294 FERNS I BEITISH AND FOKETGN. 



often words of doubtful origin, and unmeaning appli- 

 cation to the plants, have been given as generic 

 names by even the most learned botanists. 



N.B. For all names ending and beginning with 

 Pteris, see Pteris. 



A coniopteris, oikon, a point, and pteris ; the veins forming sharp 



angles close to the margin of the frond in the typical 



species. 

 Acrostichum, akros, highest, stichos, order ; the fructification at 



the top of the fronds, 

 Adiantum, adiantos, dry ; when plunged in water comes out 



dry. 

 Alsophila, alsos, grove, pliileo, to love ; grows in groves and 



shady places. 

 Amphidesmium, am/pM, around, or on both sides, desmos, a 



band ; relating to the position of the sori to one another. 

 Anapeltis, ano, without, peltis, shield ; the sori naked, in oppo- 

 sition to Pleopeltis. 

 Anchistea, agnati, kindred, intermediate between Woodwardia 



and Doodia. 



Anemia, aneimon, naked; naked spikes of fructification. 

 Anemidictyon, veins reticulated ; not free as in Anemia. 

 Anetium, probably from the Greek anaitios, guiltless. This is 



perhaps meant to indicate that A. citrifolium had been put 



wrongfully to Acrostichum. 



Angiopteris, angio, open, pteris ; the open sporangia. 

 Antigramrna, anti, opposite, gramma, a line; the linear sori 



being in pairs opposite to each other. 

 Antrophyum, antrum, a den or hollow; the receptacles of 



sporangia being in a grove or channel. 

 Arthropteris, arthron, joint, pteris ; the frond and pinnae being 



articulate. 

 Aspidium, aspidos ; the indusium being like a buckler or 



shield. 

 Asplenium, a, privative, splen, the spleen ; medical qualities. 



Balantmm, lalantion, a purse or bag ; the form of the indu- 

 sium. 



Blechnum, one of the Greek names for a fern. 



Botrychium, botrys, bunch or raceme ; the fructification like a 

 bunch of grapes. 



