19 
tum L. and Adiantum lunulatum Burm. often 
root at the extremities producing new plants 
which separate from the parent plant and live 
independently. In the genus Nephrolepis the 
rhizome sends out several stolons which bear 
buds that develop into new plants. Small buds 
or bulbils which fall off and become indepen- 
dent individuals are often produced on the 
fronds of several ferns like Ceratopteris thalic. 
troides Brong., Asplentum viviparum Presl., 
Asplemum Belangert Kaze.  Amtsogonium 
esculentum Presl., and Aspidium cicutarium 
Sw. In Asprdiwm macrophyllum Sw. the buds 
arise on the rhizome. 
5. DistRiBuTION AND Hasitats oF FERNS 
To gain an idea of the distribution of Ferns 
in the Bombay Presidency, it will be necessary 
to briefly describe the physical features of the 
country which have a great influence on the 
vegetation. Along the sea coast to the north 
and south of Bombay isa tract of low-lying 
country, the Konkan, bounded on the east by the 
Western Ghats. The latter mountains form 
the western escarpment of the high plateau of 
the Deccan, a good portion of which comes 
