POLYPODIUMS 8 1 



have two broad lobes, or in larger plants each broad 

 lobe may again be divided into two smaller ones. Both 

 barren and fertile fronds are produced in pairs, and the 

 older ones die off as the new ones appear. P. Veitchi 

 produces flat, almost circular, basal fronds, and those 

 which produce spores stand nearly erect, and are clothed 

 with a pale grey woolly substance. P. angolense, P. 

 Wallachii, and P- biforme are rare species, which are not 

 of much service except for choice collections. I may 

 add that the last named is not now in cultivation, but 

 from dried fronds it appears a very distinct and handsome 

 species. JEthiopicum is sometimes sold as biforme/owiag 

 to the fronds being two-lobed. 



Polypodiums 



This is a most extensive and variable genus, including 

 species of widely distinct appearance. There were formerly 

 upwards of fifty sub-genera, which modern authors now 

 include with the typical genus ; but for garden purposes 

 it is more convenient to keep most of them under the 

 names they have long been known by. There are some 

 exceptions. Those formerly known as Phlebodiums are 

 now generally included under the typical name ; yet 

 here we have a difficulty, for the small-growing P. 

 glaucophyllum is likely to be confused with P- glaucum. 

 Then there is another wide distinction. In some the 

 fronds are adherent to the caudex (or stem), while in 

 others, with the spreading rhizomes, the fronds when 

 ripened off, fall, leaving only a scar on the rhizome. 



Considering that there are (according to Nicholson's 

 "Dictionary of Gardening") upwards of 450 species, 

 it is difficult to make a selection; but taking those of 

 the most value for decorations, P. aureum and its varieties 

 are among the best. In the type we find some variation 

 among seedlings. The best form has large fronds, and 



