CHAPTER XXXVL 



LYGODIUM, Simrtz. 

 (Lyg-o'-di-um.) 

 Climb inc/ Ferns. 



HIS comparatively small yet widely-diffused genus, which has 

 no British representative, is composed of wide-climbing or 

 twining Ferns, most of which require stove temperature. 

 The name Lygodium is derived from lygodes^ flexible, in 

 reference to the flexible habit of all the members comprised 

 in this group of the sub-order Schizceacece, which in Hooker and Baker's 

 " Synopsis FiHcum " forms Genus 68. Besides their climbing or twining 

 habit, these plants have as a distinguishing character the formation of their 

 fructification : this consists of capsules, solitary or casually in pairs, disposed 

 in the axils (forkings) of large, imbricated (overlapping), clasping involucres 

 (coverings of the spore masses), which form spikes either in separate 

 leaflets or in lax rows along the edge of the leafy ones. As has been 

 explained at pp. 57 to 59 of Vol. I., the fronds of all Lygodiums are totally 

 different from those of any other Ferns ; consisting as they do of a stalk or 

 shoot possessing the power of almost indefinite elongation, and sometimes 

 attaining under cultivation 20ft. to 30ft. in length. They are also of 

 a different structure : though of various forms, their leaflets are never directly 

 disposed on the stalk or shoot, but are connected with it through "primary" 

 and " secondary " petioles. The primary petioles are the short, sometimes 

 very short, stalks which bring the climbing or twining stem into contact 



