180 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



P. (Goniophlebium) niponicum — Go-m-oph-leb'-i-um ; nip-on'-ic-urii 



(from Mpon), Mettenius. 

 A small-growing, greenhouse species, of little decorative value, with soft, 

 papery fronds, about 5in. long and hairy on both sides. It is a native of 

 Japan. — Hooker, Synopsis Filial m. p. 341. 



P. (Niphobolus) nitens— Niph-ob'-ol-us j fiit'-ens (shining), Baker. 



This stove species, native of the Philippines, is of distinct appearance. 

 Its fronds, almost stalkless, lift, to 3ft. long and 3in. to 4in. broad, are sharp- 

 pointed, their lower part being gradually narrowed and their edge entire. 

 They are of a somewhat leathery texture, their upper surface being furnished 

 with scattered, cottony down, and their lower one matted with fine, silky, dark 

 brown hairs and rusty-coloured wool. The very fine spore masses are closely 

 set on the whole under-surface, but fall short of the edge. — Hooker, Species 

 Filicum, v., p. 52. 



P. nitidum — nit'-id-um (shining). This is synonymous with P. lucidum. 



P. (Phymatodes) normale— Phy-maW-des ; nor-ma'-le (normal), Don. 



A stove species, of medium dimensions, native of Northern India, where 

 it is said to occur up to 6000ft. elevation ; it is also found in Southern China, 

 Natal, and Caffraria. Its entire fronds, 1ft. to 2ft; long, lin. to 2in. broad, 

 and borne on stalks lin. to 3in. long, are produced from a climbing or trailing 

 rhizome of a woody nature ; they are gradually narrowed to both ends, of 

 a somewhat leathery texture, and naked on both sides. The large and 

 prominent (not immersed) sori (spore masses) are disposed in a row not far 

 from the midrib. — Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 70. 



P. (Niphobolus) nummulariaefolium — Mph-oV-ol-us ; num-mul-a'- 

 rl-rc-fol'-i-um (Nummularia-leaved), Mettenius. 

 Though of small dimensions, this little, greenhouse species, native of 

 Northern India, the Philippines, and Malaysia, is very interesting. Its fronds, 

 produced from a slender, thread-like, wide-creeping rhizome, are of two different 

 kinds : the barren ones are elliptical or roundish ; the fertile ones, longer and 

 narrower, are about 2in. long and Jin. broad. Both kinds are of a leathery 

 texture, naked on their upper surface, and densely coated underneath with 



