CHAPTER VIL 



CRYPTOGRAMME, R. Brown. 

 (Cryp-tog-ram'-me.) 

 Mountain Parsley Fern, or Rock-Brake. 



HIS genus, which in Hooker and Baker's " Synopsis Filicum " 

 is given as Genus 29, is closely related to Pello^a, from which 

 it differs principally through the dimorphic nature of the 

 fronds of the few plants of which it is composed — fertile and 

 barren ones, totally different in appearance and in conformation, 

 being invariably produced by the same root. The name Cryjjtogramme, which 

 is derived from crypto., hidden, and gramme., writing, was given to it by 

 R. Brown, in allusion to the concealed sori (spore masses), which are terminal 

 on the veins, at first separate, sub-globose (nearly spherical), afterwards 

 confluent and arranged in lines hidden beneath the continuous involucre 

 (covering), which is formed of the changed margin of the frond, rolled over 

 them until they arrive at maturity. The present name has superseded that of 

 AUosorus, which, at the commencement of the present century, Bernliardi gave 

 to a genus formed with eight or nine species of Cheilanthes, one Pella^a, and 

 one Pteris, but which is at present restricted to a section of the genus 

 Pellwa only. 



It is worthy of notice that the genus Cryjjtogramme is composed of 

 a solitary, but distinct and very pretty, species, of British or European origin, 

 and of only two varieties — one from Northern India, where it is found 

 growing at from 9000ft. to 13,000ft. elevation, and another, a North American 



VOL. IT. J. 



