CHARACTERS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 147 



Obs. — A. ohliquum of Blume is founded on simple fronds, 

 which may be considered as an abnormal state. 



Tribe 7.— MBNISCE.^. (Plate 7.) 



Fronds pinnate, rarely simple. Vviiis anastomosing, 

 evident. Sori linear, arcuate transverse or reticulated, 

 often confluent. 



Obs. — This tribe consists of about a dozen species, the 

 principal number being comprehended under the genus 

 Meniscium. 



Hitherto I have associated Meniscium with Dictijopieris 

 and Goniopteris, and there is no doubt that it forms a 

 natural connection between Ptecilopteris and these genera ; 

 but on viewing what I have stated under Pnicilopleris, 1 

 now consider it to have more relationship with that genus 

 than with its former allies, I therefore rank it as a transition 

 tribe between AcrosticliecB and Pherjopjteridecp., of which 

 Meniscium simplex is an example, and, as already stated 

 at page 62, cultivated plants become truly aorostichoid, 

 but as the venation of the sterile frond is more in charactei' 

 with that of Meniscium than with Pteeilopterls, I therefore 

 retain it under the former. 



62.— Meniscium, Schreh. (1791). 

 Vernation decmnbent, sub fasciculate. Fronds contig-uous, 

 pinnate, rarely simple, 1 to 8 feet high. Primary veins 

 costfeform, pinnate, each opposite pair of venules angularly 

 or arcuately anastomosing, and siDorangiferoua, ])roducing 

 from their junction an excurrent, free, sterile veinlet. 

 Beceptacles linear, continued across the junction of the 

 venules, forming arcuate transverse sori. Sporangia in 

 some species pilose. 



