157 



(i) Fronds drooping ; pinnae up to eight 

 inches long, ij} inches broad, acu- 

 minate ; upper base rarely shortly 

 auricled. 



3. N. acuta* 



(ii) Fronds erect ; pinnae 2-3 inches 

 long, J-J inch broad, acute ;. 

 base always distinctly auricled, 

 the upper auricle the larger. 



.4. N. exaltata* 



(Hi) Pinnae laciniate, covered with ferru- 

 gineous hairs. 



5. N. rufescens* 



II. Rhizome climbing. 



6. N. volubilis. 



i. Nephrolepis cordifolia Baker 



Caudex almost erect, giving off wiry fibres 

 (stolons) bearing tufts of fronds at intervals 

 and often bearing tubers. 



Stipes tufted, wiry, scaly. Fronds up to two 

 feet long, pinnate ; pinnae i-ij inches long,. 

 Jf inch broad, margin entire or crenate, 

 lower base rounded or cordate, the upper base 

 distinctly auricled. Texture leathery. Rachis 



