POLYPODII'M VULGARE. 



35 



Fig. 15. 



CoRiACEO-BiFiDUM, MonJcman. (Fig. 15.)— Found in the year 

 1857 or 1858, on a dry wall at Low Hutton, near Malton, by Mr. 

 Monkman. In its wild state, it lias proved itself quite constant. 

 Mr. Monkman remarks on this variety, — "Under cultivation it 

 is not so permanently bifid as could be wished, until well 

 established and left undisturbed at the roots. Rather than 

 turn out to re-pot, plunge pot and all into a larger one. The 

 form is very handsome, dwarfish, and (apart from its bifid 

 lobes) its peculiarities are an extremely leathery texture, (hence 

 the name I propose,) peculiarly loose epidermis, and immense 

 fructification. If a lobe is bent, the epidermis will be found to 

 wrinkle: this is very curious. The form has never been figured, 

 nor, to my knowledge, described; and having stood the test of 

 years, I think it may now rank as an acknowledged varietj'." 



A short-fronded, remarkably leathery, broad, erect-growing 

 variety. The lobes, particularly the lower pairs, are bifid or 

 trifid; and occasionally the frond. The margins of the frond 

 frequently slightly serrated. The fructification is particularly 

 large, the spore-cases almost joining. In the autumn the 

 conspicuousness of the fructification and the \'ivid yellow of 

 the spores cause quite a golden appearance, a la the Gold 

 Ferns, as Mr. C. Monkman remarks. Mr. Monkman adds that 

 when he first saw it at a distance, he well remembers supposing 



G 



