CHAPTER VI 



CHEILANTHES, Swart z. 



(Cheil-anth'-es.) 

 Lip Fern. 



HIS somewhat extensive genus is composed of mostly delicate- 

 looking Ferns, the majority of which are of small dimensions 

 and of a brittle nature. In Hooker and Baker's " Synopsis 

 Filicum" Cheilanthes forms Genus 25, which, we are informed, 

 comprises many species extending beyond the Tropics, with 

 fronds tri- or quadripinnatitid (three or four times divided to the midrib) and 

 of a sub -coriaceous (somewhat leathery) texture. The name is derived from 

 cheilos, a lip, and atzthos, a flower ; in reference to the indusium (covering 

 of the spore masses). All the plants included in the genus have their veins 

 free, and a further distinctive character of Cheilanthes resides in the disposition 

 of the sori (spore masses), which are terminal or nearly so on the veins, 

 small, and semi- spherical at first, but becoming more or less confluent 

 afterwards ; their involucre (covering), which is formed from the reflexed 

 margins of the segments, forms roundish and distinct little pouches, as may 

 readily be seen in G. myriophylla and also in C. hirta, or sometimes partly 

 connected together, as in C. argentea, but not quite continuous. 



Formerly, various Ferns partaking of the above-mentioned characters were 

 considered as representing several distinct genera according to the divisions of 

 their fronds, the smooth or hairy character of their various parts, and the 

 nature of their under- side, which in some plants is perfectly naked and in other 

 cases is thickly covered with a white or yellow, ceraceous (waxy) powder. 



