50 POLYPODIUM, § NIPHOBOLUS. 



acuminate subsinuate moderately attenuate decurrent not 

 unfrequently broader and subhastate at the base then sud- 

 denly cuneate, sometimes wrinkled above by the impres- 

 sions of the sori from the other side and obscurely nigro- 

 punctate, below the stellated tomentum is long retained, 

 venation immersed but evidently that of Campyloneurum, 

 costules indistinct, intervening areoles 14-16, each with free 

 included soriferous veins, sori scarcelv sunk small and but 

 slightly elevated above the tomentum very copious arranged 

 with great regularity. — P. vestitum, Wall. mst. in Herb. Hook. 



Hab. Chiefly North Bengal and along the lower ranges of the Himalaya, from 

 very low altitudes of Silhet and Assam to 3500 feet (in Kumaon), from Simla 

 (Madden, Edgevorth) in the west to Boutan {Griffith) in the east, JJ'allich (Nepal) , 

 Strachey and Winterboftom, Hooker fil. and Thomson. — Specimens of this Fern 

 were sent to me from Nepal as early as 1818 by Dr. Wallich, and had I only those 

 to rely upon I might have been disposed to refer them, though with great hesitation, 

 to some described species; but I have since received a copious suite from other 

 collectors, which, though variable in size and sliape, are referable to one and the 

 same species. It seems peculiar to northern Bengal. In my specific character, 

 1 have pointed out its main distinctive marks, and future observations must de- 

 termine their permanency or otherwise. 



310. P. (Niphobolus) costatum, Wall.; caudex creeping 

 rufo-paleaceous v.ith slender subulate scales, stipites subag- 

 gregate I inch to a span long angled, fronds a span to \\-2 

 feet and more long 1-2-3 inches and more broad firm (but 

 not apparently carnoso-) coriaceous even submembranaceous, 

 in age glabrous above, beneath densely stellato-tomentose 

 and subfurfuraceous (tomentum forming a close coat) lanceo- 

 late or suboblanceolate acuminate gradually tapering below 

 and decurrent upon the stipes, primary veins or costules dis- 

 tinct elevated on the under side, sori immersed very minute 

 and numerous arranged in compact closely placed lines or 

 series between the costules and in equally-compact series 

 transversely with them. — Wall. Cat. p. 265. Metten. Polyp. 



p. 131. t. i.f. 14 {venation). Niphobolus, Pr. Apalophle- 

 bia, P7\ Epim.p. 138. Niphob. venosus, Bl. Fil. Jav.p. 63. 

 i. 28 (^?er^/ good, but small fronds). Apalophlebia, Pr. Epim, 



p. 139. 



Hab. Nepal, Kumaon, and all along the Himalayan range, from Kumaon to 

 Sikkim, Khasya, and Assam, Wallich, n. 2Gb, Griffith, Strachey and Winter- 

 bottom, Simons, Hooker and Thomson (alt. 2000 feet). Moulmeine, Parish, n. 

 17. New Guinea, Hindes. Java, Blume, Zollinger.— Ihh, I think, lias the 

 smallest and most copious sori of any of the Niphobolus section ; but, numerous 

 as they are, they will be seen to be arranged in regular but closely compacted 

 series. 



