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BOT

I

AN ACCOUNT

ou

EIOIIC

CULTIVATED FERNS,

Desceibed by smith & Th. MOOEE, F.B.S.

GENERAL HINTS ON THEIR CULTURE,

SYNOPSIS 'op genera AND SPECIES,

(POLYPODIiCE^^GEAMMlTIS TO PLATYLOMA,)
ILLUSTRATED BY EOETT-FOUE ENGEAVINGS.

ward's pern house and ferns, Warrington’s plant case, etc.

(UNPUBLISHED.)

LONDON.

(Curator of the Botanic Garden, Chelsea,)

WITH

1858.

INTRODUCTION.

IMHE Ferns form a gi'cnp of plants which arc considered as the most highly developed of that
^ large class which produce no visible flowers, and of which other familiar and recognizable
groups are the Mosses, the Lichens, the Sea-weeds, and the Funguses. These, as a whole, were
weU named Cryptogamous plants by Linnaeus, inasmuch as the process by which their seeds, or
the equivalent of seeds, are produced, are hidden and mysterious, compared with what we are
enabled to observe in those orders of vegetation, — higher orders as -they are termed, — which
produce perfect flowers as the medium by whose agency their seeds are organised.

Among the groups into which Cryptogamous plants are se]Darated for the convenience of
classification, the Ferns are known by possessing a certain degree of vascularity in their
structure, and by producing spores — that is minute reproductive atoms — of only one kind,
within little one-ceUed cases or receptacles that are collected into groups occupying a portion,
rarely the whole, of either the hack or the margin of their leaves. The true Ferns have their
young leaves rolled up spirally, and in gradually imfolding present the form of a crozier ; hut
a small group, dift'ering chiefly in having their young parts folded and not rolled up, and which
may he considered as spurious Ferns, are conveniently associated with them.

In briefly describing what is the structiu’e of Ferns, and the terms applied to the modifications
of their respective parts, with sufiicient distinctness to render the descriptions of the species
which occupy another part of these pages the more inteUigihle, it will he convenient to con-
sider them as consisting of four series of organs — the roots, the stems, the fronds, and the
fructification.

The roots of Ferns are fibrous, and we believe, in all the true Ferns, are covered with a
pile of soft close hairs or down, not unfrequently of a ferruginous or rust-colour, and they
generally grow more or less matted or entangled, especially if they are in contact with any hard
surface, such as the rocks or tree-trunks on which many of them grow naturally ; and the same
is observed when they are placed under the circumstances which attend their artificial culti-
vation. The true roots must not be confounded with the stems, which sometimes creep exten-
sively beneath the soil, and have, more or less, the appearance of thick fleshy roots. The roots
of the spru’ious Ferns consist of thick straight rigid fibres.

The stems, or rhizomes, assume two perfectly distinct forms. In some Ferns, as already
intimated, they creep extensively either beneath or upon the surface of the soil, or over the
rock or trunk which supports them. These throw up their fronds at intervals, the growing
point of the stem being in advance of the youngest fronds, and the fronds themselves being

]5

a

INTRODUCTION.

more or less distant. In otlnir Perns, the proper stem may be considered as consisting chiefly
of a growing point, from the centre of which the young fronds are developed, the bases of the
older fronds forming the trunk, which is gradually decaying at one end and extending at the
other ; the proper roots being protruded from between the bases of the older fronds. Stems of
this structure, which is called the tufted mode of growth, assume either an erect or decumbent
position, — in the former case sometimes elongating and becoming caudiciform, and in the latter
becoming more or less creeping, though obviously ditfering in habit from the creeping stems
first described. These distinct modes of development, Mr. Smith — the active Curator of the
Eoyal Botanic Garden at Kew, and probably the best practical pteridologist in the kingdom — has
lately proposed to adopt as the basis of a new method of classification — a method displaying
much ingenuity and depth of observation, but which it is to be feared, if generally applied,
woidd, practically, throw almost insuperable impediments in the way of the study and know-
ledge of Perns, by the altered nomenclature which would be necessary ; and theoretically, is
hardly to he admitted as having greater claim to precedence th;in the system which is founded
on the natui’e and variations of the fi'uctification and venation, and which is now so extensively
adopted.

In the group of Marattiaceoe, the rhizome is usually thick and fleshy, and more or less
globose.

The fronds of Perns are those parts which have the appearance of leaves, and for general
purposes may be considered as the equivalents of leaves, though there are some technical
objections to their being regarded as leaves proper. The fronds consist of two parts — the
stipes or stalk, and the leafy portion which it supports ; which latter is generally meant when
the term frond is used descriptively. The stipes is either adherent to the stem, or there is at
or near its base a natural joining or articulation, at which, when its functions are no longer in
play, it separates spontaneously. When this latter structure occurs, the frond is said to he
articulated with the stem. Sometimes the leafy parts of the frond are articidated in a similar
way, hut this occurs less fi’equently. The continuation of the stipes through the leafy part
in the Perns having divided fronds, is called the rachis.

The fronds — in the leafy part — are either simple or more or less divided, and have different
terms applied to them, according to the nature of the division. If a frond is separated into
distinct leaflets, and these are simple, it is said to be pinnate (Pig. 5, 36, &c.) ; if the leaflets,
called also pinnae, are again divided into distinct leaflets, they are said to be pinnate, and the
frond is bipinnate ; when they are again divided the frond becomes tripinnate, and so on. If
the divisions are not distinct, but are united at the base, and are not otherwise divided, they
are then pinnatifid (Pig. 2, 14, &c.) ; and so, when twice or thrice divided on the same plan,
they become hipinnatifid, tripinnatifid, and so on. Pronds very much divided, that is, more
divided than tripinnate, are in general terms called decompound. These and similar terms,
descriptive of form, are applied in the same sense as in other departments of botany : such are
flahellate, palmate, pedate, sagittate, &c.

The fronds are traversed by a series of veins, which are, in fact, the ramifications of the
system of vascular structure, which forms the main hidk of the stipes and rachis. The midi'ib
of a fi-oud or pinna is sometimes called the costa : the first series of branches fii’om this are the
veins, the secondary series the venules, and the tertiary series the veinlets (Pig. 13, 59, &c.).
The arrangement of these different series of veins in the substance of the frond is called the
venation.

Great variety of venation is exliibitcd among the Perns, the voi’ious modes in which it

INTIIODUCTION.

occurs being so distinctive and so constant that this feature is, by many good botanists,
emplo3^ed to furnish auxiliary, or even sometimes primary, characteristics for the distinguishing
of the genera. The principal forms of venation have been distinguished by names, which we
will endeavour to explain by the aid of references to the figures illustrative of the genera.
\Yhen the veins are unbrauched, they are said to be simple (Fig. 7, 81, &c.) ; and the same
applies to venules and veinlets similarly circumstanced. Sometimes thej’ are branched once
or oftener in a dichotomous manner, and are then said to be forked (Fig. 2, 69, &c.) ; sometimes
the veins are pinnaielij costceform, that is, resembling a mididb and having the venules or
branches either simple or forked (Fig. 9, 41, 61, 81, &c.). In some they are equal, that is,
produced alike on both sides of a central midrib (Fig. 49, 67, &c.) ; in others they are radiate,
and have no midrib (Fig. 32, 77, &c.); in others they are eccentric, or produced from one side
of a marginal rib (Fig. 72). In all these cases the apices of the veins may terminate at or
within the margin of the frond or of its divisions (as seen in Fig. 22, 23, 44, 70, &c.), when
tliey are said to be direct and free ; but similar forms of venation may occur, having the apices
of the veins of either the primary, secondary, or tertiary series combined in some way or other.
If the whole sj^stem of venation is uniformly combined, so as to form a complete iietwork, it is
then said to be reticulated or netted (Fig. 20, 29, 38, 89, 92, 101, &c.). If the simple, or
dichotomous, or pinnately costseform veins are united by a continuous vein parallel with and
close to the margin, this form of venation is called the transverse marginal (Fig. 25, 51, &c.).
Sometimes the apices of the venules of one series or fascicle combine with the apices of the
adjoining series, and this is called anastomosing : of this arrangement there are some modifi-
cations, such as the angular anastomosing (Fig. 10, 61, &c.), and the arcuate anastomosing (Fig., 8,
11, &c.), which varieties are further modified by producing from their exterior side one or
more outwardly directed (and called excurrent') tertiary veins or veinlets, which are either free,
terminating in the areoles or margin (Fig. 10, 12, 59, &c.), or anastomose with the next superior
venules (Fig. 61, &c.). In some forms of reticulated venation the venules ai’e irregularlj^ com-
bined, the areoles or meshes producing from their sides certain simple or forked variously
directed veinlets, which terminate within the unequal-sided areoles. This arrangement of the
venation is called compound anastomosing (Fig. 14, 31, 57, 71, &c.). The veins are said to be
external when they are more or less superficial, distinct, or elevated above the surface of the
frond, and internal when they are immersed in the substance of the fi'ond ; in which latter
case they often become indistinct, and are to be seen only after careful maceration of the frond.
In these definitions we have mainly adopted Mr. Smith’s terms and explanations.

From some part of the venules or veinlets, which part becomes thickened, the fructification
is produced on what is called the receptacle, which organ is said to be terminal rvhen it is
situate at the apex of the vein or venule (Fig. 11); medial when situate between the base and
the apex (Fig. 70) ; axillary when on the point of forking (Fig. 83) ; and compital when
seated on the angular crossing or points of confluence of two or more venules or veinlets (Fig. 14).
It consists, in most cases, of one-celled spore-cases or sporangia, more or less completel}^ girt by
an elastic ring, but in some cases, of sporangia which are many-celled or destitute of the ring.
These spore-cases are mostly collected into masses, which masses usually consist of nmltitudes
of crowded spore-cases, and are the sori. The latter are either round (Fig. 14, 57, 67, &c.)
or elongated; sometimes amorphous, that is of no determinable form (Fig. 23, 29, 30, &c.)
In most cases they are dorsal, that is situate on some part of the back of the frond ; but some-
times they are marginal (Fig. 77, &c.), or extra-marginal (Fig. 75, 89, &c.). The elongated sori
are oblong (Fig. 1, 50, &c.), or linear (Fig. 47, 49, 51, &c.), or continuous (Fig. 38, 71, &c.) ;

4

INTRODUCTION.

and either form an angle with the midrib, when they are said to be oblique (Pig. 51), or run
parallel with the margin (Pig. 38), or with the midrib (Pig. 44). The sori are in some of
these groups entirely exjiosed on the surface of the frond, and in others are covered by a scale
or membrane of the same form as the sorus, and which completely invests the receptacle in
the earlier stages of development. This cover is the indusium proper, and takes some modifi-
cation of either a plane, vaulted, or cup-shaped fonn. The entire margin or lobules of a frond
are sometimes changed in texture, and form an accessory indusium, which is more or less con-
joined with the proper indusium, and thus constitutes a marginal cyst containing the spore-
cases and opening exteriorly : it may be vertical (Pig. 76) or reflexed (Pig. 79) ; urn-shaped
(Pig. 76), calyciform (Pig. 83), or two-lipped (Pig. 78). Sometimes the fertile fronds are
contracted, and inclose the sori by their revolute margins, which thus constitute an universal
indusium (Pig. 3, 58, &c.).

The further differences of structure, and the various modifications which occur and serve to
distinguish the groups from one another, will be explained further on. One of the most
striking of these differences is the paniculate arrangement of the sori, which occurs among the
Osmundaceae, and some of the Schizgeaceie and Ophioglossaceae. The fructification of the Marat-
tiacese is also of a very peculiar nature.

As we have in most cases adopted Mr. Smith’s views of genera and species, we have also, in
these succinct explanations of terms and of structure, endeavoured to assimilate our remarks
with the definitions which accompany his paper, in Hooker’’ s Journal of Botany, in order to secure
the advantages of uniformity in terminology. — M.

GENERAL HINTS ON FERN CULTURE.

+

The Ferns naturallj’’ divide into three principal groups, as regards the climatal conditions affecting
their cultivation — the hothouse species, the greenhouse species, and the hardy species, — of which
latter, a somewhat more tender subdivision needs the protection of a cold frame.

In the pure atmosphere of a rural situation, the hardy race of Ferns require only to be planted in
suitable conditions of shade and moisture, in order to secure their healthy development ; and many ot
what are called frame species, if placed under such conditions in a sheltered position, will not suffer any
injury from climatal causes, especially if they are at all guarded from excess of wet. But in the
smoky sooty atmosphere of crowded cities, none but a very few of the most robust of the hardy sorts
will even survive, unless sheltered by some permanent covering, such as glass. To cultivate even the
hardy sorts, then, in such murky situations, where they become especially valuable from their cheerful
aspect and the often impossibility of cultivating flowering-plants, a complete covering of some kind is
indispensable, and this is best constructed of glass. No artificial heating is necessary for them ; but,
merely an inclosure which may shut the plants up, and seclude them, as far as practicable, from the
fuliginous atmosphere of a thickly inhabited locality. The size might vary from the small glazed case
on the window-ledge, to the inclosed court-yard; and, in either case, according to the space, the
interior should be disposed in the picturesque style to which tlie dignified title of rock-work is generally
applied. Such an arrangement of the surface is, at least, the most appropriate, both as to the wants
of the plants, and as to their adaptation to an ornamental purpose. If grown in imts a low pit is most
suitable ; but for convenience sake it should be contrived so that a pathway inside, with sutneient
head-room, may afford facility of access.

The greenhouse species may be grown in a similar pit-Hke structure, with the addition of sufficient
means of heating to exclude frost. The plants are undoubtedly best situated, as well as most effective,
when planted out on rock-work among winding pathways ; but if it is preferred to grow them in pots,
any simple and convenient form of low close pit may be adopted.

The same considerations, except as to the heating, apjily to the culture of the stove species. For a
very limited collection a small pit would be best, on account of the economy of keeping up the neces-
sary heat ; but where the collection is considerable a larger house, with rock-work embankments
of tasteful and irregular outline, should be preferred; and the plants, when arranged with a due
regard to tlieir habit on the different positions rock-work affords, will find themselves in such con-
genial situations, as to develope to the full all tliosc luxurious and graceful cliaracteristics for which

MR. ward’s FRRN-HOUSE.

Such a structm-e, as the accompanying figure represents, is in truth, a Wardian Case on a large
scale. For all the greenhouse species nothing is better adapted than the modifications of the ordinary
Wardian Case, of a size suitable to occupy convenient positions near the windows, in drawing rooms, on
staircase landings, and similar situations; or, if it be preferred, that modification of the Wardian
Case to which the name of Warington Case is applied (in which aquatic botany and zoology is
brought within the domestic range) may be ado^hed. The principle of' the Warington Case is
exemplified in the accompanying figure, which shows how, in some measure, the two objects may
be combined.

Wardian Cases arc very easily managed. For the sake of durability the case should have a metallic
box fitted within for the soil and roots; and this should have an outlet — to be closed at pleasure — at
the lower part communicating with the outside, by which all superfluous water may be drained off
whenever water is applied. But for this it would be impossible to avoid the presence of stagnant
water, which is most injurious to vegetation generallJ^ Then a scries of reversed flower-pots, and a
layer of small lumps of old brick or freestone, from the size of an egg upwards, should be spread over
the bottom, and on this six inches or more of the rougher turfy or himpj- parts of soil, well mixed with
pure silver sand and smaller fragments of brick or burnt clay, in the proportion of about one-third.
The soil is to be placed on this foundation. It should consist of equal parts of good mellow’ maiden

GENERAL HINTS ON FERN CULTURE.

the Ferns are so much prized. The accompanying vignette of Mr. Ward’s Fern-house, shows some-
thing of the effect -which is produced by jflaiTts disposed in this semi-natural -w’ay, although in this
instance other plants are seen to accompany the Ferns.

GENERAL HINTS ON FERN CULTURE.

7

loam and light turfy peat, mixed with a third equal portion, consisting, hulk for bulk, of silver sand
and of fragments of brick or soft sandstone of the size of nuts. This compost will suit any Fern, and
with this the lower part of the case is to be filled up. A few smallish lumps of sandstone, or of
pumice-stone, should be employed to raise up some rocky elevation, according to fancy, above the
surface level ; and the spaces between these stones are to be filled up firmly with the same kind of
soil. The case is then ready for planting; or, if the space is limited, it is better to plant as the piling
up of the stones proceeds, because then the roots of the Ferns can bo more readily disposed among

THE WAUINGTON PLANT C.\SK

the soil. All species which grow natm’ally against rocks or trees should, however, rather be fixed
firmly and compactly to the masses of stone, and, provided the atmosphere is made congenial to them,
they will soon throw out their little rootlets, and fix themselves securely ; whilst, if planted directly
in the soil, some of them at least would fail to grow, and none would thrive so well.

After planting, a thorough watering should he given ; and all the superfluous water that will
drain away in the course of three or four hours should bo allowed egress by the outlet at the bottom,
which may then be closed until another watering takes place. Afterwards the case is to be closed,
and should remain so, except when it may be opened to view the plants; or, if any indications of
mildew are observed, it may be opened for half an hour daily to check any such tendency. If the
aspect where they are placed is not a shady one, artificial shading should be resorted to in all periods
of bright sunshine. Under this treatment it will be some time — months perhaps, the period varying
with the amount of moisture which is permitted to escape by evaporation — before another watering is
needed ; but when it is perceived that moisture is required, a thorough watering should be given as at
first, allowing all that is superfluous to drain away before closing up the case.

The necessary heat for structures devoted to Ferns cannot be better supplied than by the agency
of a hot-water ap^iaratus, constructed on a good principle ; and in the case of tropical Ferns, a portion
of the heating pipes should be so placed as to throw a degree of warmth about the stages on which

8

GENERAL HINTS ON FERN CULTURE.

tlie pots are placed. If this is not attended to, especially when the stages are of stone or slate, the
quantity of water necessarily thrown over them, in order to keep up the atmospheric moisture, is apt
to produce an injurious chilliness about the roots, sometimes fatal to the more delicate kinds. The
hardy species, as already mentioned, do not require artificial heat. The greenhouse species merely
require to be preserved from frost in winter, or, say in a temperature of 40°, increased to 50° and
60° in spring. For the stove species an average night temperature of 55° to 60°, and day temperature
of 65° to 70°, is proper in the winter months ; the temperature in the rest of the year averaging 65° at
night, and from 70° to 80° by day.

Of atmospheric moisture Ferns need an abundant and almost unvarying supply during the entire
period of their growth ; in fact, the atmosphere should almost constantly be kept at nearly the point
«f saturation. During the winter season, when all the higher groups of plants are less active in their
growth, the degree of moisture may be properly limited, especially as it regards any kinds which may
be of deciduous habit; but when growing Ferns are sought to be kept in health and vigour, the
amount of moisture kept up must always be considerable. This large amount of moisture being
necessary, it is desirable to provide in Fern-houses a large amount of evaporating surface, composed
of some porous material that will readily absorb moisture. It is a good plan to employ a false
flooring of wooden trelliswork, so that the actual floor may be frequently flooded, without rendering
the pathways inconveniently wet. Ferns should also be lightly syringed twice daily, except during
a continuance of very dull weather : indeed, oftener in hot weather will be beneficial.

Though scarcely any Ferns thrive in a constantly wet soil, yet they are generally injured by being
suffered to get dry at the root. Indeed, with some of the more fickle kinds this is certain destruction.
During all the time they are growing, therefore, they should have a free supply of water at the root,
taking care that the soil never becomes soddened. If this is seen to be the case, the plant should at
once be repotted, so that its drainage may be corrected. When the plants are dormant, less water
is necessary.

The Water Fern [Ceratopteris thalictr aides) is an exception to the case just named. This, after
being potted, should be set in water of sufficient depth to cover the pot in which it is planted.
Under these conditions, and supplied with a tropical temperature, it grows vigorously, producing
abundance of sporules, from which it may be increased. A simple mode of propagating this species,
however, is afforded by the proliferous buds which are developed numerously on the old fronds.
Young plants from this source should be secured towards the close of summer, and kept in small pots
placed in feeders of water ; and these, if shifted into fresh soil in spring, and set in warm water, will
soon ju’oduce fertile fronds.

When Ferns are grown in pots, and have become well established, the majority of them like to
have plenty of pot room, provided the pots are well drained. Thus a plant of a free-growing kind,
bearing fronds of a foot or so in length, may have a pot nearly or quite a foot in diameter ; and so
in proportion to the size of the plants, provided always that excess is not indulged in, and that when
any appearance of overpotting is observed it is speedily remedied.

Ferns are less attacked by insects than most other plants, but they are sometimes infested by one of
the large species of coccus, which spreads rapidly, and if suffered to accumulate is very troublesome
to remove, and renders the plants filthy and unsightly. Some of the tender-foliaged kinds are some-
times attacked by green-fly, which are to be destroyed, as soon as perceived, by fumigation with
tobacco, which is also the best method of destroying the thrip, which is apt to infest the hardier
sorts when they are placed in a high temperature, and, if too dry an atmosphere is maintained,
sometimes spreads over a collection, and occasions much annoyance.

Ferns are propagated by division or by their spores. Some increase very readily, and others only
with the greatest unwillingness. All the creeping-stemmed species are increased without difficulty,
by detaching portions of the caudex or rhizome furnished with fronds and roots, and placing them in a
close frame, after potting them, until they are established. Some of the ferns of this habit, however,
which prefer to adhere to the surface of damp stone, or the bark of wood rather than to be potted in

GENERAL HINTS ON FERN CULTURE.

9

soil, such as Trichomanes and others, should have the portions of their rhizome firmly fixed against the
stone or wood, and then must be kept close and moist until they get established. The tufted-growing
species, where they readily produce lateral crowns, are increased by detaching these with their roots
and jiotting them separately ; but others of this habit so seldom produce any other than their central
crown, and this indivisable, that it scarcely ever becomes possible to increase them by this moans.
Many species are viviparous, and these arc readily increased by fixing a frond in contact with the
surface of the soil, and detaching the young plants after they have become rooted. A few others pro-
duce young plants at the apex of their fronds, thus affording a means of increase. But the most general
mode of increase is by means of the spores, which are the analogues of the seeds of flowering plants, and
which are in most cases produced very abundantly. We quote the following account of their germination
from Mr. Henfrcy’s paper on this subject in the Gardeners’ 3Iagazine of Botany (vol. iii., ji. 22) : —

“ It has long been known that when the spores of the Ferns germinate, they first produce little disks of green
cellular tissue, lying like collections of little green membranous scales upon the
surface on which they are growing. A few years ago. Professor Nageli of Zurich
observed a peculiar structure upon these little germinal fronds, consisting of cellular
bodies, from which were discharged spiral filaments, moving rapidly and
apparently voluntarily through the water in which the object lay beneath
the microscope. The discovery of these organs was not much noticed at
the time, but subsequently Count Leszczye-Suminski of Berlin made a
complete series of observations on the germination of the Ferns, and
published an elaborate and fully-illustrated account of them, in
which he not only confirmed the statement of the existence of
these so-called antheridia of the Ferns, hut showed
that there existed two kinds of cellular organs upon
the young germ frond, which organs he considered
to represent the two sexes, and to correspond to the
antheridia and pistiUidia of the mosses.

“ I have examined these structures, and can
confirm completely, in most respects, the account
Suminski has given of their general structure ; but my observations have not yet been sufficiently extended to
enable me to give an opinion on the physiological questions relating to them, which I shall presently speak of.
In the first place, therefore, I will describe these bodies as I have seen them, and in a manner which will enable
any one possessing a microscope to repeat them for himself.

1, 2" 3, 4, 5. Successive stages of development from the spore
shown at Fig. 1 . In Fig. 5 are seen tw'o of the antheridia.

6. A germinal frond (it is a simple cellular plate like
the leaf of a Moss) : a are two “ovules;” 6 a number of
“ antheridia c root fibrils.

7. A more highly magnified view of a piece of the frond
with two “ antheridia,” one containing the vesicles (6), the
other burst (d).

8. Side view of S in the last figure.

9. The same bursting to discharge the vesicles, which again
discharge the spiral filaments e.

10. One of the spiral filaments or “ animalcules” more mag-
nified.

“ The germinal frond must be taken very young, while yet not more than one-eighth of an inch in diameter,
and before any sign of the first leaf appears rising from its upper surface. The little frond will then be found
in the shape of a rounded or heart-shaped disk, formed of delicate green cells (Fig. 6) ; a single layer, except in

C

10

GENERAL HINTS ON I='EEN CULTURE.,

the middle, having heen gradually developed into this form through the stages represented in the preceding
figures (Fig. 1 — 5). To see the peculiar organs, the disa-like cellular plate must be carefully laid face down-
wards upon a slip of glass, and washed clean, gently removing the grains of soil with a camel-hair pencil from
among the rootlets. When placed under the microscope, a number of projecting colls (Pig. 6, b) are generally
found scattered about the frond. These are seen to he again filled with minute vesicles (Figs. 7 and 8), which
escape by the bursting of the protruding cell, either spontaneously or by slight pressure on the glass covering
the object (Fig. 9). As the vesicles emerge they burst also, and from them springs out a spiral thread-like
body, thickened at one end, and furnished with cilia (Fig. 10). These, the so-called animalcules, swim about

with great rapidity, shooting forward, and continually whirling
round on their own axes. To see them clearly their motion must
he stopped by adding a little solution of iodine. On the thickened
part of the frond, near the notch, are to be
found in most cases, not always, cellular struc-
tures of larger size, and more complicated (Fig.

6, a). They consist of conical papillae, with cel-
lular walls, containing a cavity in the centre
(Fig. 11-12.) _ J.T

“ Now, the statements of Sumiuski
are to the effect that these last bodies ‘
represent ovules, and that a
little cell exists at the bottom of the cavity (Fig. 13), which becomes
fertilized by the entrance of one of the spiral bodies, in a manner
supposed to have some analogy to the entrance of the pollen-tuhe into
the ovules of flowering plants. My own observations have not afforded
me a view of any process of this kind ; and elaborate investigations
have been made since the publication of Suminski’s paper by two skilful
German anatomists. Dr. Wigand and M. Schacht, with a view to con-
firm or refute his assertions, so important in a physiological point of
view. They both agree in stating that very extensive research has failed to reveal anything like an entrance
of the spiral bodies into the so-called ovules ; and M. Schacht further avers, that in the young stages of the
‘ovules,’ at which stage Suminski states the fertilization takes place, the cavity is closed up.”

12. Side view of an “ ovule.”

13. The summit of the same, seen from above.
13. Side view of an “ovule” from Suminski,

representing the embryo-cell at the bottom of
the cavity.

1-1, 15, 16. Germinating Ferns [Pfei'is
serrulata), with the young leaves spring-
ing up from the germinal frond.

The evidence is so far against Count Suminski’s views, though the probabilities are in favour of
them ; and, at all events, the import of the remarkable structures remains to be cleared up. The first
leaf emerges from the substance of the cellular thickening of the germinal frond, which is carried up
a little way in a kind of sheath. The “ ovule,” or several, may often be seen attached to the side of
this sheathing process of tissue. It is the opinion of Count Suminski that the first leaf is developed
from the minute cell vrhich, he says, lies at the bottom of the “ovule,” just as the embryo is in the
embryo sac of a phanerogamous ovule; but, if this were the case, there would be the striking
difference that the embryo bursts through the coats of the ovule at the side, the radical extremity not
pointing to the canal where the fertilizing influence enters, as in the flowering plants. The second leaf
of the young plants is developed in the axil of the first, and so on, the little Marchantia-like germinal
frond soon decaying away.

The spores germinate whenever they fall on a surface constantly damp, such as the surface of the
soil, a damp wall, or the damp exterior of a flower-pot. Self-sown plants spring up by thousands in
houses where collections of Ferns are kept. When the object is to raise any particular kind, or to
obtain living plants of new species from the spores derived from herbarium specimens, a very con-
venient plan is to fill a pot or pan with soil rather more loamy and sandy than that employed for
potting, the pan being well drained. After giving the surface a good watering, scatter the spores
evenly over the surface, and set the pan under a close glass and in a close frame, avoiding watering if
possible until they have germinated. When the second and third fronds are produced they can be
handled, and should be transplanted into nursery pots, or otherwise as may be convenient. After
they have reached this stage, their progress is rapid.

