NEPHRODIUM, 



579 



5000ft. In general appearance it somewhat resembles the better-known, 

 peculiar-looking Fern, Adicintum Feel, as its fronds possess the same zigzag- 

 outline, produced by the flexuose habit of their rachis (stalk of the leafy 

 portion). These fronds are Ift. or more long, 6in. to Sin. broad, broadly 

 egg-shaped, and borne on tufted stalks 6in. to 12in. long, scaly towards the 

 base, but glossy upwards. The main rachis, which is very distinctly zigzag, 

 is furnished with pinnae deflexed (leaflets thrown back) and then curved 

 upwards and overlapping (Fig. 140) ; the lowest pair, usually the largest, are 

 4in. to 6in. long, 2in. to Sin. broad, and divided into nearly triangular pinnules 

 (leafits), these being again cut into broadly egg-shaped segments, on which 

 the somewhat large sori (spore masses) are disposed near the midrib. The 

 whole plant, besides being curious, is also rendered very attractive by the pale 

 green colour of its fronds, which are naked on both sides. — Hooker, Synopsis 

 FiUcum, p. 276. Beddome, Ferns of Southern India, t. 271. 



N. (Eunephrodium) unitum— Eu-neph-ro'-di-um ; u-ni'-tum (joined), 

 R. Brown. 



This fine, stove species, of medium dimensions, has a very wide range 

 of habitat, extending from Florida and the West Indies to Brazil and Peru, 

 and embracing Polynesia, Australia, New Zealand, Natal, Cape Colony, 

 Algiers, &c. Its fronds, borne on brownish, naked stalks 1ft. to lift, long, 

 are 2ft. or more in length, 6in. to Sin. broad, and furnished with leaflets 

 4in. to oin. long and Jin. broad, their edge being cut from one-third to 

 half the way down into spreading, triangular, sharp-pointed lobes, of a 

 leathery texture. The sori (spore masses) are situated at the extremities of 

 the veinlets, principally in the lobes. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 79. 

 Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 444. 



N. U. glabrum— glab'-rum (smooth), Mettenius. 



This variety, which in North America is known under the popular 

 name of " Rounded Shield Fern," is stated by Eaton to grow in the swamps 

 and bogs of Southern Cahfornia. According to the same authority, it is also 

 widely distributed through the West Indies, Guiana, Brazil, West Africa, 

 Mam-itius, Java, Ceylon, Sumatra, Borneo, &c. It is said to differ from the 

 species principally in the nature of its fronds, which are sometimes perfectly 



2 p 2 



