278 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
Oss.—This tribe consists of nearly 100 known species, 
typically represented by the genus Cheilanthes, as origin- 
ally characterised by Swartz. I, however, include under 
it a number of species of Pteris of early authors. In most ` 
Cheilanthee the sporangiferous receptacles are free, not 
transversely connected as in true Pteris, but there are 
apparent exceptions to the correctness of this distinction ; 
there being instances of the normal punctiform sori of 
some species of Pellea so united and seated in the axis of 
the indusium, thus scarcely differing in technical character 
from Pieris, The smooth, polished, and generally firm 
texture of the fronds coincide, however, more with the 
species of Cheilanthes than with Pteris; I, therefore, deem ` ` 
it best to retain them in the present tribe, as being more 
their natural affinity than the tribe Pteridew. 
With regard to the genera of Cheilanthee as here 4 
restricted, I must own there is much difficulty in defining ` ` 
their limits, as derived from the technical character of Tm 
their fructification alone. 
155.—Notnocunana, R. Br. (1810). 
Nothochlena and Cheilanthes, sp. Hook. Sp. Fil. 
Vernation fasciculate, cæspitose, acaulose. Fronds pin- ` 
nate or bipinnate, 6 to 18 inches high, pilo-tomentose, 
squamose or farinose. Veins forked, free. Receptacles 
terminal. Sporangia few to each receptacle, contiguous, 
forming a marginal row in the axis of the inflexed rudi- 
mentary indusium. 
Type. Pteris trichomanoides, Linn, ae 
Ilust. Moore, Ind, Fil, p. 55 B.; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit. 
and Ro, fig. 86 ; Hook. Syn. Fil, t. 6, fig. 50. ` 
