65 



Class.— FILICINE^. 



Oi?^<e3?.— Cilices (]Pei?33.s). 

 Type. -THE MALE FERN. ASPIDIUSS FILIX-MAS. 



MOEPHOLOGY. 



Tlie underground stem or rootstoch is fleshy, and 

 covered witli dead leaf bases. This stem di:ffers from 

 other stems only in degree. There are no viternodes. 

 The apex is always crowned with the leaves of the 

 present year arranged on a more or less flattened axis ; 

 it talies two-and-a-half years for Aspidium leaves to 

 unfold. The old portions of the rootstock die awaj'-. 

 The joung leaves are clothed with flat, brown, rela- 

 tively large hairs called Ramenta. Tiie function of 

 this ramentaceous covering is threefold : — 



1. It prevents too rapid transpiration. 



2. It protects from sudden changes of temperature. 



3. It protects from the attacks of parasites. 



The Leaves are known as Fronds. They arise in 

 acropetal succession, bear the reproductive organs on 

 their under surfaces, and are characterised by 

 eircinate vernation. 



V&rnation means the folding of the individual 

 leaves. 



