180 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



P. (Goniophlebium) niponicum — ^ Go-m-oph-leV-i-um ; nip-on'-ic-um 



(from Nipon), Mettenius. 

 A small-growing, greenhouse species, of little decorative value, with soft, 

 papery fronds, about 5in. long and hairy on both sides. It is a native of 

 Japan. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 341. 



P. (Niphobolus) nitens — Niph-ob'-ol-us ; nit'-ens (shining), Baker. 



This stove species, native of the Philippines, is of distinct appearance. 

 Its fronds, almost stalkless, IJft. to 3ft. long and 3in. to 4in. broad, are sharp- 

 pointed, their lower part being gradually narrowed and their edge entire. 

 They are of a somewhat leathery texture, their upper surface being furnished 

 with scattered, cottony down, and their lower one matted with fine, silky, dark 

 brown hairs and rusty-coloured wool. The very fine spore masses are closely 

 set on the whole under- surface, but fall short of the edge*. — Hooker, Species 

 Filicum, Y., p. 52. 



P. nitidum — nit'-id-um (shining). This is synonymous with P. lucidum. ' 



P. (Phymatodes) normale — Phy-mat-o'-des ; nor-ma'-le (normal), Don.. 

 A stove species, of medium dimensions, native of Northern India, where 

 it is said to occur up to 6000ft. elevation ; it is also found in Southern China, 

 Natal, and Caffraria. Its entire fronds, Ift. to 2ft. long, lin. to 2in. broad, 

 and borne on stalks lin. to 3in. long, are produced from a climbing or trailing 

 rhizome of a woody nature ; they are gradually narrowed to both ends, of 

 a somewhat leathery texture, and naked on both sides. The large and 

 prominent (not immersed) sori (spore masses) are disposed in a row not far 

 from the midrib. — Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 70. 



P. (Niphobolus) nummulariaefolium — Niph-ob'-ol-us ; num-mul-a'- 

 rI-£e-fol'-i-um (Nummularia- leaved), Mettenius. 

 Though of small dimensions, this little, greenhouse species, native of 

 Northern India, the Philippines, and Malaysia, is very interesting. Its fronds, 

 produced from a slender, thread-like, wide-creeping rhizome, are of two different 

 kinds : the barren ones are elliptical or roundish ; the fertile ones, longer and 

 narrower, are about 2in. long and ^in. broad. Both kinds are of a leathery 

 texture, naked on their upper surface^ and densely coated underneath with 



