THE FERNS OF NICARAGUA. j-- 



Aspidium parasiticum Swz , Svn. Fil., p. 49. 



Nefkrodium malic Desv., — Lieb., Mex. Breg., p. 123: Mett., Ub. Ein 

 Farng., pt. iv, p. 103: Hook., Sp. Fil., vol. iv, p. 67 (in part): Hook, and 

 Bak., Syn. Fil., p. 293: Smith, Ferns, Br. and For., p. 140: Hemsl., Biol. 

 Cent. Am., vol. in, p. 64S : Hitch., PI. Bah., p. 155. 



Rare in deep woods near Castillo. Two specimens, one 

 fertile and one sterile, were found. The rootstocks were 

 nearly erect, and are covered by the coarse, rigid, dark -col- 

 ored roots, and the bases of old stipes. The stipe, rachis and 

 midribs of the pinnae are densely coated with short purplish- 

 brown hairs, the form probably being A. violascens Link. 

 The veins and margins of the pinna? are white-hairv, and the 

 indusia. which are small and distinct, but deciduous, are cili- 

 ated with long white hairs. 



The fertile frond is narrower, with more remote pinnae. 

 There seems to be no question that this is P. -parasiticum L.. 

 and the latter specific name was used by the earlier authors. 

 Reported from Realejo by Hemsley. 



S. X. endresi Bale. PI. xviii. Figs. 11. 12. 



Bak., Sum. New Ferns, p. 69 (from Costa Rica). 



The specimens in the collection agree exactlv with Baker's 

 description excepting that the stipes in all are sparsely scaly 

 near the base. The scales are lanceolate, acute and brown. 

 Four plants with nine fronds were collected in the somewhat 

 sandy soil of the higher woods near Castillo. Of these three 

 are copiously fruited, and the others show a few scattered 

 sori. The fertile fronds are not uniformly smaller than the 

 sterile. All are cordate at the base, and one shows indica- 

 tions of lobes near the base. The sori. which are provided 

 with distinct, smooth, reniform indusia, are sometimes placed 

 at the ends of free included veinlets. but more frequently they 

 are attached at or near the juncture of two or three veins. 



The stipes measure from 3 X 4 to 12 inches, and the fronds 

 from 4 to 6y 2 inches in length. In width the latter vary 

 from i 1 ^ to 2y 2 inches. 



The rootstock is short, T \ of an inch in diameter, horizontal, 

 brown, and is covered with the dark-brown wiry roots, and 



