196 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



4in. broad, are borne on strong, erect stalks oin. to 4in. long, and are produced 

 from a short-creeping, woody rhizome densely clothed with long, nearly black 

 scales. They are sharp-pointed, of a very thick texture, of a rigid nature, 

 dark shining green on their upper surface, and naked on both sides. The 

 main veins are very distinct, and the spore masses, disposed in single rows 

 between each of them, are conspicuously immersed. P. crassinervium is 

 identical with this species. — Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 63. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, hi., p. 192. - 



P. plebeium — pleb-ei'-um (plebeian, common), Schlechtendahl. 



In general appearance, this stove species, native of Mexico and Peru, 

 closely resembles P. vulgare. Its habit and dimensions are very similar to 

 those of that popular species, of which it also possesses the stout, wide-creeping 

 rhizome ; but it is readily distinguished by the brown scales with which the 

 under- side of its fronds is conspicuously covered, and which form a striking 

 contrast with the peculiar bluish-green colour of the leafy portion. — Hooker, 

 Species Filicum, iv., p. 213. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, hi., p. 192. 

 Lowe, New and Bare Ferns, t. 33. 



P. (Goniophlebium) plectolepis — G-o-ni-oph-leV-i-um ; plec-tol'-ep-is 

 (having plaited scales), Hooker. 

 A stove species, native of Mexico and Guatemala, with fronds 1ft. to 2ft. 

 long and 1ft. broad, borne on firm, glossy stalks 6in. to 12in. long, produced 

 from a stout rhizome clothed with rough, rusty-brown scales, regularly disposed 

 and folded or plaited together. The numerous leaflets, of a soft, papery 

 texture and finely hairy on both sides, are 4in. to Gin. long, Jin. broad, and 

 gradually narrowed from the base to the point, with the edge distinctly 

 notched. The spore masses are disposed in single rows. — Hooker, Species 

 Filicum, v., p. 30. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 192. 



P. (Goniophlebium) plesiosorum — Go-ni-oph-leV-i-um ; ple-sl-os-o'-rum 

 (having close sori), Kunze. 

 This stove species, also called P. coljjodes, P. gonatodes, and P. rhodo- 

 pleuron, is a native of Mexico and Venezuela. It is very closely related to 

 the better-known P. loriceum, from which it differs by its shorter and broader 



