POLYPODIUM. 69 



GENUS ly. 



POLYPODIUM. LiNN^us. 



This exceedingly numerous family has been considerably 

 divided by some of our principal authorities, and indeed a por- 

 tion of these divisions contain many species. Ivunze, however, 

 in his "Index Filicum," has retained the name of Polypodium, 

 preferring to place the different groups in sections to that of 

 removing them entirely from Pohjpodium. In the present his- 

 tory it has seemed desirable to follow the example of Kunze 

 in this respect, as being less likely to cause confusion and 

 bewilderment with those growers, who may be said to be as 

 yet beginners in this charming study. 



The following sections will therefore be described under the 

 head of Polypodium: — 



Goniopteris Cyrtophlebium Drynaria 



Goniophlebium Phlebodium. 



In Smith's "Genera of Ferns" there are even subdivisions. 

 The true form of Polypodium being divided into Ctenopteris 

 and Pliegopteris, in the latter division of which we have several 

 British examples. GoniopMehium (which is the Maryinaria of 

 Presl) into four divisions, namely, Lopholepis, Lejncystis, Schel- 

 lolepis, and Goniophlehioe-veroe. Crytophlehium (the Campylo- 

 neurutn of Presl) and Goniopteris he has not divided; the 

 Phlehodium (the Pleopeltis of Presl) into Phlehodium terimi and 

 Pleopeltis ; and the Drynaria (the Anaxetum of Schott, the 

 Microsorum of Link, the Pipteris of Reinw, and the Pliyma- 

 todes of Presl) into three divisions, namely, Phymatodes, Dip- 

 teris, and Drynaria vera. 



Fee, in his "Genera Filicum," has given as distinct families 



Polypodium Goniophlebium Chrysopteris 



Phegopteris Campylonevron Drynaria 



Goniopteris Craspedaria Pleuridium 



and one or two smaller families. 



VOL. I. O 



