126 POLYPODTUM IRIOIDES. 



be anything but conspicuous, were it not for the profuse manner 

 in which it is scattered over the frond. 



This not uncommon Fern is easily cultivated, flourishing best 

 when in a rich soil, mixed with stone or broken pot, and planted 

 in a wide yet shallow flower pan. 



Introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, by Mr. A. Cun- 

 ningham, in the year 1824. 



A stove evergreen species. 



The Polypodium irioides is a native of the East Indies, Mau- 

 ritius, and New Holland. 



This ornamental Fern has simple, fleshy fronds, oblong-lance- 

 olate, ensiform, attenuated at the base, and frequently irregularly 

 lobed on the margin. 



Venation internal. 



Length of frond from two feet to three feet and a half; colour 

 pale green. 



Fronds glabrous, lateral, and articulated on a rhizoma which 

 is creeping and scaly. 



Sori diminutive, numerous, being thickly scattered, usually 

 only on the upper half or two-thirds of the frond. Whitish 

 at first, eventually becoming brown. 



Best known as the Drynaria irioides. 



For plants of this species I am indebted to the present Cu- 

 rator of the Cambridge Botanic Gardens; to Messrs. Booth and 

 Son, of Hamburg; Mr. Norman, of Hull; and to Mr. Lamb, 

 gardener to F. Wright, Esq., of Osmaston Manor, near Ashbourn. 



Dispersed over the whole frond are black scales, closely re- 

 sembling insects of a conical form, having a long pointed tail, 

 which gives the frond a peculiar appearance. 



It is in the Fern lists of Messrs. A. Henderson, of Pine-apple 

 Place; R. Kennedy, of the Bedford Conservatories, Covent 

 Garden; W. R,ollisson and Sons, of Tooting; R. Sim, of Foot's 

 Cray; E. Cooling, of Derby; J. Booth and Son, of Hamburg; 

 Osborn and Son, of Fulham; Masters, of Canterbury; and Veitch, 

 Jun., of Chelsea. 



The illustration is from a plant in my own collection. 



