10 POLYPODIUM AUREUM. 



decumamiim, that, in the glaucous character, and general form 

 both of fronds and rhizoma, closely resemble Polypocliiim cmreum. 

 In order to grow the Fern luxuriantly, and as glaucous as 

 possible, it should be placed in a warm shady situation; in a 

 cold greenhouse it loses the glaucous character. It is a very 

 manageable Fern, with less than ordinary care, flourishing best 

 in a large shallow pan, with the rhizoma planted above the 

 level of the pan; the rhizoma cannot bear to be buried, and, 

 indeed this remark applies generally to those species with surface- 

 growing rhizomas, such as P. longipes, P. phyinatodes, P. Bil- 

 lardieri, (in the section Drynaria of authors,) shallow pans, with 

 plenty of surface soil for the rhizomas to creep upon, being 

 preferable to deep soil. 



An evergreen stove species. 



Native of the American Meridian, the West Indies, and 

 Surinam. 



First introduced into England in the year 1742, and received 

 into the Eoyal Gardens, Kew, in 1809, from the Royal Gardens 

 of Berlin. 



Easily propagated, both by division of the rhizoma and from 

 spores, as it is a Fern of rapid growth. 



Fronds glabrous and hanging down; pinnatifid, with lanceolate- 

 acuminate broad segments, which are membranous and undulated. 

 The segments are usually from eight to ten inches in length, 

 having the margins entire. 



Stipes and rachis extremely smooth, shining, having a pale 

 brown or purplish bloom upon them. 



Fronds lateral, being articulated on a thick creeping rhizoma. 

 The rhizoma completely hid with the covering of pale reddish 

 brown scales, the scales being nearly half an inch in length. 



Length of frond from three to four feet; colour a silvery 

 green. 



Sori circular, biseinal, but the rows not opposite each other, 

 usually alternate, placing them in triangles, containing two on 

 the bottom row, or that nearest the midrib, and one between 

 them on the second row, or that nearest the margin of the 

 segments. Colour of sori reddish brown. 



For plants of this species my thanks are due to Sir Oswald 

 Mosley, Bart., of Rolleston Hall, near Burton-on-Trent; Mr. 

 Stewart, gardener to Lord Vernon; and to Mr. Hay thorn. 