Another method of raising Ferns from the spores, much more exact in its results, has been described
by Mr. Deane, of Clapham, in the following interesting letter * addressed to Mr. Ward

* Ward On the Growth of Plants in Closehj-gla:ied Cases. London : Van Voorst.

GENERAL HINTS ON FERN CULTURE.

11

“When Suminsky’s work on the development of Ferns first came into my hands, a strong desire to repeat
his observations led me to seek for seedlings where they were most likely to be found, namely, in my own Fern-
case, at Kew, and other conservatories ; but I soon found such sources were unsatisfactory, for, although 1 could
obtain abundance of plants in which the organs of reproduction (.^) described by him were clearly discernible,
yet I could rarely find the moving ciliated bodies said to perform such an important part in their development.
There were, too, differences, evidently specific, that I could not comprehend, and which were a bar to anything
like correct observation. It was therefore obvious, if the investigation were to be followed up successfully, that
some means must be devised for raising an unlimited supply of any desired species.

“ The usual method of sowing Fern-seed, by scattering it over damp, sandy mould, is very uncertain, for the
mould itself will frequently contain the seeds of other species ; and even if the crop of plants come true to the
sowing, it is difficult properly to separate sand and other extraneous matter from the young frond, previously to
placing it under a microscope, without danger of injuring its delicate structure. My plan, therefore, was to
procure some soft, porous, potter’s ware — material that should readily imbibe and retain moisture — upon w'hich
to sow the seed desired to be raised. While searching for such material, I met with a peculiarly fine and soft
sandstone admirably adapted for the purpose. This I prepared by breaking it into pieces of from one to two
inches square and less than one inch thick, afterwards rendering the faces parallel and smooth by rubbing them
on a flat stone. The reason for thus adjusting the size and smoothness of the pieces was simply to facilitate their
being placed, for observation, on the stage of a microscope. Before sowing the seeds on these prepared pieces,
they were baked in an oven, to destroy any organic life that might be lurking about them. They were then
piled in dishes, moistened with distilled water, and covered with bell-glasses, preparatory to receiving the seed.
The seed to be sown was obtained from a recently- gathered frond, laid fruiting side down, between two sheets of
white paper, on the top of which was laid a book, or piece of board, to keep them in place. In the course of
three or four days the seed was discharged from the capsules, and removed to the damp stone, by turning the
stone down upon it, of course taking care that the seed did not lie too thickly. In about sixty hours germination
had commenced, and henceforth daily progressed into maturity. In this way I have raised several species of
Ferns without a failure; abundant means being thus afforded for observing their development from the com-
mencement of germination up to the perfect-plant.

“ I have been repeatedly told by those who have attempted to raise Ferns from seed, that I might sow what
I pleased, but something I did not want would spring up. Most likely such had been the experience of my
informants, although the reason for it W'as not obvious. My experiments proved the contrary, and demonstrated
most unequivocally that, by observing the requisite conditions, any species may be raised, if the seed sown be
resh and fully matured.

“This principle of raising Ferns is applicable to several important purposes, besides that of the facility it
affords for observing and studying the laws of their development. In the first place, many kinds now rare and
valuable, or even unknown, in this country, from the difficulty of bringing them home, even with the protection
of Mr. Ward’s glazed cases, might bo introduced with facility by sowing the seeds in the country where they
grow on some suitable material, whether sand-stone, Bath brick, tile, wood, bark, or even charcoal ; wood or
bark suggests itself in the case of such as are parasitic in their habits, and inclosing them in a small glass case —
a case so much smaller than would be required for full-grown plants that it might be a cabin companion for a
long voyage. Secondly, it is frequently desirable, even in this country, to raise particular species with some
greater degree of certainty than, from various ill-understood causes, is generally found practicable. Again,
experiments on this principle may bo tried in a great variety of ways, until the true habits of obscure species are
accurately detei’mined. Some Ferns are impatient of removal : such may be raised from seed on suitable pieces
of stone or wood, and afterwards introduced into pots or crevices in walls and rock- work prepared to receive them.

“I conceive that a Ward’s case, artificially filled with such admirable sand-stone as my experiments have
been made upon, but which I am sorry not to be able to tell you the source of, might be judiciously sown with
seeds of small moisture-loving Ferns, and form one of the most exquisite of drawing-room or cottage conserva-
tories, and which, in its gradual progress to maturity, would delight the eye, expand the understanding, and
warm the heart in love and gratitude towards the Author of that portion of Creation which is truly the most
beautiful, as -well as most essential, to our healthy and happy existence on earth — I mean the vegetable kingdom.

“No kind of vegetation that I am acquainted with has ever struck me with such wonder, admiration, and
delight, as the little crops of Ferns raised in the way I have now endeavoured to show ; and nothing would
please me better than to see others deriving similar enjoyment from this simple and accessible source. Any one
who makes a garden of this kind under a bell-glass, must observe that the material on which the seed is sown is
so porous that the requisite amount of moisture will pass to the top, by capillary action, when applied to the
bottom of it ; also, that with an abundance of light, the sun must not shine directly upon it.”

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA.

+

pOLYPODIACEJE,

R, Brown, — Sjjore-cascs pedicellate [rarely sessile),
oblique) elastic nearly complete ring.

ivith a vertical [rarely

Tribe I. POLYPODIE,;®, J. Smith. — Sori round, oblong, or linear, without a special indusium.
Sometimes the margins of the segments of contracted fertile fronds are revolute, and simu-
lating an indusium.

Section I. OrtliopMehiecB, J. Smith. — Veins all distinct or free.

1. Grammitis, Swartz. — Veins simple or forked internal, the soriferous venule sometimes very-
short. Sori oval or oblong, oblique, lateral.

2. Polypodium, Lmnmis. — Veins simple, forked or pinnate. So7'i circular, rarely oval or oblong,
uniserial, solitary, or irregular ; sometimes immersed in a deep cyst, terminal or lateral.

3. Struthiopteris, Willdenow. — Fronds (fertile) with contracted conniving indusiiform margins
to the moniliform pinnae, the segments wholly occupied by round confluent sori ; spore-cases lateral,
the base of the pedicels concrete, and forming an elevated thickened receptacle. Veins pinnate.

4. Allosorus, Bernhardi. — Veins forked, terminating within the indusiiform margin. Fronds
dissimilar ; the fertile with contracted conniving indusiiform margins. Sori round or oblong, becoming
confluent, terminal.

5. NoTHOCHLiENA, E. Brown. — Veins forked, pinnate, or bifurcate. Sori round, solitary or laterally
confluent into a linear continuous or interrupted marginal band, terminal.

6. Gymnogramma, Desvaux. — Veins forked or pinnate ; venules simple. Sori oblong or linear,
simple or forked, oblique, often becoming confluent, medial; spore-cases superficial, often occupying
nearly the whole length of the venules, and sometimes echinate.

Section II. Symphoplilehieai, J. Smith. — Veins anastomosing or reticulated.

7- Meniscium, Schreber. — Veins pinnately costeform, the opposite pairs of Venules angularly or
arcuately anastomosing, and producing from their junction an excurrent sterile veinlet, which is free
or united with the venules above it. Sori linear, somewhat transverse, arcuate or crescent-shaped,
continued across the j unction of two anastomosing venules, medial, at length confluent.

8. Goniopteris, Presl. — Veins pinnately costmform, the lower (or more) opposite pair of venules
angularly anastomosing, and producing from their junction a free or anastomosed excurrent sterile
veinlet. Sori round, medial, or costal, sometimes echinate.

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENEKA.

13

9. Goniophlebium, Presl. — Veins forked or piniiately costa;form, the lower exterior venule free
and fertile, the rest angularly anastomosing, and producing from their junction an excurrent free,
often fertile, veinlet. Sori round, in one or more transverse parallel rows, naked or squamiferous,
terminal.

10. Cy'RTOPhlebium, M. Brown. — Veins forked or pinnatcly eostmform, the lowest Gxicrior venule
free and fertile, the rest arcuately or angularly anastomosing, producing from their exterior side two
or more excurrent free, usually fertile vemlets, which are sometimes very short, or sometimes united
with the next superior venules, thus forming two series of arcoles between each two primary veins.
Sori round, naked, arranged in two rows between and parallel with the costsefoi'm veins, or irregular,
terminal, or lateral.

11. Niphobolus, Kaulfiiss. — -Veins internal, indistinct, pinnate; venules parallel, transversely
anastomosing, producing from their exterior side two to five or more free or irregularly anastomosing
vemlets. Sori round, terminal, in parallel transverse rows between the veins, sometimes irregular
and usually confluent, protruding through dense stellate pubescence.

12. Phlebodium, It. Brown.. — Veins pinnate or variously branched ; venules arcuately or angularly
anastomosing, producing on their exterior side or at their angular junction two or more conniving
veinlets, which are sporangiferous on their combined apices or point of junction. Sori round, oval or
rarely oblong-linear, transversely uniserial, biserial or multiserial, sometimes irregular.

13. Deynaria, Bory. — Veins pinnate, parallel or flexuose; venules compoundly anastomosing,
producing sori at the angles or points of confluence, and from their sides variously directed free
sterile veinlets. Sori round or oblong, naked, or squamiferous, superficial or deeply immersed, uni-
serial, or in one or two oblique rows between the veins, or irregular.

14. Dictymia, J. Smith.— Venation uniform, reticulated, internal, the transversely uniserial sori
compital, or produced at the confluence of the venules ; receptacle immersed. Sori large, oblong.

15. Drymoglossum, Presl. — Venation uniform, compoundly anastomosing, pi-oducing variously
directed free veinlets. Sori linear, continuous, marginal or intramarginal, produced on the transverse
sides and junctions of the venules, forming a broad pilose or squamiferous marginal soriferous line.

16. TiENioPSis, J. Smith. — Veins simple, parallel, the apices combined transversely by the recep-
tacle. Sori linear, continuous, immersed in an intramarginal groove.

17. ViTTARiA, Smith. — Veins simple, parallel, the apices combined transversely by the marginal
receptacle. Sori linear, continuous, immersed in a marginal groove facing outwards.

18. Antrophyum, Kaulfuss. — Venation uniform, reticulated, the sides of the areoles more or less
sporangiferous. Sori linear, continuous or interrupted, reticulated, the receptacle immersed in the
substance of the frond.

19. Hemionitis, Linneeus. — Venation miiiorra, reticulated, the sides of the nearly equal areoles
sporangiferous. Sori linear, reticulated, superficial, subsequently confluent.

20. Ceratopteris, Brongniart. — Fronds dissimilar, flaccid. Veins transversely elongated, and
distantly anastomosing. Soil linear, continuous, parallel, superficial, occupying the lengthened
transverse sides of the venules, and concealed by the reflexed conniving margins of the segments.

Tribe II. ACROSTICHEjE, J. Smith. — Sori amorphous, that is, not of any definite form, without
a special indusium.

Section I. OrthophJeMete, J. Smith.— Veins all distinct or free.

21. Elaphoglossxjm, Schott. — Veins internal, simple, or forked; venules parallel, their apices
clavate, terminating in a thickened margin. Sori dense, usually covering the whole under surface
of the fertile fronds, which are smaller than the sterile ones.

22. SlENOCHLiENA, J. Smith. — Fronds (fertile) contracted. Veins (sterile) simple or forked ;
venules parallel, their apices exserted forming cartilaginous serratures, or conniving and forming a
thickened margin. Sori densely covering the under side of the linear narrow pinute, which have
membranous revolute margins.

14

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA.

23. PoLYBOTRYA, Humholdt. — Fronds (fertile) contracted. Veins pinnate, simple ; venules free,
external, Sori occupying one or both sides of the spiciform segments of the contracted fronds.

Section II. Symphoplilebiece, J. Smith. — Veins anastomosing or reticulated.

24. Olfersia, Raddi. — Fronds (fertile) contracted and soriferous on both surfaces. Veins forked,
parallel, internal, their apices combined with a transverse continuous marginal vein. Sori dense,
occupying the whole surface of the fertile fronds.

25. Anetium, Splitgerher. — Veins uniform, reticulated, the areoles elongate trapezoid or hexagonal.
Spore-cases sparingly scattered over the under surface, often collected into small groups or lines.

26. Hvmenodium, Fee. — Fro?ids (fertile) contracted. Veins uniform, internal, reticulated, forming
large elongated trapezoid hexagonal areoles. Sori densely covering the under sui’face of the fertile
fronds. Rhizome decumbent, criniferous.

27. Acrostichum, Linnceus. — i'V-onJs contracted in the fertile pinnee. Fefws uniform reticulated,
forming small elongated usually tetragonal and parallel areoles. Sori densely covering the under sur-
face of the fertile pinnte. Rhizome erect, caudiciform.

28. Platvcerium, Resvaux. — Fronds dissimilar,, stellately pubescent, the fertile forked. Veins
repeatedly forked and distantly anastomosing ; venules internal, compoundly reticulated, with vari-
ously du-ected free veinlets terminating in the areoles. Sori forming irregular patches near the ex-
tremities of the fronds or on special lateral thickened lobes; receptacle consisting of an accessory layer
of parallel anastomosing veinlets crossing the sterile ones, and producing crowded linear lines of
spore-cases.

29. CvRTOGONiUM, J. Smith. — Fronds (fertile) contracted. Veins pinnately costseform ; venules
arcuately or angularly anastomosing, producing from their exterior sides or points of confluence one
or more excurrent free or iiTegularly anastomosing veinlets. Sori occupying the under surface of the
fertile fronds, or crowded on the venules.

30. Gymnopteris, Bernhardi. — Fronds (fertile) contracted. Vems uniform or costaeform ; venules
compoundly anastomosing, producing variously directed, straight or curved, free veinlets, terminating
within the areoles. Sori univei’sal on the under surface of the fertile fronds.

Trihe III. PTERIDEiE, .7. Smith, — Sori round or elongated, transverse, marginal, intramarginal,
or costal, furnished with a special lateral indusium, free at the inner edge, and attached at the
exterior side of the sporangiferous receptacle, which is parallel with the midrib or margin.

Section I. Chilosorcce, J. SmitR. — Sori marginal.

31. Adiantum, Linnceus. — Costa excentric or wanting; veins unilateral or -radiating, forked;
venules direct, their apices terminating in the axis of the indusium. Sori round, reniform, oblong or
linear, continuous or interrupted ; indusium venose, sporangiferous on its under surface.

32. Cheilanthes, Swartz. — Vems forked ; venules direct, their apices free and sporangiferous.
Sori round, solitary or contiguous, often becoming confluent ; indusium usually reniform, rarely
oblong, and including niore than one sorus.

33. Hvpoeepis, Bernhardi. — Veins forked or pinnate, the lower exterior venule soriferous. Sori
round, marginal opposite the sinus of the segments, partly concealed by a spurious indusium formed
of a reflexed marginal crenule.

34. Platyloma, j. Smith. — Veins forked ; venules direct, free, and sporangiferous at the apex.
Sori oblong, laterally confluent into a broad marginal band ; indusium narrow, attached to the outer
side of the broad sporangiferous receptacle.

35. Doryopteris, J. Smith. — Veins nearly uniform, internal, reticulated, forming elongated
oblique areoles. Sori linear, continuous ; indusium narrow.

36. Litobrochia, Presl. — Vems external, elevated, arcuately and angularly anastomosing, forming

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA.

15

unequal arcoles, sometimes reticulated only near tlie midrib or margin. Sori linear, continuous, or
interrupted ; rnclusiiim narrow.

37. Lonchitis, Zmw«MS. — ^ Ferns reticulated, producing unequal areoles. Sori oblong or linear-
arcuate, produced on the apices of four or five convergent venules, which terminate in the sinus of
tlie segments; indusmm linear.

38. Pteris, iwmfeMS. — Veins forked; venules free, or their apices combined by a sporangiferous
receptacle ; the inferior pair sometimes arcuately or transversely anastomosing, forming a single row
of elongated costal areoles. Sori linear, continuous or interrupted, usually occupying the sides only
of the segments ; indusium plane, linear, its base often sporangiferous.

39. Onychium, Kaulfuss.-— Veins simple, direct, free, or combined at their apices by a transverse
sporangiferous receptacle seated in the axis of the indusium. Sori short, linear, continuous, usually
becoming confluent and covering the whole of the segment ; indusium plane, linear, slightly intra-
marginal, the free margins of opposite indusia conniving over the midrib.

Section II. Metasorece, J. Smith. — Sori intramarginal or costal.

40. Lomaria, Wilklenoio. — Fronds dissimilar, the fertile contracted. Veins (sterile) forked,
scarcely evident in the fertile fronds ; venules direct, free, with club-shaped apices usually terminating
within the margin. Sori linear, elongate, continuous, arising from a thick elevated receptacle, often
occupying nearly the whole disk ; indusium vaulted, revolute, and conniving, at length replicate and
torn, seated on or within the m.argin.

41. Blechnum, Linneeus. — Veins (sterile) forked ; venules direct, free, in the fertile fronds combined
near the base at the point of forking by a transverse sporangiferous receptacle. Sori linear, con-
tinuous or interrupted, costal, rarely medial ; indusium plane, conniving with the costa.

42. Doodia, R. Brown. — Veins forked; venules arcuately anastomosing near the base, there gene-
rally soriferous, then free and direct towards the margin. Soi-i oblong, straight or arcuate, trans-
versely uniserial or biserial ; indusium plane.

43. WooDWARDiA, Smith. — Veins reticulated, becoming free near the margin. Sori oblong or
linear, elongated, uniserial, immersed, produced on the transverse costal venules ; indusium revolute,
vaulted.

Tribe IV. ASPLENIEjE, J. Smith. — Sori elongated oblique to the midrib or axis of venation borne
on the superior or inferior sides, or on both sides, of the venules, and furnished with a special
lateral plane or vaulted indusium.

Section I. OrthopMehiecVj J. Smitli. — ^Veins all free.

44. ScoLOPENDRiUM, Smith. — Veins forked; venules parallel, direct, free, with club-shaped apices,
terminating within the margin. Sori linear, unilateral, produced on the proximate sides of the
anterior and posterior branch of each fascicle of veins, and confluent in pairs (face to face) ; indusium
(of each pair) with the free margins conniving, opening by a longitudinal suture.

45. Diplazium, Swartz. — Veins forked, or pinnate; vemdes direct, free. Sori linear, produced on
both sides of the venules (back to back), constituting binate sori; indusium plane. All, or the lower
venules only, soriferous on both sides, the superior ones frequently producing simple sori, as in
Asplenium.

46. Asplenium, Lmneeus. — Vems forked or pinnate ; venules direct, free. Sori simpile, linear,
oblong, or elongated, unilateral on the anterior side of the venules ; indusium plane or vaulted.

Section II. Sympliophlehiem, J. Smith. — Veins anastomosing or reticulated.

47. Ceterach, Willdenow. — FetMS forked or pinnate; venules more or less anastomosing, the lower
anterior one soriferous on the side next the raches. Sori oblong or linear, unilateral, protruding
through dense elongated scales ; indusium obsolete.

16

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA.

48. Neottopteris, J. Smith. — Veins forked ; venules direct, parallel, combined at the apices by a
transverse continuous marginal vein. Sori linear parallel, unilateral on the anterior side of the
venules ; indusium plane.

49. Antigeamma, Presl. — Veins forked ; venules angularly anastomosing or reticulated, with
the marginal veinlets free. Sori linear, unilateral on the proximate sides of the primary
venules of each fascicle, usually confluent in pairs ; indusium linear, the free margins of each pair
conniving.

50. HiEMiDiCTYUM, Presl. — Veins forked ; venules parallel near the costa, anastomosing and
reticulate near the margin, where they are combined by a transverse continuous vein. Sori linear,
unilateral, on the anterior side of the parallel portion of the venules ; indusium plane.

51. Callipteris, Bory. — Veins pinnately costceform, the opposite pairs of venules angularly
anastomosing, the superior ones usually free. Sori linear, binate, produced on both sides the venules ;
indusium plane.

Tribe V. ASPIDIEA3, J. Smith. — Sori round, rarely oblong, intramarginal, furnished with a special
indusium, wliich is orbicular produced from the centre of the sporangiferous receptacle, or
reniform or cucullate produced from its posterior side, or attached wholly round the receptacle
(calyciform).

Section I. Symplophlehiece, J. Smitli. — Veins anastomosing or reticulate.

52. Hypoderris, It. Bi'own.— Veins cosi^iovm-, venules compoundly anastomosing, producing
from their sides variously directed free sterile veinlets, and soriferous at the j)oints of confluence of
several veinlets. Sori small, irregular or uniserial on each side the veins ; indusium small calyciform,
very membranous, laciniate and fimbriate at the margin.

53. Aspidium, Swartz. — Veins costceform ; venules compoundly anastomosing, producing from
their sides variously directed free sterile veinlets, and soriferous on the points of confluence of several
veinlets. Sori round, reniform, or by confluence oblong, irregular, or uniserial on each side the veins ;
indusium orbicular, peltate, or reniform, and attached laterally.

54. Sagenia, Presl. — Veins pinnate ; vemdes arcuately or angularly anastomosing (compoundly
anastomosing in the sterile fronds), forming unequal areoles with variously directed free veinlets on
the apices of which the sori are most frequently borne. Sori reniform or orbicular, uniserial on each
side the primary veins, or irregular, usually on the apices of free veinlets, sometimes on the points of
confluence of two or more veinlets ; indusium reniform or orbicular.

55. Onoclea, Linnceus. — Fronds dissimilar, the fertile with contracted bacciform sessile segments,
with membranous conniving fimbriate margins forming an universal indusium. Veins (fertile
fronds) simple direct free; or (sterile fronds) reticulated. Sori round, confluent, 4 — 8 on each
segment, medial, the pedicels of the spore-cases concrete ; indusium (special) lateral, cucullate, very
membranous.

56. Cyrtomium, Presl. — Veins pinnate ; venules, except the lower exterior one, which is free and
fertile, angularly anastomosing, and producing from their exterior side or angular junction, 1 — 3
excurrent free fertile veinlets. Sori round, medial, numerous, transversely multiserial ; indusium
orbicular, peltate.

57. Fadyenia, Hooker. — Fronds dissimilar, the fertile contracted, the sterile proliferous at its
apex. Veins forked; venules anastomosing and reticulate, the lower anterior one in each fascicle free
and fertile at its apex. Sori large, roundish- or oblong-reniform, transversely uniserial in the costal
areoles ; indusium reniform, lateral.

58. Nephrodium, Schott. — Veins pinnately-costeform ; vemdes angularly anastomosing, the lower
or more pairs producing from their junction an excurrent anastomosing veinlet, the superior ones free.
Sori round, medial, uniserial on each side the primary veins, sometimes confluent ; spore-cases some-
times echinate ; indusium reniform, rarely orbicular.

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA.

17

Section II. Orthophlebiem, .1. Smith.— Veins all free.

59. WOODSIA, R. Brown. — Veins forked; venules simple. Sort round, terminal or medial, at first
distinet, subsequently confluent ; indusium calyciform, nearly entire or deeply laciniated, the lacinia}
usually terminating in long hairs which involve the spore-cases.

60. Cystopteris, Bernhardi. — Veins forked ; venules simple. Sori round, medial, often becoming
confluent ; indusium lateral, oblong, inflated, cucullate, attached beneath the sorus across the venule
by its broad base, the free margin dentate or fimbriate.

61. Lastrea, Presl. — Veins forked or pinnately costseform; venules direct. Sori round, uniserial,
medial, or terminal ; indusium lateral, reniform, rarely orbicular, glabrous or pilose, sometimes
cochleate.

62. Pycnopteris, T. Moore. — Veins forked; venules elongate, parallel, direct, mostly terminating
in club-shaped apices near the margin, the lowest anterior and posterior ones (sometimes more) in
each fascicle soriferous. Sori large, roundish-reniforra, medial, near the costa, iiTegularly bi-tri-
serial ; receptacle elevated ; indusium reniform.

63. PoLYSTiCHUM, Schott. — Veins forked or pinnately-forked : venules direct, the lower anterior
one more fertile. Sori round, medial, rarely terminal, uniserial ; indusium orbicular, peltate, rarely
excentric and reniform.

64. Cyclopletis, J. Smith. — Veins thi-ice dichotomously branched; venules direct, the lower
anterior and posterior ones of each fascicle fertile Sori round, medial or terminal, biserial ; indusium
orbicular, peltate. — Pinnae articulate.

65. DiDYMOCHLiENA, Desvaicx. — Veins forked, radiating; venules direct, the apices of the sterile
ones clavate, the anterior one fertile. Sori elliptical,, terminal, uniserial ; indusium oblong, longi-
tudinally attached by its centre. — Pinnules articulate.

66. Nephrolepis, Schott. — Veins forked ; venules direct, the anterior one soriferous. Sori round,
terminal, uniserial ; indusium reniform, sometimes almost orbicular. — Pinnae articulate.

67. Oleandea, Cavanilles. — Veins simple or forked ; venules parallel, direct, their apices curved,
forming a slightly thickened margin. Sori round, costal or irregular, uniserial; indusium reniform,
rarely orbicular.

Tribe VI. DICKSONIEjE, J. Smith. — Sori marginal, round, globose, vertically-oblong or trans-
versely-elongate, with a special interior-attached lateral indusium, conniving more or less with
the changed indusiiform margin of the frond, forming urceolate calyciform or two-lipped cysts,
or marginal grooves containing the spore-cases.

Section I. Lindsceay J. Smith. — Spore-cases pedicellate, from an elongated transversely anastomosing, rarely
simple, terminal receptacle; indusia plane two-lipped.

68. Dictyoxipiiium, Hooker. — Fronds dissimilar, the fertile contracted with revolute margins,
soriferous on the upper half. Costa central, prominent ; veins internal, nearly uniform, compouudly-
anastomosing with variously directed free veinlets terminating in the areoles. Sori linear, continuous,
occupying both margins ; indusium linear, attached to the receptacle, opening from the upper surface of
the frond, and becoming rolled back.

69. Lindsaja, DryawtZer. — Costa excentric or wanting; veins forked radiating; venules (sterile
fronds) direct free ; or (fertile fronds) combined at their apices by the transverse receptacle. Sori
linear, continuous rarely interrupted ; special indusium linear, continuous, usually shorter than the
indusiiform margin of the frond.

Section II. Davalliecey J, Smith. — Spore-cases pedicellate from a simple terminal receptacle ; indusium more or
less attached by its base and sides, rarely by its base only, equalling the margin of frond and forming an
urceolate two-lipped or tubular vertical cyst.

70. Leucostegia, Pres^. — Veins forked; sewwfes direct, free. /Sori round, terminal, often solitary
on each segment, seated in the sinus ; indusium scariose, orbicular or oblong, its sides free.

D

18

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA.

71. Microlepia, PresZ Vehis forked or pinnate; venules direct, free. Sori round or oblong,

vertical, superficial, intramarginal ; receptacle elevated ; spore-cases spreading, rarely immersed in
a cystiforin cavity; indusium attached by its base and sides widening upwards, the free margin
rounded or truncate.

72. Deparia, Hooker. — Veins pinnate ; venules simple, direct, their apices free and sporangiferous.
Sori globose, extra-marginal ; spore-cases pedicellate, vertical ; the indusia forming with the indusiiform
teeth, calyciform exserted cysts.

73. Davallia, Smith. — Veins forked ; venules direct, free, with their apices soriferous. Sori verti-
cally oblong, intramarginal ; sp>ore-cases pedicellate, exserted beyond the free margin of the indusium ;
indusium inflated, forming with the changed margin of frond, a vertical two-lipped or tubular cyst
with the apex usually constricted.

Section HI. Tricliomanea:, J. SmitR.— Spore-eases sessile, seated compactly around a columnar receptacle, included
■within a bilabiate or urceolate usually vertical cyst, formed by the connivance of the indusium -with the margin
of the frond,

74. Triciiomanes, Linnceus, — Veins simple or forked, dmect. Sori vertically oblong, terminal ;
spore-cases sessile ; receptaeJe filiform exserted ; indusium urceolate or calyciform.

75. Hymenophyllum, .S'lmt/j. — Ferns direct, free. iS'ort globose or vertically oblong ; sp)ore-cases
sessile; receptacle columnar included; indusium urceolately two-lipped.

