138 



POLYPODIUM BILLARDIERI. 



Ferns, for although they delight in abundance of moisture, 

 but few species can endure water lingering about their roots. 



Best known as the Drynaria Billardieri in English gardens. 



The fronds, which are glabrous, stand erect. There are some 

 simple, in others pinnatifid fronds; in young or freshly-divided 

 plants the simple fronds predominate, whilst in an old-established 

 one they are nearly all pinnatifid. A few linear acuminated 

 segments; coriaceous; and attenuated at the base. Solitary 

 scattered scales on stipes and rachis. 



The fronds, which are lateral, are articulated on a ccespitose 

 rhizoma, which is creeping, and covered with dark brown scales. 



The sori circular, of large size, uniserial, and immersed in 

 the frond, so as to form protuberances on the upper side. 



The apex of each of the branches of the veinlets is swollen 

 and snowy-white, giving the upper side of the frond a spotted 

 appearance. 



Colour deep green, usually the frond is about twelve inches 

 in height. 



For plants and fronds my obligations are due to Mr. Hen- 

 derson, of Wentworth. 



It is in the Fern Catalogues of Messrs. A. Henderson, of 

 Pine-apple Place; E. G. Henderson, of St. John's Wood; E,ol- 

 lisson, of Tooting; Sim, of Foot's Cray; Veitch, Jun., of Chel- 

 sea; Parker, of Hollo way; and Kennedy, of Co vent Garden. 



The illustration is from a plant in the Wentworth collection. 



