250 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 



Sect. 3. GYMNOSPRZERA. 

 Sori naked. 



A. glabra (Blume) ; A. squarnulata (SI.) 



OBS. These two species are natives of India, Malacca, 

 and Java. 



In Norfolk Island, Alsopliila excelsa (now nearly extinct) 

 has been measured 60 to 80 feet in height, the stem being 

 smooth and tesellated, as in Cyatliea arborea. In Tasmania 

 A. australis also attains a considerable height, forming a 

 trunk a foot or more in diameter, which differs from 

 A. excelsa in the base of the frond being permanent and 

 muricate, thus forming a rough stem. On Mount Wel- 

 lington it grows in ravines to a considerable elevation, 

 even to the region of snow. 



In Sikkim A. comosa attains the height of 25 feet, with a 

 circumference of 7 feet 8 inches ; the fronds are deciduous, 

 falling away in August ; they bear bulky stems, then 

 standing in groups like pillars. 



133. TRICHOPTERIS, Presl. (1822). 

 Alsopliila sp.j Hook. Sp. Fil. 



Vernation fasciculate, erect, caudex arborescent. Fronds 

 bipinnate, 4 to 6 feet long, smooth, stipes articulate with 

 the stem ; pinnae distant ; pinnules lanceolate, sub-serrate, 

 short petiolate articulate with the rachis. Ferns pinnately 

 forked ; venules free, their apices clavate. Receptacles 

 lateral, scarcely elevated, oblong on the venule. Sori 

 contiguous, confluent, forming a broad compound trans- 

 verse, medial sorus, and criniferous. 



Type. Polypodium Tcenitis, Roth. 



