OLEANDRA. 



5 



has the midrib beneath slightly scaly. The sori (spore masses) in this species 

 form two irregular rows of orange-brown dots, often some distance from the 

 midrib. This is one of the smallest-habited plants of the genus, and looks 

 well covering the stem of a dead Tree Fern. Its foliage is of a pleasing shade 

 of light green, and the venation is exceedingly pretty. — Hooker, Species Filicum, 

 iv.j p. 156. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 481. 



O. a. Welwitschii— Wel-wit'-schi-i (Dr. Welwitsch's), Baker. 



A native of Angola, having weaker and wide -trailing rhizomes clothed 

 with rough scales like those of 0. nodosa. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 303. 



O. chinensis — chi-neii'-sis (Chinese). Synonymous with 0. Cumingii. 



O. Cumingii— Cum-ing'-i-i (Cuming's), /. Smith. 



This singular species, native of Assam, Luzon, Burmah, &c, is easily 

 distinguished from all others by its comparatively small rhizome (stem), which 

 seldom exceeds the dimensions of an ordinary quill pen, and invariably trails 

 horizontally. The peculiar conformation of the stalks on which the fronds 

 are borne is another equally striking character : they form, about 2in. from 

 the rhizome, a sort of joint, from which, when exhausted, the frond becomes 

 detached, leaving the short lower portion of the stalks adhering firmly 

 to the rhizomes, which are densely clothed with brownish and distinctly 

 overlapping scales. The fronds, 1ft. to lift, long, l±in. broad, and of a soft, 

 papery texture and dark green colour, are gradually narrowed towards both 

 ends, and their midrib on both sides is slightly hairy. The rather large, light 

 brown sori (spore masses) generally form a single and scarcely interrupted 

 line near, but not close to, the midrib, although in some instances they may 

 be found scattered irregularly a little distance from it. 0. chinensis is 

 identical with this species. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 155. 



O. C. longipes — long'-ip-es (having long feet or stalks), Hooker. 



A native of Moulmein. The stalks of the fronds, which are of a length 

 about equal to the leafy portion, are articulated near the middle instead of 

 near the base. Fig. 1 is reduced from Col. Beddome's "Ferns of British 

 India," by the kind permission of the author. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, 

 p. 303. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 135. 



