POLYPODIUM. 



101 



P. 1. sepultum — sep-ul'-tum (enclosed), Kaulfuss. 



This distinct and handsome variety, better known in commerce under the 

 names of Lepicystis sepultum and Goniophlebium sepultum, is a Brazilian form 

 which, according to Lowe, was introduced into the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 

 1841. Its spear-shaped, somewhat pendulous fronds, 1ft. to ljft, long, are 

 of a deep green colour, but so densely covered on both sides with narrow, 

 fringed, silvery scales as to give them a whitish appearance, with which 

 the particularly bright colour of the spore masses forms a striking contrast. — 

 Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 346. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, hi., 

 p. 190. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, i., t. 34a. 



P. leucosorum — leu-cos-o'-runi (having white sori), Bojer. 



A stove species, of small dimensions, native of Mauritius and Bourbon, 

 with fronds lft. long, 1 Jin. to Sin. broad, borne on rigid stalks 4in. to Gin. 

 long, of a dark brown colour, and produced from a short-creeping rhizome ; 

 they are cut down within a short distance of the rachis into blunt, entire, 

 spear-shaped lobes of a leathery texture and naked on both sides. The most 

 distinguishing feature resides in the large, prominent sori (spore masses), 

 disposed in two rows, appearing when young as white as chalky dots. — 

 Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 198 ; hones Filicum, t. 942. 



P. (Phymatodes) leucosporum — Phy-mat-o'-des ; leu-cos'-por-um 

 (having white spores), Klotzsch. 

 In this distinct, greenhouse species the fronds are produced from a wide- 

 creeping, very scaly rhizome of a woody nature, and borne on firm, erect 

 stalks 2in. to Sin. long ; they are 4in. to Sin. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, and 

 have their upper part bluntly sinuated and their lower part cut more than 

 half-way down into blunt lobes of a leathery texture. The upper surface is 

 slightly and the lower surface densely coated with minute scales of a rough 

 nature. The large and prominent sori (spore masses) are disposed in one row 

 on each side of the midvein. — Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 76. 



P. ligulatum — lig-ul-a'-tum (strap- shaped), Baker. 



A small-growing, stove species, of botanical interest only, native of Fiji. 

 — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 320. 



VOL. III. m 



