CHAPTER IX. 



PLATYZOMA, Brown. 



(Plat-yz-o'-ma.) 



N Hooker and Baker's " Synopsis Filicum," Platyzoma, wHch 

 is a division of the sub-order Gleicheniacece, forms Genus 1. 

 Its name is derived from platys, broad, and zoma, a band, in 

 allusion to the broad ring of the sporangia. It is a monotypic 

 genus, that is to say, it comprises but one species, which, so 

 far as we are aware, has not yet been introduced. Its distinguishing characters 

 are very similar to those of the Gleichenias, to which genus it is closely allied, 

 and, being found growing naturally under similar conditions, its culture would 

 no doubt be the same as that recommended for the members of that beautiful 

 and most interesting group of Ferns. 



From what may be gathered from dry specimens seen in herbaria, this 

 miniature, Grleichenia-like Fern well deserves to be introduced into our 

 collections, where it would be most welcome as a living plant. The fact of 

 its introduction having been so long delayed is probably due to the same 

 difficulties which surround the importation of Gleichenias, and indeed of most 

 Ferns provided with slender rhizomes of a woody nature. These, we find, 

 travel best when entirely buried in damp soil. 



P. microphyllum — mi-croph-yl'-lum (small-leaved). Brown. 



This stove species, native of Tropical and Sub-tropical Australia, produces 

 from a creeping rhizome densely clothed with fine, silky scales its fronds Sin. 



