96 STOYE FEENS. 



phymatodes. It is very nearly allied to Phlebodium, which it 

 resembles in having anastomosing (or netted) veins, and 

 creeping scaly rhizomes. It contains some noble large-growing 

 species, well adapted for growing for exhibition. There are 

 also several very pretty greenhouse species. 



PHYMATODES LONGIFOLIA (Long-leaved). A native of the 

 East Indian Archipelago, with large, deep green, shining fronds. 

 The spore-masses, of a bright golden yellow, are very conspi- 

 cuous. It has a thick creeping rhizome, like all the species of 

 this genus, and by parting this they may all be readily increased. 



P. LONGIPES (Long-footed, referring to the stalks of the 

 fronds). This, like the last-mentioned Fern, has deeply- 

 divided, thick, dark green, and glossy fronds. They stand 

 somewhat erect. It is a noble and striking plant. 



P. SACCATA (Cupped). This extraordinary Fern was intro- 

 duced from Java some years ago, but is still somewhat rare. 

 It is a large-growing plant, having deeply-pinnatifid fronds 

 2| feet long, besides the stipes by which they are supported. 

 The spore-masses are seated in deep cups, so that on the upper 

 side of the fronds there are rows of raised knobs, corresponding 

 with the spore-masses below. 



P. YULGAEIS (Common). This is the Polypodium pJiyma- 

 todes of Linnseus. It is a handsome, broad-fronded Fern from 

 the Malay Islands and the Mauritius. The fronds are pin- 

 nated, and grow more than a foot long ; each division is almost 

 triangular and broad. The rootstock creeps very much, is 

 black and scaly. The spore-masses are round or oval. We 

 once had a large plant of this fine Fern under our care, 

 growing in a large wire basket. The creeping rootstocks grew 

 through the meshes of the basket, and threw out, as they crept 

 round it, their large, broad fronds. It was a noble plant, 

 measuring full 2 feet in diameter, and was much admired. 

 It will, however, grow very well in a pot, or amongst rockwork 

 in the stove. The plant alluded to would have made at least 

 a score of plants had it been divided. This example shows 



