6. Asplenium.] 2. POLYP ODIACJB&. [8. Ptebis, 



5. Asplenium, L. 



1. A. esculentuni, Presl t Syn. Anisogonium eseulentum. 



A large fern with an erect stoat catidex and a terminal 

 tuft of 2-pinnate fronds 3-5 ft. long. Veins from the cost® 

 uniting in an intermediate nerve with those from the next 

 costse. Sori linear, one on each vein. Indusium opening 

 •io wards the costa, rarely a sorus each side of the vein. 

 Marshy places, frequent. Fr. Decr.-Jany. 



Stipes 1-2 ft. more or less 4-angled and grooved, pale with few scales. 



Pinnce often 1 ft., alternate rather distant. Pinnules 1-4" opp. or alt. 



linear-lanceolate acuminate sessile with a very truncate or slightly 



sagittate or auricled base, margin crenate-serrate. Lower surface puberul- 



<ms. Sori rg-rs" long- 

 Young fronds eaten. 



allied to this genus is Athyrium, to which belongs A. Felix- 

 femina, L a common European fern, frequent in damp forests in Chota 

 Nagpur. Fronds lanceolate 2-3-pinnate and pinnatifid. The veins are 

 quite free. The indusia are many of them curved. 



7. Blechnum, L. 

 1. B. orientale, L. 



A very large fern with simply pinnate fronds up to 4 or 

 5 ft. long on an erect caudex. Pinnae sessile entire linear- 

 lanceolate caudate with very numerous fine close veins 

 spreading from the mid-rib (rachie) of the pinna. Sporan- 

 gia in a continuous line both sides of the rachis, with an 

 ^ndusium opening towards it. 



Near streams, very common. Fr. Nov.-Jany. 



8. Pteris, L, 



Fronds tufted or not, on an erect or creeping caudex 

 1-pinnate, or pinnate and pinnatifid. Sporangia continuous 



131 