Section IV. Dicksonieco, J. Smith. — Spore-cases pedicellate from a round terminal receptacle, included within
a concave two-lipped or calyciform reflesed cyst, formed by the connivance of the special indusium with
the indusiiform crenules of the frond.

76. SiTOBOLiUM, Desvaux. — Veins pinnate; venules simple or forked, direct, their apices free and
sporangiferous. Sori globose, exserted ; receptacle elevated, globose ; special and accessory indusia
nearly equal, forming a reflexed entire or two-ljpped calyciform cyst.

77. Balantium, Kaulfuss. — Veins pinnate ; venules simple or forked, direct, free. Sori large,
nearly globose, exserted, solitary on each segment ; receptacle elevated, oblong ; special and accessory
indusia coriaceous, nearly equal, forming slightly reflexed oblong transversely two-lipped cysts.

78. Dicksonia, L’Heritier. — Ferns pinnate ; venules simple, direct, free, soriferous at the apex.
Sori large, globose ; receptacle elevated, globose ; indusia coriaceous, the accessory cucullate, larger
than the special, forming with it a reflexed unequal two-lipped cyst.

79. CiBOTiUM, FTmf^ifss. — Veins forked or pinnate ; venules direct, free, soriferous at the apex.
Sori somewhat globose, superficial, seated on the interior edge of the margin or sinus ; receptacle
small ; indusium coriaceous, of two unequal valves, forming a reflexed adnate two-lipped cucul-
late cyst.

Tribe VII. CYATHEJ5, J. Smith.— ^or\ round, globose, intramarginal, medial or axillary, fur-
nished (generally) with a calyciform or lateral interior-attached special indusium, or naked, or
furnished with articulate hairs involving the spore-cases. Receptacle elevated, globose, or
columnar. Spore-cases usually sessile and compressed.

80. Cyathea, Smith. — Veins pinnately-costeeform ; venules forked, direct, free. Sori medial or
costal, uniserial, usually axillary in the forks of the veins ; sp>ore-cases compressed, seated on a globose
receptacle ; indusium inferior, with an operculiform apex, becoming calyciform, entire or unequally
lacerated.

81. Hemitelia, It. Brown. — Veins simply or pinnately-forked ; vemdes free, or the inferior ones
angularly anastomosing, forming a costal arch and other areoles between the sinus and midrib of the
segments. Sori medial, uniserial, submarginal, or irregular ; recepitacle globose ; indusium semi-
calyeiform, interiorly attached.

82. Alsophila, jR. Rrotow. — Veins pinnately costceform ; venules simple or forked, direct, free.
Sori round or sub-globose, sometimes becoming confluent, medial or axillary, naked or furnished with
a lateral interior indusium, which is sometimes very small or hair-like.

SYNOPSIS OF TUE GENERA.

10

GLEICHENIACEiE, R. Brown. — Spore-cases sessile, globose or pyriform, opening vertically, ivith a
complete transverse ring. Sort round, superficial or immersed.

83. Gleichenia, Smith. — Veins pinnate or pinnatoly forked ; venules free, the lower anterior one
fertile. Sori round, terminal, naked and superficial, or immersed iu a concave cyst; spore-cases 2 — 4,

84. Mertensia, Willdenow.— Veins simply or pinnately forked; venules direct free, the anterior
one fertile. Sori round or globose, medial, naked or intermixed with hairs, superficial ; spore-cases
3—8.

SCHIZiEACEiE, Martius. — Spore-cases sessile, oval oblong, rarely globose, striate or rayed at the
apex, opening lengthways {vertically) on the exterior side, produced on contracted marginal lobules or
special appendices to the fronds.

85. Lygodium, Swartz. — Veins (sterile) forked, free, or (fertile) pinnate ; venules arcuate, bearing
the spore-cases on their superior sides. Sori on mai-giual appendices, forming linear spikelets, com-
posed of two series of indusiate imbricating cysts, each of which contains an oval resupinate spore-
case attached by its interior side.

86. Lygodictyon, J. Smith. — Veins (sterile) pinnate; vemiles anastomosing, forming unequal
oblong areoles. Sori on marginal appendices, forming linear sjiikelets, composed of two rows of
indusiate imbricating cysts, eacli of which contains an oval resupinate spore-case attached by its
interior side.

87. SchiZtEA, Sivartz. — Fertile appendices terminal, forming a reflexed pinnate crest of linear
segments, which have an inflexed indusiiforin margin. Spore-cases oval, vertical, arranged in a
compact row on each side the midrib of the linear unilateral conniving segments.

88. Aneimia, Swartz. — Ferns forked ; venules direct, free. Fertile fronds tripartite, the two
opposite branches contracted erect, Sori unilateral on linear segments, forming dense compound
panicles ; spore-cases oval, vertical, naked.

89. Aneimidictyon, J. Smith.— -Veins forked; venules reticulated, formmg unequal oblong
areoles ; otherwise as Aneimia.

90. Mohria, Swartz. — Fronds dissimilar, the fertile erect, uniformly contracted, constituting a
rachiform unilateral sporangiferous panicle, with the margin of the segments inflexed. Veins
forked ; venules dfrect, free. Sori marginal, on or near the apices of the venules ; spore-cases ovate,
globose, naked.

OSMUNDACEAE, Martius. — Spore-cases p>edicellate, globose, reticulated, opening by a vertical slit
{bivalved), the apex oblique, gibbous, pellucid, destitute of a ring.

91. OsMUNDA, Linnmis. — 7'ems forked ; venules direct, free. Sori naked and densely clustered
on contracted fronds, or on some portion of the segments, which are contracted, rachiform, simj)le or
paniculate ; spore-cases lai’ge, subglobose.

92. Todea, Willdenow. — Veins simple or forked ; venules direct, free. Sori oblong, simple, or
forked, and subsequently confluent; spore-cases naked, subglobose, bivalved, produced on evident
venules, few to each sorus.

MARATTIACEiE, Kaulfuss. — Spore-cases sessile {rarely pedicellate), horny, opaque, distinct, and
unilocular, or laterally and oppositely connate, formmg a multilocular round, oblong, or linear biserial
or bivalved compound spore-case, opening by pores or vertical slits on the interior side.

93. Marattia, Smith. — Veins forked ; venules direct, free, Sori linear, submarginal, consisting of a
transverse row of large oblong opaque multilocular spore-cases, one on each vein ; sqiore-cases sessile,

20

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA.

distinct, subterminal, longitudinally two-valved, the valves laterally connate, containing 6-12 cells,
opening by a vertical internal slit ; receptacle subterminal.

94. Eupodium, J. Smith. — Vems simple or forked, venules direct, free. Spore-cases large, oblong,
multilocular, seated on slender stalks, longitudinally two-valved, the valves laterally connate, contain-
ing 5-8 cells opening by a vertical slit inside ; receptaele medial.

95. Angiopteris, Hojfman.-r- Veins simple or forked ; venules direct, free. Sori linear, continuous,
compound ; sptore-cases obovate, emarginate, sessile, laterally confluent, arranged in opposite series of
5-7 cells, the cells opening by a vertical internal sUt ; receptacle medial.

96. Dan^a, Smith. — Veins forked ; venules direct, parallel, arcuate on their apices, anastomosing
with the cartilaginous margin. Spore-eases linear, biserial, multilocular, each cell opening by a cir-
cular pore ; receptacle occupying the whole length of the venules. — Fertile fronds usually contracted.

OPHIOGLOSSACE..®, Presl. — Spore-cases sessile, roundish or suhylobose, opening hy a transverse
fissure (bivalved), opaque, ivithouta ring or reticulation.

97. Botrychium, Swartz. — Fronds two-branched, the fertile branch erect, contracted, constituting
a compound sporangiferous unilateral panicle. Veins simple or forked, radiating; venules direct, free.
Spore-cases globose, distinct.

98. Ophioglossum, Linneeus. — Fronds two-branched, the sterile portion spreading, usually shorter
than the erect fertile spike. Veins (sterile) uniform, reticulated, forming elongated areoles. Spore-
cases roundish, connate in two parallel rows into a simple compact spike.

FERN CASE,

THE

GENERA AND SPECIES OF CULTIVATED FERNS.

Order, POLYPODIACE^, E. Beown.

Tribe, Polteodie.®, J. Smith — Sori of definite form, naked, i. e. without an indusium.

Sect. ORTHOPHLEBIE.E, J. Smith (from orthos, straight, and phleps, a vein). — Veins simple or forked, free, that is, not
united so as to form a network.

I. GEAMMITIS, Swartz.

Sori oval, oblong, oblique ; spore-cases lateral. Veins simple or forked, internal, the soriferous
venule sometimes very short. Fronds simple, hncar, with entire or serrulate margins, plane or con-
vex at the apex. — Name derived from pramme, a line ; alluding to the lines of sori.

This genus has considerable affinity with the %Leptogramma of Oymnogr amnia, in
consequence of its linear-oblique sori ; but it is distinguished by its dwarf habit, simple
fronds, and more simple venation. There are several species known; but one only has
hitherto been introduced in a living state. Fig. 1 represents the upper portion of a frond
of Grammitis Billardieri (nat. size).

1. G. Billardieri, Willdenow {G. australis, 5. i?roM;w). — An interesting evergreen greenhouse
species, from New Holland. Fronds simple linear-lanceolate acuminate, from four to six inches long,
light green, attenuated at the base. Sori linear-ohlique, confined to the upper portion of the frond,
occupying the whole of the venules. Stipes hairy ; terminal, adherent to a tufted rhizome.

II. POLYPODIUM, Linneeus.

Sori circular, rarely oval or oblong, naked, transverse, uniserial, solitary or irregular;
spore-cases terminal or lateral, sometimes seated in a deep cyst or cavity forming elevated

protuberances on the upper surface of fronds.

Veins simple, forked or pinnate, free. Fronds varying from
a few inches to four or five feet high, and from simple to
decompound ; coriaceous, membranous, glabrous, villose or
glandulose. — Name derived from 2>olys, many, and iious, a
foot ; the creeping rhizome having many foot-like divisions
or tubercles.

This genus, before it was divested of those possessing a
reticulated venation, included between 200 and 300 species,
presenting wide differences in habit and texture and in the
circumscription of their fronds, which arc now distributed
among nine genera. The true Polypodiunis have naked circular (rarely oblong) sori, with simple
Ibrked or pinnate free veins. Fig. 2 represents a portion of Polypodium vulgare (nat. size).

Fig. 1

22

POLYPODIACE^ — POLYPODIEiE.

5 Cteonpteris, Blttme. — Ei'onds articulated with the creeping rhizome.

1. P. vuLGAEE, — A hardy Ornamental evergreen, indigenous Fern,* common in Eui'ope, Asia, and

North America. Fronds glabrous pinnatifid, one foot high, dark green ; segments lanceolate, approximate, obtuse
at the apex, with a crenulate or serrulate margin. Sori confined to the upper portion of the frond, arranged in a
single row on each side of the midrib of the lobes (uniscrial) ; spore-cases attached to the apex of an exourrent
venule (terminal) ; apices of veins club-shaped. Stipes lateral, articulated with a creeping scaly rhizome.

Several forms of the common Polypody are found with the segments more or less pinnatifid, lohed, crenate,
serrate, or bifid at the apex ; hut two or more of these may often he detected growing on the same plant. The
only form that appears to maintain a markedly distinct character is P. cambrintm, Linnaeus, the segments of which
are deeply and interruptedly pinnatifid. It is very elegant, hut usually without fructification.

2. P. MACROCARPUM, Prcsl. (GoNioPHLEBiuM, J. Smith ; Pleopeltis pinnatifida, Soaker and Qreville). — A
dwarf evergreen stove Fern, native of South America. Fronds four to eight inches high, ovate, dark green
above, and covered over beneath with distinct ovate caudate scales, which are black in the centre, brown, and
deeply fringed on the margin. The fronds are pinnatifid, with oblong obtuse segments, and they are articulated
on a scaly creeping rhizome. Sori large, uniserial. We have only seen sterile fronds of the cultivated plant,
hut it appears to be identical with the species to which we have referred it, and from which om- description of
its size and fructification are drawn. It is a true Polypodium, the venation being free.

3. P. iNCANUM, (Goniophlebium, /. P. velatum, — A dwarf evergreen stove fern,

native of the West Indies, various parts of South America, and Natal. Fronds pinnatifid, six to twelve inches
long, lanceolate ; segments ohlong-obtuse, coriaceous, the upper surface dull green, densely covered beneath with
roundish fimbriate peltate brown scales ; they are lateral, articulated on a scaly creeping rhizome. Sori
immersed, sub-marginal, uniserial. Veins internal and indistinctly seen, hut they are free, and it is consequently
a true Polypodium,

4. P. Plumula, Smnholdt. — An exceedingly beautiful evergreen stove species, from the West Indies and
South America. Fronds lanceolate, sub-pinnate, from six inches to a foot or more long, grass green, with
numerous linear, parallel, horizontal segments, thinly scattered over the under side with very small scales. Sori
uniserial on the upper portion of the frond. Eachis and stipes eheneous, scaly beneath ; lateral, articulated, with
a small creeping rhizome.

5. P. Otites, Limiceus (P. pectinatem, of gardens — fide Kunze). — A very beautiful evergreen stove Pern,
native of the West Indies. Fronds slender, suh-pinnate, from one to one and a half foot long, pubescent ;
the pinna3 linear, parallel, horizontal. Stipes and rachis black. Sori rmiserial, of a bright yellowish-brown,
distributed over the whole under surface. Fronds lateral, articulated on a creeping rhizome.

6. P. Paradiseje, Langsdorf and Fischer (P. Otites of garden^). — A very handsome evergreen stove species,
from Brazil and the West Indies. Fronds pubescent, from two to five feet long, very slender, lanceolate-elon-
gate, narrowing to the base, sub-pinnate, the segments linear, nearly horizontal ; the stipes and rachis blackish-
brown. Sori uniserial, occurring over nearly the whole frond. Stipes very short ; lateral, articulated on a creep-
ing rhizome.

7. P. FRATERNUM, SehlecMendal (P. Henchmanni, J. Smith MS). — A glabrous evergreen stove Fern, from
Mexico. Fronds oblong, acuminate, two feet long, quite smooth, pinnate, with long, linear-lanccolatc, narrow
pinnse, decurrent at the base, very dark green ; lateral, articulated, on a scaly creeping rhizome. Sori large,
uniscrial, bright brown.

? PuiiGOPTERis, Prcsl. — Fronds adherent to the rhizome.

8. P. PHEGOPTERis, Limiceus. — A deciduous hardy indigenous species, found in most European countries, as
far north as Lapland. Fronds pinnato-pinnatifid, from six to twelve inches long, the lower pinnaj standing for-
ward, deflexed, with linear-lanceolate, entire segments, the upper ones adnate-decurrent. Sori rather oblong, in-
tramarginal. Fronds lateral, adherent on a somewhat scaly creeping rhizome.

9. P. hexagonopteriim, Michaux. — A very handsome hardy deciduous Fern, from North America. Fronds
triangular, about one and a half foot long, rather hairy, bipinnatifid ; pinnse opposite, sessUe, decurrent at the base,
with oblong-obtuse crenulate segments. Sori sub-marginal. Stipes lateral, adherent to a creeping rhizome.

10. P. Dryopteris, Limiceus. — A deciduous hardy British species ; also found throughout Europe, Northern
Asia, and North America. Fronds six to ten inches high, lateral, adherent to a creeping rhizome ; they are
ternate, deltoid, smooth, bipinnate, with deflexed spreading divisions, and obtuse, suberenated segments. Sori
rather oblong, intramarginal.

11. P. Eobertianum, Soffman (P. calcareum. Smith). — A hardy deciduous British Fern, found in other
parts of central Europe. Fronds from six to twelve inches high, erect and rather rigid, lateral, adherent
to a rough scaly creeping rhizome ; triangular, elongate, three-branched, the branches doubly pinnate, with
somewhat crenated obtuse segments. Sori round, intramarginal, Veins simple, occasionally forked.

* For more ample descriptions and figures of the British species, see PTamlbook of British Ferns. London : Groombridge.

III. STllUTHIOI'TERIS.

23

12. P. ALPESTRE, (ASPIDIUM, SchlcuJlT ; A, HHCETICUM, Y . Dc Caudoll^ m Au

ornamental, hardy, deciduous Fern ; native of Switzerland, and of the Highlands of Scotland. Fronds glabrous,
lanceolate, one to three feet long, bipinuate, with lanceolate-acuminate pinnae ; the pinnules distinct, pinnatifid,
oblong. Sori medial, round and uniserial. Stipes short, terminal, adherent to a short decumbent rhizome.

13. P. DREPANUM, Loive (AspiDiUM, Swavtz ; PoLVSTiCHUM,'’Pr«sl).— An ornamental evergreen warm green-
house species, from Madeira. Fronds ovate acuminate, one and a half to two feet long, hipinnate, dark green ;
pinnae four to six inches long ; pinnules lanceolate, falcate, aurioulate, pinnatifid, inferior ones distant, cuneate at
the base, superior basal ones longest, uppermost ones confluent, the segments all acutely toothed. Rachis and
stipes paleaceous ; terminal, adherent to a fasciculate erect rhizome. This plant has been placed in jLspidiea by
most authors ; and we had adopted this view in the Gardener’s Magazine of Botany (iii. 320) ; hut having since
had an opportunity of examining the sori in its earliest stages, we have now no hesitation in referring it back to
Folypodium, it being entirely destitute of an indusium.

14. P. EFFusuM, Swartz. — An evergreen stove Fern, from Jamaica. Fronds deltoid, membranous, three to
five feet long, glabrous, pale green ; four times pinnate, with lanceolate pinnae ; the pinnules linear-lanceolate,
with pinnatifid segments, the lower one distant. Sori round, medial ; veins pinnately forked. Stipes scaly,
especially near the base, adherent to a short creeping rhizome.

15. P. AMFLUM, Sumholdt (P. lachnopodium, J. Smith — fide Klotzsch). — Avery ornamental stove species, from
Jamaica. Fronds deltoid, of a soft delicate texture, from two to four feet long, hi-tripinnatifid, with lanceolate-
acuminate pinnules, and oblong-linear, obtuse, hairy segments. Sori round, medial. Stipes and rachis densely
covered with narrow brown scales. The fronds are terminal, adherent around an erect (caudiciform) rhizome.

16. P. RUGULOSUM, Lahillardiere (Hypolepis rugulosa, J. Smith ; H. amaurorachis, FLooher ; Cheilanthes
AMAiJRORACHis, Kunzc). — A ramhling-growing evergreen greenhouse species, native of New Holland, New Zealand,
and the Island of Tristan d’Acunha. Fronds triangular elongate, ‘from two to four feet high, tripinnate, pinnoe
lanceolate, with lanceolate-acuminate pinnules, and oblong, rather obtuse segments, the lower ones distant and
pinnatifid, margin slightly crenulated. Sori round, suh-marginal. Fi'onds covered with glandulous hairs, lateral,
adherent to a very peculiar, elongated, rough, creeping rhizome. Eachis and stipes purplish.

III. STRUTHIOPTEEIS, Willdenow.

Sori round, confluent, wholly occupying the under surface of the segments ; spor
base of the pedicels concrete, forming an elevated, thickened receptacle. Veins
Fronds of two kinds — fertile, with contracted, revolute mar-
gins, forming a spm-ious universal indusium ; the pinnee linear,
revolute, moniliform, each segment producing five soriferous
veins, the margin becoming replicate and lacerated, and wholly
occupied by round confluent sori. — Name derived from strutliios,
an ostrich, and pteris, a fern ; in allusion to the resemblance of
the fronds to ostrich-feathers.

The habit of this genus, more than any technical character,
separates it from Polypodkmi. Fig. 3 represents a pinnule of the
sterile, and a portion of the fertile frond of Struthiopteris penn-
sylvanica (nat. size.)

1. S. GERMANicA, WUldeiiow (OsMUNDA SiRUTHioPTERis, Litmceus)

A hardy deciduous ornamental Fein, from the south of Europe. Sterile
fronds arranged in an exterior circle, reclining, from two to three feet
long, lanceolate, pinnate, with pinnatifid - acuminate pinme. Fertile
fronds few, occupying the centre, erect, about a foot long, dark brown,
and resembling a bunch of feathers ; they are contracted, pinnate, the
pinnse crowded, linear, revolute, and moniliform. Sori round, confluent.
Fronds terminal, adherent to an erect (caudiciform) rhizome.

2. S. PENNSYLVANicA, Willdenow (Onoclea nodulosa, SchJcuhr). — A
hardy deciduous ornamental species, from North America. The sterile
fronds commonly attain the height of two feet, and are lanceolate, pinnate,
the pinnoe acuminate, pinnatifid, with rounded blunt segments. The
fertile ones are about a foot long, contracted, pinnate, with linear, c
and moniliform. Sori round, confluent. Ehizome erect ; fronds adherent

e-cases lateral ;
pinnate, free.

pinnoe, which are revolute

POLYPODIACEjE— POLYPODIEiE.

a

IV. ALLOSORUS, Bernhardt.

Sort round or oblong, becoming confluent, and ultimately occupying the whole under-surface of the
segments ; spore-cases attached on or near the apex of the veins, forming broad, intramarginal, com-
pound, transverse sori, concealed by the revolute margin of the pinnules. Veins forked, free, elevated,

terminating within the indusiiform margin. Fronds of two kinds —
sterile, bi-tripinnate, generally smooth, with the pinnules dentate,
crenate, or laeiniate ; fertile, contracted, segments oval or oblong,
elliptical, revolute, and plaited. — Name derived from alios, various,
and soros, a heap ; in allusion to the altered appearances presented
by the sori during the different stages of their development.

Fig. 4 represents the upper portion of a sterile, and upper
portion of a fertile frond (nat. size) ; and a segment of fertile frond
(magn.), showing the veins and sori of Allosorus crispus.

1. A. CRISPUS, Bcrnliardi (Osmunua, lAnrueus ; Phoeobolus, Desvaux ;
PxERis, linnceus ; Cryptogramma, B. Brown). — A very elegant dwarf
hardy Fern, native of Britain, and the Alps of Europe. Sterile fronds
bipinnate ; pinnules bi-tripinnatifid, segments oblong, often bi-dentate.
Fertile fronds contracted, bipinnate, tripinnate below ; pinnules linear-
oblong, rather obtuse, revolute, entire, narrow at the base. Sori round,
intramarginal, subsequently confluent, concealed by the revolute margin
of the frond. Veins simple, forked where they are soriferous. Fronds
triangular, from three to six inches high, adherent to a decumbent tufted
rhizome. There are two or three distinct-looking forms of this plant
occasionally met with ; but they are not sufficiently constant to be con-
sidered as permanent varieties. Several species of Platyloma are referred
to this genus by some authors.

V. NOTHOCHL^NA, R. Brown.

Sori round, solitary, subsequently confluent; spore-cases terminal, attached on or near the apex of
the venules, forming a linear, continuous or interrupted marginal line. Veins forked, free, pinnate or
bifurcate. Fronds varying from pinnate to bi-tripinnate, hairy, densely scaly, woolly, or covered with
a farinose powder, through which the spore-cases protrude ; of the latter there are usually but few to
each sorus ; margin somewhat slightly reflexed. — Name derived from nothos, spurious, and chlaina, a
cloak ; in allusion to some of the species appearing to have an involucre. Sometimes written Notholcena.

The very elegant plants arranged under this genus are of dwarf habit, and generally diflicult to
cultivate, owing to the woolly or scaly surface of the fronds, which retains
moisture. When once they become wet the water does not readily pass off, and
the fronds are in consequence often destroyed. It is therefore not advisable to
sprinkle water on the fronds, but to keep them quite dry during winter. Fig.

5 represents a portion of the frond of Notlioclilcena trichonianoides.

1. N. TENBRA, Gillies. — A very tender delicate evergreen stove Fern, from Chili.

Fronds glabrous, bluish green, six to eight inches high, somewhat lanceolate, bipinnate ;
pinnules on the lower pinnse cordate-ovate, oblong- obtuse, superior ones becoming
sessile, terminal one lobed. Sori terminal, linear, continuous, confluent, forming a broad
marginal band. Stipes shining, adherent to a short creeping rhizome.

2. N. NivEA, Desvaux (N. incana, Presl. ; Pteris nivea, Poiret). — A very tender
delicate beautiful evergreen stove species, native of Mexico, Peru, and ChUi. Fronds
from six to twelve inches high, and covered beneath with white farinose powder, the
upper surface bluish-green ; somewhat lanceolate, with a broad base ; bipinnate, with
roundish ovate, obtuse, entire pinnules, which are cordate at the base, the terminal one
lobed. Sori terminal, linear, confluent, forming a broad marginal band. Fronds
terminal, adherent to a short creeping rhizome.

3. N. argentea, J. R. — This, one of the handsomest of the genus, is an evergreen
stove species, native of South America. Fronds triangularly ovate, about six inches
long, and covered throughout with white farinose powder ; sub-tripinnate, with oblong obtuse crenate pinnules,

VI. GYMNOGKAMMA.

2r>

the lower ones distant. Stipes, racHs, and midrib of pinnas shining black. Sori linear, terminal, consisting of
a single row of spore-cases, near the margin of each segment. Stipes scaly near the base. Fronds adherent to a
somewhat creeping rhizome.

4. N. TRioHOMANoiDES, M. Browfi (Ptbris, Linnams). — Avery handsome evergreen stove Fern, from Jamaica.
Fronds slender, pendulous, one foot long, linear, pinnate, covered especially beneath, with a white farinose
powder, and brown stellate pubescence ; pinnae oblong, obtuse, bluntly lobed or crenate, cordate and auriculate at
the base. Sori terminal, confluent, forming a linear continuous marginal band. Fronds terminal.

5. N. LiEvis, Martens and Gakotti. — A beautiful evergreen warm greenhouse Fern, native of Mexico. Fronds
linear-lanceolate, pinnate, a foot long, deep green on the upper surface, and densely covered beneath with
imbricated fringed white scales, which ultimately become of a rich brown ; upper surface scattered over with a
stellate scaly pubescence ; pinnas stalked, cordato-oblong, round at the apex, inferior ones hastate, and sinuate,
superior ones entire. Sori linear, continuous, sub-marginal, protruding through the scales, forming a broad black
band. Fronds lateral or subterminal, adherent to a whitish, scaly, shortly-creeping rhizome. This plant has
the venation and broad sori of a Flatyloma, but is destitute of an indusium, the margin of the frond being quite
flat.

6. N. RUFA, Presl (Chbilanthes fbrruginea, Willdenow). — A slender and rather straggling growing stove
species, native of the "West Indies and South America. Fronds narrow, linear, from twelve to eighteen inches
long, woolly, pinnate ; pinnae ovate, oblong-obtuse, pinnatifid, with the stipes and rachis light brown. Sori
terminal; marginal, forming a linear continuous row of little more than single spore-cases. Fronds adherent to
a creeping rhizome.

7. N. siNUATA, Kaulftiss (Acrostichum, Swartz). — A very elegant evergreen stove Fern ; native of Peru,
Mexico, &c. Fronds one to two feet long, reclining, linear, pinnate ; pinnae cordate- ovate, obtuse, pinnatifid,
white on the under surface, and densely covered with imbricated fringed scales ; upper surface bright green,
scattered over with stellate pubescence. Stipes, rachis, and rhizome scaly. Sori terminal ; marginal, consisting
of a few spore-cases, situated in the sinuses of the segments, protruding through the scales.

8. N. sauAMATA, J. H. — A dwarf evergreen stove Fern ; from Mexico and Peru. Fronds pinnate, about six
inches long, rather ovate-lanceolate, scaly beneath, with oblong-obtuse, pinnatifid pinnae, which are dark green
above and whitish beneath. Sori terminal, continued round each segment of the pinnae. This species is but
little known in cultivation, although introduced about 1842.

9. N. LANUGINOSA, Besmux (Acrostichum velleum, Aiton ; N. vbllea, Besvaux). — A very tender delicate
evergreen greenhouse Fern ; native of the South of Europe, Madeira, &c. Fronds four to six inches high, very
woolly and brownish on the under surface ; linear-lanceolate, bipinnate, with roundish ovate pinnules, the
terminal one lobed. Sori round, terminal, subsequently confluent. Ehizome short, somewhat creeping.

