CHAPTER XXXIX, 



MENISCIUM, Schreher. 



(Me-nis'-ci-um.) 



HIS genus, which derives its name from meniskos, a crescent, 

 in reference to the shape of the sori (spore masses), embraces 

 a group of about ten very distinct species of stove Ferns, 

 whose habitat is ahtiost confined to the tropics. All the 

 species at present known have fronds either undivided or 

 simply pinnate (only once divided to the midrib), and in either case have 

 their venation similar to that of the plants belonging to the better-known 

 sub-division of Polypodium called Goniopteris^ from which they difi'er only 

 by the shape of their spore masses. In Hooker and Baker's " Synopsis 

 Filicum " Meniscium forms Genus 54, and its distinctive characters reside in 

 the narrow-oblong or linear (very narrow) form of the sori, which are disposed 

 like so many areolae (little cells) on the connivent transverse veinlets. 



Culture. 



Although the genus Meniscium comprises only a comparatively small 

 number of species, these are sufficiently distinct to render it interesting ; the 

 majority of them are strong- growing, handsome plants, but one at least 

 amongst them {M. simplex) is of such small dimensions that it is frequently 

 used in Fern-cases, a purpose for which it appears particularly well adapted. 

 Nearly all Menisciums have a beautiful venation quite peculiar to them ; being 



