192 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



A moist, shady place is indispensable, as the plant is particularly partial to an 

 abundant and constant supply of water, and to frequent syringings during 

 the growing season. When cultivated in pots in a cool house, the Beech Fern 

 is nearly evergreen, as its old fronds, though discoloured and generally broken 

 at the base, remain on the plants almost until the new ones make their 

 appearance. 



P. P. multifidum — mul-tif-id-um (much-cleft), Lowe. 



So far as we are aware, this is the only constant variety which the 

 species has produced. It is very similar to the typical plant, but is essentially 

 distinct through its being irregularly multifid (Fig. 54). It was discovered 

 near Stockghyll Force, Ambleside, by Mr. E. J. Lowe, who states that it 

 grew there in great profusion. — Lowe, Our Native Ferns, i., p. 9 ; New and 

 Rare Ferns, p. 83. 



P. (Drynaria) philippinensis — Dryn-a'-ri-a ; phil-ip-pi-nen'-sis (native 

 of the Philippines). A synonym of P. Meyenianum. 



P. Phyllitidis — Phyl-li-ti'-dis (Phyllitidis), Linnasm. 



This stove species, of peculiar appearance, is a native of Florida and 

 Southern Brazil, where it is very common, and, according to Lowe, 



it was introduced -into British cultiva- 

 tion in the year 1793. In general 

 outward appearance it so much re- 

 sembles Scolopendrium vulgare that, to 

 the uninitiated, it may well appear to 

 be the upright-growing Hart's-tongue of 

 the Tropics. Its entire, stalkless fronds, 

 1ft. to 3ft. long. Sin. to 4in. broad, 

 and somewhat waved at the edges, are 

 produced from a stout, short- creeping 

 rhizome clothed with brownish, heart-shaped scales ; they are sharp-pointed 

 at their extremity and very gradually narrowed to their base ; their texture 

 is very leathery, their colour is pale green, and they are naked on both sides, 

 though frequently showing small dots of a chalky appearance on their upper 

 surface. The sori (spore mxT,sses) are disposed in regular rows, one on each 



Fig, 55, Portion of Frond of Polypodium Phyiiitidis 

 (nearly nat. size). 



