228 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



underneath ; the central lobe is broadly spear-shaped, and the lateral ones, 

 spreading and much smaller, are distinctly auricled (eared) at the base. The 

 minute and abundant spore masses are disposed in rows of three or four 

 between the main veins and of nine to twelve between the midrib and the 

 edge. — Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 44. 



P. (Phymatodes) trifidum— Phy-mat-o'-des ; trif-id-um (thrice-cut), Don. 



This greenhouse species, of medium dimensions, also known in gardens 

 under the name of P. oxylobum, is a native of China, Japan, and Northern 

 India, where it is found up to 7000ft. elevation. Its fronds, 6in. to 12in. 

 long and Gin. to Sin. broad, are produced from a stout rhizome clothed with 

 narrow, rough scales of a rusty-brown colour, and borne on firm, erect stalks 

 Sin. to Gin. long and of a glossy nature ; they are composed of a terminal 

 lobe and from one to five pairs of similar lateral ones, 4in. to Gin. long and 

 narrowed to the point. The fronds are of a leathery texture, naked on both 

 sides, and have their spore masses disposed in a single series, and one only 

 between each main vein. — Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 77. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, hi., p. 194. 



P. trifurcatum — trif-ur-ca/-tum (thrice-forked), Linnceus. 



This stove species, native of Jamaica, whence it was introduced into 

 England in 1824, is also known under the name of P. scolopendrioides. Its 

 specific name, trifurcatum, was founded on a forked form figured by Plumier. 

 Its fronds, borne on stalks oin. to oin. long and more or less hairy, are 

 produced from stout, creeping rhizomes densely clothed with narrow scales. 

 They are Gin. to 9 in. long, 1 in. or more in breadth, and cut into broad, 

 blunt, entire lobes of a leathery texture and naked on both sides. The 

 abundant and conspicuous spore masses are disposed in two rows in each lobe 

 and immersed. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 194. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, hi., p. 194. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, ii., t. 41a. 



P. (Goniophlebium) trilobum— Go-ni-oph-leb'-i-um ; trih-ob-um (three- 

 lobed), Cavanilles. 



A greenhouse species, native of Chili, producing from a stout, scaly 

 rhizome broadly-triangular fronds Gin. to 12in. each way and borne on firm, 



