ALSOPHILA. 



343 



A. Andersoni — An-der-so'-ni (Anderson's), Scott 



A distinct, stove species, native of Sikkim, where, according to 

 Beddome, it was discovered by Dr. Anderson in the tropical valleys about 

 the Government Cinchona plantations, at elevations varying between 1000ft. 

 and 2500ft., and where it is called " Pulai Nock" by the Lepchas. Its fronds, 

 large and tripinnatifid (three times divided half-way to their midrib), have 

 their rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) of a dark chestnut colour and 

 rough on their under-side. The pinna? (leaflets) are oblong-lanceolate 

 (oblong-spear-shaped), lift, to 2ft. long, and are furnished with numerous 

 almost stalkless pinnules (leafits) that are cut down to a narrow wing 

 4in. to 6in. long and nearly lin. broad ; their segments or sub-divisions are 

 closely set, spear-shaped, bluntish, about two lines broad and distinctly 

 toothed on the margins, thin but firm in texture, green on both sides, their 

 ribs, especially below, being densely bristly, not scaly. The very small sori 

 (spore masses) are inframedial (situated below the middle vein of the fertile 

 segments). — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 459. Beddome, Ferns of British 

 India, t. 310. 



A. armata — ar-nia'-ta (armed), Presl. 



This very distinct, free-growing, stove species (see Plate), the trunk of 

 which is comparatively slender and covered with whitish, pointed spines, is 

 found throughout the whole of Tropical America, where it is considered one of 

 the commonest species. Its large fronds, of a very graceful appearance and of 

 a pleasing light green colour, 6ft. or more long, and tripinnate (three times 

 divided to the midrib), have their rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) straw- 

 coloured and densely hairy ; the stalks and rachises are also densely clothed 

 with whitish spines, similar to those observed on the trunks, although ot 

 smaller dimensions. The pinna? (leaflets) are oblong-spear-shaped, l|ft. to 

 2ft. long, and furnished with numerous pinnules (leafits), which are equally 

 spear-shaped, sessile (stalkless), Sin. to 5in. long, and about lin. broad. 

 The pinnules, in their turn, are sub-divided into falcate (sickle-shaped), 

 blunt, nearly entire, and toothed segments, both sides of which are 

 densely hairy on the ribs. The round and abundant sori (spore masses) are 

 sub-costular (situated near the midrib of the fertile pinnules). When only 

 partly developed the young fronds are covered with long, white and light 



