128 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



P. discolor — dis'-col-or (two-coloured), Hooker. 



A stove species, of small dimensions and of very little decorative value, 

 native of British Guiana. It derives its specific name from the nature of its 

 small fronds, which are green above and clothed with a white, chalky meal 

 underneath. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 189 • Icones Plantarum, t. 4. 



P. (Goniophlebium) dissimile — Go-m-oph-leb'-i-um ; dis-sim'-il-e 

 (unlike). Synonymous with P. chnoodes. 



P. (Phegopteris) distans— Phe-gop'-ter-is ; dis'-tans (distant), Don. 



This strong-growing, greenhouse species has a very wide range of habitat, 

 being a native of Northern India, where it is found at elevations varying 

 between 9000ft. and 10,000ft., and extending to Ceylon and Java. Beddome 

 states that it is plentiful and very common about Ootacamund, on the 

 Neilgherries. Its much-divided fronds, l£ft. to 3ft. long and Sin. to 12in. or 

 more in width, are borne on slender, glossy stalks ljft. to 2ft. long and of 

 a chestnut-brown colour. The lower leaflets, Gin. to Sin. long and ljin. 

 broad, are cut down nearly or quite to the rachis into deeply-cleft leafits, 

 with either blunt or sharply-toothed, nearly entire lobes enlarged at the base. 

 The fronds are of a soft, papery texture and slightly hairy on their under-side. 

 The very abundant sori (spore masses) are scattered over the whole under- 

 surface of the lobes. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 244. Beddome, Ferns 

 of British India, t. 39. 



Like most other Ferns which have a wide range of habitat, this species 

 is very variable, its size and habit being frequently affected by the different 

 positions in which it is found. The most distinct and permanent form is : 



P. d. Griffithii— Griffith' -i-i (Griffith's), Hooker. 



This plant, which, Beddome says, is found in Bhotan, Mishmee, Khasya, 

 &c, is a very good grower, and differs from the species to which it is related 

 principally through the conspicuously undulated character of the edges of its 

 nearly entire lobes. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 236. Beddome, Ferns 

 of British India, t. 158. 



P. diYergens— di-ver'-gens (diverging). A synonym of Nephr odium effusum. 



