THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 275 



in length ; pinnules crescent-sbaped, with a distinct anterior lobe or 

 auricle ; the colour a full rich deep green. Fructification dorsal, occu- 

 pying the greater part of the fronds, sori forming a line on each side 

 of the mid- vein, usually crowded, spore cases a rich brown colour. 

 In what is considered its normal form, that is to say the species, 

 and which is here figured, the fronds are usually arranged in a 

 spreading, arching circlet round the crown, but in the varieties this 

 character is more or less departed from, and especially so in those 

 that are proliferous. In addition to its richness of character in 

 colour, form, and divisions, this fern has the advantage of being 

 perfectly evergreen, and thoroughly hardy, and equally adapted for 

 culture under glass and in the open air. 1 am acquainted with about 

 sixty varieties of P. anguJare, and I should give precedence to the fol- 

 lowing for a choice collection : — 



P. a. affine. — The pinnules are roundly sickle-shaped, with fine 

 teeth along their margins, growth robust, and in several points resem- 

 bling that of P. acuhafum. 



P. a. convexum. — The pinnules strikingly convex ; a rich bright 

 variety. 



P. a. cristatum. — The pinnae beautifully tasselled. 



P. a. decompositum. — Very finely divided, extremely elegant when 

 grown to a good size. 



P. a. dissimile. — Fronds variable in character, interesting and 

 curious. 



P. a. gmndideus. — Thick-textured, dark green, terminating 

 abruptly, as if cut at the point, or with horn-like processes at the 

 apex, the pinnules have sharp and prominent teeth. One of the 

 most interesting of all. 



P. a. irnhricatum. — Pinnules scarcely lobed, crowded, and over- 

 lapping ; rich and distinct. 



P. a. Kitsonice. — A robust and beautiful variety, the fronds of 

 which are elegantly tufted at the apex, pinnules very much and finely 

 toothed. 



p. ^. plumosum. — Fronds two and a-half feet long and seven 

 inches wide, pinnules of great size, thin in texture, light green in 

 colour, and deeply incised. Undoubtedly, the most splendid of the 

 series, and abundantly suitable to grow for exhibition. 



P. a. polijdactijlon. — The apex and the pinna? forked and branched, 

 pinnules wanting in some parts of the frond, in other parts very 

 small. Elegant and curious. 



P. a. prolifcncm. — This is the greatest favourite of the series for 

 bouquet.>5, and in almost every greenhouse a few plants may be found. 

 It is extremely elegant in form and brightly coloured, and notable 

 for its tufted growth, every mature frond bearing near its base one 

 or more young plants. If these are removed and planted in sandy 

 peat, and put in a close, shady, moist place, they soon emit roots, and 

 become independent plants. 



P. a. Fuoti. — A pretty proliferous form, the pinnules acutely 

 serrated. 



P. a. WoUastoni. — A rich and robust proliferous variety, more 

 finely cut and of more lax habit than prolifemm, and one of the best 

 in cultivation. 



