FILICES. 458 POLlfFODIDM. 



Lenves or fronds numerous, tiiftcd and simple, 2 — 10 inches long, somewhat 

 spreadiiitr, containiiicr numerous cells divided both by longitudinal and trans- 

 verse partitions. Tliecaj whitish, imbedded in corresponding cavities in the 

 bases <jf the fronds, traversed within by many threads to which the numerous, 

 small, white granular spores are attached. Aug. 



ORDER CLXIV. FILICES. The Fcm Tribe. 



Inforesr.fnre occupying the back or margin of the fronds (leaves) arising from the veins. 

 Tuerr/; or n/iorang-ta of one kind only in tlie same phint, 1-celled, deliiseing: irregularly. 

 iiori, somewhat regular collections of thccce ; or the thecru are isulalcd and scattered. 

 Lulusium, a scale investing each sorus ; or the sori arc covered with the re%'ulute margin 



of the troiul,or They are naked. 

 Stem a creeping, horizontal rhizoma, or sometimes erect and arborescent. 

 i-VoHrfs (iViiii-lii-iirin',' leaves) variously divided, rarely entire, with forked-veins, mostly 

 circinaU- in \i'niuli(in. 



A lar>;c ;incl i)iti-n>iliig order of perennial, flowerless plants, distinguished for ihfir 

 elegant, iiliiiiu'-like foliage. They are usually a few inches to a lew feet high, but some ol' 

 itje tn.i'i ■ '' >l>''i'-^ as the Cyatheas of both Indies, are 15— 25 feel high, vicing with the 

 pahus ill .•-i:-:L- ;.iut beauty. 



Fnipetties. Lienerally mucilaginous and mildly astringent, hence considered pectoral. 

 Aspidinni and Pteris are anthelmintic. Osmunda regalis has been successfully adniinis- 

 teri'd for the rickets. 



Observalion. The fructification of the ferns, with its various appendages, is too mmule 

 to be well observed by the naked eye ; but an examination of il wilii the aid of a good 

 lens, cannot fail to be interesting and satisfactory. 



Conspectus of the Genera. 



* Fertile kajicts or fronds contracted into the form of a panicle or spike. 



C Stipes ( angular. . . Onoclea. 9 



( tl:e tortile < smoothisli, ( deeply grooved within. Stratldupteris. 10 



f Fronils ma- < ones distinct. ( Stipes clothed with reddish wool. Omiun-ln. \ I 



j iiy.railiL-al, ( each one partly fertile Os7nv,iilii. U 



p,,f,i '1 ) entire. Scape spicate. . . Oj/hiiji;t(jtsii»i. 13 



oreet. [ Frond solitary, on a scape, j divided. 8eape paniculate. . Bolrydiiitiii. It 



Fern climbing, sleia long- and ilender Ly^odiu/u. V2 



* * Froruis soinetimes contracted, but never paiiiciddte or spicate. 



I single, large. . Aspidium. 2 



f superficial, I double (1 marginal). Dicksonia. S 



f Sori round ( Indusium ( beneath the sori, fimbriate. . Woodsin. 4 



I or roundish. ( Indusium Fofypodiiim. I 



^ I not mar- I transverse, on the veins. . AapUniiim. ."> 



Frond pin- I Sori linear < ginal, ... 1 parallel with the midrib. . . Woodvmrdia. o 



Bate tVc. [uroblong, ..( closely marginal, continuous. . . . Fieris. ti 



Fioi'id pcdatc, iin a black, polislied, bifurcate stipe Adiantn/u. 7 



TRir.E 1. POLYPODIACE.E. 



Thec<r. furnii'ied with a vertical, jointed, elastic and usually incomplete ring._ and burstini; trans- 

 versely and irregularly. 



1 . r O L Y P O' D 1 U IM . 

 Sori roLindish, scattered on various parts of the under sur- 

 face of the frond; indusium none. 



1. P. vulga're. L. Common Polijpod. P. Virgiiiianura. IJ'i'ld. 



Frond deeply pinnatifid, smooth ; s.''^?((cn<5- linear-oblong, obtuse, crcnulate, 

 the upper onea gradually SHialler; sori large, distinct. Ratlier common on 

 shady rocks and in woods, Ibrming tangled patches with their roots wliicli are 

 dlutlicd v/tth racaibraiious scales. Frondd nearly a feet high, divided iiilo 



