74 BURMA, ITS PEOPLE AND PRODUCTIONS. 



veins simple or forked or anastomosing. Sori naked, oblong or linear, arising from, 

 and following the course of, the veins. 

 G. Javanica, Bl. 



Ehizome creeping; stipes smooth, scaleless, pale, 1-4 feet long; frond 1-4 feet, 

 pinnate, lower pinnai often again pinnate, shortly stalked, except sometimes the 

 upper ones, varying exceedingly in size according to the size of the plant, 3-12 

 inches long by w-2 inches broad, the apex drawn out into a line point. Sori copious, 

 simple or forked, running along the parallel veins from the mid-rib, but falling short 

 of the edge. Mountains .at 4000 feet and upwards. 



The only other species -which I have found are G. mvoluta {Selliguea Wallichiana, 

 Hook.), and G. decurrens ; — both also mountain ferns. 



MENiscruji,' Schrei. 



A small genus, with a Goniopteris appearance, habit and venation ; fronds 

 simple or pinnate ; sori contined to the connivent transverse veinlets, hence short, 

 and often somewhat concavo-convex, like a "meniscus" lens, whence the name. 

 Species very variable and apt to run into one another. M. triplnilluin, e.g. so called, 

 is often five-leaved, and sometimes runs J/. Piirisldi of Beddome close, wliicli last 

 Baker unites with M. cmpidatum of Blurae, probably lightly, even suggesting that 

 it is only "a mcniscoid form of Poli/podium {Goniopteris) uroj)hyllum," which indeed 

 it is uncommonly like. 



ANTEOPnTUH," Kdlllf. 



Another small genus, veiy uniform in character, consequently without any 

 very distinctive marks whereon to found species, of which probably too many have 

 been made. The species are all small fenis with simple undivided rather leathery 

 fronds, more or less lanceolate in shape and pointed, varying in length and breadth 

 3-12 inches by i-2 inches, sessile, or nearly so, on a small creeping rhizome. The 

 venation is reticulated with elongated meshes, sori copious, following the veins. 

 Among moss, generally on the perpendicular trunks of trees in damp jungles. 



The several varieties found in Burma are probably all referable to A. coriaccum 

 of Wallioh. 



ViTT.4JiiA,' Smith. 



A small genus, consisting of a few ferns with long, narrow, undivided, often 

 grass like fronds of leathery texture. Sori continuous along the edge or just inside 

 it. V. elongcita, a common fern, seen hanging like bunches of grass from trees, 

 sometimes has fronds 2 feet long and only ^ inch broad. V. falcata is a short rigid 

 species with ciu'ved fronds, which I find in mountainous districts. V. Amboi/nemis 

 I find on trees, ascent of Zing-kyik, behind Martaban ; and in the same locality, 

 as also on Madremacam, Mergui, 1 find a minute species, 1 inch in full length and 

 less than a line in width, though in full fruit. This is F. minor of Fee, var. 

 y3. minima (Species Filicum, V. p. 183). "Probably too near to V. falcata." — Hooker. 



T^xiTis Blechxoides,* Sw. 



A rather frequent fern. Ehizome creeping. Stipes 1-2 feet long, hard, brittle, 

 smooth; fronds I-I5 feet long by 8-12 inches broad, simply pinnate; pinn» 5 or 6 

 pairs and a terminal one, 6-12 inches long by 1 inch broad, pointed ; sori in two 

 long lines half-way between the mid-rib and the edge. Barren pinnae broader. 



Dhymoglossuji riLOSELLOiDES,' Presl. 



A small creeping ftrn, veiy much resembling Polgpodiiim nmnmularicefolium 

 (already described) in form ; in fact, until we come to the fructification, the descrij)- 



' Meniscium. ^rti/la-Kos, a young moou, from tlie shape of the sori. 



^ Antroplijiini. &vrpoi/, a eave ; and (pvcii, to produce - iroin the cavities between tlie sori. 



^ Vittaria. vitta, a band or fillet, from the form of the sori. 



' Ta>nitis. raivia, tania, same as vitta. 



^ Drymoglossum. Spvfiiis, a forest; and yKoKraa, a tongue. Application not very clear. 



