FEKXS. V O 



POLYPODICJI {Polypo<hj). 



Tliis genus includes the favourite Beecb, F. Phe<jopteri.<, 

 and Oak, P. Dnjopteris, Ferns, beside the numerous beautiful 

 varieties of tbe common Polypody, which are among the best 

 for pot culture. They are all excellent for exhibition, the 

 Beech and Oak Ferns making fine dwarf specimens, while the 

 Polypod}-, with good treatment, grows to a fair size as a 

 specimen. 



POLYbTICHUM {Sliield Feni). 

 This is one of the larger-growing genera of British ferns, 

 the species and varieties of which are very useful and orna- 

 mental, and form splendid specimens for exhibition. Some 

 of the best are P. andeatum proliferiun, P. anguJave cristatum, 

 P. a. p>lumosum, and P. a. proliferum. 



SCOLOPEXDEIUil {Harfs-tongue Fern). 

 There is only one British species of this genus, but there is a 

 great choice of varieties. They are mostly all pretty evergreens 

 and very easily cultivated. Some of the best for exhibition are 

 S. vidgare crispum, S. v. eristahim, and S. v. ramosum majus. 

 They form nice dwarf exhibition plants, and contrast well with 

 others. 



"WOODSIA {Tlie Woodsia). 

 These are among the smallest and most interesting of British 

 ferns, of which there are only two species, TF. hijperiorea and 

 W. ilvensis. They grow naturally on rocky mountains, but are 

 amenable to pot culture, and form beautiful dwarf specimens 

 for exhibition. The pots should be extra well drained and 

 the soil never allowed to become dry. 



3. FILMY FEEXS. 



With the exception of Todea, which assumes a considerable 

 size, the genera included in this Sub-Section are of a lowly 

 and unassuming growth, but the peculiarly delicate, almost 

 transparent, nature of their fronds, and their extremely neat 



