Portion of fertile Frond, xmder side. 



POLYPODIUM PLEBEJUM. 



SCHLECHTENDAL. J. SmITH. LiEBMANN. KuNZE. 



PLATE XXXIII. 

 Polypodium — Polypody. Plehejum — Common. 



An interesting rare species. 



An evergreen stove Fern. 



Native of Mexico, which it has been found in the temperate 

 and cold regions, at a height of from two to seven thousand 

 feet above the sea, by Schiede and Liebmann. 



In form it is very like Polypodium vulgare. 



The peculiar feature of this handsome Fern is that the 

 under side is dotted over with conspicuous brown scales, which 

 are a great contrast on the pale green of the frond. 



Length of frond ten inches; width two inches and three 

 quarters. Colour bright bluish green. 



Eound the edge of the frond there is a thickened rim, and 

 on the upper side along the margin, there is a row of cir- 

 cular white scales. 



Sori a single row on each side the midrib, very large, 

 reddish, usually about ten or twelve pairs; eventually confluent 

 and joining each other. 



The frond for illustration was kindly communicated by Mr. 

 J. Smith, Curator of the Royal Gardens, Kew. 



