﻿VI. i»olye»odiacea:e. 



Sori definite, marginal, submarginal or dorsal, various in shape, puncti- 

 form, round, oblong", reniform or linear, often indefinite and consisting of 

 numerous capsules crowded densely over the under surface or portions of 

 the under surface, occasionally extending ± on both surfaces of the fronds. 

 Capsules usually stalked, provided with a longitudinal, incomplete annulus, 

 interrupted by the stalk (except in Plagiogyria, which has the capsules of 

 Cyatheae), opening ^by a transversal stomium. Indusium wanting or present, 

 various in shape and size. 



Rhizome ^creeping or erect, rarely arborescent. Fronds various in shape, 

 size and appearance; veins free or anastomosing variously. 



A most extensive family inhabiting almost every part of the world. 



Arrangement of the tribes, 



Indiisiatae. Indusium present. 



§1. WOODSI£AE. Sori globose, oblong or linear, situated on the back 

 or apex of a vein or veinlet. Indusium inferior, cupuliform, globose 

 or sausage-shaped, fastened all round the receptacle, open at the 

 top or rupturing down irregularly. Stipes not articulate to the 

 rhizome. 



§2. ASPIDIEAE. Sori oblong, round or reniform, medial or terminal 

 on the veins. Indusium superior, of the same shape as the sorus, 

 fastened by a longitudinal axis, a central point or at the top of a 

 ± deep sinus, opening all round the edge or nearly so. Stipes in 

 most of the genera not articulate to the rhizome. 



§ 3. DAVALLIEAE. Sori roundish, oblong or linear, rarely medial on 

 the veins but more generally submarginal and then solitary and ter- 

 minal on the vein tips or uniting theVapices of 2 or more veins or 

 veinlets. Indusium ± of the same shape, attached at the inner side 

 of the sorus, opening outwardly. Stipes whether or not articulate 

 to the rhizome. 



§ 4. PTERIDEAE. Sori roundish, oblong or linear, submarginal, solitary 

 and terminal on the vein tips, often confluent into a submarginal line 



