6 
NOTES. 
from tlie type of Deltoidea, in having the basal pinnules, both above and below, much the 
largest, and often again pinnate. This character, and the cushion-like mass of long bright, 
silky scales at the base of the stipes, give it a striking and distinct appearance. A third 
type is that now named by Mettenius and Kuhn Linriiea, vol. xxxvi., p. 119, Aspidium 
Obtusissimum. It is distinguished by its broad, rounded lobes and pinnules, and has its 
stipes clothed at the base with light brown chaffy scales, very different in character from 
the dense mass of long, acuminate, silky scales of the previously mentioned tpye. These 
types, though subject to such variations as are common to all species, do not appear to be 
so connected by intermediate links as at any time to lose their distinctive characters. 
There is yet another form, of which I have seen only three specimens; hut as they are 
extremely small, it may be that they are stunted and abnormal. 
Nephrodium (Lastrea) Undulatum, Baker, has yet been found only in one locality, the upper 
cone of Wattakelly Hill. It there occurs both with and without the undulated stipes and 
rachis which form its distinctive character. Near the foot of the cone slightly undulated 
and perfectly normal fronds are often found on the same plant. Higher up the hill the 
undulated character become's more strongly marked, and is to be found in its extreme 
development in plants growing between the tufts of grass near the summit. It does not 
appear, therefore, that this undulated character can be safely regarded as constituting a 
specific distinction, and in that case the plant must be comprised with Purpurascens, the 
typical form of Sparsum. 
Nephrodium Hcenkeanum, Presl, is included in this list on the faith of a specimen, numbered 
C. P. (53), from Ceylon, in the herbarium at Kew. It is very probable the plant may not 
lately have been distinguished from other members of this most troublesome group, 
amongst which there is a general and often puzzling resemblance. 
Nephrodium Amboinense, Presl, is a variable plant. As it grows about Kitoolgalla, it is twelve 
to eighteen inches high, and its pinme are deeply serrated hut scarcely lobed. As found 
about Oodapusselava and Ambawella, it is of much larger growth, attaining a height of four 
feet, and its pinnae are cut a third of the way down into bluntish, scarcely falcate lobes. Dr. 
Tliwaites regards this latter plant as one of the numerous and perplexing varieties of the 
Molle group. It is included under N. Amboinense in this list, on the authority of Mr. 
Baker. It is rather more deeply cut and developed than the typical specimens of the 
species in the Kew Herbarium, hut has the character well marked. It would be interesting 
to find a good series in Ceylon connecting the extreme forms found in the localities 
indicated. 
Nephrodium (Sagenia) Decurrens, var. Minor, is a curious plant, hearing a distant resemblance 
to Acrostichum Quercifolium, with which Dr. Thwaites thinks it may he a hybrid. It would 
seem more probably one between Decurrens and Sabtriphyllum, closely allied species, to 
both of which it bears a resemblance. 
Nephrodium (Sagenia) Simulans, Baker, is the plant figured by Beddome, in his ‘Ferns of 
Southern India,’ plate 244, under the name Sagenia Thwaitesii. It seems well distinguished 
from N. Giganteum by its texture, highly polished stipes, and general characters; but as 
there is already a Nephrodium Thwaitesii, Mr. Baker gives this species the name by which 
it is here designated. 
