A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
309 
POL YPODIUM - continued. 
lists issued by such specialists as Birkenhead, May, 
Veitch and Sons, and Bull, the chief variations from the 
type are recorded, with their distinctive features. No 
collection, however, having any pretension to be classed 
as representative should omit the Welsh Polypody, P. v. 
camhricum. It is rightly regarded as one of the most 
beautiful Ferns in cultivation. It is the true plumose form 
of the species, is of a dense and very pleasing habit, and 
is constantly barren. Its beautiful fronds (Fig. 118), which 
lare much thinner and more delicate in texture than those 
of the normal plant, attain sometimes l^ft. in length, and 
often measure 5in. in breadth. Although quite hardy, it 
makes a splendid pot plant when grown in the cold frame or 
in the greenhouse, the pleasing pale green colour of its 
foliage being particularly attractive among other Ferns. 
P. Wageneri. 
A synonym of A. pectinatum. 
POLYSTICHUM. See Aspidium. 
PSEUDATH YRIUM. See Polypodium. 
PTERIS. 
The genus Pteris (the Bracken or Brake), be- 
sides comprising the hardy British species 
P, aquilina and its varieties, includes numerous stove 
and greenhouse exotic species exhibiting very ex- 
tensive variation. It includes Amphiblestra, Caiiip- 
teria, Doryopteris, Eupteris, H eterophlebiiirn, Lito- 
brochia, and Pcesia. 
Pterises generally require greenhouse treat- 
ment, though there are a few that will succeed under 
stove treatment only. They are not fastidious as 
regards soil; and a mixture of two parts peat, one 
part loam, and one part sand suits most of them. 
The majority of them thrive as well in a place ex- 
posed to strong light as in a shady one, but this does 
not apply to P. quadriaiirita argyrcca, P. cretica 
alb 0 -line at a, P. aspericaulis tricolor, and P. ensi- 
formis Victorice, all of w^hich need a subdued light, 
otherwise they have a stunted and burnt appearance. 
With the exception of a few species provided with 
creeping rhizomes, and which may be propagated 
by division, all Pterises are readily increased from 
spores, which are abundantly produced and germi- 
nate very freely. 
