NOTES. 
5 
Asplenium Nigripes, BL, embraces a wide range of plants of seemingly very different types. 
The smallest has a deltoid frond not more than six inches each way, and is common in the 
forests about Newera Ellia. The next, in point of size, has an oblong-lanceolate frond 
about twelve inches in length, closely resembles A. Filix-Fcemina in cutting, and is distin¬ 
guished by long reddish spines on its rachis; this also grows about Newera Ellia, and is 
not uncommon. The largest attains a height of five to six feet, and grows on the banks of 
streams. This is A. Gymnogrammoides of Klotsch, as figured by Beddome (F. S. I.), plate 
156. These forms differ from each other in important characters, besides the great dis¬ 
parity of size, such as the cutting and form of the pinnules, and in the colour and shape of 
the scales at the base of the stipes. They do not seem to be sufficiently connected by 
intermediate forms to be included under one species. 
Asplenium (Diplazium) Sylvaticum, Presl.—The largest forms of this fern approach so closely 
in appearance to the simple form of Latifolium as to he hardly distinguishable. 
Asplenium (Dipl.) Maximum, Don.—There seems to be some difficulty in precisely defining 
this species. Beddome’s plant, Dipl. Decurrens, seems to be well marked. Other types 
included under this species at Kew do not seem to he so well defined. Some of my Ceylon 
specimens are left in doubt. Mr. Baker thinks they may be of a distinct species. 
Asplenium (Dipl.) Assimile, Endl.—It seems clear that our Cejdon plant, hitherto known as 
A. Australe, cannot properly be included in that species, as it is not onfy different in the 
form and cutting of the frond from the typical forms of that plant, but is undoubtedly 
a Diplazium. Diplazioid involucres occur copiously in all parts of our specimens. The 
name is here adopted on the authority of Beddome, and the old name A. Australe is 
omitted from the present list of Ceylon ferns. 
Aspldium (Polystichum) Conufolium, Wall., having an erect caudex, seems specifically distinct 
from A. Aristatum, a smaller plant with a creeping rhizome. 
Nephrodium (Lastrea) Calcaratum, Hk.—A very small and seemingly distinct form of this 
plant is found in the southern province at low elevations, C. P., 992. The pinnae have 
almost entire edges, and are extremely narrow and acuminate. This extreme form is 
connected by intermediate forms up to the bold plant, with deeply lobed pinnae, which grows 
at Newera Ellia, C. P., 3273. 
Nephrodium (Lastrea) Sparsum, Don.—If all the varieties presently included under this species 
are properly assigned thereto, it must be regarded as one of the most variable. It appears, 
however, to contain several distinct types, not fully connected together, and which it 
would be convenient to distinguish under separate names. Adopting Hooker’s figure of 
N. ( L .) Purpurascens, plate 262, vol. iv. Sp. Fil., and C. P. 1369, as the typical form, 
(= Nephrodium Sparsum of Don and Aspidium Nitidulum of Wallich), the form figured by 
Beddome as Lastrea Deltoidea (C. P. 1368) is remarkably distinct; the pinnules at the base of 
the pinnae, both above and below, being reduced, whilst in the typical and other forms these 
pinnules are the largest. This type is found in Mooroowa Corle. Another very distinct 
type, found at Blackpool, Newera Ellia, C. P. 4007, resembles closely the fern figured by 
Beddome as Lastrea Pulvinulifera. Our plant differs from his figure, and still more widely 
b 
