STOVE FERNS. 



creeping rhizomes, so that they can readily be increased by 

 division. M. platyphylla is the best, and makes a noble 

 specimen for exhibition. 



MICEOLEPIA PLATYPHYLLA (Broad-leaved). This noble Fern 

 was introduced from the East Indian Islands. It is a strong- 

 growing plant, well adapted for exhibition purposes, as the 

 fronds grow to the height of 4 feet or more, spreading out 

 gracefully on every side. The fronds are 

 bipinnate or twice-divided, and of a light 

 green colour. It has a thick creeping 

 rhizome or rootstock, and may therefore 

 be increased by division. 



M. POLYPODIOIDES (Polypodium-Hke), 

 Fig. 42. Native of tropical East Indies. 

 Fronds about 4 feet high, grass-green, 

 triangular in outline, very hairy, tripinnate 

 or thrice-divided. It is a very useful Fern 

 for filling up a dark corner in the stove. 



MICEOSOEUM. 



This name refers to the very minute 

 sori which distinguish the only species 

 placed in the genus. The fronds are about 

 . 18 inches or 2 feet high, undivided, stalk - 



dium size ; sorus mag- -, ,-, -i l l -i-l 11-." -f Vi 



little dots of spore-masses scattered thickly over the lower side. 

 Ehizomes creeping. The plant has very little to recommend 

 it, as the fronds are stiff and rigid, and without any of the 

 elegance which generally characterises the family. It is a 

 native of the tropics both in the East and the West. There 

 is a curious variety of this plant, which is at present rather 

 rare, in which the points of the fronds are developed into 

 large tassels, like some of the forms of Scolopendrium. 



There is a variety, which we first saw in the garden at 



