406 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



gradually into the fronds, the leafy portion of which, 4in. to 6in. long by 

 oin. to 4in. broad, has its extremity cuspidate (gradually tapering into 

 a sharp, stiff point), and is very gradually narrowed towards the base. The 

 edge is entire, and there is no distinct midrib, while the areola?, though Sin. 

 to Bin. long, are only |in. broad. The stout and copious sori (spore masses) 

 are rarely united. — Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 172. 



A. latipes — la'-tip-es (large-footed). A synonym of A. semicostatum. 



A. Lessonii— -Les-so'-ni-i (Lesson's). Synonymous with A. plantagineum. 



A. lineatum— li-ne-a'-tum (lined), Kaulfuss. 



This singular, stove species, with which A. Polytamium is identical, is 

 a native of Cuba, Mexico, and Brazil, and is one of the most distinct of all 

 those known or described. Its fronds, Bin. to 12in. long and only Jin. to 

 lm. broad, are abundantly produced, and form a mass of ribbon-like foliage. 

 They have their edge entire and their summit sharply pointed, but their 

 lower half is gradually narrowed to the base ; they possess the habit of 

 Vittaria, and show a distinct, slender, raised midrib throughout. The areolse 

 are very long and narrow, and the sori (spore masses), sunk in deep furrows 

 with raised edges, are disposed in two or three almost continuous lines on 

 each side of the midrib, with which they run parallel. — Hooker, Species 

 Filicum, v., p. 175. 



A. Mannianum— Man-ni-a'-num (Mann's), Hooker. 



A stove species, native of the Guinea Coast, and particularly distinct 

 through the thin texture of its peculiarly egg-shaped or roundish fronds, 

 Gin. to 9in. long and nearly as broad : these are borne on slender, blackish, 

 curved stipes (stalks) 6in. to 9in. long ; they are cuspidate (gradually 

 tapering to a very sharp point) at their extremity, but broadly wedge-shaped 

 at their base, and their edge is entire or sometimes slightly uneven. There 

 is no indication of any distinct midrib, and the areola on the surface 

 of the fronds, lin. to 2in. long by Jin. broad, show a peculiar disposition 

 as they radiate from the base to the circumference. The slender and 

 copious sori (spore masses) are often united. — Hooker, Species Filicum, 

 v., p. 173. 



