22 



shrubland and woodland, there is little scope for 

 a luxuriant fern flora. It is only in the decidu- 

 ous forests along the Satpura Hills that a good 

 number of ferns occur. 



The majority of ferns recorded in this book 

 are moisture-loving and live in the shade of the 

 forest, either in the damp soil rendered rich by 

 vegetable mould or on damp rocks, or again (as 

 epiphytes) on the trunks of trees. 



But there are a good number of ferns which 

 prefer open situations and are to be found on 

 hill-sides and grassy places on the outskirts of 

 forests, especially on the lee-ward side of the 

 prevailing winds. Amongst these may be 

 mentioned Gleichema linearis Bedd., Schizolo- 

 ma ensifolia J. Sm., Adiantum caudatum L., 

 Cheilanthes farinosa Kaulf., Pteris aquilina L., 

 Actiniopteris dichotoma Bedd. and Hemionitis 

 arifolia Bedd. The West Indian Gymuo- 

 grammc calomelanos Kaulf., which is fast 

 becoming naturalized in India, also occurs in 

 similar situations. 



Altitude is also a factor that determines the 

 distribution of species. Many ferns occurring 

 at high elevations are not to be found lower 

 down and vice versa. Thus Cheilanthes fari- 

 nosa Kaulf. and Gleichenia linearis Bedd. have 



