188 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



.a somewhat leathery texture, and naked on both sides. The sori (spore 

 masses) are disposed in a row on each side of the leaflets, close to the midrib, 

 and are slightly immersed. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 194. 



P. (Goniopteris) pennigerum — Go-ni-op'-ter-is ; pen-nig'-er-um (feather- 

 bearing), Forster. 



This greenhouse species, which, according to Lowe, was introduced into 

 the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1835, is a native of New Zealand. Its fronds, 

 l|ft. to 2ft. long and Sin. to 12in. broad, are borne on tufted, slightly scaly 

 stalks Gin. to 12in. long. The leaflets are of a firm though papery texture 

 and naked on both sides, the lower ones being gradually reduced ; they are 

 cut about half-way down into blunt lobes, rounded at the base and slightly 

 notched. The spore masses are disposed in rows near the midrib. — Hooker, 

 Species Filicum, v., p. 7. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, hi., p. 191. 

 Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii., t. 15. 



P. pentagonum — pent-ag-o'-num (five-angled). A synonym of P. bisidcatum. 



P. (Phymatodes) percussum— Phy-mat-o'-des ; per-cus'-sum (beaten, 

 stamped), Cavanilles. 

 A stove species, of medium dimensions, native of Peru and Brazil. From 

 a wide-creeping rhizome, densely clothed with spear-shaped scales, are produced 

 its entire fronds, Gin. to 12in. long, lin. to ljin. broad, gradually narrowed 

 towards both ends, and borne on firm, upright stalks 2in. to 3 in. long. The 

 texture is very leathery, and the under-side is densely matted with fine scales. 

 This peculiar Fern, which, according to Lowe, was introduced into the Royal 

 Gardens, Kew, in 1842, is rendered very interesting by the large, bold 

 character of its round sori (spore masses), which form a row midway between 

 the midrib and the edge, and are distinctly immersed. — Hooker, Species 

 Filicum, v., p. 56 ; Fiiices Exotica;, t. 59. Nicholson, Dictioiiary of Gardening, 

 hi., p. 192. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii., t. 20. 



P. (Goniophlebium) persiceefolium — Go-nl-oph-W-I-um ; per-sic-re- 

 foF-i-um (Peach-leaved), Desvaux. 

 This handsome, strong-growing, stove species, native of Java, is the 

 P. cuspidatum of Blume. It closely resembles the better-known P. sub- 

 auriculatum, from which it is readily distinguished by the leaflets being 



