POLYSTICHUM PTEEIS. 105 



POLYSTICHUM. 



Most of the species of this genus are either hardy or at 

 most only require protection during winter, but there is one 

 or two stove species which deserve mention. 



POLYSTICHUM ANOMALUM (Anomalous). This plant has been 

 well named, for it possesses a peculiarity which is quite unique: 

 there is no other Fern known which absolutely produces its 

 spore-masses on the upper side, and on that side only. It is 

 of a bright green colour, with fronds about 18 inches long ; but 

 there is nothing striking about it except the curious circum- 

 stance mentioned. It is a native of Ceylon, and was introduced 

 to the Eoyal Botanic Gardens at Kew a few years since. 



P. TKIANGULUM (Triangular, referring to the form of the 

 pinnae). A native of the West Indies, with elegant pinnate 

 fronds, about a foot in length. It is sometimes called P. mu- 

 cronatum. Mr. E. Sim, of Foot's Cray, has recently imported 

 a very pretty variety of this Fern. It is very suitable for 

 cultivation in a Wardian case. 



PTEEIS. 



Like Polypodium, this is a large genus, and was established 

 by Linnseus. The name is derived from pteron, a wing, the 

 pinnated fronds having that appearance. Our well-known 

 common Bracken is a Pteris. Formerly this was an unwieldy 

 genus, containing nearly two hundred species ; but the skill 

 and tact of modern botanists have reduced the number greatly, 

 confining the true Pteridae to all such species as have veins 

 regularly disposed in lines, not netted across each other. 

 Generally speaking, the plants of this genus are rampant 

 coarse-growers, scattering their spores and coming up thickly 

 wherever there is moisture ; yet there are a few that are able 

 to vie in beauty with any other genera of Ferns. These few 

 we shall confine ourselves to in describing. 



