THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 115 



for them is one consisting of equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould, and 

 silver sand, the pots to be well drained, the plants kept shaded from 

 sunshine, and moderately watered. Though partial to a moist 

 atmosphere, this fern is not thirsty ; indeed, we have known the 

 pretty vdiViQij 2?rolifenim, which is largely grown in the nurseries 

 about London to furnish fronds for bouquets, to be as dry as dust 

 for weeks together, and yet not betray the slightest distress. 



The best of the varieties (about seventy in number) are the 

 following: — 



BrachiatuYii. — Fronds densely leafy, and very scaly, the pinnules 

 much overlapping, and cut into many small-toothed divisions ; height 

 twelve to twenty inches. 



CoRcimium. — Spreading, rich, and plumy, very bright shining 

 green, the pinnae narrow and tapering, pinnules distinctly stalked 

 and spiny toothed, extremely graceful and bright ; height thirty to 

 forty inches. 



Gristatum. — The same as the species, except that every frond 

 terminates in a crispy crest or tassel : height twenty to forty inches. 



Gracile. — Fronds broad, thin- textured, tapering, and spreading, 

 the pinnules distant, narrow, and toothed. A light and elegant 

 variety ; height twenty to forty inches. 



Grcmdiceps. — Fronds deep green, the pinnae more or less par- 

 tially or wholly divided into pinnules, or lobes, which are spiny, 

 each pinna ending in a spreading crest, and the upper part of the 

 frond branching into numerous divisions, each of which is terminated 

 by a crest ; height twelve to twenty-four inches. 



Grandidens. — Thick-textured, dark green fronds, irregularly 

 divided, the secondary divisions deep cut into sharp conspicuous 

 teeth. A handsome variety, adapted for pots and cases ; height 

 twelve to twenty inches. 



Imhricatum. — Spreading, twice-divided fronds, the colour a fine 

 rich deep green, the pinnules overlap, which gives it a ricli appear-, 

 ance. A very fine exotic-looking variety, adapted for the case ; height 

 twelve to twenty inches. 



Latipes. — Fronds on long stipes, which are very scaly, very broad, 

 deep green, pinnae rather distant, and almost wedge-shaped, pinnules 

 much toothed, distinctly lobed at the base, and the pinnule next 

 adjacent to the rachis very much lengthened. A bold, handsome, yet 

 graceful variety for the rockery or for pots ; height thirty to fifty 

 inches. 



Plumosum. — Very spreading wide fronds, pinnae more than an 

 inch wide at the base, suddenly tapering at the point, pinnules 

 crowded, deeply cut into narrow lobes. A rare variety, well adapted 

 for the open air, pots, or cases ; height twenty to forty inches. 



Proliferum. — Very spreading broad fronds, of a deep green colour, 

 the younger ones having a somewhat hoary appearance, the pinnules 

 are crowded, slender, and conspicuously stalked ; the appearance of 

 this fine f^rn is greatly improved by the crowded state of the fronds, 

 owing to the plentiful production at their base of bulbil plants ; 

 these may be taken off* at any time, and if planted in sandy peat, will 

 root immediately, and soon begin to produce others like themselves. 



