FERNS AND LYCOPODS. 157 



sending up tiny leaves. These young plants may be removed when an 

 inch or two high, and potted singly in small pots. 



POLYPODIUM This is the largest genus of the order, and includes 

 many plants which have long been known under other generic names. 

 These names are in common use, and it is likely that they will continue 

 to be employed for a long time. Some of the better known are Cam- 

 pyloneurou, Cryptosorus, Drynaria, Goniophlebium, Goniopteris, Lepi- 

 cystis, Niphobolus, Phegopteris, Phlebodium and Pleopeltis. There is a 

 great number of exceedingly beautiful plants among the species. The 

 varieties, especially those of the common Polypody, P. vulgare, are 

 among the handsomest of hardy Ferns, but they are not so much grown 

 in America as in Europe, where they do grandly in outdoor ferneries. 



P. (Goniophlebium) sub-auriculatum makes one of the finest basket 

 plants for a warm greenhouse. The fronds are several feet in length, 

 and drooping. This Fern ig not difficult to grow, provided it be given 

 a fibrous soil and an abundant supply of water during the period of 

 growth. It is helped along wonderfully by adding to the soil some finely 

 crushed bone with the minute particles washed out, only saving the 

 rougher material in the process of washing. This substance, by the 

 way, is of great service as permanent food for many of the Ferns, but 

 the deleterious matter must be removed by washing. 



P. (Niphobolus) lingua, from Northern India and Japan, is almost 

 hardy and one of the best for house culture. There are three forms: one 

 variegated, another crested, the third having the largest fronds. The 

 fronds are undivided, very leathery in texture and remain in good condi- 

 tion for more than a year. All of them are very readily increased by 

 division. 



P. Heracleum and P. conjugatum are suitable for a warm conserva- 

 tory. When well grown they are odd and attractive. The very thick 

 rhizomes grow on the surface of the soil and accommodate themselves 

 in a wonderful way to a limited rooting area by growing in coils. 



P. (Phlebodium) aureum should be more grown for decorative purposes, 

 as it will stand a dry atmosphere, is very graceful, and the spores on a 

 small frond will raise thousands of plants. They should be sown on 

 very finely chopped Fern roots mixed with screened moss. The fronds 

 are from 2 to 4 feet in length, and from 9 to 18 inches broad, simply 

 divided. It grows most luxuriantly among Fern root, peat and moss. 

 There is a form called P. a. sporadocarpum with fronds very glaucous, 

 almost blue, usually growing from 12 to 18 inches high a handsome 

 plant, showing up well under gaslight. Increased by rhizomes. It needs 

 more heat than the type. 



P. rigidulum A species too seldom seen. It has two kinds of fronds 

 very different from eaeh other; the barren ones are about 9 inches In 

 length, divided half way to the mid-rib, forming blunt lobes. The fertile 

 ones reach a height of from 2 to 4 feet, and are 12 to 18 inches broad. 

 A very handsome plant for collections. 



P. Phymatodes is a rhizomatous species of very rapid growth, with 

 exceedingly graceful leaves. The fronds are deeply pinnatifid, the fertile 



