( 15 ) 
at the Tamari cascade in that island. This species, and Hymenophyllurn 
parvifolium described below, are probably the most diminutive of known ferns, as 
it would take upwards of fifty fronds of average size to cover a square inch. ” 
— I feel pretty sure however that Ceylon forms of No. 15. T. Motleyi, are 
about the smallest of any known fern, as I believe a square inch would cover 
from 100 to 200 fronds, as found growing on the bark of trees. 
Tribe 4, Davallie^e. 
24. Davallia (Humata) pedata, Smith. 
Bed. 1. t. 12. Forms of this Fern when growing on exposed rocks, are 
very small, of a triangular shape, and of a beaut iful golden colour when dry, 
but in damp sheltered places, the fronds are larger and more deeply dissected, 
and then they so nearly approach the next one, D. (H.) vestita, that it is very 
doubtful if our Ceylon Ferns are distinct species, though I have never found a 
form so much divided as those of C. P. 3068 for the next species. 
25. Davallia (Humata) vestita, Bl. 
Bed. 1. t. 253. Whilst No. 24 seems to be a common Fern in the 
Central Province, this one seems confined to the Bopatalawa plains, at an eleva- 
tion of 5000 or 6000 feet, and it is not unlikely that the higher and damper 
climate where it is found, may account for the differen ce in its larger size and 
deeper cutting. It is likely that intermediate forms may prove them to be one 
species, and indeed specimens of No. 24 so approach No. 25 in many respects, 
that I doubt if they are distinct. I have not collected the typical form of No. 25. 
26, Davallia (Leucostegia) pulohra, Don. 
Bed. 1. t. 10. This is a very handsome Fern as its name implies. The 
fronds of this and the next species spring from a long creeping rhizome, and are 
generally found on the rotten trunks of trees or growing in vegetable mould on 
the surface of large stones or rocks in the Kandyan country, and in general 
appearance are so like each other that they are liable to be confounded. No. 26 
however has smaller fronds, and larger fruit, and does not turn so dark in dry- 
ing as does No. 27, but the great distinguishing marks between the two are the 
scales covering the creeping rhizome. In 26 they are short, broad, obtuse, and 
adpressed, and of a light straw colour, whilst in 27, they are of a rust colour, 
with long sharp points to them. 
27. Davallia (Leucostegia) affinis, Hk. 
Bed. 1. t. 252. A very handsome Fern with large delicate feathery 
fronds, deeply cut into small segments. They spring from a long creeping rhi- 
zome, and are sometimes from 2 to 3 feet in size. Found generally growing in 
vegetable mould on rocks or stones, and often festooning the trunks of trees to a 
height of 10 to 12 feet, in the damp fo rests of the interior. The long pointed 
and rust coloured scales covering the rhizome, its larger size, and its darker 
colour in drying distinguish this one from No. 26. 
28. Davallia (Leucostegia) Trichomanoides, Hk. 
Bed. 11. t. 178. This is a small delicate Fern discovered in Ceylon by 
Mr. Thwaites after the publication of Enum. Plant. Zeyl. It is found 
on the G-ongalla Hill, and elsewhere in Rakwana. Amongst a few Ferns 
picked up by Mr. John Ferguson in passing through this district lately, I 
find several small specimens of this Fern. In some respects it is not unlike 
very small delicate specimens of No. 39, D. (Stenolema) tenuifolia. 
29. Davallia (Odontoloma) repens, Desv. 
Bed. 1. t. 209 and Bed. 1. t. 214 var. minor. The larger form of this 
Fern is found in the Singhe Raja Forest, and the smaller one was found 
