POLYPODIUM. 173 



P. m. grandifolium— gran-dif-or-i-um (large-leaved), WalUch. 



In this variety the fronds are larger than in the type, and the more 

 copious spore masses are irregularly scattered over the whole of the lower 

 surface. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 360. 



P. (Goniophlebium) menisciifolium — Go-m-oph-leb'-i-um ; me-nis'- 

 ci-if-oV-i-um (Meniscium-leaved), Langsdorff and Fischer. 

 This is a strong-growing, stove species, native of Panama, Trinidad, and 

 Brazil, and, according to Lowe, was introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, 

 in 1841. Its fronds, 2ft. to 3ft. long and Ift. or more in breadth, are borne 

 on firm, erect, smooth stalks Ift. to 2ft. long. They are composed of an entire 

 (undivided) terminal leaflet. Gin. to 9in. long and l^in. to 2in. broad, and of 

 numerous smaller ones on each side of the rachis, all narrowed to the base. 

 Their texture is somewhat leathery, they are naked on both sides, and the 

 prominent spore masses are deeply immersed on the upper side. — Hooker, 

 Species Filicum, v., p. 27. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 191. 



P. (Goniopteris) meniscioides — Go-ni-op'-ter-is ; me-nis-ci-6-i'-des 

 (Meniscium-like), Liehmann. 

 A strong-growing species, native of Mexico, with fronds 2ft. to 4ft. long 

 and Ift. to 2ft. broad, borne on strong, upright, quite naked stalks Ift. to 2ft. 

 long. These fronds are composed of a terminal leaflet and from six to twelve 

 pairs of lateral ones, the lowest stalked, Ift. long, IJin. broad, sharp-pointed 

 at their extremity, and with the edge nearly entire ; they are of a rigid 

 texture and quite naked on both sides, and the sori (spore masses) are 

 disposed in either single or double rows between them. — Hooker, Synopsis 

 Filicum, p. 314. 



P. meridense — mer-id-en'-se (native of Merida), Klotzsch. 



A stove species, of medium dimensions and of little decorative value, 

 native of South America. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 333. 



P. (Drynaria) Meyenianum— Dryn-a'-ri-a ; Mey-en-i-a'-num (Meyen's), 

 Schott. 

 This stove species, commonly known in gardens as the " Bear's-paw Fern," 

 is as ornamental as it is distinct, and is a native of the Philippine Islands, 



