POLYPODIUM. 189 



narrowed at the base and the lower ones distinctly stalked. The abundant 

 and prominent spore masses are distinctly immersed. — Hooker^ Species Filicum, 

 v., p. 32. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 192. Lowe, Ferns 

 British and Exotic, ii., t. 25. 



P. p. grandidens — gran'-did-ens (large-toothed), Kunze. 



This variety only differs from the typical plant in being furnished with 

 more deeply-toothed leaflets. 



P. (Niphobolus) pertusum — Mph-ob'-ol-us ; per-tu'-sum (bored), 

 Sprengel. 

 This pretty, dwarf-growing species, which succeeds equally well under 

 either greenhouse or stove treatment, is a native of Japan, China, the East 

 Indies, and Java, and is said by Lowe to have been introduced into the 

 Eoyal' Gardens, Kew, in 1823. Its entire (undivided) fronds, of a very leathery 

 texture, dark green, and shining on the upper surface, are stalkless and of 

 two distinct forms : the barren ones are spathulate (spoon- shaped) and seldom 

 exceed 4in. in length ; the fertile ones, narrow and of the same breadth 

 throughout, are from 6in. to Sin. long. Both kinds are produced from a short- 

 creeping rhizome of a scaly nature, and their under-side has the appearance 

 of being covered with snow-crystals. The reddish sori (spore masses) are 

 confined to the upper part of the frond, where they are disposed in three 

 rows on each side of the green midrib and eventually become confluent. — 

 Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, i., t. 21. 



P. peruvianum — per-u-vi-a'-num (Peruvian), Desvaux. 



A stove species, of small dimensions and of botanical interest only, native 

 of Peru and Venezuela. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 186. 



P. (Grammitis) Pervillei— G-ram-mi'-tis ; Per-vil'-le-i (Perville's), Mettenius. 

 This small-growing, stove species, of little decorative value, seldom 

 attaining more than 2in. in length, is a native of the Seychelles.— Hooker, 

 Synopsis Filicum, p. 321. 



P. Phegopteris— Phe-gop'-ter-is (Phegopteris), Linnaeus. 



This handsome and interesting, hardy Fern, botanically known also as 

 Phegopteris polypodioides of Fee, is the common " Beech Fern," a species with 



