POLYPODIUM. 147 



very interesting by their distinct venation and by the prominent character and 

 large size of their sori (spore masses), which are disposed in a very irregular 

 row between the main veins, and often confluent. — Hooker, Species Filicum., 

 v., p. 73. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 189. Beddome, Ferns 

 of Southern India, t. 182. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii., t. 7. 



P. Henchmanni — Hench-man'-ni (Henchmann's), /. Smith. 



A very graceful, stove species, native of Mexico, and, according to Lowe, 

 introduced into England about 1848. It is provided with a wide-creeping 

 rhizome covered with bright rusty-coloured scales, from which its fronds, 

 borne on firm, erect stalks 4in. to Sin. long, are produced. They are simply 

 pinnate (only once divided to the midrib), 1ft. to IJffc. long, Gin. to 9in. broad, 

 with leaflets of a somewhat leathery texture, dark bluish-green in colour, and 

 naked on both sides. The large and conspicuous, brilliant brown sori (spore 

 masses) are disposed in one row on each side of the midvein and slightly 

 immersed. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum,, p. 337. Lowe, Ferns British, and 

 Exotic, i., t. 30. 



P. Henderson! — Hen-der-so'-ni (Henderson's), Lowe. 



This Fern, of unknown origin, is very similar to P. angustifolium, but 

 its fronds are more erect, narrower, and of a paler colour. The barren and 

 fertile ones are of the same size and form, thus differing from the above- 

 named species in a marked manner.- — Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii., t. 37b. 



P. (Drynaria) Heracleum — Dryn-a'-rl-a ; He-rac-le'-um (Cow-Parsnip- 

 like), Kunze. 

 This really magnificent, large-growing, stove species, native of Java and 

 of the Philippines, is the P. coronans of gardens, but not of Wallich ; it is 

 also frequently found under the name of P. morbillosum. Whatever its 

 appellation be, it is so thoroughly different from all other species that 

 it should find a place in every collection. Its sessile (stalkless) fronds, 

 3ft. to 6ft. long and 2ft. or more in breadth, are usually disposed in a crown 

 (Fig. 45), and are produced from a stout, short-creeping rhizome of a woody 

 nature, clothed with long, silky scales of a bright brown colour, except near 

 the extreme end, where they are whitish. These fronds, which are deeply 



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