POLYBOTBYA POLYPODIUM. 103 



scandens covering the entire roof of a small Orchid-house, 

 and, seen between the eye and the light of the roof, the spore- 

 masses were perfectly visible and very beautiful. Climbing 

 Ferns are desirable, also, because they take up so little room. 

 They may either be planted in large pots or square boxes, or 

 planted out in a border made for the purpose. As they grow 

 up they should be tied to an upright pillar, and when they 

 reach the roof may be trained any way the fancy of the 

 cultivator may incline. It is a strong-growing Fern, bearing 

 fertile and barren fronds. The latter are doubly thrice-divided, 

 or bitripinnate ; contracted and round, growing erect. The 

 sori cover every pinnule of the fertile fronds. Barren fronds 

 grow only 2 or 3 feet high. Easily increased by dividing the 

 creeping rhizome. 



There are several species in South America, and one or two 

 more have been introduced, but they are still very rare. 



POLYPODIUM. 



A large assemblage of Ferns, of which one is a native of 

 this country. It is an ancient genus, having been formed by 

 the celebrated Linnaeus. The name alludes to the rootstock 

 polys, many, pous, a foot : the rhizome having many divisions. 

 The genus has been much reduced in number of species, being 

 now confined to such as have naked spore-masses with pinnate, 

 forked, or simple veins. As the genus is well known, we shall 

 notice a few of the most interesting or beautiful. 



POLYPODIUM EFFUSUM (Spreading). This is a most elegant 

 Jamaica Fern ; the fronds are so finely divided as to give them 

 the appearance of elegant feathers. The fronds are so branched 

 that it is difficult to say how many times they are divided ; but 

 generally they are four-times-pinnated, forming almost a perfect 

 triangle in form. Fronds of this fine Fern sometimes measure 

 6 feet long and If foot broad at the base. It is a noble, beautiful 

 object. It is easily increased by dividing the creeping rootstock. 



