POLYPODIUM. 



139 



P. fossum — fos'-sum (ditch-loving), Moore. 



This distinct and interesting, stove species, native of the Eastern 

 Archipelago, is better known under the name of Pleopeltis fossa. Its pretty 

 arching habit of growth and comparatively small size make it a very suitable 

 object for suspending in a basket from the roof of the stove Fernery. The 

 fronds, about lft. long and varying from narrow- strap -shaped to egg-shaped, 

 are produced from a short and slowly-creeping rhizome ; their edges are either 

 toothed or lobed, with lobes varying in size according to the breadth of the 

 frond, simple or forked, and in the broadest fronds conspicuously fan-shaped. 

 They are of a deep green colour and of a glossy nature, and the large, roundish 

 spore masses are sunk in deep cavities which form a line of protuberances on 

 the upper surface. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iv., p. 592. 



P. (Goniophlebium) fraxinifolium — Go-ni-oph-leb'-i-um ; frax-in-if- 

 ol'-i-um (Ash-leaved), Jacquin. 

 The habitat of this distinct, stove species, which, according to Lowe, was 

 introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1841, extends from Columbia to 

 Brazil and Peru. It is an easily-grown plant provided with a stout rhizome, 



Fig, 43. Leaflet of Polypodium fraxinifolium 

 (i nat. size). 



clothed with spreading, dark brown scales. The fronds, 2ft. to 4ft. long and 

 lft. to ljft. broad, are borne on firm, erect, naked stalks 1ft. to 2ft. long, 

 and are composed of numerous leaflets 4in. to 9in. long, lin. to 2in. broad, 

 slightly notched at the edges and narrowed at the base. They are of a leathery 

 texture, naked on both sides, and their sori (spore masses) are disposed in three 

 more or less regular rows on each side of the mid vein (Fig. 43). — Hooker, 

 Species Filicum, v., p. 26. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, hi., p. 189. 



P. furcatum — iur-ca'-tum (forked), Mettenius. 



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

 of Guiana and the Amazon Valley. Its fronds, 3in. to 4in. long and repeatedly 



