POLYPODIUM. 



109 



long, the small ones spathulate (spoon- shaped), the larger ones ligulate (strap- 

 shaped), bluntish at the point, gradually tapering downwards into a short 

 stalk ; they are of a leathery texture and with edges slightly hairy. The 

 abundant and closely- set sori (spore masses) are oval or oblong, and disposed 

 in rows nearer the midrib than the edge. The habitat of this singular species 

 is very extensive, as it is found in the Southern extremity of America and 

 adjacent islands, Tristan d'Acunha, New Zealand, and Australia, as far north 

 as Queensland and New Caledonia. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 167. 



P. barbatulum — bar-ba'-tul-um (slightly bearded), Baker. 



A stove species, native of Bourbon ; it is of no decorative value, seldom 

 exceeding 2in. in height. — [looker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 323. 



P. (Dictyopteris) BarbeH — Dic-ty-op'-ter-is ; Bar'-ber-i (Barber's), 

 Hooker. 



This very distinct, stove species, native of the Malayan Peninsula and 

 Islands, is remarkable on account of its occasionally hand- shaped or palmately 

 nve-lobed, but more usually 

 pinnate, fronds, borne on 

 tufted stalks Gin. to 12in. 

 long, slightly scaly at the 

 base. They consist of a 

 large terminal segment and 

 from one to four pairs of 

 leaflets 4in. to Gin. long, lin. 

 broad, and nearly entire, of 

 a somewhat leathery texture, 

 and naked on both sides. 

 The spore masses, produced 

 in abundance, are disposed 

 principally in two rows near 

 the main veins. Fig. 36 is 

 reduced from Col. Beddome's 

 " Ferns of British India," by the kind permission of the author. — Hooker, 

 Species Filicum, v., p. 100. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 322. 



Fig. 36. Frond of Polypodium Barbeii 

 (i nat. size). 



