POLYPODIUM. 179 



P. nanum — na'-num (dwarf), Vleillard. 



This stove species, native of New Caledonia, is of botanical interest only. 

 Its rigid, leathery, dark green fronds are seldom more than IJin. long, and 

 the oblong spore masses are confined to their upper half, where they are 

 situated near the midrib. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum., p. 507. 



P. (Goniophlebium) neriifolium — Go-ni-oph-leb'-i-um ; ne-rl-if-ol'-i-um 

 (Oleander-leaved). Synonymous with P. brasiliense. 



P. (Phymatodes) nigrescens — Phy-mat-o'-des ; nig-res'-cen? (blackish), 

 Blume. 

 This strong-growing, stove species, of very distinct appearance, is a native 

 of Ceylon, Malaysia, Fiji, Samoa, and the Friendly Islands ; and according 

 to Beddome, it is found growing in several localities in Southern 

 India. Its fronds, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1ft. to IJft. broad, and borne on firm, 

 erect, glossy stalks 1ft. to l^ft. long, are produced from a stout, creeping 

 rhizome clothed with egg-shaped scales ; they are cut within |in. or Jin. of 

 the rachis into numerous entire, narrow-oblong lobes 6in. to 12in. long, lin. 

 to 2in. broad, of a somewhat leathery texture, naked on both surfaces, and 

 of a dark green colour. The very conspicuous and ornamental sori (spore 

 masses) are disposed in a single row nearer the midrib than the edge, and 

 are sunk in a deep cavity, which is prominent on the upper surface. — Hooker, 

 Species Filicum, v., p. 81 ; Filices Fxoticce, t. 22. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, iii., p. 191. Beddome, Ferns of Southern. India, t. 176. 



P. (Phlebodium) nigripes — Phleb-o'-di-um ; nig'-rip-es (black-footed). 

 Hooker. 

 A distinct, stove species, native of Venezuela. It is provided with a stout 

 rhizome, covered with black and rigid scales, from which the simply-pinnate 

 fronds, borne on firm, erect stalks nearly Ift. long, are produced. These are 

 Iffc. long. Gin. to 7in. broad, and cut down nearly or quite to the rachis below 

 into leaflets which are slightly notched towards their blunti^h point. The 

 leaflets are of a somewhat leathery texture and rough on their under- surface, 

 and the spore masses are disposed in single rows on each side of the midrib. — 

 Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 17, Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, 

 iii., p. 191. 



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