146 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



P. (Phegopteris) hastaefolium — Phe-gop'-ter-is ; has-tse-for-i-um (spear- 

 fronded), Swartz. 

 This strikingly distinct, small-growing, stove species, native of the West 

 Indies, is a very uncommon plant, although, according to Lowe, it was 

 introduced into English gardens in 1820. Its fronds, borne on tufted stalks 

 lin. to 2in. long and of a wiry nature, are 6in. to 9in. long, and broadest 

 two-thirds of the way up, where they sometimes measure 2in. across. The 

 blunt, entire leaflets show a sharp and distinct auricle (ear) on both sides at 

 the base, and those of the lower half of the frond are gradually reduced ; they 

 are of a dull green colour and of a somewhat leathery texture, and their 

 under-side is nearly naked. The comparatively large sori (spore masses) are 

 disposed in one row on each side of the midvein, and from ten to fourteen 

 pairs to each leaflet. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 232. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 189. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, 

 ii., t. 55. 



P. (Phymatodes) hastatum — Phy-mat-o'-des ; has-ta'-tum (halbert- 

 shaped), Thunberg. 

 A curious and distinct, greenhouse species, of little decorative value, 

 having fronds sometimes simple, sometimes three-lobed, with the lateral lobes 

 like the terminal one but smaller, of a leathery texture, and naked on both 

 sides. The spore masses, disposed in a single row, are situated nearer the 

 midrib than the edge. — Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 74. 



P. (Phymatodes) hemionitideum~Phy-mat-o'-des ; he-mi-on-i-tid'-e-um 

 (Hemionitis-like), Wallich. 

 According to Lowe, this curious and interesting, stove species was 

 introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1844, yet it is not commonly 

 met with. It is a native of South China and various parts of India, where 

 it is said to occur up to 6000ft. elevation. Beddome states that it is found 

 in Sampajee Gh^t, four miles down from Mercara, in ravines, growing on 

 rocks. Its entire fronds, of a somewhat leathery texture, borne on firm, erect 

 stalks lin. to Gin. long, are produced from a rhizome of a woody nature. 

 They are from 9in. to 18in. long, 2in. to Sin. broad, of a bright green colour, 

 and narrowed to both ends ; they are naked on both sides and are rendered 



