98 



(b) Lower pinnae not reduced to mere 

 auricles. 



(i) Greater portion of the frond pin- 

 nate. 



2. B. occidentale. 



(ii) Frond pinnate only at the very 

 base. 



3. B. cartilagineum. 



i. Blechnum orientate L. 



Caudex stout, erect, scaly. Stipes 4-8 inches 

 long, scaly below ; fronds 1-3 feet long, 6-12 

 inches broad, lance-shaped, ovate in outline, 

 pinnate ; the pinnae 4-8 inches long, f-f 

 inch broad, alternate, adherent, entire, linear, 

 sessile, tapering from a broad unequal base to 

 a fine point ; the upper pinnse decurrent ; some 

 of the lowest reduced to mere auricles. Sur- 

 faces naked. Texture leathery. Veins fine 

 and close, nearly parallel. [Fig. 36.] 



We have grown this fern in a fernery and 

 found that it thrives well when the pot is 

 saturated with water. 



Distribution : Bombay Presidency North 

 Kanara, very common Tinai Ghat, Devi- 

 munni Ghat, 1,300 feet, Katgal, Castle Rock ; 

 Mahableshwar ; Konkan, Amboli Hills (foot of 



