16 
III. POLTPODS. POLYPODIACE^. 
Pamilt I. 
I. Polypodies. Folypodiece, Covers none* Clusters 
seated on the back of the side^veins* 
1 Genus. 
Polypody. Folypodium. Clusters round on the middle 
of the underside of the lobes or leaflets of the frond. 
Pamilt II. 
II. Shieldwoets. Aspidiece. Clusters round. Covers 
roundish, not attached by the outer edge. 
2 Genera. 
1. Shield Perns. Lastrece. Covers roundish or kidney- 
shaped, having a slit in it, and attached by the inmost point 
of that slit to the back of the side-vein. Veins distinct and 
separate after leaving the mid-rib. The best type of this 
genus is the Male Pern. The cover of etching c. is that 
of this genus. 
2. Prickly Perns. FolysticTia. Covers round, attached 
by the centre. The bristles on the edges of the leaflets 
are a leading character of this genus. 
Pamily III. 
III. Spleens. Aspleniece. Clusters of fruit linear or 
oblong, or rarely roundish.f Covers linear, J but not parallel 
to the edge of the leaflet, placed on the sides of the veins. 
4 Genera. 
1. Lady Perns. Athyria. Clusters oblong, kidney- 
shaped. Covers crescent-shaped, opening towards the mid- 
rib of the leaflets. The detached edge fringed. The clusters 
and covers of this genus greatly vary, sometimes they appear 
nearly round, at other times almost a straight line. The 
covers are almost always more or less crescent-shaped. 
2. Spleenworts. Asplenia. Clusters linear, straight. 
Covers extended in a long straight line, and opening towards 
t In one variety of Lady Fern this is the case, 
j Not always a straight but sometimes a curved line. 
