278 CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 



OBS. This tribe consists of nearly 100 known species, 

 typically represented by the genus Cheilanthes, as origin- 

 ally characterised by Swartz. I, however, include under 

 it a number of species of Pteris of early authors. In most 

 Cli&ilantliece the sporangiferous receptacles are free, not 

 transversely connected as in true Pteris, but there are 

 apparent exceptions to the correctness of this distinction ; 

 there being instances of the normal punctiform sori of 

 some species of Pellcea so united and seated in the axis of 

 the indusium, thus scarcely differing in technical character 

 from Pteris. The smooth, polished, and generally firm 

 texture of the fronds coincide, however, more with the 

 species of Cheilanthes than with Pteris I, therefore, deem 

 it best to retain them in the present tribe, as being more 

 their natural affinity than the tribe Pteridece. 



With regard to the genera of Cheilanthece as here 

 restricted, I must own there is much difficulty in defining 

 their limits, as derived from the technical character of 

 their fructification alone. 



155. ]SToTHOCHL,ENA, E. Br. (1810). 

 Nothochlcena and Cheilanthes, sp. Hook. Sp. Fil. 



Vernation fasciculate, csespitose, acaulose. Fronds pin- 

 nate or bipinnate, 6 to 18 inches high, pilo-tomentose, 

 squamose or farinose. Veins forked, free. Receptacles 

 terminal. Sporangia few to each receptacle, contiguous, 

 forming a marginal row in the axis of the inflexed rudi- 

 mentary indusium. 



Type. Pteris trichomanoides, Linn. 



Illust. Moore, Ind. Fil., p. 55 B. ; J. Sm., Ferns, Brit. 

 and For., fig. 86 ; Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 6, fig. 50. 



