OPHIOGIOSSACE-S. 2SYLIOGLOSSE.E. CXXV. 



serial along each margin of the compressed spike, with which 

 they are connate, horizontal, globose, bursting in two equal 

 hemispherical valves. Veins uniformly reticulated in roundish 

 or elongated hexagonal areoles, sometimes from an indistinct 

 costa, occasionally obscure ; the ultimate areoles with or without 

 included free veinlets. 



Fronds sub-carnose two- or many- branched, the sterile branch 

 simple dichotomously -parted or palmato-lobate, the fertile simple ; 

 sometimes the fronds simple, the fertile and sterile distinct and 

 dissimilar. Ehizome fleshy, sub-globose or short cylindrical- 

 dvate. 



Euophioglossum. Fertile spikes solitary; sterile branches ovate or 



linear. 



Ex. : 0. vulgatum, Lin. I O. reticulatum, Lin. 



O. lusitanieum, Lin. O. bulbosnm, Mich. 



O. pedunculosum, Desv. \ O. Wightii, Hook and Gfr. 



OpUoderma Fertile spikes solitary ; sterile branches fasciaeform, di- 



chotomous or sometimes undivided. 

 Ex. : 0. pendulum, Lin. \ 0. intermedium, Hook. 



Rhizoglossitm. Sterile and fertile fronds distinct. 

 Ex. : O. Bergianum, Schlech. 

 Cheiroglossum. Fertile spikes several from the margin of the sterile 



branch, at its base. 

 Ex, : 0. palmatum, Lin, 



Order LYCQVQVIACEM. 

 1 PHYLLOGKLOSSES:. 



with fig. 

 LTCOPODII sp., Spring. 



Spore-cases (autheridia) one-celled, two-valved, opening by a 

 transverse vertical cleft, reniform, sessile and solitary in the axils 

 of bracts which are collected into a short pedunculated spike. 

 Spores numerous, very minute. 



A dwarf herb, with orchidiform tubers, and a few simple fibres 

 from the crown. Leaves few subulate, erect, radical, shorter 

 than the erect scape, which is naked below and terminated by a 



