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though not to such an extent as the fertile 

 ones ; fertile fronds long-stalked, the base often 

 decurrent on the stipes, cut down almost to the 

 midrib into elongated acuminate segments. 

 Surfaces naked. Texture membranaceous to 

 leathery. The costa or midribs of each segment 

 give rise to the costules or lateral branches 

 which run to the margin and are connected by 

 transverse veins forming 4-6 primary areoles 

 each including a number of smaller areoles with 

 or without free veinlets. Sori two in each 

 primary areole. 



Distribution : Bombay Presidency North 

 Kanara, Karwar, abundant on trees and rocks ; 

 Savantwadi, on trees and rocks ; Goa, Old 

 Goa on trees ; Konkan, Matheran, on 

 trees ; Mahableshwar ; Salsette on roots of 

 trees. 



Throughout the Indian region in the plains 

 or low down on the mountains. 



Also occurs in cultivation in Bombay. The 

 cultivated forms of this fern are more sturdy 

 and rigid than the ones growing wild. 



GENUS XL. PLEOPELTIS H. AND B. 

 (Deriv. Pleos, f-ull ; peltis, shield the sori 

 often furnished with round scales.) 



