THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 197 



fronds are pale green, the pinnules oblong and pointed. It requires 

 rather liberal pot room, and a soil abounding in siliceous grit. 



A. Cunninghami. — This is generally understood to be the same 

 as A. furmosum; but that is a mistake. It is here figured from a 

 New Zealand specimen, for which I am indebted to my friend, Mr. 

 Eobert Porsaith. Xot only are the pinnules larger and more dis- 

 tinctly serrated on the superior margin, than those of formosum, or 

 its near ally, affinc, but the plant is more tender than either of those 

 species, and I feel compelled to separate it from its congeners as a 

 true stove species. At the same time it must be understood that the 

 stove is not essential, as it will thrive in the greenhouse ; but is more 

 likely to die in winter, if da.mp and cold, than such as cuneatum, 

 afiine, formosum, etc. The fructification is very distinct and pretty. 



A. curvatum. — It is a difficult point to settle which is the most 

 beautiful species of the genus Adiantum, but in any severe com- 

 parison the one now under notice will have a large claim to the 

 highest place. It is of delicate habit, with black stipes and rachis — 

 in other words, black stalks ; and the pinnse radiate from a centre, 

 and consist of long curved pinnules, which are serrated on the upper 

 margin. The colour is bright, almost emerald green ; but the plant 

 always presents several shades, paler when young fronds are rising, 

 and darker where the matured pinnules overlap each other. This 

 fern enjoys a good heat, with shade and abundant moisture. 



A. Farleijense. — A scarce but already celebrated fern, which, at 

 the International Exhibition of 1866, was considered the most valu- 

 able contribution of all in the classes for fine-foliaged plants. I 

 have not grown it, but have seen it in several collections, and it 

 appears to be of robust habit, so that when generally distributed it 

 will be a great favourite. This is related to A. trapeziforme ; its 

 distinctive property is the large size and deeply-laciniated margins 

 of the pinnules. It forms one of the most beautiful specimens ever 

 staged in a conservatory or exhibition. 



A. intermedium. — A very distinct species, the fronds one to two 

 feet in length, with dark stipes and rachis, usually presenting three 

 pinnae, the terminal one larger than the rest. The pinnules are 

 ovate, oblong, and wedge-shaped at the base ; when young, of a rosy 

 colour ; when mature, bright yellowish-green, and bearing prominent 

 brown sori on their margins. This fern likes a good heat, and 

 though it may be grown in a greenhouse, it is safest to transfer it to 

 a cool part of the stove during winter. 



A. lucidum.—k. pretty little species, with tapering fronds and 

 entire lance-shaped pinnae, of a bright green colour when mature, 

 but rosy when young. This is a difficult fern to grow, and, though 

 evergreen, it invariably becomes disfigured in winter. Every kind 

 of vermin will find it out and prey upon it, unless great care is 

 taken in its preservation ; it is, therefore, not adapted for beginners. 



A. lunidatum. — A most elegant species, with long whip-like 

 once-divided fronds, and dark crescent or kidney-shaped pinna? of a 

 delicate pale-green colour. This is well adapted for suspending, but 

 requires great care to keep it. During winter it should be placed 

 in a warm part of the stove, and have but little water ; yet must 

 never be quite forgotten, or allowed to become quite dry. 



