168 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



P. 1. owariense — ow-a-ri-en'-se (Owarian), Desvaux: 



Notwithstanding its name, this variety, according to Lowe, is a native of 

 Sierra Leone and Guinea, having been introduced into this country in 1849. 

 It differs from the species principally by the shape of its barren fronds, which 

 are shorter, oval, and bluntly pointed (Fig. 50). As is the case with the 



species, the fertile fronds are a little longer and 

 narrower ; they are also bluntly undulated. Both 

 kinds are of a deep bluish-green colour and of a 

 smooth and shining nature. — Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, hi., p. 191. Lowe, Ferns British 

 and Exotic, ii., t. 62. 



P. 1. salicifolium — sal-ic-if-oh-i-um (Willow- 

 Fig. 50. Barren Frond of Polypodium leaved), Willdenow. 



In this pretty and free-growing variety, the 

 fronds, longer and narrower than those of the 

 species, are nearly or quite uniform, both kinds being about Sin. long, scarcely 

 Jin. broad, and beautifully veined. — Hooker, Sjjecies Filicum, v., p. 34. 



P. macrocarpum— mac-roc-ar'-pum (large-fruited), Presl. 



This stove species, of small dimensions, native of Bolivia and Chili, is of 

 little decorative value. Its leathery fronds, erect or nearly so, are only about 

 6in. long, including the stalk ; it is, however, an interesting plant on account 

 of the abundant and large spore masses, which protrude among the dense 

 coat of scales on the under-side of the fronds. — Hooker, Species Filicum, 

 iv., p. 215. 



lycopodioides owariense 

 (nat. size). 



P. (Dictyopteris) macrodon — Dic-ty-op'-ter-is ; mae'-rod-on (large- 

 toothed), Reinwardt. 

 This stove species, of large dimensions, better known in gardens under 

 the name of P. Cuming ianum, is a native of the Philippines, Malaysia, the 

 Solomon Islands, and Fiji, and, according to Nicholson, it was introduced 

 into this country in 1840. The fronds, 2ft. to 3ft. long and 1ft. to lift, broad, 

 are borne on a stalk 1ft. or more in length and slightly scaly below ; their 

 upper portion is deeply pinnatifid, and below they are provided with numerous 



