ft 



ASPLENIEiE, 



* * * * Fans reticulated with marginal veinkts free. 



CETERACH. (Willdenow, Sp. PI. v. 136.) 



(Ceterach, Adanson; Notolepeum, Newman; Acrostichi Sp., Cavanilles; Asplenii Sp., Auct. ; Grammitidis Sp., Auct.; 

 Gymnopteridis Sp., Pernhardi; Scolopendrii Sp., Symons ; Vittariae Sp., Bernhardi; Gymnogrammatis Sp., Sprengel Sp. ; Blechni 

 Sp. Auct) 



Sori linear oblong, obsoletely indusiate j the receptacles lateral, usually anterior, i. e. in reference to the segment, (posterior in 

 the basal sori), Indusium "linear narrow plane, sometimes obsolete," (Hook) "thin narrow," (Fee.) Veins obscure, forked from a central 

 costa, parallel and soriferous below, anastomosing irregularly near the margin, the basal anterior venule (i. e., anterior in reference to the 

 frond) soriferous on its anterior side. 



Fronds pinnatifid coriaceous, densely clothed beneath with membranous imbricated scales, Rhizome short erect. This genus 

 is anomalous. Its affinity is with the Asplenia! on account of its lateral sori ; but the sori in the common species seem to be without 

 covers.-— (Moore). 



CETERACH OFFICINARUM. (Willd.) Caudex short thick densely rooting, fronds 6-10 inches long csespitose lanceolate 

 tapering below into a scaly slender stipes coriaceous opaque deeply pinnatifid subpinnate at the base green above and naked beneath 

 densely clothed with imbricated tawny entire or toothed scales, segments broad-ovate or oblong horizontal obtuse lower ones or pinnse 

 much abbreviated, veins anastomosing copiously towards the margin, sori short oblong, involucre very narrow often obsolete. Asplenium 

 Ceterach.— Hook. Sp. Fit. iii. 273.— Linn. Sp. PI, p. 1,538 ;— Grammitis Ceterach, Sw. Syn. Fil. p. 23 ;— Ceterach officinarum, Willd, 

 Sp. PI v. p. 136.— Webb. Fl. Canar. iii. p. U3.—HooJc. Gen. Fil. t. 113 A, and Brit. Flora, ed. 7. t. 9. /. l.—Mett. Hort. Fil. Lips. 

 p. SQ.—Pappe and Raws Syn. Fil. Afr. Austr. p. 23 ;— Seolopendrium Ceterach, Sm. Engl Pot t. 1,244-1. Gymnogramme Ceterach, 

 Spr. 



Hab. Throughout Europe, Asia, Siberia, Asia Minor, Northern Africa, North- West India, Persia, Thibet, Afghanistan, 

 Kashmir, Azores, Canary Islands, Brazil. 



PLATE No. LXXI. 



