( 57 ) 
I am of the same opinion, and therefore, keep them distinct. This fern so 
far as I know, is confined to the higher forests of the Central Province whilst 
the next one is found in abundance as low down as Sitawaka. They both vary 
in size and shape of the pinnae, but the venation in each seems to be quite 
distinct. I have one abnormal sterile frond with fruit on the margins of the 
upper ends of the pinnae, which in some respects resembles Bed. 11. t. 115 
quoted above. 
210/1. Acrostichum (Gymnopteris) Hookenauum, Moore. 
Bed. 1. t. 2Q3 good for the sterile frond, bad for the fertile frond of our 
Ceylon specimens. The specimen of C. P. 1313 from the Peradeniya herbarium, 
is small compared with all those collected by me, and the terminal pinna 
does not differ much in size or shape from the others, whilst generally it 
is much larger, very long, attenuated, and proliferous at the end. The fol- 
lowing short description of this fern as the variety A. proliferum, Hk. of A. (G.) 
virens, Wall, from the Syn. Fil. p. 420, is excellent for this fern; — <£ pinnae 
broad, main veins close, distinct, the veinlets of contiguous groups joining at 
an angle, as in Goniopteris, from which proceed one or in the lower areoloe 
two free veinlets, terminal pinna usually elongated and rooting.” 
The figure of the fertile frond given in Bed. 1. t. 203, and Hook. Ic. 
tt. 681-2 is so very different from anything I have seen in our Ceylon plants, 
that it can scarcely be for the same plant. This fern is found in great abundance 
in the forest near 27th mile on the road from Colombo to Sitawaka. See 
note on the last one. 
210/2. Acrostichum (Chrysodium) Wallii, Baker. 
Bed. 11. (Supt.) t. 389. Sterile fronds lineare 8-9 inches long ^-| inch broad 
narrowed at both ends, fertile frond with the fructification often interrupted. 
Beddome. This is the fern referred to in my concluding remarks on 208, and 
is considered a good species. 
211. Acrostichum (Chrysodium) aureum, Linn. 
Bed. 1. t. 204. This is a most abundant fern all round the island in 
swampy places, and especially along the shores of rivers, canals, or swamps in- 
fluenced by brackish water. It is sometimes found from 10 to 12 feet in height, 
and seems to be a common fern all round the world within the tropics and 
a few degrees beyond them. This fern must be carefully dried under lots of 
pressure, and then poisoned afterwards, otherwise the fertile parts are very 
liable to the attacks of insects. This is the A , esculentum, of Moon, the Jcoera- 
koJc/ca of the Sinhalese. The young fronds of it are eaten in curry like those 
of Asplenium esculentum. 
212. Acrostichum (Hymenolepis) spicatum, Linn. 
Bed. 1. t. 46. This fern is found growing sparingly on the trunks of trees in 
the forests of the interior, and so like 177. Polypodium (P.), lineare when 
not in fruit that they are liable to be confounded. The contracted fertile 
apex of its fronds will at once distinguish this from any other fern. 
SuB-OrDFR, Ilf. OSMUNDACFCB, 
213. Osmunda JavaDica, Bl. 
Bed. t. 77. This is a remarkable fern and can at once be known from having 
its lower and central pinnae fertile. Seen growing in small islets in the river near 
Logie, Dimbula, in a stream between Nuwara Eliya and Hackgalla in abun- 
dance, and evidently not uncommon in the higher part of the Central Province. 
This is our Ceylon representative of the Boyal fern Osmunda regalis which 
seems a native throughout the world, though not found in Ceylon. 
Sub-Order, IV. 8chizeace(e. 
214. Schizea ( Actinostachys) digitata, Sw. 
Bed. 1. t. 268. This is a very curious grass-like fern, growing in erect 
tufts under the shade of dense jungle or forest in the low country, and found 