10. N. VESTITA, Besvaux (Chbilanthes, Swartz). [Plate I.] — A slender evergreen frame, or greenhouse
species ; native of various parts of North America. Fronds from five to ten inches long, densely covered with
hairs ; linear-lanceolate, bipinnate, with roundish ovate pinnoe, the pinnules pinnatifid ; margin crenate. Sori
round, terminal, marginal, subsequently confluent. Fronds adherent to a short creeping rhizome. This species
is often sold for Woodsia ilvensis.

11. N. DisTANS, R. Brown. — A small evergreen greenhouse Fern ; from New Holland. Fronds six to ten
inches long ; linear-lanceolate, bipinnate, pinnules oblong obtuse, opposite, sessile and hairy. Sori terminal,
marginal, confluent. Stipes, rachis, and midrib of pinnaj, covered with scales. Fronds adherent to a creeping
rhizome.

12. N. Marant.®, R. Brown (Acrostichum, Linnmus ; Ceterach, Be Candolle). — A rather handsome ever-
green Fern ; found in the South of Europe and Madeira. Fronds from six to ten inches high, rather stiff,
densely covered with scales on the under surface; ovate-lanceolate, bipinnate, with oblong obtuse pinnules, the
lower one stalked, superior ones sessile, entire at the apex. Sori terminal, and marginal. Fronds adherent to a
thick, short, creeping rhizome.

13. N. tomentosa, Besvaux (Chbilanthes, Link). — A woolly evergreen stove species ; from Mexico.
Fronds very handsome, about a foot long, tripinnate, with oblong-linear pinnules, and very small segments, which
are roundish ovate distant and concave, the terminal one larger. Sori consisting of a few spore-cases on each
segment. Ehizome short, creeping.

14. N. Ecrloniana, Kvnze. — This evergreen Fern, the most beautiful species of the scaly section, is a
native of the Cape of Good Hope, and is best cultivated in a warm greenhouse. Fronds nearly a foot long,
covered on all parts with narrow white scales which give them a woolly appearance ; they are rather ovate,
tripinnate, with oblong-obtuse pinnules, and small roundish ovate segments, crenate and concave, the margin
revolute ; lower ones distant, superior ones sessile. Sori terminal, consisting of a single row of spore-cases on
each segment, partly concealed by the revolute margin. Ehizome creeping.

VI. GYMNOGRAMMA, Besmux.

Non' linear, simple, or often forked, oblique, at length confluent; spore-cases medial, superficial,
occupying nearly the whole length of the venules, and sometimes echinate. Veins forked, or pinnate ;

E

26

POLYPODIACE^— POLYrODIE;E.

venules simple. Fronds varying from a few inches to three or four feet long ; simple pinnate
bipinnate or decompound ; smooth hairy or covered beneath with a rich- coloured farinose* powder. —
Name derived from gymnos, naked, and gramme, a line ; in allusion to the linear sori being destitute
of a cover.

In the Gardeners' Magazine of Botany we have adopted the genus Leptogramma, distinguishing
it from Gymnogramma by the simjjle venules and simple sori, -which characterized the original ; but
several additional sj>ecies have now been introduced to cultivation, which while they agree in having

simple sori with the characters assigned to Leptogramma, yet do not
accord in the venation. Hence it becomes necessary to cancel Lepto-
gramma as a genus ; but it may be usefully retained as a sectional
group, to include those species which are distinguished from true
Gymnogramma by oblong-linear simple sori.

Fig. 6 represents a pinna of Gymnogramma tomentosa (med. size).

? Gymnooeamma VERA. — Sovi linear, forked.

1. Gr nuPA, Besvaux (Hemionitis, Swartz ; Neukogeamma, Link), — An
ornamental evergreen stove species ; native of tropical America. Fronds
from one to two feet long, hairy, linear, pinnate with ohlong, ohtuse pinnae,
stalked, and cordate at the base. Stipes and rachis reddish brown ; terminal,
adherent to a fasciculate erect rhizome. Sori linear medial, forked, oblique,
subsequently confluent, produced on every pinnae throughout the frond.

2. G. tomentosa, Besvaux (Hemionitis, Baddi ; Neueogramma, Link ;
Ceterach lobatum, Presl). — A tender delicate and beautiful stove Fern ;
native of Brazil and the West Indies. Fronds somewhat lanceolate, bipin-
nate, hairy, and membranous, from one to two feet long, with oblong-obtuse
pinnules, the lower ones cordate at the base, terminal one lohed, acuminate.
Sori linear, medial, forked, oblique. Stipes and rachis black, terminal,
adherent to a fasciculate erect rhizome.

Fig- 6. 3. G. JAVANICA, Blume. — A very handsome evergreen stove Fern ; from

J ava. Fronds glabrous, pinnate, two to three feet high, bright green ; pinn® petiolate oblong-lanceolate, six to
ten inches long, acuminate, or suheaudate at the apex, and cuneate at the base. This species is rare in English
gardens, though it has been in cultivation on the Continent for several years.

4. G. trifoliata, Besvaux (Acrostichum, Linneeus).- — A rather erect growing evergreen stove Fern ; from
the West Indies. Fronds oblong-lanceolate, broadest at the base, bipinnate, one to one-and-a-half foot long,
light green ; pinnse petiolate, trifoliate, with linear-lanceolate segments, slightly crenate at the margin, and
covered beneath with a yellowish farinose powder. Stipes scaly at the base, terminal, adherent to a fasciculate
erect rhizome. This species, which is scarce in cultivation, has often been brought to the country, but is difficult
to establish ; it has recently been introduced to the Eoyal Botanic Garden, Kew.

6. G. Calomelanos, Kardfuss (Acrostichum, Linnmus ; Ceropteris, Link). — An ornamental evergreen stove
Fern ; from Jamaica. Fronds from two to three feet long, ovate-lanceolate, hi-subtri-pinnate, the upper side
dull green, and covered beneath with a white farinose powder ; pinnules lanceolate-acuminate, with elongated
acuminate lohed segments. Sori forked, medial, oblique, confluent, and nearly covering each segment. Stipes,
rachis, and midrib of pinnae black ; terminal, adherent to a fasciculate erect rhizome. This plant frequently
goes under the name of Q. peruviana, in gardens.

6. G. Tart.area, Besvaux (Acrostichum, Swartz; Ceropteris, Link; G. dealbata. Link). — An ornamental
evergreen stove species ; from the warm parts of America. Fronds two to three feet long, ovate-lanceolate,
hi-subtri-pinnate ; the upper surface dull green, and covered beneath with a white farinose powder ; pinnules
lanceolate-acuminate, with roundish ovate or oblong segments, which are distant, the lower one lohed. Sori
linear, medial, forked, oblique, becoming confluent. Stipes, rachis, and midrib of pinnae black ; terminal,
adherent to a fasciculate erect rhizome.

7. G. ochhacea, Presl? — An evergreen stove Fern ; from Peru. Fronds from one to one-and-a-half foot
long, ovate-lanceolate, pale yellow beneath, the upper surface bright green ; bipinnate, with lanceolate-acuminate
pinnae, and narrow oblong-linear dentate pinnules. Sori medial, somewhat scattered on the veins. This, which
has the most compact frond of the yellow farinose species, is in cultivation under the name of G. Massoni.

• The farinose powder, which is found on the fronds of many species of Gymnogramma and other genera of Ferns, is not always
of the same colour throughout the frond. -We have received from Mr. W. H. Baxtei', of the Botanic Garden, Oxford, a frond of
Gymnogramma tartarea, -nhlch has both the white powder proper to the species, and the bright yellow proper to G. chnjxophylla,
on distinct portions of the same frond.

VI. GYMNOGEA^rMA.

27

8. G. CHUYSOPHYLLA, Eatclfuss (Ceropteris, Link). — One of the most beautiful of exotic Perns in cultivation.
It is an evergreen stove species ; from the West Indies and South America. Fronds from one to two feet long,
covered beneath with a farinose powder of the richest golden yellow, the upper surface yellowish green ; bipinnate
having lanceolate acuminate pinnae, and roundish ovate or oblong pinnules, slightly dentate, distant, pinnatifid,
with medial sori scattered on the veins; terminal, adherent to a fasciculate erect rhizome. This Fern, like most
others, varies in cultivation according to the treatment it receives ; if subjected to a low temperature, and a
rather dry atmosphere, the fronds do not exceed ten inches high, are nearly triangular and of the most intense
golden yellow; but if in a temperature of 85-90'’ Fahrenheit, with proportionate moisture, it then becomes moi’e
compound, two feet high or more, the segments of the pinnules more serrated, and of an exceedingly bright yellow.

9. G. Martensii, JBory (G. Mertensii, of gardens). — An elegant evergreen stove Fern ; from South America.
Fronds delicate, very fragile, one and a-half foot long, covered beneath with a rich yellow farinose powder, the
upper surface yellowish green ; ovate-lanceolate, bipinnate with lanceolate pinnae, and roundish or elongated
pinnatifid pinnules, with dentate segments. Sori medial, conliuent, covering nearly every segment of the frond.
Ehizome tufted.

10. G. svijViiv'KE.k, Besvaux. — A very elegant dwarf evergreen species; from Jamaica. Fronds from six to
ten inches long, fragile, and very delicate, the under surface covered with a farinose powder of a bright sulphur
yellow, upper surface pale green ; bipinnate with lanceolate-acuminate pinni®, and oblong -obtuse pinnatifid
pinnules, cuneate at the base, the margins dentate. Sori linear, forked, oblique, confluent, nearly covering each
segment of the pinnules. Fronds terminal, adherent to a fasciculate erect rhizome.

11. G. CHJittOPHYLLA, Bcsvaux (Anogramma, Link). — A tender delicate fragile annual stove Fern; native
of the West Indies and various places in South America. Fronds decompound, triangular, bright green, from
six inches to a foot high, with roundish ovate pinnatifid pinnules, deeply dentate, and cuneate at the base. Tfie
fertile fronds are erect, and the pinnules very much contracted.

12. G. LEnoPHYLLA, (Anogramma, XfH/i:; Grammitis, AM>«)-<z;PoLYPODnJM, Linnanis). — An extremely

delicate annual stove species ; from the South of Europe, Madeira, &c. This little Fern attains the height of but a
few inches. Its fronds are smooth, somewhat deltoid, bipinnate, with roundish cuneate, two or three lohed pinnules,
and each lobe bluntly dentate. Sori forked, confluent. Fertile fronds not contracted, and nearly all are fertile,

13. G. GRACiLB, T. M. — A delicate fragile stove Fern; supposed to he a native of South America. Fronds
about a foot high, pale green, sparingly covered beneath with white farinose powder ; ovate-triangular, acumi-
nate, bipinnate ; pinnules inciso-pinnatifid, decurrent at the base, the segments cuneate-bifid or emarginate, tha
divisions entire and retuse. Stipes long, and as well as the rachis and costa purplish. E,hizome short csespitose.
Our specimens are imperfect, but they appear distinct. It was introduced to the nursery of Messrs. Hender-
son of St. John’s Wood last year, and was obtained from Mr. Linden. It seems closely allied to O. conspersa,
Kunze, from Natal.

? Leptogeamma. — Sori simple, linear-oMong,

14. G. viLLOSA, Link (Leptogramma, J. Smith).~A beautiful evergreen stove Fern ; from Brazil. Fronds
hairy, somewhat lanceolate, hipinnatifid, about two feet long, reclining, with linear-
lanceolate acuminate pinnae, and rather ovate, bluntly acuminate segments. Sori
oblong, suhraedial, oblique. Fronds lateral or terminal, adherent to a emspitose creeping
rhizome. Fig. 7 represents the upper part of a pinna of G. villosa, of medium size.

15. G. GRAciLE, LLeward (Leptogramma, J. Smith).- — A rather erect growing ever-
green stove Fern; from Jamaica. Fronds lanceolate-elongate, pinnate, one and a-half
to two feet long, pale green, pubescent throughout; pinn® sessile, oblong-acuminate ;
middle ones four to five inches long, gradually decreasing to the base, where they are
only a quarter of an inch long ; all deeply pjinnatifid, with ohlong-linear repand
segments, round at the apex, and crenate at the margin. Stipes about an inch long,
with a few scales at the base. Fronds nearly all fertile throughout; terminal, adherent
to an erect rhizome. This species was introduced to English collections in 1851.

16. G. TOTTA, Sehlechtendal (G. Loveii, Hooker et Greville). — An oi'namental evergreen
warm greenhouse Fern ; a native of Madeira and the Cape of Good Hope. Fronds
very hairy, lanceolate, pinnate, one to one-and-a-half foot long, palish green ; pinnse
sessile, oblong, obtuse at the apex, pinnatifid, upper ones adnate-decurrent, with blunt
lobes. Veins forked or pinnate, the inferior pair of venules occasionally anastomosing.

Stipes scaly ; terminal, adherent to a decumbent, scaly creeping rhizome.

17. G. REPENS, 3L. and M. — An ornamental deciduous stove Fern ; a native of the East
Indies. Fronds slender, broadly lanceolate, one to two feet long, light green, pinnate ;
pinnfe remote, ohlong-acuminate, four to five inches long, rather membranous, the
inferior pair or more petiolate, the superior adnate, pinnatifid, with oblong rather
obtuse segments, crenate or bluntly lohed and hairy on the margin ; the pair next the
rachis much larger than the others, and deeply pinnatifid with round lobes. Eachis and
stipes terete, with a few scales at the base ; lateral, adherent to a creeping rhizome,
about the size of a goose quill. This Fern has been in cultivation for ten or twelve years.

28

POLYPODIACE^— POLYPODIEiE.

Sect. Symplophlebiejk, J, Smith (from symploke, connection, and phieps, a vein). — Veins anastomosing, so as to
form a network,

VII. MENISCIUM, Schreher.

Sori linear, medial, somewhat transverse, arcuate or crescent-shaped, continued across the junction
of two anastomosing venules, and subsequently becoming confluent.

Veins pinnate, curved, somewhat parallel ; venules arcuate, or angularly
anastomosing, producing from their junction an excurrent veinlet, free,
or uniting with the anastomosing venules above, dividing the surface of
the frond throughout into numerous rectilinear parallelograms. Fronds
from one to five feet long, smooth or hairy, simple pinnate or ternate ;
pinnae entire, crenulate, or serrulate. — Name derived from menislios, a
crescent ; the fructification forming short curved lines.

The venation in some of the species of this genus is not distinguish-
able from that of some Nephrodiums. The only technical character by
which Meniseium can be distinguished is the arched or arcuate sori, by
which, however, it is readily known. Fig. 8 represents a portion of
the base of a pinna of Meniseium palustre (nat. size).

1. M. SIMPLEX, Hooker. — A dwarf evergreen stove Fern, from China. Fronds
simple, pubescent, somewhat elliptical or oblong-acuminate, dentato-serrate,
from six to twelve inches long, duU green, cordate at the base, and sub-hastate ;
lateral, adherent to a slender scaly creeping rhizome. Sori medial. This species
is of recent importation, having been introduced to Kew from Hong Kong in the
latter part of 1850.

2. M. PALUSTKE, Raddi (M. dentatum, Fresl — fide Kunze). — A tall robust
evergreen stove species, from South America. Fronds glabrous, rather erect,
somewhat ovate-lanceolate, pinnate, from three to five feet long ; pinnae entire,
lanceolate, acuminate, coriaceous, from six to ten inches long, lively green,
slightly undulated, and roundish or cuneate at the base ; the lower pairs of
pinnae often proliferous at their base. Stipes dark-coloured near the base ; lateral,
adherent to a thick creeping rhizome. Sori medial, subsequently confiuent.

3. M. EETicuLATUM, Swartz (Polypodium, Linnceui). — A taU robust evergreen stove Fern, native of the
West Indies. Fronds four to six feet high, lanceolate, pinnate ; pinnae lanceolate, acuminate, six or seven inches
long, membranous, obliquely cuneate at the upper base, rounded below, repand, serrate ; viviparous in the
axils. We have not seen fertile fronds of the cultivated plant, which, however, we refer with little hesitation
to the species of Swartz above quoted.

VIII. GONIOPTERIS, Fresl.

Sori round, medial, or costal. Spiore-cases sometimes echinate. Veins pinnate ; venules angularly
anastomosing, producing from their junction an excurrent free or anastomosing sterile veinlet.
Fronds from one to two feet high, pinnate ; pinnce entire, serrate, crenate, or pinnatifid ; when deeply
pinnatifid, the inferior pair of venules only anastomose, the superior ones being all free. — Name
derived from gonia, an angle, and pteris, a fern; in allusion to the angular anastomosing of the venules.

The species of Goniopteris are easily cultivated, and have usually a neat appearance, being of
nearly uniform size. The primary character of the genus lies in the round and naked sori, which are
moreover medial, costal, sub-marginal, or basal ; the venation afibrds no trustworthy distinguishing
character, for the veins are arranged exactly as in some species of Meniseium and of Nephrodium.
Fig. 9 represents a pinna of Goniopteris crenata (med. size).

1. G. REPTANS, Fresl (Polypodium, Swartz; P. eadicans, Lamarck). — A prostrate-growing, evergreen hot-
house Fern, from Jamaica. Fronds lax, slender, elongate, pubescent, pinnate, a foot or more long, light green, and
rooting at the apex ; pinnse petiolulate, inferior ones oblong-ovate, cordate at the base, and round at the apex ;
superior ones auriculate, and semiorbicular, truncate at the base, crenate at the margin. Fronds terminal,
adherent to a somewhat tufted rhizome. Sori uniserial. Introduced to Kew in 1852.

2. G. GEACiLis, M. and H. — An interesting evergreen stove Fern, from Jamaica. Fronds slender, narrow,
lanceolate, pinnate, minutely pubescent, one to one and a half foot long, deep green, and proliferous near the
apex ; lower pinnae small, distant, petiolulate, cordate-oblong, obtuse at the apex, pinnatifid, with round lobes ;

VIII. GONIOPTERIS.

29

middle ones sessile, falcate, adnate, oblong-hastate ; upper ones small, semi-orbicular, distinct or confluent at the
base, entire on the margin. Sori uniserial or biserial, with a tuft of forked or stellate hairs in each sorus. Fronds
terminal, adherent to a rather erect-growing rhizome. The plant is covered
throughout, especially beneath, with small forked or stellate pubescence.

The sterile fronds have a great similarity to Q. asplenioides. It was intro-
duced to Kew in 1852.

3. Gr. ASPLENIOIDES, Presl (PoLYPODiUM, Swartz ; P. compositum. Link).

[Plate II.] — -An ornamental, evergreen stove Fern, from Jamaica. Fronds
lanceolate, pinnate, rugose, pubescent, about one foot long, dullish green,
with oblong obtuse pinnatifid pinn®, somewhat cordate at the base ; ter-
minal, adherent to a short creeping rhizome. Sori medial, or subterminal,
subsequently confluent.

4. G. PEAXINIFOLIA, Pvesl (PoLYPODIUM, Jacquiu ; P. PROLIFERUM, Kciul-
fms; P. Fueyreissii, Sprengel). — An elegant evergreen stove species, from
Brazil. Fronds lanceolate, pinnate, two feet long, with entire lanceolate-
acuminate smooth shining pinn®, which are dark green, truncate, or occa-
sionally auriculate at the upper hase, and proliferous throughout. Sori
medial, triserial, and subsequently confluent. Fronds terminal, adherent
to an erect fasciculate rhizome.

5. G. CRENATA, Presl (Polypodium, Swartz). — A very handsome ever-
green stove Fern, native of the West Indies. Fronds ovate-lanceolate, one
and a half to two feet long, pinnate, with entire oblong ovate-acuminate
membranous crenate pubescent pinn®, pale green, roundish or obliquely
truncate at the base, with very short petioles. Sori medial, in four to eight
series. Kachis and stipes green ; lateral, adherent to a short creeping rhizome.

6. G. AFPiNis, Jf. and PL. — An ornamental evergreen stove Fern, from
Jamaica. Fronds somewhat lanceolate, pinnate, one to two feet long, palish
green ; pinn® glabrous, lanceolate, four to seven inches long, and about one
inch wide, lower ones petiolulate, upper sessile, pinnatifld, obtusely lobed,
acute at the apex, unequal or slightly cordate at the base. Stipes with a few
scales at the base ; terminal, adherent to a decumbent somewhat creeping
rhizome.

7. G. MEQALODES, Presl (Polypodium, Schkuhr). — An ornamental ever-
green stove Fern, from the West Indies. Fronds oblong-acuminate, broad
at the base, pinnate, pubescent, pale green, from two to three feet long, with
linear-lanceolate, acuminate, pinnatifid, rather membranous pinn®. Sori
medial. Stipes and raehis green ; lateral, adherent to a short creeping
rhizome.

8. G. Foesterii, M. and H. — A rather rugose-looking evergreen warm
greenhouse Fern, from New Zealand. Fronds lanceolate, pinnate, one to
two feet long, dull green ; pinn® sessile, lanceolate, cordate at the base,
lower ones short, pinnatifid, with roundish obtuse segments, ciliated and
crenulate at the margin. Eachis and stipes tetragonal, with a few scales
at the base. Sori medial, or produced near the junction of the venules
and confluent. Fronds terminal, adherent to a rather erect-growing rhizome. This plant, which is scarce in cul-
tivation, although grown in Britain nearly thirty years ago, has recently been re-introduced to Kew. It is
doubtless the Polypodiimi pennigerum of Forster ; but as that specific name is preoccupied in this genus, owing to
a confusion which has arisen between the present and following species, and a supposed “ Aspidium ” which
resembles them, it seems to us better to eancel the name pennigerum, and distinguish Forster’s plant by a new name.

9. G. TETRAGONA, Presl (PoLYPODiuM, Swartz ; P. Smithianum, Heward). — An ornamental evergreen stove
Fern, from the West Indies. Fronds somewhat lanceolate, pinnate, minutely pubescent, from one to two feet
high ; pinn® sessile, lanceolate-acuminate, bright green ; lower ones petiolulate, standing forward and tapering
to the base, upper ones truncate or slightly cordate at the base, pinnatifid, with repand or slightly falcate, acute
(in the fertile often rounded or obtuse) segments. Fertile fronds erect, usually more or less contracted; pinn®
indistinctly articulated with the raehis, which is flattened above, and of a pale green. Sterile fronds shorter than
the fertile, and more dilated. Sori medial, uniserial, the lower ones subsequently confluent. Fronds terminal,
adherent to a short creeping rhizome.

10. G. PROLiFERA, Presl (Meniscium, Swartz). — A straggling-growing evergreen stove Fern, from the East
Indies. Fronds pale green, slender, usually linear-lanceolate pinnate, two to three feet long, with oblong-
acuminate, membranous, pubescent pinn®, slightly cordate at the hase, and crenato -dentate at the margin. This
Fern grows freely, and is very proliferous, but without fructification, sometimes growing to a great length, but
very narrow. Fronds lateral, adherent to a creeping rhizome.

30

POLYPODIACE^ — POLYPODIEA5.

IX. GONIOPHLEBIUM, Presl.

Sori round, terminal, naked or squamiferous, arranged in one or more transverse parallel rows.
Veins forked or pinnate ; lower e^xterior venule free and fertile, the others angularly anastomosing,
producing from their junction an excurrent, free, and generally fertile veinlet. Fronds from a few
inches to five or six feet long, smooth hairy or scaly, simple pinnatifid or
pinnate, the piunre entire, articulate, serrulate or undulate. — Name
derived from gonia, an angle, and phleps, a vein ; in allusion to the
angles formed by the anastomosing of the venules.

This is an exceedingly variable genus, with regard to the size of the
plants and circumscription of their fronds. The dwarf kinds have the
fertile fronds contracted, while the larger species have their fronds all
of one form ; hut they agree in having a scaly, creeping rhizome. The
species are commonly found adhering to the trunks of trees in tropical
forests ; several of them are amongst the most elegant of the Ferns in
cultivation. The characters by which they are determined from all con-
geners, are : the round terminal sori, the angular anastomosing of the
venules, and the presence of an excurrent generally soriferous veinlet in
the costal areole. Fig. 10 shows a pinna of Goniophlehium meniscifoUmn
(full size).

5 Lopholepis, J. Smith. — Sori furnished with a dense tuft of elongate scales.

1. G. piLOSELLOiDES, J. Smith (PoLYPODiuM, Lintimus). — A dwarf, evergreen
stove species, from the "West Indies. Fronds of two kinds: sterile — simple,
hairy, light green, ovate or oblong, decurrent at the base, from one to two inches
high : fertile — simple, hairy, linear-oblong, decurrent at tbe base, from two to
three inches long; both are articulated on a very slender, creeping rhizome.

Sori seated in a tuft of narrow scales, uniserial.

5 Lepicystis, j. Smith. — Sori protruding through the densely-scaly under surface of frond.

2. G. Lepidopteris, M. and H. (Poeypodium, Funze; G. sepultum, J.

Smith; P. sepultum, Kmdfuss; P. rupulum, Presl; P. hirsutissimum, Paddi;

Acrostichum lepidopteris, Langsdorf and Fischer; Marginaria. rufula,

Presl). — An elegant, evergreen stove species, from South America. Fronds
truly lanceolate, pinnate, from six inches to a foot long, densely covered
throughout with narrow, fimbriated scales, which give them a pale tawny
colour ; pinnae close, sessile, oblong-linear, rather obtuse. Sori uniserial on the
upper half of the frond, protruding through the scales. Veins internal, indis-
tinctly seen when dry. Fronds articulated on a whitish creeping rhizome,
which is densely clothed with brown chaffy scales.

3. G. albicans, M. and Pd. — A very scaly evergreen stove Fern, from
Mexico. Frond somewhat lanceolate, broad at the base, pinnate, one to two
feet long, dark green above and densely covered throughout, especially beneath,
with elongated peltate-stellate scales, which produce a whitish appearance; pinnae
adnate linear-lanceolate, one to three inches long, approximate, auricled on the
upper base, inferior pair or more sub-petiolate, rather obtuse at the apex, entire
at the margin. Sori uniserial, protruding through the scales on the upper half
of the fronds. Fronds lateral, articulated with a creeping rhizome, which is
about the size of a goose-quill, densely clothed with small appressed scales.

This Fern is in cultivation under the name of Q. sepultum ; but it is very distinct
from that species — the fronds being much larger, of a different outline, and the
rhizome clothed with a very different kind of scale. It has been in cultivation
about ten years, and was originally introduced among some orchids.

5 ScHELLOLEns, J. Smith. — Sori sunk in a cavity, forming a protuberance on the upper
surface of the frond.

4. G. ARGUTUM, J. Smith (Polypodium, WalKch). — A beautiful evergreen

stove Fern, from Nepal. Fronds glabrous, slender, from two to three feet long, 1®-

the rachis and stipes pale brown, shining, and articulated on a scaly, creeping rhizome. Fronds pinnate,

IX. GONIOPIILEBIDM.

31

lanceolate, witli lancoolate-aouminate, rather membranous, bright green pinnoe, which are articulated with the
rachis, serrated, and decurrent at the base. Sori large, uniserial, yellowish brown, each furnished with numerous
laoiniated scales, which are soon obliterated by the spore-cases ; they are immersed, forming elevated protu-
berances on the upper surface of the frond.

5. G. VERRUcosuM, J. Smith. — An ornamental evergreen stove species, from the Philippine Islands and
Singapore. Fronds slender, slightly pubescent, four to five feet long, pendulous, lanceolate-acuminate, with
oblong-acuminate, undulated, bright green pinnae, which are slightly serrated, round at the base, and articulated
with the rachis. Sori uniserial, immersed, forming elevated protuberances on the upper surface of the frond.
Eachis and stipes scaly, and articulated with a creeping rhizome.

