FOLYPODIACEiE. 



17 



NEPHRODIUM. 



Gen. Char, (Cryptogamia Filices.) Indusium kidney-shaped; 

 some or all of the lateral veins of each pinnula united to corre- 

 sponding veins in the adjoining pinnula. 



This genus has been taken from Aspidium by some authors, 

 and embraces the A. Filix-mas, aculeatuni, lobatum, Zonc/iitis, 

 etc. of England. The foreign species are numerous ; many 

 have been introduced into the greenhouse and stove, and are 

 very ornamental. The following are adapted to the green- 

 house, and several of them are also sufficiently hardy to 

 bear the open air : — iV. acrostic Jioides, Noveboracense, mar- 

 ginale, erosum, Goldianum, Lancastriense, intermedium, and 

 obtusum, are American species ; fragrans, a sweet-smelling 

 species, is found in Europe ; and molle is a native of New 

 South Wales : the latter requires the shelter of the green- 

 house constantly, and a turfy peat and loam soil. 



ASPLENIUM. (Spleenwort.) 



Gen. Char. {Cryptogamia Filices.) Sori linear, placed upon la- 

 teral veins ; indusium membranous, flat, separating inwardly. 



The name is derived from the Greek for spleen, as the 



VOL. II. c 



