22 
shrubland and woodland, there is little scope for 
a luxuriant fern flora. It is only in the decidu- 
ous forests along the Satpura Hills that a good 
number of ferns occur. 
The majority of ferns recorded in this book 
are moisture-loving and live in the shade of the 
forest, either in the damp soil rendered rich by 
vegetable mould or on damp rocks, or again (as 
epiphytes) on the trunks of trees. 
But there are a good number of ferns which 
prefer open situations and are to be found on 
hill-sides and grassy places on the_ outskirts of 
forests, especially on the lee-ward side of the 
prevailing winds. Amongst these may be 
mentioned Gletchenta linearis Bedd., Schizolo- 
ma ensifolia J. Sm., Adiantum caudatum L., 
Cheilanthes farinosa Kaulf., Pteris aquilina L., 
Actiniopterts dichotoma Bedd. and Hemionitis 
avifolia Bedd. The West Indian Gymno- 
gramme calomelanos Kaulf., which is fast 
becoming naturalized in India, also occurs in 
similar situations. 
Altitude is also a factor that determines the 
distribution of species. Many ferns occurring 
at high elevations are not to be found lower 
down and vice versa. Thus Chetlanthes fari- 
nosa Kaulf. and Gleichenta linearis Bedd. have 