6. G. SUBAURICULATUM, (PoLVPODiUM, Blume ; G. Eeinwardtii, Be Vriese; P. Eeinwardtii,

— A very elegant evergreen stove species, from Java and Luzon. Fronds slender, lanceolate, pinnate, from
four to six feet long, with long, narrow, lanceolate-acuminate, membranous bright green pinnm, which are
serrate, subauriculate at the base, and articulated with the rachis. Sori uniserial, yellowish brown, each
furnished with numerous laoiniated scales, which are soon lost by the swelling of the spore-cases ; they are im-
mersed, forming elevated protuberances on the upper surface. Eachis and stipes brown, pubescent, articulated
with a scaly creeping rhizome. This species is one of the most beautiful of the Bolypodiece, and the most orna-
mental of all herbaceous species yet in cultivation ; the fronds being long, very slender and pendulous, measuring
sometimes eight feet long, and having fifty-eight pairs of pinnm, with a stipes not more than eight inches long.

? Goniophlebia VERA, J. Smith.

7. G. VACciNiFOLiuM, J. Smith (PoLYPODiuM, Lmigsdorf and Fischer; Craspedaria, Xm?/c). — A dwarf, creep-
ing, evergreen, stove species, from the West Indies and South America. Fronds of two kinds : sterile — simple
glabrous, sub-rotund or oblong, decurrent at the base, dark green, about half an inch high : fertile — linear, simple
glabrous, two inches long, decurrent at the base. Both kinds are lateral, articulated on a thick, brown, scaly
creeping rhizome. Sori terminal, uniserial.

8. G. Catharinye, j. Smith (Polypodium, Langsdorf and Fischer; P. glaucum, Raddi). — A handsome,
stiff-growing, stove Fern, from Brazil. Fronds one foot to a foot and a-half high, somewhat lanceolate, broad at
the base, with an elongated bluntish point, dark green, paler beneath, quite smooth ; subpinnate below, deeply
pinnatifid above ; pinnie approximate, elongate-oblong, undulated, entire, narrowed near the base, and very
blunt at the apex, the lowest shorter, standing forward, and decurrent at the base. Sori uniserial near the costa,
extending from the base to the apex of the frond, and from the base nearly to the apex of the segments. Stipes
smooth, a little margined upwards. Fronds articulated with a thick, green, creeping, caispitose rhizome, which
is covered with imbricating, ovate-acuminate peltate, dark-coloured scales. New-hay-scented when dry. We
are indebted to Mr. Henderson, of Wentworth, for this species, which is undoubtedly the Polypodium glaucum of
Eaddi, and distinct from G. Catharinm, of gardens.

9. G. LATiPES, J. Smith (PoLYPODiuM, Langsdorf and Fischer ; G. CatharinyB, of gardens). — An evergreen
ornamental stove Fern, from Brazil. Fronds glabrous, oblong-elongate or broadly-lanceolate, deeply-pinnatifid
or sub-pinnate, broad at the base, from one to two feet long, dull green ; segments lanceolate, three to six inches
long, acutish or obtuse at the apex ; lower ones undulated, standing forward, sub-defiexed, and crenulate on the
margin. Sori uniserial. Fronds lateral, articulated on a creeping rhizome, which is densely covered with
imbricate, peltate, acuminate, brown scales.

10. G. LORiCEUM, M. and S. (Polypodium, Linnmus; P. ramosum, Loddiges: G. latipes, of gardens). —
Fronds glabrous, lanceolate, deeply pinnatifid or subpinnate, slender, and somewhat pendulous, from one to two
feet long, dull green, segments linear-oblong, rather membranous, acute or acuminate at the apex, undulated,
slightly falcate, and crenulate at the margin. Sori small, uniserial or biserial. Fronds lateral, articulated on
a green creeping rhizome as large as a swan’s quill, which is covered with peltate, fimbriate scales.

11. G. HARPEODES, /. Smith (PoLYPODiUM, Lutk). — A tall-growing evergreen stove species, from Brazil.
Fronds glabrous, broadly-lanceolate, three to four feet long, dull green, erect, the stipes nearly half the length of
the fronds ; they are articulated on a short, thick, scaly, creeping rhizome. Frond deeply pinnatifid or subpin-
nate, with lanceolate-acuminate, nearly entire, scimetar-shaped pinnai, the lower ones standing forward. Sori
large, yellowish brown, uniserial.

12. G. VACILLANS, M. and H. (Polypodium vacillans. Link; P. repandulum, Kaulfuss). — An evergreen
stove Fern, from Brazil. Fronds glabrous, triangulaiiy-elongate, subpinnate, one and a half to two feet long,
darkish green ; segments linear-lanceolate, adnate, repand, dilated on both sides at the base, obtuse at the apex,
entire at the margin. Sori uniserial. Fronds lateral, articulated on a creeping rhizome. This Fern is in the
collection of G. Norman, Esq., of Hull.

13. G. suBPETioLATUM, M. and II . (Polypodium, Hooker). — A large evergreen greenhouse Fern, from Mexico
and Guatemala. Fronds pubescent, lanceolate, two to three feet long, pinnate ; pinnae without a footstalk, four
to six inches long, linear, attenuated at the apex, and irregularly crenato-serrate. Sori uniserial ; nearly all the
fronds soriferous throughout. Fronds lateral, articulated on a scaly creeping rhizome. Specimens of this Fern,
recently communicated from Wentworth, prove it to be, when fully developed, a species of Goniophlehium ;
though when in a less vigorous condition the veins are free.

32

POLTPODIACEJE — POLYPODIES.

14. G. DissiMiLE, J. Smith (Polypodium, Linnam). — A handsome evergreen stove Fern, from the West
Indies. Fronds slender, pendulous, two to three feet long, pubescent, pale green, lanceolate, pinnate, the pinn®
distant, sessile, suh-falcate, lanceolate-acuminate, membranous, undulated, and somewhat deflexed, the lower
ones standing forward. Sori biserial. Fronds articulated on a scaly, creeping rhizome.

15. G. ALBO-PUNCTATUM, /. (PoLYPODiuM, — A Very ornamental evergreen stove species, from

Brazil. Fronds broadly lanceolate, pubescent, pale green, from two to three feet long, the upper surface
scattered over with small white scales ; they are lateral, articulated on a short, scaly, creeping rhizome. Fronds
pinnate, with lanceolate-acuminate, nearly entire, membranous, undulated pinnse, having the inferior base trun-
cate, and the superior adnate ; the upper ones are sessile. Sori uniserial.

16. G. MENisciFOLiuM, J. Smith (Polypodium, Langsdorf and Fischer ; P. longifolium, Fresl; P. Preslia-
NUM, Sprengel — fide Kunze). — A tall, glabrous, evergreen, stove species, from Brazil. Fronds lanceolate, three
to four feet long, pinnate, with lanceolate-acuminate, undulated, shining, bright green pinnse, from six to eight
inches long, having their inferior base roundish, and the upper one adnate. Sori large, yellowish brown, gene-
rally biserial. Stipes and rachis green, lateral, articulated on a thick, scaly, creeping rhizome.

17. G. DisTANS, M. and S. (Polypodium, Maddi; Marginaiiia msiKss, Fresl ; G. dbflexum, of gardens'). —
An ornamental, evergreen, stove Fern, from Brazil. Fronds glabrous, two feet long, pinnate, with lanceolate-
acuminate, coriaceous, undulated, deflexed pinnse, of a dull green, roundish at the base, and articulated with the
rachis; the lower pinnae are sometimes divided. Sori triserial. Stipes and rachis blackish green, lateral,
articulated on a moderately thick, scaly, creeping rhizome.

X. CYRTOPHLEBIUM, R. Brown.

Sori round, naked, lateral or terminal, arranged in two rows between
and parallel with the primary veins, or irregular. Veins pinnate or
forked; lower exterior venule free and fertile, the others arcuately or
angularly anastomosing, producing from their exterior side two or more
excurrent, free, fertile veinlets, which are sometimes very short, often
uniting with the next superior venules, forming two rows of areoles
between each two primary veins. Fronds simple or pinnate, from one
to three feet long, glabrous, coriaceous or somewhat membranous.
Rhizome creeping. — Name derived from kyrtos, curved, and phlej)s, a
vein ; alluding to the convex or curved form of the venules.

There are various technical characters by which to distinguish this
genus from the preceding ones, some of them of minor importance, and
perplexing unless to a practised eye ; the most essential, however, and
those by means of which it is easily recognised, are the arcuate venules,
combined with two series of sori, between each two of the primary veins.
Fig. 11 represents the upper portion of a frond of Cyrtophlehium
repens (nat. size).

1. C. ANGUSTIFOLIUM, J. Smith (PoLYPODIUM, Swartz ; P. DIMOEPHUM, Link ;
Marginauia DiMOKPHA, Link; M. angustifolla, PresZ). — A slender evergreen
stove Fern, native of the West Indies and South America. Fronds glabrous,
simple, linear, attenuate, very narrow, reclining, with a somewhat revolute
margin, coriaceous, from a foot to a foot and a-half long, dull green, decurrent
at the base ; lateral, articulated on a short, creeping, scaly rhizome. Sori
medial ; veins immersed. There are two forms of this plant.

2. C. repens, j. Smith (Polypodium, Swartz; Campyloneurum, Fresl).
— A creeping evergreen stove speeies, from the West Indies. Fronds simple,
reclining, lanceolate-acuminate, from one to one and a-half foot long, glabrous,
undulated, rather membranous, deep green, deeurrent at the base. The upper
surface of the fronds is scattered over with white scales, attached opposite the
apex of each veinlet. Sori round, terminal. Fronds lateral, articulated on a
scaly, slender, creeping rhizome.

3. C. NiTiDUM, J. Smith (Polypodium, Kaulfuss; Campyloneurum, Fresl).

A rigid and rather erect-growing stove Fern, native of the West Ij.dies.

Fronds glabrous, from one to two feet long, coriaceous, undulated, deep

Fig. 11.

green and shining, lanceolate-

XI. NIPHOBOLUS.

•S3

acuminate, decurrent at the base ; lateral, articulated on a short, scaly, creeping rhizome. Sori medial or termi-
nal ; veins indistinct.

4. C. Phyllitidis, J. Smith (Polypodium, Linnceiis; Campyloneurum, Fresl). — A rigid and rather erect-
growing stove Fern, from the West Indies. Fronds simple, glabrous, from one to two and a-half foot long,
rather narrow, slightly undulated, pale green, lanceolate-acuminate, coriaceous, decurrent at the base ; articulated
on a scaly, short, creeping rhizome. Sori medial.

5. 0. DECURRENs, /. iSwsVA (PoLYPODiuM, AacMi ; Campyloneurum, Pml). — An ornamental evergreen stove
species, from Brazil. Fronds glabrous, nearly ovate, pinnate, from two to three feet high, rather erect, with
lanceolate-acuminate, narrow, membranous, pale green pinnae, which are six to ten inches long, decurrent at the
base, and running down the rachis ; they are articulated with a scaly, creeping rhizome. Sori terminal.

XI. NIPHOBOLUS, Kaulfuss.

Sori round, terminal, sometimes irregular and then usually confluent, protruding through dense
stellate pubescence. Veins pinnate, internal, indistinct; venules parallel, transversely anastomosing,
producing from their exterior side from two to five
free or irregularly anastomosing veinlets, which are
soriferous at their apices. Fronds simple, from one
to one and a-half foot long, thick and fleshy, or
coriaceous ; the fertile generally contracted. Rhizome
creeping. — Name derived from nijjhoholos, covered
with snow ; the fronds being covered with a white
starry pubescence.

This genus has the most obvious characters of
any in this section of Fohjpodiece ; for, in the absence
of fructification, it is at once known by its stellate
jiubescence and simple fronds. The venation being
inteimal and obscure, cannot be well seen, unless the
cellular tissue of the frond is destroyed ; it is one of
the most exquisitely beautiful of all the forms of
venation developed throughout the whole family of
Ferns. Fig. 12 represents a fertile and a sterile
frond of Niphoholus Lingua (nat. size).

1. N. NUMMULARIFOLIUS, /. Smith (AcROSTICHUM,

Swartz; Gymnopteris, Presl). — A very elegant little ever-
green stove species, native of the East Indies and the
Philippine Islands. Sterile fronds subrotund, half an inch
in diameter, light green, very fleshy. Fertile fronds
linear, two inches long, decurrent at the base. Both the
sterile and fertile are articulated on a scaly Aliform creeping
rhizome. Sori round, subsequently confluent, covering
the whole under surface ; veins and costa immersed in the
substance of the frond.

2. N. RUPESTRis, Sprengel (Polypodium, Forster ,

Craspedarta, Linlc; N. serpens, Fncllicher). — A dwarf
evergreen greenhouse species, from New Plolland. Sterile
fronds roundish or oblong-ovate, one to two inches long,
decurrent at the base. Fertile fronds linear, throe to four
inches long, obtuse at the apex, and decurrent at the base.

Both kinds are dull green, and articulated on a small scaly
creeping rhizome, about the thickness of a crow’s quill.

Sori round, confined to the upper half of tho frond ; veins
and costa immersed. ,

3. N. PERTUSus, Sprengel (Polypodium, Roxburgh ;

Grasped aria. Link). — A very fleshy evergreen stove Fern,

Sterile fronds ohlong-ovate, obtuse, decurrent at the base, three to four inches long. Fertile fronds linear, four

34

POLYPODIACEJE — POLYPODIEJJ.

to eight inches long, decurrent at the base. Both are of a light shining green, and are articulated on a small
scaly creeping rhizome, of the size of a crow’s quill. Sori confluent on the upper half of the frond ; yeins and
costa immersed.

4. N. vAiiius, Kaulfuss. — An ornamental evergreen stove Fern, from the Malay Islands and Singapore-
Sterile fronds lanceolate-acuminate, from six to twelve inches long, decurrent at the base. Fertile fronds linear-
lanceolate, acuminate, decurrent at the base, one foot long. Both kinds are densely covered throughout with
stellate pubescence, and are articulated on a slender scaly creeping rhizome. Sori on the upper part of the frond,
confluent in oblong masses ; costa nearly immersed.

5. N. Lingua, Sprengel (Acrostichum, Thunherg ; Polypodium, Craspedaria chinensis, ZzWc). —
A very pretty evergreen warm greenhouse species, from China and Japan. Sterile fronds lanceolate-acuminate,
six to ten inches long, decurrent at the base, dull green on the upper surface, and whitish beneath. Fertile
fronds contracted, but nearly of the same form as the sterile, and of equal length. Both are articulated on a
slender scaly creeping rhizome. Sori arranged in transverse parallel rows, between the primary veins, through-
out the whole under surface of the frond, brownish red ; costa elevated ; veins immersed.

XII. PHLEB ODIUM, E. Brown.

Sori round, oval, or rarely oblong-linear, transversely uniserial or biserial, sometimes irregular.
Veins pinnate, or variously branched ; venules arcuately or angularly anastomosing, producing on
their exterior side, or at their angular junction, two or more conniving vemlets, which are sporangi-
ferous on their combined apices, or line of junction. Fronds simple, pinnatifid or pinnate, from a few
inches to four feet long, glabrous or squamiferous, coriaceous or membranous.
Rhizome creeping. — Name derived from plilebos, a vein; from the gene-

rally conspicuous venation.

The species oi Phlebodium resemble some of the Gonioplilehiums and Frynarias
in habit, and in the circumscription of their fronds. The technical characters by
which they are distinguished from other genera are : — the sori being produced on
the confluent parts of two or more veinlets, which generally terminate in the
exterior row of areoles ; the irregular branching of the veins and venules ; and
the costal areole being sterile. Fig. 13 represents a portion of a segment of
Phlehodium glaucum (nat. size).

\ Anapeltis, J. Smith. — Fronds simple ; sori without scales.

1. P. SQUAMULOSUM, /. AhiAA (POLYPODIUM, ; P. MYRTILLIFOLIUM o/y ;

Pleopeltis, Fresl). — A dwarf creeping evergreen stove Fern, from Brazil. Sterile fronds
simple, oblong-elliptical, erect, two to three inches high, dull green, coriaceous, attenuated
at the base, and articulated on a scaly creeping rhizome, of about the thickness of a goose-
quill. Fertile fronds linear, obtuse.

2. P. VENOSUM, J. B. (PoLYPODiuM, Besvaux). — An elegant dwarf evergreen stove
species, from South America. Sterile fronds simple, oblong-lanceolate, six to eight inches
long, undulated, attenuated at the base, dull green, with conspicuous dark veins. Fertile
fronds slightly contracted, linear-lanceolate, attenuated at the base, six to eight inches
long. Both forms are scaly on the rachis and stipes, and are lateral, articulated on a
creeping scaly rhizome, about the size of a goose-quill. Sori oval or oblong, uniserial.

3. P. LYCOPODioiDES, J. Smith (Polypodium, Linnmus; P. glabellum, Beu-ard ;
Pleopeltis, PresT). — A very dwarf creeping evergreen stove species, native of the West
Indies. Fronds simple, two to four inches long, oblong-lanceolate, rather obtuse at the
apex, attenuated at the base, membranous, undulated, and light green. Sori round,
uniserial. Fronds lateral, articulated on a very slender scaly creeping rhizome.

4. P. NiTiDUM, J. Smith (Polypodium nitidulum, Kunze). — A dwarf evergreen stove
Fern, from Honduras. Fronds glabrous, simple, three to six inches long, oblong-elliptical,

13. rounded or obtuse at the apex, attenuated at the base, light green, subcoriaceous and

shining. Sori round, uniserial. Fronds lateral, articulated on a scaly creeping rhizome, which is scarcely
the size of a goose-quill.

6. P. SERPENS, J. Smith (Polypodium, Linnceus). — A dwarf creeping evergreen stove Fern, from the West
Indies. Fronds simple, glabrous, lanceolate, subcoriaceous, three to nine inches long, of a bluish green, acuminate
at the apex, attenuated at the base, entire on the margin, and decurrent on the stipes. Fronds lateral, indis-
tnictly articulated with a creeping scaly rhizome, about the size of a goose-quill.

XIII. DRYNAHIA.

35

6. P. NiTENs, M. and 11. — A very slender creeping evergreen stove Pern, from Sierra Leone. Fronds simple,
glabrous, oblong-lanceolate, undulated, four to six inches long, of a bright shining green, often obtuse at the
apex, attenuated at the base, entire on the margin, and deeurrent on the stipes. Fertile fronds contracted ;
lateral, indistinctly articulated with a slender creeping rhizome, about the size of a crow’s quill, which is thickly
covered with brown scales. Sori nniserial.

7. P. ovARiENSE, M. and S. (Polypodium, Besvaux). — An evergreen hothouse Fern, from Sierra Leone.
Sterile fronds simple, glabrous, coriaceous, obovatc-elliptioal, one and a half inch long, sub-sessile, dark green,
and entire at the margin. Fertile fronds simple, linear-lanceolate, rather obtuse at the 'apex, undulated, about
two inches long, and entire at the margin. Sori uniserial. Fronds lateral, articulated with a slender creeping
scaly rhizome. This species was imported by Messrs. Garraway and Mayes, of Bristol, in 1850.

? Pleopeltis, J. Smith. — Fronds simple ; sori at first covered by the scales of the frond.

8. P. PERCussuM, J. Smith (Polypodium, Cavanillas; Pleopeltis, Iresl). — An ornamental evergreen stove
species, a native of various parts of South America. Fronds simple, about a foot long, lanceolate-acuminate,
cuspidate, coriaceous, bright green, shining, attenuated at the base, and covered throughout with minute peltate
fimbriate scales. Sori large, uniserial, seated in dense compact tufts of narrow scales. Fronds lateral, articu-
lated on a scaly creeping rhizome, about the size of a duck’s quill.

5 Phlebodia VERA, J. Smith. — Fronds pinnatifid or pinnate.

9. P. decumanum, j. Smith (Polypodium, Willdenow ; Pleopeltis, Iresl). — A glabrous ornamental subever-
green stove species, from Jamaica, and various places in South America. Fronds slender, light green, somewhat
ovate-lanceolate, broad at the base, pinnatifid, two to three feet long, with lanceolate-acuminate membranous
segments, which are six to eight inches long, slightly serrated. Sori round, immersed, uniserial. Fronds
lateral, articulated on a scaly creeping rhizome.

10. P. AuiiEUM, It. Brown (PoLYumniuM, Linneeus; Pleopeltis, Presl; Chrysopteris, Link). — A noble sub-
evergreen stove Fern, from the West Indies. Fronds glabrous, drooping, somewhat ovate-lanceolate, pinnatifid,
three to four feet long, with lanceolate-acuminate broad undulated membranous segments, which are eight to ten
inches long, with entire margins. Sori round, biserial, or scattered. Stipes and rachis very smooth, shining,
light brown or purple ; lateral, articulated on a thick creeping rhizome, densely covered with bright brown scales.

11. P. SPORADOCARPUM, J. Smith (Polypodium, Willdenow, P. glaucum, of gardens ; P. areolatum, Willdenow ;
Chrysopteris, Link). — A very beautiful and glaucous evergreen stove species, from Mexico. Fronds rather
ovate in outline, glaucous throughout, pinnatifid, with stiff, coriaceous, obtuse, almost lanceolate segments, with
entire margins. Sori large, uniserial, bright yellowish brown. Stipes very smooth, half the length of the frond,
brownish green ; lateral, articulated on a thick glaucous scaly creeping rhizome.

12. P. MULTiSERiALE, M. and H. — A subevergrecn hothouse Fern, from South America. Fronds glabrous,
subpinnate, two to four feet long, bright green ; segments lanceolate-acuminate, rather membranous, nine to ten
inches long, dilated at the base, entire at tbe margin. Sori usually on the upper part, or on distinct fronds, in
five to six series on each side the midrib of the segments. Fronds lateral; articulated with a thick creeping
rhizome, densely clothed with light brown woolly scales. This Fern was introduced to the Royal Botanic
Garden, Kew, in 1850 ; and has also been recently introduced from Demarara.

13. P. iNEauALE, T. M. — ^A noble subevergreen warm greenhouse Fern, from Guatemala. Fronds
glabrous, broadly lanceolate, wide at the base, three to four feet long, drooping, light green, pinnate ; pinme
lanceolate-acuminate, undulated, rather membranous, six to ten inches long ; the inferior petiolate, the superior
adnate decurrent and unequal at the base, attenuated at the apex, and slightly crenulate at the margin. Sori
large, uniserial, immersed. Stipes smooth, straw-coloured ; lateral, articulated on a thick scaly creeping caespi-
tose rhizome, which is covered with lanceolate -acuminate scales, broader and less attenuated than in P. aureim,
which this plant resembles in general aspect, but from which it differs in being distinctly pinnate, and not at all
glaucous. The venation is often that of Ooniophlehmm. It was imported, about nine years since, by Messrs.
Loddiges of Hackney, and is known in gardens under the name of Polypodium triseriale.

XIII. DRYNAHIA, Bory.

Sori round or oblong, naked or sqnamiferous, produced on the angles or points of confluence of
numerous venules (compital), superficial or deeply immersed forming elevated protuberances on the
upper surface of the frond ; transversely uniserial, or arranged in one or two oblique rows between
each two of the primary veins, or irregular. Veins pinnate, parallel, or flesuose ; venules compoundly
anastomosing, producing from their sides, variously directed, free sterile veinlets, with apices generally
rounded or club-shaped. Fronds from a few inches to four or five feet long, simple pinnatifid or

pinnate, membranous or coriaceous, glabrous or pilose. Bhizome creeping Name said to be derived

from that of the Dryades, nymphs of the woods, in allusion to their native habitation ; but more
probably from dryinos, of oak, the name having been originally applied to the oak -leaved D. quercifolia.

36

POLYPODIACE.E — POLYPODIES.

The species belonging to this genus have a varied aspect, as well as a wide geographical range ;
some are very membranous, others are remarkably rigid in texture, almost without parallel amongst
Ferns. Many of the more beautiful species are at present unknown in cultivation. They all have
creeping rhizomes, and are well adapted for cultivating on logs of wood, trunks of trees, or amongst
light, open materials, where they form very beautiful and highly ornamental objects. Their compound
anastomosing venation is met with also in other genera, even in the same section ; but the characters
that distinguish the Drynarias from all associates are the naked or squamiferous compital sori, and
the compound or zigzag anastomose branching of the veins, with sterile veinlets in the areoles. Fig.
14 represents a portion of Drynaria Billarclieri (nat. size).

} Phyllitidis, J. Smith, — Fronds simple.

1. D. Foetunii, T. M. — An interesting
evergreen Fern, from China. Fronds simple,
a foot or more in height, lanceolate, attenu-
ated at hoth the hase and apex, suhcoriaceous,
bright green, entire, or suhsinnate, quite
smooth, and punctulate with transparent dots,
which indicate the apices of free veinlets
within the areoles of the veins. Sori distinct,
uniserial, near the costa, and chiefly produced
a,t the upper part of the frond. Fronds much
tapered below into the short, sparingly scaly
stipes, which is lateral, and articulated on a
slender scaly creeping rhizome. Eeeeived
from Mr. Henderson, of Wentworth ; and
precisely accords with No. 18 of Fortune’s
Chinese plants, collected during his second
journey.

2. D. CONTIGUA, J. Smith (Polypodium,
Wallich). — An evergreen stove species, from
Borneo. Fronds simple, glabrous, linear-
lanceolate, one to one and a half foot long,
coriaceous, undulated, deep shining green,
acute at the apex, attenuated at the hase,
decurrent on the stipes, and entire at the
margin. Sori oblong, uniserial, suhmarginal,
immersed, forming elevated protuberances on
the upper surface. Fronds lateral, articulated
with a small creeping rhizome. This species
was introduced by Mr. Low, of the Clapton
nursery, in 1847.

3. D. HEMiONiTiDEA, J. Smith (Polypo-
dium, Wallich ; P. membranacedm, JD. Bon ;
Selliguea HEMIONITIDEA, Prcsl). — A Very

delicate evergreen stove species, from the East Indies. Fronds glabrous, simple, one to two feet long, lanceolate,
light green, undulated, very membranous, attenuated at the base. Sori round, small, and irregular. Fronds
lateral, articulated on a short scaly creeping rhizome.

4. D. mioiDES, J. Smith (Polypodium, Lamarck; P. polycephalum, Wallich; Phymatodes ieioides,
Michosohum iriibgulaee. Link). — A glabrous evergreen ornamental stove Fern, native of the Mauritius, East
Indies, Sierra Leone, and New Holland. Fronds simple, two to three and a half feet long, light green, fleshy,
linear-lanceolate, ensiform, attenuated at the hase, and often irregularly lohed at the margin. Sori very small,
numerous, thickly scattered on the upper half of the frond. Venation internal. Fronds lateral, articulated on a
short scaly creeping rhizome.

6. D. CRASsiFOLiA, J". (PoLYPODiuM, Limucus ; kin Ksxrisu, Schott) . — A coarse-growing glabrous ever-

green stove species, from Brazil, Peru, and the West Indies. Fronds simple, linear-lanceolate, attenuated at the
hase, two to three feet long, and three or four inches wide, coriaceous, dull green. Sori large, round, or oval,
uniserial between each two of the primary veins. Fronds lateral, articulated on a short scaly creeping rhizome.

6. D. sEsauiPEDALis, J. Smith (Polypodium snsauiPEDALis, Wallich ; Pleopeltis nuda, TLooker).- — -An
evergreen hothouse Fern, from the Mauritius and Nepal. Fronds simple, narrow lanceolate, a foot or more
long, light green, undulated, attenuated at the hase, and decurrent on the stipes, acuminate at the apex, entire on

XIII. DRYNARIA.

37

the margin, and scattered over beneath with small cordate scales. Sori round, transversely uniserial on the upper
part of the frond, immersed, forming large protuberances on the upper surface. Fronds lateral, articulated with
a green creeping rhizome, which is scarcely the size of a goose-quill, and covered with soft scales.

5 PiiTHATODES, J. Smith. — Fronds pinnatifid or pinnate, all stipitate.

7. D. PUSTULATA, J. Smith (POLYPODITJJI, Forstcr; P. scandens, Forster ; P. cjespitosum, ZinJc ; Campy-
LONEURUM ciESPiTosuM, Link ; P. SCANDENS and P. PUSTULATA, Presl). — A dwarf glabrous evergreen greenhouse
Fern, from New Zealand. Fronds from a few inches to a foot long, simple lanceolate or pinnatifid with lanceo-
late-acuminate membranous pale green segments. Sori round, uniserial, and submarginal. Fronds lateral,
articulated on a small emspitose creeping rhizome. The simple state is the P. ccespitoswn.

