NEPHRODIUM. 



485 



two-thirds of the way down to the rachis (stalk), the lower ones being 

 distinctly stalked. The lobes have ten to twelve veinlets on a side, and the 

 sori (spore masses) are situated close to the midrib. — Hooker^ Slides Filicim,, 

 iv., p. 114. Beddojne, Ferns of British India, t. 199. 



N. (Eunephrodium) crinipes — Eu-neph-ro'-di-um ; cri-nip'-es (hairy- 

 footed), Hooker. 



This strong-growing, stove species, is a native of the sub-tropical region 

 of Sikkim-Himalaya, where it is found at an altitude of 1000ft. Its fronds, 

 2ft. to 3ft. long and Sin. to 12in. broad, are borne on stout, erect stalks 1ft. 

 to IJft. long, densely covered with long, shaggy, dark brown scales which 

 extend from their base about half-way up the leafy portion. The whole plant 

 is of a pecuharly upright habit and hairy throughout. The leaflets, which 

 affect a position more horizontal than usual, are 4in. to 6in. long, about fin. 

 broad, and deeply toothed — in fact, cut half-^way down to the rachis (stalk) 

 into close, narrow-oblong lobes of a soft, papery texture, dark green above, and 

 naked on both sides. The lobes have six to eight veinlets on a side, and the 

 sori (spore masses) are disposed close to the midvein.^ — Hooker, Species Filicum, 

 iv., p. 71. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 263. 



N. (Lastrea) crinitum — Las'-tre-a ; cri-ni'-tum (hairy), Desvaux. 



A stove species, native of Mauritius and Bourbon Island, with broadly- 

 triangular fronds 1ft. to 2ft. long. Sin. to 12in. broad, borne on stout, upright 

 stalks Gin. to 12in. long, densely clothed with purplish-brown, narrow, curly 

 scales. The leaflets, 4in. to 6in. long, lin. broad, and of a soft, papery texture, 

 are cut down nearly to the rachis (stalk) into slightly sickle-shaped, narrow- 

 oblong lobes in which there are nine to twelve veinlets on a side, with the 

 sori (spore masses) disposed along the midvein. — Hooker, Species Filicum, 

 iv., p. 111. 



N. (Lastrea) cristatum — Las'-tre-a ; cris-ta'-tum (crested), Michaux. 



It is not very clear why this hardy species, native of Central and Northern 

 Europe, from the British Islands to the Ural Mountains and the Caucasus, also 

 of various parts of North America, was named cristatum, as its fronds never 

 show any sign of cristation. Its popular name, however, in this country is 



