A NGIOP TERIS. 



399 



sub-alpine jungles on the western side of the Madras Presidency, up to 

 4000ft. and even 5000ft. elevation. It has very handsome fronds, which 

 impart to a Fernery of sufficient size to accommodate them, a noble and 

 tropical appearance, but it is very unlike a Fern in general aspect. 

 The fronds reach, with their stipes (stalks), 18ft, in length by 10ft. in 

 breadth ; they are produced from a thick, fleshy crown, forming in time 

 a sort of caudex (stem) 2|ft. high and l^ft. to 2ft. thick, and are borne on 

 stout, blackish, fleshy stalks. The base of the stalk is swollen, often 



Fig. 55, Angiopteris evecta 

 (much reduced). 



measuring 8in. in circumference, and articulated (jointed), and is furnished 

 with two large, leathery auricles (ear-like flaps), which remain attached to the 

 stem after the fronds have fallen. The fronds are bipinnate (twice divided to 

 the midrib), with spreading pinna; (leaflets) 1ft. to 3ft. long, the lowest the 

 largest, and have their rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) swollen at the base. 

 The pinnules (leafits) are of a leathery texture, bright shining green on 

 both sides, from 4in. to 12in. long and from lin. to ljin. broad, boat- 

 shaped, and either stalkless or very short-stalked (Fig. 55) j their edge 