8. D. Billardieri, J. Smith (Polypodium, Broivn; Phymatodes, Presl; Chrysopteris, Link; Polypodium
SCANDENS, Lahillardiere) . — A creeping evergreen greenhouse Fern, native of New Holland, New Zealand, and
Van Diemen’s Land. Fronds glabrous, erect, about a foot high, simple or pinnatifid, with a few linear acumi-
nate segments, coriaceous, deep green, attenuated at the base. Sori large, round, uniserial, immersed. Fronds
lateral, articulated on a ciespitose creeping scaly rhizome, as thick as a goose-quill.

9. D. VULGARIS, P. (Polypodium Phymatodes, Linneeus; P. pleopeltifolium, of gardens; Phyma-

todes VULGARIS, Presl; Chry^sopteris Phymatodes, Link). — A beautiful evergreen glabrous stove species,
native of the Mauritius, New Holland, East Indian and Malay Islands. Fronds rather erect, triangularly ovate,
pinnatifid, one to one and a half foot long, decurrent at the base, light green and shining, with oblong-acute
coriaceous segments, four to six inches long, the lower one often lobed. Sori round or ovate. There are two
forms in cultivation. The fronds are articulated on a black scaly creeping rhizome, as thick as a swan’s quill.

10. D. LONGiPES, /. (Polypodium, ZmiX; ; Chrysopteris, Zwi/i ; P. alternifolium. Link). — A coarse-

looking evergreen stove Fern, from the East Indies. Fronds glabrous, two to two and a half feet long, pinnatifid,
decurrent at the base, coriaceous, with three or four large broad oblong acuminate segments, six or eight inches
long, deep green. Sori large, oblong, biserial, immersed. Eaohis and stipes pale green ; stipes more than half
the length of the frond ; lateral, articulated on a creeping rhizome, nearly as thick as a swan’s quill.

11. D. LONGissiMA, J. Smith (Polypodium. Blicme ; P. melanoneuron, Miquel; P. melanococca, Llort.
Amstel.). — A tall slender evergreen stove species, from the East Indies. Fronds glabrous, pinnatifid, two to
five feet long, narrow lanceolate, with lanceolate-acuminate membranous undulated distant pale green segments.
Sori large, round, uniserial, immersed, forming elevated protuberances on the upper surface of the fronds. Fronds
lateral, articulated on a scaly creeping rhizome, which is much elongated, and as thick as a swan’s quill.

12. D. oxYLORUM, M. and LL. (Polypodium, Wallich). — A deciduous hothouse Fern, from the East Indies.
Fronds glabrous, pinnatifid, decurrent at the base, a foot or more long, somewhat glaucous beneath ; seg-
ments lanceolate, three to five inches long, acuminate at the apex, entire at the margin. Sori large, uniserial.
Fronds lateral, articulated with a emspitose creeping rhizome. Introduced to Kew in 1852. This has an
agreeable fragrance like new hay when dry.

13. D; sessilis, M. and LI. — A deciduous stove Fern, a native of the East Indies. Fronds glabrous, lanceo-
late, pinnate, two feet long, palish green ; pinnoe sessile, oblong-ovate, three to six inches long, undulated,
acuminate at the apex, roundish at the base, and articulated with the rachis. Sori uniserial. Fronds lateral,
articulated with a thickish caespitose creeping rhizome, clothed with narrow-lanceolate scales. This fern is
closely allied to the Polypodium venustuni of Wallich, but differs in the size and vestiture of the rhizome, and in
being quite glabrous.

14. D. CAPiTELLATA, J. Smith (Polypodium, Wallich; P. juglandifolium, L). Bon; Phymatodes capitel-
lata, Presl). — A neat evergreen stove Fern, from the East Indies. Fronds glabrous, pinnate, one to one and a
half foot long, with a few oblong ovate mucronatc cuspidate membranous pinn®, which are round at the base and
articulated with the rachis, glaucous, with a thickened white margin. Sori large, round, uniserial. Fronds
lateral, articulated on a scaly creeping rhizome.

15. D. leioriiiza, J. Smith (Polypodium, Wallich; P. cuspidatum, D. Bon; Phymatodes leiorhiza, Prrs/).
— A very ornamental evergreen stove species, a native of Nepal. Fronds glabrous, pinnate, two to three and a
half feet long, with lanceolate-acuminate bright green pinn®, the inferior ones petiolate six to eight inches long,
the upper ones adnate and decurrent. Sori round, uniserial, very large. Fronds lateral, articulated on a thick
creeping rhizome.

16. D. PROPiNauuM, M. and H. (Polypodium, Wallich). — An ornamental evergreen stove Fern, from the East
Indies. Fronds glabrous, ovate-lanceolate, pinnatifid or pinnate below, one to one and a half foot long, light
green ; segments lanceolate-acuminate, three to six inches long, rather membranous, undulated, dilated, and
adnate at the base, decurrent on the stipes, and crenately-serrate at the margin. Sori uniserial. Fronds lateral,
articulated with a short thickish creeping rhizome, half an inch in diameter, and densely clothed with woolly
scales. Introduced to Kew in 1852.

5 Drvnaeia VEEiE, J. iShuV/j.— Rhizome bearing sessile, sinuose, sterile fronds, with rigid veins.

17. D. DlVERSiFOLiA, J. Smith (Polypodium, P. Brown; P. glaucistipbs, Wallich). — A beautiful evergreen
stove Fern, from the East Indies, Java, and subtropical New Holland. Fronds of two kinds. Sterile fronds sessile,
cordate-oblong, pinnatifid, three to four inches long. Fertile fronds slender, stipitate, reclining, one and a half to two

38

POLYPODIACEJ!— POLYPODIES.

feet long, pinnate, bright green ; pinnee sessile, linear-lanceolate acuminate, four to six inches long, and about a
quarter of an inch wide, cuneate at the base, crenulate at the margin, and indistinctly articulated with the rachis.
Sori uniserial. Fronds lateral, adherent to a thick scaly cajspitose creeping rhizome. Introduced by Messrs.
Rollisson in 1850.

18. D. QUERCiFOLiA, /. Smith (Polypodium, Linnmus ; Phymatodes, PresT). — An evergreen stove Fern,
having an extensive geographical range through the tropics of the eastern hemisphere. Fronds of two kinds ;
sterile — sessile, oblong-ovate, cordate at the base, sinuose or laoiniated, with the vascular structure rigid, and
permanent : fertile — stipitate, pinnatifid, with linear acuminate undulated segments, having a thick margin, and
articulated with the rachis. Sori round, obliquely and rather irregularly disposed throughout the whole under
surface of the frond. The rhizomes are thick, scaly and creeping. There are various well-defined forms of this
species distributed throughout the Eastern hemisphere.

19. D. conoNANS, A/, and iZi (Polypodium, Wallich ; Phymatodes, PresZ). — A noble evergreen stove Fern,
native of the East Indies. Fronds glabrous, rigid, sessile,
rather erect, cordate-oblong, three to four feet long, lightish
green, deeply pinnatifid ; segments oblong, undulated,
articulated with the rachis, lower ones round at the apex,
upper ones acuminate, margin thick and entire. Sori
uniserial, between each two of the primary veins, and
confined to the upper half of the frond, which is lateral,
adherent to a thick decumbent fibrose slightly creeping
rhizome.

its

1

XIV. DICTYMIA, J. Smith.

It

vl.

Sori oblong, compital, transversely uniserial,
receptacle immersed. Venation uniform, reticulated,
internal. Fronds simple, glabrous, coriaceous.

Rhizome creeping. — Name derived from diktyon, a
net; alluding to the netted venation.

This genus is established on habit more than any
technical characters. The two species which it com-
prises are natives of New Holland and New Zealand.

Their uniform reticulated venation distinguishes
them from Drynaria, the areoles being all sterile.

Fig. 15 represents the upper part of a frond of
Fictymia attenuata (nat. size).

1. D. ATTENUATA, J. Smith (PoLYPODIUM, Bj'own ; P.

Buownianum, Sprengcl ; Dictyopteris, PmQ. — An orna-
mental evergreen greenhouse Fern, from New Holland.

Fronds simple, linear-acuminate, dark green, about a foot
15- long, coriaceous, attenuated at the base. Sori oblong,

uniserial, on the upper half of the frond. Fronds lateral, articulated on a creeping
rhizome, nearly as thick as a goose-quill.

XV. DRYMOGLOSSUM, Presl.

Sori linear, continuous, marginal or intramarginal, produced on the
transverse sides and junctions of the venules, forming a broad marginal or
intramarginal soriferous band, which is pilose or squamiferous. Venation
uniform, compoundly anastomosing, producing variously directed free
veinlets. Fronds simple, elliptical, or lanceolate, coriaceous, from one to
sixteen inches long. Rhizome creeping. — Name derived from drymos, a
forest, and ghssa, a tongue ; alluding to the form of the fronds, and the Bio- 16-

native habitat of the plants.

Comparing the venation in this genus with what occurs in Drynaria and Sellignea, it is only by the
position of the linear continuous sori that it is distinguishable. The essential characters are a com-

XVI. TiENIOPSIS.

.■SO

pound anastomosing venation, -with the naked linear continuous sori running parallel -with and near to
the margin. Fig. 16 represents the upper portion of a frond of Drymoghssum lanceolatum (nat. size).

1. D. piLOSELLOiDES, Presl (Pteris, Linneeus ; Pteropsis, Pesvaux ; NoTHOCHLiENA, Kaulfuss). — A dwarf
creeping evergreen stove Fern, native of the East Indies and Malay Islands. Fronds of two kinds : sterile —
elliptical or roundish-ovate, one inch high, attenuated at the base : fertile — linear, narrow, two inches high,
attenuated at the base ; both are lateral, articulated on a filiform creeping rhizome. Sori confluent, covering the
whole surface of the frond. This Fern is at present extremely rare in cultivation, although in 1843 it was
covering the end of a pine stove in the garden of the Duke of Northumberland, at Syon.

2. D. LANCEOLATUM, J. Smith (J't'ekis, Linnetus ; Pteropsis, T!2mn:is, Kaulfuss). — An ornamental

evergreen stove Fern, from Jamaica. Fronds uniform, lanceolate, from ten to sixteen inches long, contracted at
the apex where they are soriferous, pale green and attenuated at the base ; they are lateral, articulated on a
slender slowly creeping rhizome. Venation internal.

XVI. T^NIOPSIS, J. Smith.

Son linear, continuous, immersed in an intramarginal groove. Veins simple, parallel, their apices
combined, and forming a transverse sporangiferous receptacle. Fronds simple, linear-lanceolate, one
to tvro feet long, plane or Avith the margin revolute. — Name derived from tainia, a fillet or band,
and opsis, resemblance, from the long narrow outline of the fronds.

In habit, venation, and external appearance, the species of this genus
are precisely identical with Vittaria ; the only ground on which they
are separated is the position of the sporangiferous receptacle, which in
Vittaria is marginal, and in Tmiiojisis is intramarginal. Fig. 17 repre-
sents a frond of Tmiiopsis graniinifolia (med.
size).

1. T. LiNEATA, J. Smith (Vittaria, Swartz).— A
singularly narrow evergreen stove Fern, from the "West
Indies. Fronds simple, glabrous, pendulous, one to two
feet long, and about an eighth of an inch broad. Veins in-
ternal, and very few; costa obsolete. Fronds lateral, forming
a dense mass on a short creeping scaly rhizome. Sori intra-
marginal, in a groove nearly the whole length of the frond.

2. T. graminifolia, J. Smith (Vittaria, Kaulfuss). —

An ornamental evergreen species, from the "West Indies.

Fronds simple, glabrous, rather erect, about ten inches
high, lanceolate-acuminate, undulated and attenuated at
the base. Sori submarginal, continuous or interrupted,
and confined to the upper half of the frond. Venation
internal.

XVII. VITTARIA, Smith.

Sori linear, continuous, immersed in a marginal
groove. Veitis simple, parallel, combined at their
apices by a transverse marginal vein, on which is
produced the sporangiferous receptacle. Fronds
simple, linear-elongate, from one to four or five feet
long. Bhizome creeping. — Name derived from vitta,
a ribband ; which the long narrow fronds resemble.

This genus consists of a fcAv narrow -fronded
grassy-looking tropical Ferns, and originally comprised ten or twelve species.
In aspect, habit, and wenation, they coincide with Tdtniopsis, from which, on
account of the variation in the position of their sori, they have been divided.
The species of Vittaria have their sori in the edge of the frond, opening out-
ward ; whilst those of Temiopsis have their sori medial or intramarginal, in
♦ Fig. 17. plane under surface of the frond. In both cases the sori are immersed

in grooves. Fig. 18 represents a small frond of Vittaria zostcrafolia.

40

POLYPODIACEJ2— POLYPODIES.

1. V. zosTEEiEFOLiA, WlMenoiv (V. ANGUSTiFRONS, BonJ). — A pendulous-growing evergreen stove Pern,
from the Mauritius. Fronds simple, glabrous, subcoriaceous, from one to four feet long, and about a quarter of
an inch wide, of a rather bright green. They are lateral, adherent to a small creeping rhizome, densely covered
with dark scales. Venation internal ; costa within the substance of the frond. This species was introduced to
Kew in 1852.

XVIII. ANTROPHYUM, Kaiilfuss.

Sori linear, continuous or interrupted, reticulated ; sporangiferous receptacle immersed in the sub-
stance of the frond. Venation uniform, reticulated; sides of the
areoles more or less sporangiferous. Fronds simple, linear-lanceolate
or elliptical, coriaceous. — Name derived from antron, a cavern, and
phyo, to grow ; alluding to the hollows on the under surface of the
fronds, from whence the spore-cases arise.

The character which distinguishes this genus from Ilemionitis is
the immersed sporangiferous receptacle ; the sori of Ilemionitis being
superficial. Fig. 19 represents the upper portion of a frond of
Antrop)hyum lanceolatimi (nat. size).

1. A. LANCEOLATUM, Kuitlfuss (Hemionitis lanceolata, Liunmus. — A
delicate evergreen stove species, from the "West Indies. Fronds simple,
glabrous, one foot long, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, attenuated at the base,
slightly undulated, and of a light green colour. Fronds lateral, somewhat
fleshy, forming a dense tuft on a short creeping rhizome. Venation
internal.

XIX. HEMIONITIS, Linnmis.

Sori linear, reticulated, superficial, and subsequently confluent.
Venation uniform, reticulated, sporangiferous on the sides of the
areoles, which are nearly equal. Fronds simple, cordate
palmate or pinnate, glabrous or villose. — The name
was used by Dioscorides, and is said to be derived from
hetnionos, a mule, from the supposed sterility of the
plant. In this sense, however, the name is here obviously
misapplied ; for in addition to the ordinary method of
propagation by spores, H. pahnata is viviparous;
increases readily by this means also.

The species of Hemionitis
are exceedingly beautiful, of
dwarf habit, and among the
most interesting of all dwarf
Ferns. The character by which
they are at once recognised, is
the superficial reticulated sori.

Fig. 20 represents a frond
of Hemionitis pahnata (med.
size).

1. H. palmata, Linneeus. — A
very elegant evergreen stove Fern,
from Brazil and the West Indies.

Fronds hairy, nearly one foot high,
cordate and palmate, with five
ohlong-ohtuse or acuminate seg-
ments, crenulate or bluntly lohed.

Fertile fronds erect, the sterile _ F>g- 20.

ones nearly horizontal, both proliferous in the sinuses j terminal, adherent to

fasciculate rhizome.

XX. CEKATOPTERIS.

41

2. H. coRDATA, Uoxhurgh. — A beautiful low-growing evergreen stove Fern, from the East Indies. Fronds
simple, cordate, hairy, especially on the raehis and margin; the sterile ones deep green, four to six inches long,
roundish at the apex ; the fertile erect, cordate-sagittate or sub-trilobate and triangular, six or eight inches high.
Stipes ebeneous. Fronds terminal, adherent to a small tufted rhizome. This Fern was raised at Kew, in 1852,
from spores, but has not yet produced fructification.

XX. CERATOPTERIS, Bromjnlart.

Soyi linear, continuous, parallel, superficial, produced on the lengthened transverse sides of the
venules, and concealed by the reflexed margin of the segments. Veins transversely elongated, and
distantly anastomosing. Fronds flaccid, of t^vo kinds: sterile — pinnatifid or bipinnatifid, sinuate and
viviparous; fertile — contracted, decompound, membranous, multifid, ■with linear forked and viviparous
segments having their margins reflexed
and indusiform. — Named from keras,
keratos, a horn, and ijteris, a fern ;
alluding to the fertile fronds.

The peculiar habit and structure of
this genus render it difficult to deter-
mine its real affinity. The spore-cases
are sessile, large and globose, furnished
either with a broad nearly complete, or
very short nearly obsolete ring. It was
originally associated with Gleichen-
iacece. Fig. 21 represents portions of
the sterile and fertile fronds (nat. size),
with a portion of the fertile frond
magnified, showing the position of the
sori.

1. C. THALicTROiDES, Brongniart (Ello-
EOCARPUs OLERACEus, Kaulfuss). — A Very
singular annual aquatic stove Fern, native
of the tropics of both hemispheres. Fronds
glabrous, of two kinds : sterile — bipinnati-
fid, one to one and a half foot long, reclin-
ing, ■nuth oblong obtuse segments ; fertile
— contracted, erect, three or four times pinnate, one and a half to two and a half feet high, with linear rovolute
segments. Both forms are viviparous, of a light green, with the stipes nearly quadrangular.

C. Parkbri, J. Smith (Parkeria pteroides. Hooker and Bauer), was raised by Mr. H. Shepherd, of Liverpool,
and so closely resembles the Ceratopteris thalictroides, in all respects except the elastic ring of the spore-case, that
it is only to be discriminated by the aid of a very powerful microscope. Mr. I. Smith informs us that he has
raised C. thalictroides from the spores of this supposed species.

Trihe AcROSTicHEiE, J. Smith.— '&>oxi amorplioitP, witliont r.n indusium.

The species forming this extensive natural group are probably the easiest of all Ferns to recognize,
from the sori being spread generally throughout the under surface of the frond. The species were
originally comprehended under two or three genera; but they have been subdivided into nearly twenty.
They have distinct sterile and fertile fronds, in which respect they are similar to Lomaria, in the tribe
Fteridece, but they are at once distinguished from that group by the absence of an indusium, with
which the Lomarias are furnished. Their most obvious point of distinction from Folypodaecn is in the
sori being amorphous ; that is, not produced in round or linear masses, but closely occupying an
irregular portion or the whole of the fertile disk, w'hich in one or two genera is not confined to the
inferior surface alone, the contracted rachiform segments being sporangiferous on both sides.

G

42

I'OLYPODIACE.I — ACUOSTICnE.Ti.

Srci. OiiTnornLiiUiKJE, J, Smilh. — Veins free, /. e., not reticulated or anastomosing.

XXI. ELAPHOGLOSSUM, SchofL

Sort amorplious, thickly covering the whole under .surface. Veijts simple or forked, internal;
remiles parallel, their apices free and clavate, terminating within a thickened margin. Fronds simple,
from a few inches to two feet long, linear-lanceolate, coriaceous, glabrous, pilose, or squamose. — Named
from elaphos, a deer, and r/Iossa, a tongue ; the small simple fertile fronds being supposed to resemble
the tongue of the deer. In most modern catalogues the name is strangely enough said to he derived
from eleplias, an elephant, and glossa, a tongue — elephant’s tongue !

This genus is readily distinguished from its congeners by
having simple fronds, with forked free veins. Fig. 22 rejiresents
a sterile and fertile frond of Elaphoglossum conforme (med. size).

1. E. coxfor:vie, J. Smith (Acrostichvm, Swarts.-, Olfersia, Frcsl).
— An erect dwarf evergreen stove Fern, from the Cape of Good Hope.
Sterile fronds glabrous, oblong-acuminate, attenuated at the base, from
six to twelve inches high, coriaceous, deep green. Fertile fronds small,
ovate or oblong-acuminate, from six to ten inches high. Both forms arc
articulated near the rhizome. This species attains the height of a foot
and a half in its native locality. Ehizome scaly and caespitose, creeping.

2. E. cR.vssiNERVE, M. and H. (Acrostichum, Kunze). — An ever-
green stove Fern, from the West Indies. Sterile fronds glabrous, oblong-
ovate, bluntly acuminate, from twelve to eighteen inches long, attenu-
ated below and decurrent on the stipes, thick and coriaceous, undulated,
dull green. Fertile fronds oblong-ovate, one foot high, attenuated at the
base. Both forms are articulated near the base of the stipes, and are
lateral on a short creeping scaly rhizome.

3. E. RREViPES, M. and IT. (Acrostichum, Kunze; A. call.’efolium,
Linl!, not Flume — fide A'jojre ; E. CAELiEFOLiUM, /. Smith) . — A glabrous
evergreen stove species, from Java. Sterile fronds oblong-ovate or ovate-
lanceolate, a foot or more long, coriaceous, deep green, shining, undulated,
roundish or somewhat attenuated at the base. Eachis and stipes dark
purple beneath. Fertile fronds erect, ovate-elliptical, acuminate, one
foot or more high. Both forms are articulated near the rhizome, which
is scaly and creeping.

4. E. LoxGiFOi.iujt, J. Smith (Acrostichum, Jacquin ; Olfersia,
Presl-, Candollba, dfi/AcG Acoxioptebis, Fee-, A. latifolium, Swartz).

A glabrous evergreen stove Fern, from the "West Indies. Sterile

fronds coriaceous, bright green, lanceolate-acuminate, one to one and a
half foot long, slightly undulated, attenuated at the base. Fertile fronds
erect, lanceolate-acuminate, one to one and a half foot high, attenuated
at the base. Both articulated near the base of the stipes ; lateral, on a
scaly coespitose creeping rhizome.

5. E. scoLOPEXDRiFOLiuM, J. Smith (Acrostichum, ; Olfersia,
Frcsl). — An ornamental evergreen stove species, from Brazil. Sterile
fronds lanceolate, acuminate, twelve to fifteen inches long, undulated,
pale green, with stipes one third the length of the frond ; stipes, rachis,
and margin of frond covered with fimbriate-acuminate cordate brown
scales. Fertile fronds small, erect, lanceolate, acuminate, one foot long,
with a stipes eight inches long. Both forms are articulated near the base

of the stipes, and are lateral, on a very short scaly creeping rhizome.

G. E. viLLosuM, J. Smith (Acrostichum, Swartz ; Olfersia, Errs?).— [Plate III]~An ornamental evergreen
stove Fern, from Jamaica. Sterile fronds hairy, lanceolate, acuminate, undulated, pale green, about a foot long.
Fertile frond narrow, lanceolate, acuminate, eight inches long. Both forms are articulated near the base of the
stipes, and are lateral, on a very short creeping scaly rhizome.

7. E. cuspidatum, 31. and H. (Acrostichuai, Willdcnow ; Olfersia, Fresl).—k dwarf evergreen hothouse
Fern, from South America. Sterile fronds linear-lanceolate, acuminate, from eight inches to a foot long, and
nearly an inch wide, of a dullish green, attenuated at the base, and thickly covered, especially on the upper
surface, with stellate or fimbriate scales. Fertile fronds of the same form as the sterile, but narrower, nearly a

XXII. STENOCIIL.HNA.

43

foot long, with stipes nearly half their length. They are lateral, indistinctly articulated with a slender creeping-
rhizome. This plant was introduced in 1851, and was then referred to B. Bombeyanum, Fee.

8. E. STincxrM, T. M. (Acrostic-hitm, BadcU ; Olfersia, Bred). — A delicate little stove species,
received from "Wentworth, which we refer to A. slrictum of Eaddi, a native of Brazil. Fronds small ; the sterile
ones four or five inches long, linear-lanceolate, narrowed above in a long point, and below into a short scaly stipes,
the irpper surface clothed with silvery scales, the lower more densely with tawny scales, the scales lanceolate, and
strongly ciliate. The fertile fronds are linear oblong-ohtuse, narrowed below in a long slender stipes, which is
twice their length, and almost equalling the barren fronds ; upper surface densely lepidote with ferruginous scales,
lower with a scaly midrib.

9. E. HiHTUM, 31. and II. (Acrostiohum, Swartz ; A. vestitum, Zowe ; A. Loweanum, Iuwzo
Herb-, Olfersia vestita, and 0. I’aleacea, Brest). —An evergreen warm greenhouse Fern, from Madeira.
Sterile fronds linear-lanceolate, about a foot long, acute at the apex, attenuated at the base, and densely covered
throughout with ciliated scales. Fertile fronds lanceolate, about a foot long, rather obtuse at the apex, attenu-
,atcd at the base. Stipes elongate, and densely scaly. Fronds lateral, articulated near the base, with a short
creeping scaly rhizome.

XXII. STEXOCIIL^ENA, J. Smith.

Sori amorphous, clenselj' covering the under surface of the fertile fronds. JUns (sterile) simple or
forked, external; venules parallel, their apices exserted, forming cartilaginous serratures, or conniving
and forming a thickened margin. Raehis-like part of rhizome, sometimes producing abnormal tripin-
natifid sterile fronds. Fronds pinnate, or hipinnate,
from one to four feet long, glabrous or squamose. Pin-
nules (fertile) linear, narrow, the margin membranous,
revolute and indusiform. Fhizome creeping. — Name
derived from stenos, narrow, and chlainct, a cloak; allud-
ing to the narrow membranous margin of the fertile
pinnee.

The species of this genus have a distinct and peculiar
aspect, and form a very natural group. In habit they
resemble Pohjhotrya, having a creeping scaly rhizome.

The narrow linear segments of the fertile frond, with their
indusiform margins, are analogous to what occurs in
Lomaria ; but they differ materially from that genus in
the margin being revolute, whereas in Lomaria it is
jilane, and usually the axis of an indusium. Fig. 23
represents a pinna of the sterile frond, with part of a
pinna of the fertile frond of Stenochlvena scandens (med.
size); for the latter we are indebted to Mr. Henderson,
gai’dener to Earl Fitzwilliam, at Wentworth House,

Yorkshire.

1. S. SCANDEXS, J. Smith (Acrostichum, Linnwus\ Lo-
M.VRiA, WilMenow, Olfersia, Brest \ Oxoclea, Swartz).— An.
elegant evergreen stove Fern, with a scandent habit of growth,
native of the East Indian and Malay Islands, and the Cape of
Good Hope. Sterile fronds glabrous, shining, lanceolate, pinnate,
somewhat pendulous, from three to four feet long ; pinnae linear-
acuminate, cuneatc at the base, rather membranous, nearly a
foot long, with a serrated cartilaginous margin ; veins simple
or forked, parallel, connected at the base by arcuate costal veins,
forming a row of long narrow areoles close to the midrib. Fertile
fronds biplnnato; pinnse six to eight inches long; pinnules linear,
narrow, and sporangiferous on the under surface. Both kinds
of fronds are lateral, adherent to a scandent slender green
rhizome, which is covered with long narrow scales, attached by their centre.

2. S. LOXGiFOLiA, J. Smith (Lomaria, Kautfuss). — An ornamental evergreen scandent stove Fern, from
Guiana and the West Indies. Sterile fronds glabrous, pinnate, one and a half foot long, deep green ; pinnse

u

POLYPODIACEjE — ACPOSTICnEiE.

ovate or oblong, lanceolate, sessile, acute or acuminate at the apex, obtusely cuneate at the base, entire on the
margin, and articulated with the raehis. Fertile fronds glabrous, pinnate, about a foot long; pinnoB linear-
lanceolate, the terminal one elongate. Fronds lateral, adherent to a scandent rhizome.

3. S. soRBiroLiA, J. Smith (Aciiosticiium, Linnams). — A dwarf evergreen scandent stove Fern, from Jamaica.
Sterile fronds glabrous, lanceolate, pinnate, about a foot long, with ovate or oblong acuminate, undulated, coria-
ceous, shining, bright green pinnte, which are obtusely cuneate at the base, and articulated with a winged raehis.
Fertile fronds erect, one foot high, pinnate, the pinn® entire and articulate with the raehis. Both are lateral,
adherent to a scaly creeping rhizome, about the size of a goosc-quill.

