2. POLYPODIACE.E. [21. Plkopeltis. 



broad, the fertile linear. Venation obscure, pinnately anastomosing, 

 forming 3-4 series of areoles betAveen costa and margin including 

 simple or forked free veinlets with clavate apices. 8ori linear, con- 

 fluent, scarcely immersed, more or less mixed with scales or stellate 

 hairs, parallel to the costa or margin, sometimes at length covering 

 the whole undersurface of the frond. 



1. D. piloselloides, Presl. 



A pretty little epiphyte with the filiform rhizome clothed with 

 appressed narroAv-rhomboid peltate laciniate scales. Barren fronds 

 broadly ellipsoid, • 7-1" long only, rounded both ends or base obtuse, 

 young Avith stellate hairs ; stipes • V long only. Fertile frond linear 

 with tapering base, 1-5-3" long by about -2- -25" broad, tapering 

 into a short slender stipes. Sori finally covering the whole under- 

 surface except at base, mixed Avith stellate hairs. 



On trees overhanging perennial streams in dense evergreen forest in tlie Duars ! 

 I have observed similar epiphytes in like places in Purneah and the Mais of Pari, 

 but Avithout fertile fronds. Fr. Jan. -Feb. 



21. PLEOPELTIS, Humb. 4' Bonp. 



Very often epiphytic A\ith usually creeping rhizome. Stipes 

 scattered or more rarely tufted, articulate on the rhizome. Fronds 

 simple or more rarely divided, pinnae AAhen divided sometimes di- 

 morphic. Veins often clavate at the ends, copiously anastomosing, 

 forming irregular areoles with generally free included veinlets. Sori 

 naked, usually round, sometimes oblong, generally on the back of 

 united veinlets. 



This genus is included in Polypodium by many botanists; Pohjpodium then Avould 

 also include the genus Goniophlebium. 



A. Fronds linear, more or less opaque, scattered : — 



Fonds 3-10", ner\atiou invisible . . . . .1. linearis. 



Fronds 12-18", nervation visible . . . . .2. simplex. 



B. Fronds lanceolate or oblong acuminate Avith Avinged stipes or 



subsessile, membranous, venation distinct . . .3. membranacea. 



C. Fronds lanceolate acute or obtuse, fleshy-coriaceous when 



fresh, venation visible but weak Avhen dry . . .4. punctata. 



1. P. linearis, Bedd. Syn. Polypodium lineare, Thunb. 



A small epiphyte with creeping slender Avoody rhizome closely 

 covered AAdth lanceolate scales Avith thick-walled cells. Fronds 

 scattered, linear, undivided, 3-10" long, very coriaceous so that the 

 nerA^ation is invisible Avhen dry, base gradually narroAved into a stipes 

 of indefinite length, but usually under 1", both sides glabrous when 

 old, thinly ha'ry or scaly Avhen young. Sori large orbicular or ellipsoid, 

 in a single roAv 'alf-AAay between margin and midrib, not sunk. Cap- 

 sule pale Avith a red annulus and beautiful golden spores. 



Closely adhering to rocks, often among mosses and hepaticfe. Ranchi, at 

 Jfeterhat, 3U00 ft. ! Fr. April-June. 



Tip of frond often tAvisted in the hot season. NeiA-es closely reticulate with 

 forked free veinlets in the areoles. Young sori Avith copious thin peltate scales. 



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