7908 . CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 
Type. Brainea insignis, Hook. 
Illust. Moore, Ind. Fil, p. 34 A.; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit. 
and For., fig. 103; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 53. 
Oss.—A solitary species constitutes this genus, the 
affinity to which is difficult to determine. The stout 
. Zamia-like caudex, squamose vernation, and pinnate, rigid 
fronds indicate a relationship in natural affinity with 
Lomaria Boryana and Sadleria cyatheoides, but its being 
destitute of an indusium and the anastomose venation of 
its sterile fronds, distinguishes it from these genera. In 
the “ Species Filicum ” it is placed next to Gymnogramme, 
whieh includes species with both free and anastomose 
venation, and if the lines of sporangia of Brainea are 
viewed as simple sori, it has therefore as good a claim to 
be placed in Gymnogramme as many other species placed in 
that genus, as characterised in the “ Species Filicum.” 
On taking all points into consideration, and the circum- 
stance of a cultivated plant of Brainea at Kew having 
produced a bipinnatifid or almost bipinnate frond, proves. 
that the more usual simple pinnate state is not the normal 
condition of development, and such gives it more of an 
_ affinity with Sadleria. It is found in two localities, namely, 
Hong Kong, Khasya in Eastern Bengal. 
Sp. B. insignis (Hook.) (v v.), Hook. Fil. Ezot., t. 38. 
174.—Doop1a, R. Br. (1810). 
Hook. Sp. Fil, 
Vernation fasciculate, erect, acaulose. Fronds lanceolate, 
pinnatifid or pinnate, the fertile sometimes sub-contracted, 
segments serrate or spinulose. Veins forked, the lower 
venules transversely anastomosing and sporangiferous. ` 
Receptacles medial, elongated, constituting one, or some- 
