CHAPTER XXI. 



Y ITT ARIA, Smith. 



(Vit-ta'-ri-a.) 



Ribbon Ferns. 



HIS small genus, almost entirely composed of tropical plants 

 with free veins and grass-like fronds of a somewhat leathery 

 textm*e, derives its name from vitta, a ribbon, in allusion to 

 the narrow fronds of all the species which are comprised in it. 

 In Hooker and Baker's "Synopsis Filicum" it forms Genus 56, 

 and represents a sub-division of the tribe Grammitidece. Although very 

 interesting in themselves, Vittarias are not of much decorative value ; they 

 are very difficult of discrimination, and, although Fee (who has published an 

 elaborate, illustrated monograph of the genus in which, he rehes to a large 

 extent upon microscopic characters — the shape of the spores and abortive 

 capsules) describes a great number, we have considered it advisable to 

 follow Hooker and Baker, who admit only about a dozen species. These, 

 accordtQg to the disposition of the spores, are divided into two sections 

 as follow : 



EuviTTAKiA (Eu- vit-ta'-ri-a), or true Vittaria. In this division are 

 embraced plants with spore masses sunk in a distinctly two-lipped marginal 

 groove, 



T^Niopsis (Tajn-i-op'-sis), /. Smith. The plants of this section, which 

 is by far the larger of the two, have their spore masses disposed in a line 

 that is slightly intramarginal (situated about ^in. from the margin), with the 

 unaltered edge of the frond produced beyond and often rolled over it. 



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