170 



(it) Texture fleshy, leathery. Vena- 

 tion sunk, distinct when dry. 



5. P. punctfita. 



II. Fronds deeply pinnatifid. 



6. P. phymatodcs. 



i. Pleopeltis linearis Bedd. 



Rhizome wide-creeping, scaly. Fronds 

 simple, entire, linear-lanceolate up to twelve 

 inches long and scarcely an inch broad. Sur- 

 faces naked or nearly so. Texture leathery. 

 Venation indistinct, reticulated, the meshes 

 including free forked veinlets. Sori large, 

 prominent, arranged in two rows on each side of 

 the midrib and half-way between the latter and 

 the margin. Each sorus consists of clusters 

 of sporangia intermixed with peltate long- 

 stalked scales. 



The fronds of this fern roll up after the rains, 

 remaining green and leathery, and so resist 

 the dry season. 



Distribution : Bombay Presidency North 

 Kanara, Castle Rock, Gersoppa Falls ; Kon- 

 kan jungles ; Matheran on trees ; Amboli 

 Hills ; Mahableshwar on trees ; Purandhar. 