XXIII. POLYBOTRYA, TIumholdt and Botiphnid.

Soyi amorphous, occupjdng one or both
sides of the spiciform segments of the con-
tracted fertile frond. JhfMS pinnate ; venules
simple, free, external. Fronds bi-tripinnate.
Rhizome creeping. — Named fromijo/ys, manj',
and hotri/s, a raceme ; alluding to the appear-
ance of the fertile frond.

This genus, in habit and venation, is
similar to Stenoclilama, but is separated
chiefly on account of the formation of the
fertile fronds. From FlapJioc/lossum it is
distinct in habit, although somewhat analo-
gous in venation ; distingvdshable, liowever,
by the veins being external, those of Elapho-
ylossimi being internal. There are many
species of Polyhotrya, all tropical ; but one
only is in cultivation. Fig. 24 represents a
pinnule of the sterile frond, and the upper
portion of the fertile frond, of Polyhotrya
cylindrica.

1. P. CYLINDMCA, KmdfuSS (P. SPECIOSA,
Schott).— A rather coarse-lookiug scandent ever-
green stove Fern, from Jamaica and South Ame-
rica. Sterile fronds glabrous, triangularly elon-
gate, bi-tripinnate, from two to three feet long,
bright shining green ; pinnules oblong-acuminate,
pinnatifid, truncate at the base, with obtuse seg-
ments, the one next the raehis largest on the upper
side, and crenately-serrate on the margin. Fertile
fronds contracted, of the same form as the sterile,
bi-tripinnate, from one to two feet long, and sporan-
giferous throughout, with the segments cylindrical,
rhizome.

Sect. SvMpi.oPHi.EEiE.1;, J. Smith. — Veins netted, or variously anastomosing.

XXIV. OLFERSIA, Rnddi.

Sort amorphous, densely covering the segments of the fertile frond throughout. Veins forked,
parallel, internal, their apices combined by a transverse continuous marginal vein. Frmicls pinnate.
Rhizome creeping.- — Name probably commemorative of Olfers, which is the name of a German writer,
but we do not find it explained.

Of this very elegant genus only one species is known. The venation is not very readily seen in the
fertile fronds, in consequence of its being contracted and sporangiferous on both sides ; but in the

XXV. AXETIUM.

45

sterile fronds, where it is evident it indicates a decisive character, h}' 5vhich the genus maj- he readily
distinguished — namely, a continuous marginal
transverse vein, connecting all the oblique veins
by their apices. Fig. 25 represents a pinna of
the sterile frond, and a portion of the fertile
frond of Olfevsia cervina (med. size).

1, 0. CERVINA, Presl (Acrosticiium, SivaHz ;

PoLYBOTRYA, Kaulfuss). — A vcry elegant evergreen
stove Fern, from the West Indies. Sterile fronds
glabrous, lanceolate, pinnate, reclining, from two to
throe feet long; pinnaj oblong- acuminate, coriaceous,
bright green, rounded at the superior base, the inferior
truncate. Fertile fronds erect, bipinnate, from two
to three feet long ; pinnm linear, sporangiferous
throughout ; stipes covered with long narrow scales.

The fronds are terminal, adherent to a thick short
creeping scaly rhizome.

The fertile frond of this species is usually bipin-
nate ; when pinnate only, it is the 0. corcovadensis of
Eaddi. AVe have both forms, gathered at the same
time from one plant ; they are, consequcntljq merely
accidental modifications of one species.

XXV. ANETIUM, SpKtyerher.

iSjJore-cascs few, irregularly scattered through-
out the under surface of
tlie fronds, often collec-
ted in small groups or
lines. Venation uniform,
reticulated, the are-
oles elongated. Fronds
simple. Ehkonie creep-
ing. — Namedcrivedfrom
anetos, lax; alluding to
the sori being sparse and
scattered.

The habit of this genus
(which contains hut one

species;, and its few scattered sporangia, arc the characters by which it is
separated from Acrosiichum. Fig. 26 represents a frond of Anetium citri-
fuUuin (med. size).

1. A. ciTRiFOLiuM, SplUgerher (Acrostichum, ; Antrophyom, Fee). — A

dwarf ornamental evergreen stove Fern, from the West Indies. Fronds simple, uni-
form, glabrous, somewhat membranous, oblong-elliptical, attenuated at the base, six
to ten inches long ; lateral, articulated with a scaly fibrous creeping rhizome. Sori
irregularly scattered.

XXVI. HYMEXODIUM, Fee.

Sori amorphous, densely C05’ering the under surface of the fertile frond.
Venation uniform, internal, reticulated, forming large elongated areoles.
Fronds simjile, one foot or more in length, hairy. Fhhome creeping, and
densely covered with hair-like scales.— Name derived from hymen, a mem-
brane ; from the membranaceous texture of some of the species.

F.ij. 2C.

4G

rOIATODIACE.4!— ACROSTICHEyE,

This genus differs from Acvosliclium in habit more than in technical characters. Its nearest affinity
is with Anetium, which it resembles in habit, having simple fronds and a creeping rhizome ; but it is

separated by the dense amorphous sori, the sori
in Anetium being few and irregularly scattered,
v.’hile in Jhjmenodium they densely cover the
whole under surface, except the margin. Fig.
27 represents a fragment of the sterile, and a
fertile frond of Ili/menodium crinitum (less than
half the nat. size).

1. II. CEiNiTcor, Fee (Aceostichum, Linnatus
Olfeesia, Fresl; Dictyoglossum, J. Smith). — An
evergreen stove Fern, with a very peculiar aspect ; a
native of Jamaica. Sterile fronds simple, oval-
elliptical, coriaceous, twelve to fifteen inches long,
and eight to ten inches wide, dull green, and hairy
throughout. Fertile fronds simple, erect, oval-
elliptical, contracted, from twelve to fifteen inches
high, with a stipes of si.x to nine inches, densely
covered, as well as the upper surface of the frond
with long narrow blach hair -like scales. Both forms

F'la- 27.

are terminal, adherent to a thick creeping rhizome, which is densely
covered with criniform scales.

XXVII. ACROSTICHUM, Linnants. , ,, ...

Sori amorphous, universal on the under surface of the fertile
frond. Venation uniform, reticulated, forming elongated are- lv)'-rv
olcs. — Named from altros, high, and stichos, order; the
fructification occupying the upper portion of the fertile
disk.

The species belonging to this group are but few in number,
all tropical plants, and varying from six to eight feet in height.

The technical characters by which the genus is distinguished
are : — the uniform reticulated venation, and erect eaudiciform

rhizome. Fig. 28 represents a pinna of the sterile and fertile fronds of Acrostiehum aureuni (med. size).

XXVin. I’LATYCERIUM.

47

1. A. AUKEUM, Linncnis (CimYSODiEM vulgaiie, Fee). — A noble evergreen glabrous stove Fern, native of ihe
West Indies, tropical America, Natal, and the East Indian and Puh'nesian Islands. Sterile fronds pinnate, six
to eight feet long, reclining ; pinnm lanceolate-acuminate, rather membranous, light green, the lower ones
potiolate, cuneate at the base, the upper adnate at the inferior base, and deourrent. Fertile fronds contracted,
erect, lanceolate, pinnate, from six to eight feet high, soriferous throughout ; or with two or three of the lower
pairs of pinnoe sterile. The fronds are terminal, adherent to an erect caudiciform rhizome. Mr. Heward
mentions of this species, that it is very plentiful in morasses and water-courses in the lowlands of Jamaica, and
never occurring at any great elevation above the sea shore. In cultivation, it requires a mixture of turfy loam
and sand, abundance of water, and a heat of So'’ or 90° Fahrenheit, and with this treatment will form a splendid
object.

XXVIII. PLATYCEIllUM, Desmux.

Sort amorphous, produced in irregular patches towards tlie extremities of the fertile fronds, or on
a special lateral thickened lobe ; sporangiferous receptacle formed of an accessory layer of parallel
anastomosing veinlots, which cross the sterile ones, and
151'oduce crowded linear lines of spore-cases. TVihs reijcat-
edly forked, and distantly anastomosing; internal,

compoundlj' reticulated, with variously directed free vein-
lets, terminating in the areoles. Fronds simple, forked,
coriaceous, thick and spongy ; the sterile sessile, rounded
or elongated, uniform, depressed or ascending, sublohatc,
permanent and successively imbricated, forming an ele-
vated S230ngy mass; the fertile widening upwards, and
dividing into broad forked segments. — Named from
broad, and keras, a horn ; the fertile fronds resembling
broad horns, as those of the elk.

The few species of this genus have an epiphytal habit,
and produce their fertile fronds annuall}" ; these are
attached by an articulation, and when mature fall spon-
taneously, the persistent depressed alternate sterile ones
then having the appearance of a lichen or fungus. In the
absence of fructification, the genus is readily known by
the stellate pubescence that covers the whole surface. Fig.

29 repi’esents a portion of the fertile frond of Flattjcerium
alcicorne (med. size).

1. r. ALCicoiiNB, Fesvau.v (Acrostichum, Swartz; Neuuo-
I’LATYCEiios, Fee; Alcicornium vulgare, Oaudleltaud). — .4.
very singular epiphytal evergreen Fern, a native of Madagascar,

Java, and New Holland, requiring to bo cultivated in a warm
greenhouse. Sterile fronds sessile, round or elongated, the
upper portion sublobate, permanent, elevated, spongy, renifonu,
and depressed. Fertile fronds simple, divided, horizontal or
oblique, thick and coriaceous, twelve to fifteen inches long,
widening upwards, white on the under surface, and articulated
on a short slightly creeping rhizome. Sori amorphous in
patches, occupying the lobes or extremities of the fronds, which,
as in the other species, are densely covered throughout with a
stellate pubescence.

2. P. STEMMARiA, Bcsvaux (AcROSTiCHUM, Falisot de Fcauvais ; Nevroi’LATyceros iETHioRicus, Flukenet).

An ornamental evergreen epiphytal Fern, from Western Africa. Sterile fronds sessile, elongated, ascending,
upper part scarcely lobed, reniform, permanent, elevated, spongy and depressed. Fertile fronds simple, divided,
horizontal, thick and coriaceous, one to two feet long, widening upwards, and articulated with the rhizome.
Sori occupying the lobes.

3. P. GRANDE, J. Smith (Acrostichuw, H. Cunningham; Neuroplatyceros, Platycerium biforme.
Hooker in Comp, to Bot. Mag. — in part). — One of the most singular of all Ferns, It is an cidphytal evergreen

rOLYPODIACE,®— ACROSTICHE.i;.

4S

st-jvo species, a native of New Ilolland and the Malayan Islands. Sterile fronds sessile, reniform, round or
elongated, ascending, two to two and a half feet high, the upper portion dividing into many broad blunt segments
permanent, elevated, spongy, and depressed. Fertile fronds simple, two to three times divided, horizontal and
pendulous, thick and coriaceous, two and a half or three feet long, widening upwards, articulated on a short
rhizome. Sori in a large irregularly triangular patch, adjacent to the sinus of the first fmxation of the fronds.

XXIX. CYETOGONIUM, J. Smith.

Son amorphous, universal on the under side of the contracted fertile fronds, or sometimes crowded
on the venules. Veins pinnate ; venules arcuately or angularly anastomosing, producing from their

exterior sides or angles of meeting, one or more excurrent
free or irregularly anastomosing veinlets. Fronds pinnate,
from one to two feet long. Rhizome creeping. — Named from
kyrtos, curved, and gonu, the knee ; in allusion to the peculiar
knee- bent curve of the venules.

The aspect of the species of Cyrtogonium varies but little
from that of Gymnoptcris ; the principal distinguishing cha-
racter, is their more simple anastomosing venation. Fig. 30
represents the base of a pinna of the sterile, and a pinna of the
fertile fronds of Cyrtogonium JlagelKferum (nat. size).

1. C. m-VGELLIFERUJI, J. (xiCROSTICHUM, WalUch ; HeTERO-

XEUROX HBTEUOCLITOX, Fee ; PCECILOPTERIS HETEROCLITA, Presl).

A proliferous, free -growing, evergreen stove Fern, from the East
Indies. Sterile fronds glabrous, rather membranous, pinnate, from
one and a half to two and a half feet long ; pinnae petiolate, ovate or
oblong-acuminate, undulated, the terminal one a foot or more long,
narrowing upwards, and proliferous near the apex. Fertile fronds
contracted, erect, pinnate, from one to one and a half foot high;
pinnae oblong-acuminate, petiolate, the terminal one narrow and
elongate. Both forms are lateral, adherent to a creeping rhizome.

2. C. REPANDTJM, J. Smith (Acrostichusi, Flume; Campium,
Presl ; Hbteroneuron, Fee). — Aglabrous evergreen stove Fern, from
the East Indies and Java. Sterile fronds slender, reclining, trian-
gular-elongate, pinnate, one and a half to two feet long, membranous,
bright green ; pinnae proliferous, repand, ovate-acuminate, petiolate,
deeply crenate, or slightly lobed, undulate, the terminal one sinuose,
elongate. Fertile fronds erect, pinnate ; pinnae oblong-acuminate,
and petiolate. Stipes with a few scattered scales. Both sterile
and fertile fronds are lateral, adherent to a creeping rhizome. This
species has been recently introduced by Messi’s. Eollisson, of Tooting,
from Java.

3. C. cPvisPA'rtjLUM, J. Smith (Acrostichvji, IFallich). — A very handsome evergreen stove Fern, from
Ceylon. Fronds rather erect, somewhat lanceolate, broad at the base, acuminate, pinnate, one to two feet
long, deep green ; pinnae linear-acuminate, petiolate, glabrous, undulated, the margin crenate, with a row of
spiuulose teeth, one to each marginal sinus. Fertile fronds erect, pinnate, one foot high ; pinnae narrow, and
petiolate. Both forms are lateral, with a scaly stipes, adherent to a creeping, scaly rhizome.

XXX. GYMNOPTEItlS, Bernhardi.

Sori amorphous, denselj' covering some portion or the whole of the fertile pinnae. Ferns pinnate;
venules compoundly anastomosing, producing variously directed straight or curved free veinlets,
terminating in the areoles. Fronds simple or pinnate, from one to three feet long. Rhizome
creeping. — Named from gyninos, naked, and pteris, a fern ; alluding to the exposed fertile
fronds.

XXXI. ADIANTUM.

49

The species of Gymnopteris mostly agree in habit with Cijrtogoniwn ; but they are distinguislied
by the more irregular and compound anastomosing
of the venules. The genus contains ten or twelve
species, but only three are atjjresentin cultivation.

Fig. 31 represents a portion of the sterile frond,
and a pinna of the fertile frond, of G. nicotiance-
folia (med. size).

1. G. REVOLUTA, M. and if. (Hymenolepis, Blumc ;
Hyalolepis, Kimze). — A singular-looking evergreen
stove Fern, from Java. Fronds simple, glabrous,
linear-lanceolate, nearly a foot long, light green, con-
tracted and soriferous on the upper half, attenuated at
the hase, entire at the margin, becoming revolute, and
partly concealing the sori during the early stages of their
development. Fronds lateral, articulated with a slender
creeping rhizome. We are indebted to G. Norman,
Esq., of Hull, for a cultivated specimen of this very re-
markable Fern.

2. G. DECURRENS, Fee (Leptocuilus, Blume). — A
singular evergreen stove Fern, from Ceylon. Sterile
fronds simple, glabrous, a foot long, lanceolate-acumi-
nate, attenuated at the hase, light green, and slightly
undulated. Fertile fronds simple, slender, linear, very
narrow, one to two feet long, and one-eighth of an inch
broad. Stipes one-half the length of the frond. Sori
linear, continuous, forming a row on each margin.
Both forms are lateral, articulated on a creeping rhizome
about the size of a crow’s quill.

3. G. nicotianjefolia, PmZ(AcROSTicnuM,

— An ornamental evergreen stove Fern, from the West

Bi'j. 31.

Indies. Sterile fronds glabrous, triangular, pinnate, one to two and a half feet long, bright green, and shining ;
pinn® large, rather membranous, oblong-acuminate, undulated, the lower petiolate, and roundish at the base,
the upper sessile, adnate on the lower side. Fertile fronds erect, pinnate, or occasionally hipinnate below,
one to two feet high ; pinn® oblong-ovate, the lower petiolate, the upper sessile, adnate at the inferior base.
Stipes scaly near the base. Both forms are lateral, adherent with a creeping rhizome.

4

Trile Pteeide^, J. Smith. — Sori parallel with and situated on or near the margin or the costa,
and furnished Avith a special indusium, having its inner margin free.

Ferns are very obviously divided into two groups, in one of which the sorus is furnished with a
membrane, which at first completely covers it, and is termed an indusium or involucre ; and in the
other the sori are naked or without iudusia. The PolypocUece and AcrosticJieee form the non-indusiate
group. The Pteridecs belong to the group which jiossess an indusium, and are characterized by having
that oi'gan produced on the exterior side of the sporangiferous receptacle, with its inner margin free,
and with the spore-cases in its axis of attachment, or on its inferior disc. This tribe is represented
by the genera Adiantuni, Pteris, and Bleclmiim, of older authors, and is at once distinguished from
Polypodies and Acrostiches by the presence of the indusium, although closely allied to the latter tribe,
through the genus Lomaria.

Sect, CniLosoREiE, J. Smith (from cheilos^ a lip, and sorus.) — Sori marginal, continuous, or interrupted.

XXXI. ADIANTUM, Linneeus.

Sori round reniform oblong or linear, marginal, continuous or interrupted. Indusium venose,
formed of a reflexed crenule, reniform oblong or linear, according to the more or less crenulate or

H

50

POLYrODIACE.?J — PTERIDE.?:.

entire margin of the fronds, sporangiferous on its under surface, at length replicate. Costa excentric
or wanting ; veins unilateral, or radiating, forked ; venules direct, terminating in the axis of the indu-
sium. Fronds simple reniform, pinnate, pedate, bipinnate or decompound, from six inches to two or
three ieet high, smooth or hairy. Stipes and rachis usually ebeneous ; pinnm generally oblique,
truncate or cuneate at the base, or dimidiate and soriferous on the upper margin only, petiolate, and
usually articulated with the rachis or petiole. — Named from adiantos, dry ; alluding to a curious
property of the fronds, which repel moisture.

This very extensive and natural group contains upwards of
a hundred known species, of graceful form, whose ebeneous
slenderj shining stipes and rachis contrast admirably with
the pinnce, which are of a very delicate green colour. They
have a very extensive geographical range, being found in the
tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres, as well
as in Europe, New Zealand, and North America. They have
a very close affinity with Cheilanthes and Hewardia, the latter
a genus not in cultivation. From the former they are distin-
guished by the position of the soil, which in Cheilanthes are
situated on the apex of single venules in the axis of the indu-
sium, whereas in Adiantum the sorus is placed on the indusium.
From Heivardia they are distinguished by the latter having a
reticulated venation. Fig. 32 represents a small portion of a
frond of Adiantum tenerum (nat. size).

1. A. IU5NIF0RME, — [Plate IV.] — Linnaeus. — A dwarf evergreen
greenhouse Fern, from Madeira, and the Azores and Canaries. Fronds
simple, round or reniform, glabrous, bright shining green, about six
indies high, terminal, adherent to a scaly, somewhat creeping rhizome. Soil oblong, contiguous.

2. A. WiLSOXi, Hooker. — An evergreen stove Fern, from Jamaica. Fronds glabrous, one foot long, simple,
pinnate ; pinnse ovate or oblong-acuminate, coriaceous, shining green, cordate at the base ; the sterile ones broad,
serrate at the margin, petiolate, persistent and not articulate with the rachis ; fertile fronds with from three to
five pinnse. Soil linear, continuous. Fronds lateral, adherent to a creeping rhizome about the size of a duck’s
quill.

3. A. MACRoruYLLUM, Swavtz. — A very beautiful evergreen stove species, from the West Indies and tropical
America. Fronds glabrous, oblong-acuminate, broad at the base, pinnate, one to one and a half foot long ; pinnae
large, ovate or oblong, sub-sessile, acuminate, cbartaceous, of a lively green, unequally cuneate at the base, the
sterile ones lohed and slightly dentate. Soil linear, continuous. This is rather an erect-growing plant, with
the fronds lateral, adlierent to a creeping rhizome.

4. A. LUciDUM, Sivartz. — A glabrous evergreen stove Fern, native of the West Indies and South America.
Fronds lanceolate, pinnate, one foot long ; pinnDe trapezio-lanceolate, acuminate, coriaceous, bright green, shining,
truncate, and parallel with the rachis at the upper base, the lower cuneate, the margin serrate. Eachis and
stipes very hairy ; lateral, adherent to a slender creeping rhizome. Soil linear, continuous, or sometimes
interrupted.

5. A. Kaulfussii, Kitnze (A. OBLiauuM, Hooker and Oreville, not WilMenoio — fide Hooker'). — A glabrous
evergreen stove species, from tbe West Indies and South America. Fronds lanceolate, pinnate, one foot long ;
pinna? ovate-ohlong, acuminate, deep green on the upper surface, and glaucous beneath, the inferior base trun-
cate, the superior rounded and slightly auriculate, margin serrate. Sori oblong, linear, numerous throughout
each fertile pinna. Fronds nearly all fertile, lateral, adherent to a slender creeping rhizome. Eachis and stipes
hairy.

6. A. LUNULATUM, Bumiami (A. arcuatum, Swartz). — An elegant, deciduous stove Fern, from the East Indies,
Ceylon, Africa, and South America. Sterile fronds glabrous, pinnate, pendulous, a foot or more long, and rooting
at the apex ; pinnse oblong-dimidiate, bright green, lobed on the upper margin, and obtuse at the base. Fertile
fronds erect, narrow-lanceolate, a foot or more long, glabrous, pinnate ; pinnse with long petioles, lunate on the
upper margin, truncate-cuneate at the base. Sori oblong-linear, often confluent. Fronds terminal, adherent to
a fasciculate rhizome.

7. A. CAUDATUM, Linnaeus (A. iiirsutum, Lory; A. flagelliferum, Wallich). — A neat evergreen stove
species, from India, Ceylon, China, and the Mauritius. Fronds haiiy, narrow linear-lanceolate, elongate.

XXXI. ADIAXTUM.

•M

pinnate, one to two feet long, void of pinn® near the apex, and rooting at the point ; pinnae oblong-dimidiate,
numerous, subimbrioate, lower ones flabellate, round at the apex, the upper margin divided into small dilatato
segments or inoiso-serrate, the loMmr entire, the base truncate, parallel with and close to the rachis. Sori small,
numerous, crowded on the upper margin, and around the apex. Indusium small, seale-like, and very hairy.
Eachis and stipes light brown. Fronds terminal, adherent to a small erect rhizome.

8. A. INTERMEDIUM, Swortz (A. FOVBARDM, RcuMi ; A. BRASiLiENSE, Link). — An ornamental evergreen stove
Fern, native of tropical America and the West Indian Islands. Fronds bipinnate, a foot or more long; pinnae
lanceolate, five to seven in number ; pinnules oblong, obtuse at tlie apex, membranous, light green above, rather
glaucous beneath, the terminal pinnule subrhomboidal ; the sterile ones serrate. Sori oblong-linear, contiguous,
produced on the upper and lower margins. Eachis and stipes slightly hairy ; lateral, adherent to a slender
creeping rhizome.

9. A. ScHOMBURGKiANUM, J. Smith. — ^A neat-loolciiig evergreen stove Fern, from South Ameiica. Fronds
sub-glabrous, slender, bipinnate, about a foot long, bright green ; pinnae lanceolate, four to six inches long ;
pinnules rather small and membranous, the lower ones flabellate, the rest oblong, dimidiate, the base truncate,
parallel with and close to the rachis, the upper margin crenate-serrate, the lower straight or slightly curved,
obtuse and serrate at the apex. Sori oblong, slightly curved, five to ten on the upper margin and around the
apex. Eachis, stipes, and midrib of piniue thinly scattered over with rusty down. Fronds lateral, adherent to
a slender creeping rhizome.

10. A. viLLosuM, Linnceus. — A beautiful evergreen hothouse Fern, from the West Indies and South America.
Fronds bipinnate, with three to six pairs of pinnae, one to one and a half foot long, lightish green ; pinnai
lanceolate ; pinnules petiolulate, subcoriaceous, dimidiate-oblong or forming an oblique parallelogram, lower
ones small subflabellate, terminal one rhomboidal ; upper base truncate and parallel with the rachis, lower
dimidiate. Sterile pinnules broad, roundish at the apex, inciso-serrate at the margin. Sori linear, continuous on
the upper margin, and round the apex of the pinnules. Eachis and midrib of pinnee covered with rusty hair-
like scales. Fronds lateral, adherent to a creeping rhizome.

11. A. PULVERtiLENTUM, Lumctus. — An ornamental evergreen stove Fern, from the West Indies and South
America. Fronds slender, bipinnate, with four to six pairs of pinnae, one to one and a half foot long, bright
green ; pinnae linear-lanceolate ; pinnules rather small, petiolulate, dimidiate-oblong, subfalcate ; upper base
truncate and parallel with the rachis, lower dimidiate, round at the apex, sharply serrate at the margin, terminal
one narrow-elongate. Sori oblong, continuous, occupying three-fourths of the upper margin only. Eachis
and midrib of pinnae covered with rusty down. Fronds lateral, adherent to a creeping rhizome.

12. A. PEDATUM, linnaus. — A very elegant deciduous frame or greenhouse species, from North America.
Fronds glabrous, a foot or more high, pedately tripartite, branches linear-lanceolate, pinnate ; pinnules mem-
branous, tender green, dimidiate, oblong obtuse at the apex ; cuneate or truncate at the base, the upper margin
lobate or obtusely crenate. Sori oblong, solitary. Fronds lateral, on a short creeping rhizome about the size of
a duck’s quill.

13. A. cuRVATUM, Kaulfnss.- — An extremely elegant evergreen stove Fern, from Brazil. Fronds glabrous,
one and a half to two feet high, pedately tripartite, branches lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, acuminate ; pinnules
narrow, cuiwate, oblong-obtuse, imbricate, deorsely falcate, the superior margin inciso-serrate or crenate, the apex
serrate, and more or less acuminate. Sori solitary, oblong. Fronds lateral, adherent to a creeping rhizome.

14. A. FEARELiuLATUM, Linnccus (A. AMCENUM, WalUcli). — -A neat low-growing evergreen warm greenhouse
or stove Fern, from China and the East Indies. Fronds subglabrous, flabellate, bipartito-pedately-divided, tri-
pinnate, from nine inches to a foot high, dark green above and glaucous beneath ; pinnte lanceolate-acuminate ;
pinnules obliquely cuneate, repand, inferior ones semiorbicular-cuneate ; superior base truncate ; sterile margin
serrate-dentate, fertile, two to four lobed, the lobes soriferous. Indusium large, the breadth of the lobes. Eachis pu-
bescent. Stipes ebeneous, terminal, adherent to a creeping rhizome. This species was introduced to Kewin 1851.

15. A. HispiDULUM, AiFffrtz (A. PUBESCENS, ; A. plica titm, Katdfuss ; A. nervosum, Swartz). — An

ornamental evergreen greenhouse species, from New Holland, New Zealand, the East Indies, &c. Fronds
pubescent, one foot high, pedately tripartite, branches linear, narrow, acuminate, pinnate, of a deep green ;
pinnules numerous, dimidiate, oblong obtuse, cuneate or truncate at the base, slightly serrate or crenate on the
upper margin. Sori small, numerous ; indusium hairy and reniform. Fronds nearly all fertile, lateral or
terminal, on a short somewhat tufted rhizome.

16. A. TENELLUM, T. M. (A. HisPiDULUM, not of NiFflrtc ; ? A. HispiDULUM, Broivn). — A pretty

little evergreen greenhouse species, supposed to be a native of New Holland. Fronds small, rather hairy, bi-tri-
pinnate, lower branches bipartite, pinnate above, six or eight inches high, branches small, narrow, and slender ;
pinnules small, subrotund or oblong obtuse, dark green, cuneate or truncate at the base, the margin crenate. Sori
small; indusium reniform. Fronds lateral, adherent to a slender creeping rhizome. This species, long known
in gardens as the A. hispkhdum, is not the plant of Swartz, as Sir W. J. Hooker has shown, that being the
A. pnbescens of gardens. Whether it be the plant so called by Mr. Brown, as has been suspected, we have no
means of ascertaining. It is certainly and abundantly distinct from the true hispiduhwi.

