■ T A B . X V H I .
P L E O P E L T IS . Humh. et Bonpl.
PoLYPoDii Sp. Auctoriim.
Sori globosi, magni, uni-pluriseriales. Sporangia creberrima. Pedicelli sporangiis
deiapsis persistentes, puivinuliim magnum hemisphæriciim efFormantes. Receptaculum
punctiforme, maximum.— Rhizoma repens. Frondes sparsoe, crasse coriaceoe
immo carnosæ, aut simpliciter coriaceoe aut herbaceoe, simplices, rarius pinnati-
fidoe . Venæ internoe, persæpe temiissimoe, ramosoe, venulisque apice obtuso libero aut
maculis irregularibus desinentes. Venulæ in maculas hexagonoideas vel octogonoideas
anastomosantes, maculis mediis magnis interne vénulas secundarias duas-plures
maculam oblongam simplicem vel e pluribus compositam apice soriferam efficientes
continentibus. Presl.
Pleopeltis nuda. Hook. Exot. Fl. t. 6 3 .
We have elsewhere remarked {leones Filicum, t. 67, under Pleopeltis percussa, Hook,
et Grev.), that the so-called involucres of the genus Pleopeltis are only pedicellated scales,
such as are frequently found sessile on the under surface of the frond, remote from the sori,
in the same way as the stellated scales of Niphobolus become pedicellated among the sori ;
and we had considered that the genus should merge into Polypodium. Presl has, however,
retained the genus, making tlie character to depend mainly on the venation, which is unfortunately,
in many species, so delicate, and so concealed within the thickened substance
of tlie frond, as to be extremely obscure. I t is well represented in the Pleopeltis percussa.
Hook, et Grev., above cited, where the veins are more apparent than in the present species.
The species of the genus are numerous, cliiefly tropical. In many, the sori are immersed,
and form a scar on the corresponding opposite side of the frond, as beautifully shown in
Mr Bauer’s figures.
Fig . 1. Portion of the under surface of a fertile frond ; magn. 2 diam.—/ . 2. Upper surface of the
same ; do.—f . 3. Small portion of the under surface, with a ripe sorus ; m. 15 diam.—/ . 4. The same,
with most of the pediceiiate scales removed ; do f . 5. Upper surface of the same ; do.—f . 6. Vertical
section o f a ripe sorus ; m. IS diam.—/ . 7. 7. Sporangia in different stag es; m. 100 diam.—/ 8. 8.
Peltate scales from the sorus ; m. SO diam.—/ . 9. Sporules ; m. 400 diam.
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