SYNGRAMME— ELAPHOGLOSSUM 



235 



XLVI] 



it is four-rowed. The sum of these characters, and particularly the habit of 

 S. quinata, reveals a general likeness, allowance being made for Syngrainme 

 being advanced in certain details. The comparison must be held as sug- 

 gestive rather than finally convincing: it may serve a useful end, leading 

 to more exact investigation later. It must not, however, be forgotten that 

 the geographical distribution of the present day raises difficulty: for Metaxya 

 is from tropical America, while Syngrainme is essentially Malayan. 

 a 



b 



Fig- 735- « = venation of part of 2^\Q.z.i oi Syngramme borneensis (Hk.) J. Sm., showing marginal 

 fusions. (5 = basal regionof a similar leaf showing the fusions omitted. c = venation oi Syngramine 

 ahinifolia (Pr.) J. Sm., from a herbarium specimen from Singapore. ^=ditto, but showing more 

 complex reticulation. ( x 4. ) 



ElaphoCxLossum Schott (1834) 

 Unlike the more strictly localised Syngrainme this large genus is widely 

 spread throughout the tropics, both eastern and western, but particularly 

 in the latter. It is represented in the Malayan region, but not so richly as 

 elsewhere. It comprises some 280 species. The simple leaves have a well- 

 marked mid-rib and simple or forked venation, sometimes anastomosing, 

 but more frequently looped near to the margin (Fig. 736). The leaves 

 are more or less dimorphic, with pronounced Acrostichoid soral surface 

 (Fig- 737)- In his monograph of the genus Christ plainly states his opinion 

 that Elaphoglossum is far removed from other Acrosticheae. The only 

 Ferns which he recognises as resembling them are those of the genus 

 Syngramme, which correspond to it in habit and venation. The chief differ- 