17. A. AFFINE, Willclenow (A. setulosum, J. Smith). — A neat evergreen stove Fern, from New Zealand and
Norfolk Island. Fronds about a foot bigh, three-branched or subpedate, lower pinnae bipartite ; pinnules

52

POLYPODIACEyT, — PTERIDK.T,.

dimidiate, cmved, oblong-obtuse, membranous, tender green, with black bristle-like hairs on the upper surface,
superior margin obtusely crenate. Sori punctiform, from four to six on each pinnule ; indusium hairy, reni-
form. Rachis and stipes glabrous ; lateral, adherent to a slender creeping rhizome, forming dense tufts.

18. A. CRISTATUM, Linnmus (A. striatum, A. villosum, 0/ some gardens). — A beautiful evergreen

stove species, from Jamaica. Fronds glabrous, bipinnato, one foot long ; pinme linear-acuminate, narrow, six or
eight inches long, pendulous ; pinnules small, dimidiate, rigid, obtuse, imbricate, deep green, and truncate at
the base. Sori oblong, suboontiguous, one to four on the upper margin only. Stipes dull black, minutely
niuricated; lateral, adherent to a short creeping scaly rhizome. This species is sometimes cultivated under the
name oi A. villosmn.

19. A. Capilrus-veneris, Linnceus (A. Moritzianum, Link). — A dwarf evergreen frame or greenhouse
Fern, indigenous to Britain, common in the south of Europe, and occurring in the East Indies, Mauritius, China,
North and South Africa, the Canaries, the temperate parts of North America and Central America, and the Cape
de Verd Islands. Fronds glabrous, membranous, tender green, usually somewhat ovate, bi-tri-pinnate, six or
eight inches high ; pinnules obovate-cuneate, inciso-sublobate, serrate at the margin. Sori oblong. Fronds
lateral, adherent to a soal}r creeping rhizome. This species, although indigenous to Britain, is one of those
delicate Ferns that cannot be cultivated in exposed places, for if planted in such situations it invariably
dwindles away, and is soon lost. It grows freely in a close frame, or in a greenhouse where the atmosphere is
kept moist. In the warmer climate of Madeira, and the tropics, it attains the height of eighteen inches, and in
this state has been called A. Moritzianum ; but the native plant, if cultivated in a moist stove with a high
temperature, will produce fronds of equal magnitude, and identical in structure.

20. A. ASSiMiLE, Swartz. — A very neat and delicately beautiful evergreen greenhouse Fern, from New
Holland and New Zealand. Fronds slender, glabrous, broadlj' lanceolate, tripinnate, a foot or more long ; pin-
nules small, somewhat roundish or subrhomboidal, cuneate at the base, bright green, and slightly lobed or crenate
at the margin. Sori small ; indusium reniform. Fronds lateral, adherent to a slender creeping rhizome.

21. A. CUNEATUM, Lang sdorf and Fischer. — An evergreen stove Fern, from Brazil. Fronds glabrous, tri-
angularly elongate, three or four times pinnate, a footer more high ; branches very slender, and of a light green ;
pinnules small, numerous, oblong, wedge-shaped, inciso-sublobate, sterile lobes serrulate, fertile emarginate. Sori
small ; indusium reniform. This species is one of the most delicately beautiful of the genus ; the fronds grow
rather erect, and are adherent to a somewhat tufted rhizome. It is sometimes called A. pedidimmi.

22. A. CONCINNUM, Ilmnholdt, Lonplnnd, and Lutntli. — A very graceful pendulous evergreen stove species,
from the West Indies, Venezuela, and other parts of South and Central America. Fronds slender, glabrous,
lanceolate, tripinnate, two to three feet long; pinnules somewhat round or rhomboidal, membranous, tender
green, obtuse with crenateTobes, the lowest erect and appressed to the rachis. Sori small, numerous ; indusium
reniform. Fronds lateral, adherent to a somewhat creeping rhizome.

23. A. CHII.ENSE, Kaulfuss. — An elegant evergreen greenhouse Fern, from Chili, Valparaiso, and Juan
Fernandez. Fronds ovate-deltoid, about one foot high, grass green, tripinnate; pinnules petiolulate, coriaceo-
membranous, hairy beneath, subrhombeo-reniform, more or less obliquely cuneated, often truncated at the base,
the' margin irregularly lobed, the lobes retuse, soriferous. Sori oblong- reniform, distant in the lobed pinnules,
crowded in the more entire ones. Stipes and rachis ebeneous, glossy. Fronds lateral, adherent to a creeping
rhizome. Recently introduced to Ivew from the Continent.

24. A. FRAGILE, Su'ariz.—A remarkable stove Fern, native of Jamaica. Fronds one to two feet long, bright
green, ovate-lanceolate, tri-quadri-pinnate ; pinnules thin, membranous, obovate wedge-shaped, petiolulate,
rounded at the apex, serrated when sterile, three or four lobed when fertile, the fertile lobes retuse, and bearing
a sorus in the sinus. Involucres oblong, straight. Stipes very short, and, as well as the rachis, ebeneous and
glossy. Fronds adherent to a tufted rhizome. The pinnules in this species are remarkably deciduous, being all
cast off while drying.

25. A. TEA’^ERUM, Swartz. — A very elegant evergreen stove Fern, from the West Indies and Central America.
Fronds glabrous, triangular, four times pinnate, two to two and a half feet high ; pinnules membranous, bright
green, rhomboidal, obtuse at the apex, inciso-lobate ; sterile lobes serrulate, fertile entire. Sori oblong-reniform.
Fronds lateral, adherent to a short creeping rhizome, forming dense tufts.

26. A. CuNNiNGiiAJii, Hooker (A. affine, of gardens). — An ornamental evergreen greenhouse Fern, from
New Zealand. Fronds glabrous, somewhat pentagonal, bi-tripinnate, twelve or fourteen inches high; pinnules
dimidiate, oblong-obtuse, cuneate or truncate at the base, deep green, superior margin in ciso -serrate. Sori
numerous; indusium reniform. Stipes scaly near the base, lateral, adherent to a scaly creeping rhizome nearly
the size of a crow’s quill.

27. A. FORMOSUM, R. Brown. — An ornamental evergreen greenhouse Fern, from New Holland. Fronds
deltoid or pentagonal, branching, four times pinnate, one and a half to two feet high ; pinnules small, membranous,
rhomboidal, obtuse, inciso-lobate, pale green, the sterile serrate ; rachis pubescent. Sori small ; indusium reni-
form. Stipes scabrous, lateral, adherent to a slender creeping rhizome.

28. A. CULTRATUM, J. Smith. — A very handsome stove Fern, native of Brazil, Fronds one and a half to two
feet or more high, glabrous, tripartitely bipinnato, that is, bipinnate with the lower pair of pinnae two-parted;
pinnules dull green, somewhat cordately ihomboid-oblong, the upper side and more or less attenuated apex lobed

XXXII. CHEILANTIIES.

,5.3

with serrated lobes, the lower margin recurvate. Sori small, narrow linear-oblong occupying the apices of
the lobes, and chiefly produced on the upper margin. Stipes and raohis dark chesnut-coloured when young,
becoming blackish when mature, at first scaly throughout with narrow deciduous scales ; lateral, adherent to a
creeping rhizome. This species has been introduced to the Chelsea and some other gardens, from the establish-
ment of M. Van Houtte of Ghent, under the name of A. pentadactylon. It is allied to A. trapezifonne, but is a
more slender plant, with a scaly brown-black rachis, narrower deorsely falcate pinnules, and smaller lineai'-oblong,
not oblong-rcniform, sori, and is wanting altogether in that delicate green colour which iii A. trapezifonne is so
strikingly contrasted with the ebony-black smooth stipes ; the pinnules, moreover, are scarcely at all glaucous
beneath.

29. A. TiiAPEZiFORJiE, LiniifBUS (A. RiiownoyDEUM, Schkuhr ; A. forviosissimum, Klotzsch). — An erect-
growing evergreen stove Fern, from Jamaica and other West India Islands, and South America. Fronds
glabrous, pentagonal, four times pinnate, two to three feet high; pinnules large, bright green, ovato-rhomboidal,
acuminate, the apices serrate and sub-crenate. Sori large, oblong; indnsium reniform. This is a very beautiful
Fern, from the contrast of its large delicate green pinnules with the shining black stipes and rachis. The fronds
are lateral, adherent to a thick scaly creeping rhizome.

XXXII. CHEILANTHES, Simvtz.

Sori round, marginal, solitary or contiguous, often becoming con-
fluent. Indusiuin sometimes reniform, rarely oblong, and including
more than one sorus. Veins forked; lemiles aivect, their apiices free,
and sporangiferous. Fronds from a few inches to two or three feet long,
glabrous, pilose, glandulose, or squamose ; segments of the pinnules
sometimes very small, concave, and orbicular, — Named from cheilos, a
lip, and emthos, a flower ; in allusion to the lipj-fonned indnsium which
covers the fructification.

With one or twm exceptions, the species of Cheilanthes are small
plants, less than a foot in height; they are all of very delicate textttre,
and are mostly natives of elevated regions in tropical or subtropical
countries. They are best cultivated in an intermediate house, and should
bo potted in sandy peat soil, well drained ; water being very sparingly
used over the fronds. During winter they should be kept rather dry.

The species are often very difficult to determine, unless examined in
a living state. In the small convex segments of the piinnules, and the paucity of spore-cases,

they are analogous to Nothochlcena, but from that genus they
are distinguished by the presence of an indusium. From
Adiantum they are known by the piosition of the sori, which
is here produced on the apex of the venules in the axis of the
indusium, that of being on the indusium. Fig. 33

represents a small piortion of a frond of Cheilantlies visrosa
(nat. size).

1. C. MiCROPTEius, — A ncat dwarf evergreen greenhouse

Fern, from Quito, Brazil, and the Argentine provinces. Fronds
slender, linear, four to six inches long, and covered tliroughout with
glandulose hairs, pinnate ; pinnae numerous, small, petiolate, light
green, subrotund, concave, and suborenate. Eaohis and stipes brown,
terminal, adherent to a slender creeping rhizome. Sori consisting of
a few spore-cases on each segment, which ultimately become confluent.

2. C. FARINOSA, Kcmlfuss (Pteris, Forskal and Sicartz; Cassf-
BBEKA, J. Smith; Allosorus, Fred; C. uealbata, Fon ; Pteris
ARGYROPHYLLA, Swartz). — An exceedingly beautiful evergreen stove
Fern, from Nepal. Fronds glabrous, triangular, one to one and a half
foot long, bipinnatifid ; segments oblong-obtuse, the upper surface
dull green ; densely covered beneath with a white farinose powder.
Eachis and stipes ebeneous ; terminal, adherent to a fasciculate erect
rhizome. Sori linear, continuous, subsequently confluent ; indusium

universal throughout every segment of the frond. Fig. 34 represents a full-sized pinnule of this species.

llfj. 34.

POLYPODIACE.E — PTERII)E,E.

5-1

3. G. TRAGiiAi^s, IFebb and BerfJicIot (C. odora, Swartz; C. suaveolens, Swartz; C. maderensis, XoM;e).—
A dwarf evergreen greenhouse Fern, from tlie South of Europe. Fronds glabrous, triangularly elongate,
bipinnate, about six inches high, of a light green ; pinnae oblong-obtuse, sinuate-pinnatifid, the lower ones
distant and pinnatifid. Eachis and stipes scattered over with narrow scales. Sori confluent. Fronds terminal,
adherent to a somewhat tufted rhizome.

4. C. MiCROPHYLLA, Swavtz. — An ornamental evergreen stove Fern, from the West Indies. Fronds slender,
Somewhat lanceolate, broad at the base, bipinnate, one to one and a half foot long, pale green, slightly pubescent ;
pinnules oblong, rather obtuse ; segments roundish-ovate, the sterile ones dentate. Eachis and stipes ebeneous,
terminal, adherent to a short creeping rhizome. Sori continuotis, confluent ; indusium very small.

5. C. ALABAMENSis, Kunze (Ptebis, Buckley; P. gracilis, Rugel). — An ornamental evergreen greenhouse
Fern, from the Southern United States of America. Fronds glabrous, subcoriaceous, ten to twelve inches high,
lanceolate, acuminate, bipinnate below; pinnae ovate -lanceolate acuminate ; pinnules of the lowest pinnae almost
again pinnate the segments oblong-obtuse, of the upper ones entire, or auricled, or lobed at the base. Stipes and
rachis deep glossy black, adherent to a creeping rhizome. Sori continuous on the lobes and pinnules.

6. C. MiCROMERA, Link. — An evergreen greenhouse species, from Mexico. Fronds lanceolate -acuminate,
bipinnate, about a foot long; pinnae linear-acuminate, pinnules rather obtuse ; segments obovate, deep green, the
sterile erenate. Stipes, rachis, and midrib of pinnae ebeneous, and covered with narrow brown scales ; fertile
segments concave. Sori continuous, confluent ; indusium very small. Fronds nearly all fertile, terminal,
adherent to a short creeping rhizome. This is certainly distinct from C. mierophylla.

7. C. PROFUSA, lumze (NothochLjENa pumila, of gardens). — A warm greenhouse Fern, native of Namaqua
Land. Fronds slender, lanceolate, bi-tri-pinnate, six to ten inches long, light green ; pinnules oblong, rather
obtuse, segments adnate, subdecurrent at the base, erenate at the margin. Sori confluent. Eachis, midrib of
pinnai, and pinnules, scattered over with narrow elongated light brown scales. Fronds terminal, adherent to a
slender creeping rhizome.

8. C. HiRTA, Simrtz. — A very delicate evergreen greenhouse species, from the Cape of Good Hope. Fi-onds
linear, lanceolate, subtripiunate, one foot long, pale green, and covered throughout with glandulose hairs ; pin-
nules small, oblong-obtuse, pinnatifid ; segments erenate. Eachis and stipes brown, terminal, adherent to a
rather erect rhizome. Sori distinct, subsequently confluent, on each segment of the fertile fronds.

9. C. tenuifolia, Swartz. — A very tender deciduous greenhouse Fern, from the East Indies and New
Holland. Fronds somewhat ovate or triangularly elongate, tripinnate, one foot long, light green; pinnules
linear-acuminate ; segments oblong-ovate, deflexed. Eachis, stipes, and midrib of pinnie brown, and scattered
over with narrow scales. Fronds terminal, adherent to a creeping rhizome. Soil round, subsequently confluent ;
indusium very small.

10. 0. EXiLis M. & H. — A delicate deciduous warm greenhouse Fern, the native country of which is unknown.
Fronds very slender, glabrous, linear-oblong, one foot or more long, bi-tri-pinnate, lightish green ; pinnai ovate-
triangular ; pinnules oblong, pinnatifid ; segments small, linear-oblong, adnate-decurrent at the base. Sori
crowded on the teeth or segments. Eachis and stipes of a shining brown. Fronds terminal, adherent to a
slender creeping rhizome. This Fern differs from C. tenuifolia, to which it is allied, in its slender and narrowly-
elongated form ; and from C. Sieberi, which it resembles in outline, in its more delicate habit and texture : indeed
we should have been inclined to refer it to the latter species, were it not that it never assumes any degree of
stoutness and rigidity, but is slender, fragile, and membranous, and of very delicate constitution.

11. C. Moiutziana, Kunze {G. 'elo'sqaia, Klotsch MS., not Willdenow). — A neat-looking evergreen warm
greenhouse Fern, from Mexico and Venezuela. Fronds glabrous, triangularly elongate, tripinnate, nine inches
to a foot long, lively green ; pinnules remote, deeply pinnatifid, with small roundish ovate segments, inferior
ones entire, superior decurrent at the base, crenulate on the margin. Sori small, but few spore-cases on each
segment. Stipes, rachis, and midrib of pinnae shining ; terminal, adherent to a creeping rhizome. This species
has been introduced under the name of C. elongata by G. Norman, Esq.,' of Hull, from the Continental gardens.

12. 0. marginata, Humboldt, Bonpland, ocaiL Kunth (C. rufescens. Link; C. CHRiiiopiiYLLA, Kunze; Allo-
SORTIS ciliatus, Presl). — A very neat, evergreen, greenhouse Fern, from the Peruvian Andes and other parts of
South America, and the West Indies. Fronds glabrous, somewhat ovate-triangular, from six to ten inches high,
delicate green, tripinnate ; pinnules oblong, with oblong-ovate rather obtuse segments, decurrent at the base.
Stipes and rachis black ; rhizome somewhat creeping. This plant is now very scarce in cultivation ; although,
in 1840, it was growing freel3^ in the Birmingham Botanic Garden.

13. C. CUNEATA, (Cassebeera, L. — A neat evergreen greenhouse Fern, from Mexico. Fronds

glabrous, triangular, bipinnate, si.x to ten inches high, of a livelj^ green ; fertile pinnules oblong-acuminate,
pinnatifid, with the segments narrowed at the base ; sterile segments oblong, wedge-shaped, and serrate at the
margin. Sori linear continuous. Eachis and stipes ebeneous ; rhizome somewhat creeping.

14. C. viscosa, Link. — A beautiful evergreen stove species, from Central America. Fronds triangular or
pentagonal, one foot high ; branches tripinnate, light green, and covered throughout with viscid glandulose hairs ;
pinnules oblong-obtuse, pinnatifid ; segments of the sterile frond dentate. Sori linear, continuous around eveiy
segment of the fertile fronds. Eachis and stipes brown, terminal, adherent to a short creeping rhizome.

lo. C. i.EN’DiGERA, Siiriiiz (C. LENTiGERA, inudciimr). — An elegant evergreen stove species, from Quito,

XXXIII. HYI'OLEPIS.

Mexico, aud other parts of South America. Fronds ovate-lanceolate, tripinnatc, one foot long, with copious soft
haii'-like scales ; pinnules oblong ; segments small, roundish ovate, cuneate at the base, crenate, reflexed, and
concave. Sori linear, consisting of a single row of spore-cases, partly concealed in the axis of the broadly reflexed
margin of each segment ; indusium linear, continuous. Fronds terminal, adherent to a creeping rhizome.

16. C. ELEGANS, Besvaiix (C. lexdigeiia, of gardens). — An exquisitely beautiful evergreen stove Fern, a
native of Chili, Mexico, the Peruvian Andes, and other parts of South America. Fronds lanceolate tripinnate,
one foot long, clothed with copious brownish chaffy scales ; pinnules oblong-linear ; segments very small,
ohovate, revolute and concave. Sori consisting of two or three spore-cases on each segment, partly concealed
by the reflexed margin. Stipes, rachis, midrib of pinnae, and pinnules, densely covered with brown fringed
scales. Fronds terminal, adherent to a short creeping rhizome.

17. C. sPECTABiLis, Kaulfim (C. brasiliensis, Raddi ; Hypolepis, Hooker). — A straggling-growing ever-
green stove Fern, native of Brazil. Fronds slender, glabrous, oblong-acuminate, broad at the base, tripinnate,
three to four feet long, light green ; pinnae linear-acuminate ; pinnules oblong-linear ; segments oblong-obtuse,
slightly crenate, adnatc and decurrent throughout the whole frond. Stipes and rachis ebeneous, glossy,
terminal, adherent to an erect fasciculate rhizome. Sori distinct, subsequently confluent.

18. C. radiata. /. (Adtaxtum, Linnesus ; Hypolepis, ifbo/i;er). — A delicate and exceedingly beautiful

evergreen species, native of the "West Indies and tropical America. Fronds glabrous, one foot high, digitate ;
branches linear, pinnate, radiating; segments oblong-obtuse, subimbricate, petiolate, articulate at the base,
auriculate, with a crenate margin. Sori distinct, often crowded throughout the frond ; indusium reniform.
Eachis and stipes ebeneous ; terminal, adherent to an erect fasciculate rhizome.

19. C. PTEROIUES, Swartz (Cassebebra, Fresl; Adiantum, Linneeus ; Pteris orbiculata, Houttgn). — An
ornamental evergreen warm greenhouse Fern, from the Cape of Good Hope. Fronds somewhat triangular,
glabrous, one to one and a half foot long, bipinnate, light green ; pinnules ovate-elliptical, petiolate, round at the
apex, slightly cordate at the base, and crenulate on the margin. Sori marginal. Indusium membranous, scale-
like, contiguous. Stipes and rachis shining, especially w'hen dry. Fronds adherent to a somewhat creeping
rhizome. The only cultivated frond of this plant we have seen, was communicated by G. Herman, Esq., of Hull.

XXXIII. HYPOLEPIS, Bernhardi.

Sori round, terminal, marginal, partly concealed by a reflexed indusioid crenule, and situate oppo-
site the sinus of the segments. Veins forked or pinnate ; venules direct, free, the lower exterior one
sporangiferous. Fro7ids from two to six or twelve feet high, bi-tri-pinnate, segments crenulated,
smooth, or covered with glandulose hairs. — Name derived from /lypo, under, aud a scale; in

allusion to the sori being placed under scale-like reflexed crenules.

This genus, formerly placed near Cheilanthes, among the Pteridecs, was
removed by Mr. J. Smith to the Polypodiece, and we had adopted Mi'.

Smith’s view of its affinities. It appears to us, however, on a reconsidera-
tion of the matter, that the plants which led Mr. Smith to this opinion,
though analogous in habit to the genuine species of Plypolepis, cannot pro-
perly be associated with them, no trace of an indusium being present ; and
the other characters of the plants being altogether those of Polypodium.

We have, consequently, referred back to Polypodium the Hypolepis 7-ugu-
losa (J. Smith), and retain Hypolepis itself among the Pteridece, where it
was oi'iginally stationed. Fig. 35 represents a pinnule of Hypolepis dick-
sotiioides (nat. size).

1. II. DiCKSONioiDES,ifoc4'er(H. REPENS, of gardgj/s, not of Presl ; Cheilanthes,

Mndliclier ; Hypolepis Endlicheriana, Presf ;• Dicksonia uavallioides,

— according to Kitnze). — A large coarse-growing evergreen greenhouse Fern, native
of Norfolk Island. Fronds triangularly elongate, from three to six, or even twelve
feet high, covered with glandulous hairs ; decompound, three or four times pinnate ;
pinnules lanceolate-acuminate, with oblong-linear rather obtuse pinnatifid segments, which are somewhat con-
vex, the lower pair distant ; margin crenulate. Sori round, terminal, and partly concealed by a reflexed marginal
crenule. Fronds lateral, adherent to a scaly creeping rhizome.

2. H. prava, M. and 3. — A very singular-looking and deformed-growing evergreen warm gi'oenhouse
or stove Pern, the origin of which is unknown. Fronds triangularly elongate, tripinnate, one to two feet
long, dull green, and covered throughout with glandulose hairs ; pinnae lanceolate ; pinnules unequal, rugose,
pinnatifid, with unequal segments, obtusely crenate. Sori very few, thinly scattered throughout the frond, which
is lateral, adherent to a slender creeping scaly rhizome. Perhaps only a dwarf abnormal state of the former.

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POLYPODIACE.E— PTERIDE.E.

XXXIV. PLATYLOMA, J. Smith.

Sori linear-oblong, continuous, subsequently confluent, occupying a portion of the upper half of
the venules, forming a broad marginal band. Indusimn narrow, attached transversely to the outer
margin of the broad sporangiferous receptacle. Veins forked ; venules direct, their apices free and
sporangiferous. Fronds from one to two feet long, pinnate bipinnate or tripinnate, glabrous pilose
or squamiferous ; stipes generally ebeneous, pinna3 articulate with the rachis. — Name derived from
platys, broad, and lomu, a margin ; in allusion to the broad marginal sori.

The species arranged under this genus, with one or two exceptions, vary but little in habit from
those of Adiantum. The principal technical distinction is in the presence of a broad sporangiferous
receptacle, w’ith the margin of the frond slightly refiexed, and edged with a narrow linear indusium,
which is continued, more or less, throughout every pinna or pinnule of the whole frond. Fig. 36
represents a portion of the frond of Flatyloma falcata (med. size).

1. P. ROTUxmiFOLiA, J. Smith (rxEiiis, Forster; Allosouus,

Kunze). — A pretty evergreen greenhouse Fern, from New Zealand.

Fronds linear, pinnate, one to one and a half foot long, reclining ;
pinnDB glabrous, dull green, coriaceous, subrotund or oblong-elliptical,
rather obtuse, cordate at the base, and slightly crenate at the margin.

Eachis and stipes densely covered with brown scales ; lateral, adherent
to a creeping rhizome. Sori linear, continuous, very broad ; indu-
sium very narrow. This seems to merge insensibly into the next species.

2. P. FALCATA, J. Smith (Ptekis, R. Brown; Allosouus, Kunze).

— An ornamental evergreen greenhouse species, from New Holland.

Fronds lanceolate, pinnate, one to two feet high, rather erect ; pinnas
glabrous, coriaceous, linear-lanceolate, oblong, bluntly acuminate,
falcate, cordate at the base, and of a dull green colour. Eachis and
stipes squamiferous ; lateral, adherent to a creeping rhizome. Sori
linear, continuous, very broad ; indusium very narrow.

3. P. Brownii, j. Smith (Adiantum paradoxum, R. Brown ;

Allosorus paradoxus, Kunze ; Pteris l.atizona, A. Cunninyham).

— An ornamental evergreen greenhouse Fern, from New Holland and
New' Zealand. Fronds ovate or ovate-oblong, erect, pinnate, one to
two feet high, with from about seven to eleven large pinnse near the
top ; pinnae alternate, cordato-oblong-lanceolate, somewhat oblique or subfalcate, thick, almost coriaceous, dull
dark green above, paler and somewhat glaucous beneath. Sori broad, linear, continued along both sides of the
pinnas from the base to the apex. Indusium very narrow'. Eachis and stipes purple-ebeneous, covered, the
former especially, with appressed rust-coloured hair-like scales ; lateral, adherent to a short creeping rhizome.
The younger immature fronds are simple and cordate ; and the stipes are two or three times as long as the leafy
portion in the perfect fronds. This Fern has been recently imported from New Zealand by Messrs. Henderson,
of the Edgew'are Eoad.

4. P. teknifolia, j. Smith (Pteris, Cuvanilles ; Pell.33A, Link ; Pteris subvei;ticillatus, Swartz; Allo-
soEus sueverticillatus, PresT). — A rather pendulous evergreen stove Fern, from Mexico. Fronds glabrous,
bluish green, linear, pinnate, one to one and a half foot long, reclining ; pinnto coriaceous, opposite or alternate,
sessile, trilobed, cordate at the base, with a cartilaginous margin. Sori linear, continuous; indusium very
narrow. Eachis and stipes purple ; stipes pubescent, terminal, adherent to a short scaly creeping rhizome.

6. P. Calomel.anos, j. Smith (Pteris, Swartz; Pella; A, Link; Allosorus, PresT). — A dwarf evergreen
stove species, from the Cape of Good Hope. Fronds deltoid, bipinnate, about a foot long ; pinnules deltoid,
coriaceous, quite smooth, glaucous, and of a bluish green colour, cordate at the base, subtrilobate, with a narrow
cartilaginous margin. Stipes scaly near the base, terminal, adherent to a short creeping rhizome. Sori linear,
continued round every fertile pinnule ; indusium very narrow.

6. P. ATROPURPUREA, J. Smith (Pteris, Linncetis ; Pella;a, Link; Allosorus, Kunze). — [Plate V.] — An elegant
dwarf evergreen frame or greenhouse species, native of North America. Fronds bluish green, ovate-lanceolate,
bipinnate, six to ten inches long ; pinnules glabrous, oblong or ovate, obtuse, cordate at the base, terminal one
elongate. Sori linear, continuous, forming a broad band ; indusium narrow. Eachis and stipes pubescent,
terminal, adherent to a somewhat creeping rhizome.

7. P. coRDATA, /. NwuVi (Pteris, Cavanilles ; Pellasa, ZfwA ; Allosorus, Pml). — A very elegant soft erect-
growing deciduous greenhouse Fern, from Mexico. Fronds delicate, light green, oblong-acuminate, broad at the
base, bipinnate, one and a half to two feet high; pinnules ovate, cordate-sagittate, membranous, and densely

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