himalayas, is very closely allied to P. ensifolia, found at the 
Cape of Good Hope; while Pieris deltoides, nob., is very similar to P. calomelanos, 
another Cape of Good Hope species, | 
Ferns, though extensively diffused, and eae curious in a canoes are ak less 
direct utility to man, than many other families of plants less numerous in species, and 
individuals. The fronds of some have been burnt for the purposes of yielding alkali, 
though none is detected in the analysis of male Fern; while those of other species, 
when young, are cropped by cattle. In a cooked state, they are also employed as a 
portion of the diet of the inhabitants of Norway and of Scotland, and, as I have seen 
by the shepherds in the Himalayas; and the roots of Nephrodium esculentum, are eaten 
in Nepal, according to Dr. Hamilton; Diplazium esculentum, Pteris esculenta, and 
others, are also employed as food. P. aguilina and Nephrodium Filiv Mas, have been 
used in the manufacture of beer, and Aspidium fragrans as a substitute for tea. 7 
Though 
