LINDSAY A. 



367 



L. rigida — rig'-id-a (rigid), /. Smith. 



This is a thoroughly distinct species, native of the Malayan Peninsula, 

 and at present seldom found in collections. It has a very peculiar appearance, 

 owing to the formation of its fronds and the nature of their rigid, erect stalks, 

 4in. to 6in. long, furnished with short, distant prickles at the base. The 

 fronds are produced from a wide -creeping rhizome (stem) of a densely -scaly 

 nature, and are composed of a long, unbranched central point and one to 

 four pairs of flexuose (zigzag-bending) lateral branches 4in. to Sin. long. 

 The pinnules (leafits) into which these are again subdivided are of a very 

 thick and leathery texture, with prominent veins ; they have their lower edge 

 often falcate (sickle-shaped), the upper ones three or four times bluntly, not 

 deeply, lobed, placed close together, but not overlapping ; those of the upper 

 side of the branches are often cleflexed and pendulous. The sori (spore 

 masses) are disposed in a continuous line along the upper edge of the leaflets. 

 — Hooker., Sipedes Filicum^ i., p. 213. Nicholson., Dictionary of Gardening., 

 ii., p. 281. Bedclome, Ferns of British India., t. 166. 



L. (Isoloma) sagittata — Is-ol-o'-ma ; sag-it-ta'-ta (arrow-pointed), Dryander. 



A smgular-looking species, and as interesting as it is thoroughly distinct, 

 native of Guadeloupe and French Guiana. Its simple (undivided) fronds, of 

 a unique shape in the genus, are borne on black, polished stalks 4in. to 6in, 

 long and of a wiry nature ; when only partly developed they are very 

 pellucid, especially at the edges, but when mature are of a pale green colour, 

 with numerous dark green veins radiating from the centre and extending to 

 the very point. The leafy portion is arrow-shaped and pointed, with a deep 

 sinus (depression) at the base, 2in. to 4in. across, and sometimes lobed. The 

 sori (spore masses) are continuous all round the edge except in the sinus. — 

 Hooker, Species Filicum, i., p. 203. Nicholson, Dictionary of GardeJiiny, 

 ii., p. 281. 



L. SCandens — scan'-dens (climbing), Hooker. 



A native of the Malayan Peninsula and the Philippine Islands, and 

 readily distinguished from other species by the wide -creeping, stout, scaly, 

 scandent rhizome (climbing stem) from which its simply-pinnate (only once- 

 divided) fronds, 9in. to 12in. long and l|in. to If in. broad, are produced. 

 The leaflets, fin. long and ^in. broad, have their lower line slightly decurved, 



