16 THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Filices—continued. 
or one to four-pinnate, usually circinate in vernation; 
petiole (stipes) sometimes jointed at the base and rachis, 
grooved on the upper surface. Fructification of micro- 
scopic spores, contained in usually minute capsules that 
are collected in masses (sori) on the under surface or 
edge of the frond, or rarely on separate fronds or parts 
of the frond, and are naked, or covered with an invo- 
lucre formed of or upon the margin or back of the frond. 
Capsules membranous, sessile or stalked, often mixed 
with jointed club-shaped hairs (imperfect capsules). Spores 
usually obtusely tetrahedral. There are about seventy- 
five genera and about 2,500 species. The following genera 
contain the largest number of species: Acrostichwm, 
Adiantum, Aspidium, Asplenium, Nephrodium, Polypo- 
dium, and Pteris. 
FILIFORM. Slender; resembling a thread in form. 
FILMY FERNS. see Ferns. 
FIMBRIARIA. This genus is now included under 
Schwannia (which see). 
FIMBRIATE. Fringed. 
FIR. A general name for the conifers belonging to 
the genera Abies, Larix, Picea, Pinus, &c. 
(named after Dr. Fischer,. of St. 
Petersburgh). Orp. Asclepiadee. A genus comprising 
about twelve species of stove twining shrubs or sub- 
shrubs, natives of tropical and sub-tropical America. 
Flowers white or dull red; cymes umbelliform or 
shortly racemose. Leaves opposite. In all probability, 
the two species described below are the only ones yet 
in cultivation. They thrive in a peat and loam compost. 
Propagated by cuttings, inserted in light open soil, in 
heat. This genus is often confused with Gonolobus. 
F. hispida (hairy). jl. brown, umbellate; corolla coriaceous, 
tubercled inside at base. July. 1. cordate-ovate, acute. Stem, 
petioles, and nerves of leaves hispid. A. 4ft. Brazil, 1837. 
(B. M. 3786, under name of Gonolobus hispidus.) 
a us (Martius’s). fl. white, green; umbels many- 
flowered, on long peduncles ; lobes of corona fleshy and rounded. 
May and June. J. oblong- cordate. h. 30ft. Brazil, 1845. 
(B. M. 4472, under name of Gonolobus Martianus.) 
FISH-BONE THISTLE. see Chamzpeuce Casa- 
FISTULAR, FISTULOUS. Hollow, like a pipe. 
FITTONIA (named in honour of E. and S. M. Fitton, 
authors of “Conversations on Botany”). ORD. Acanthacee. 
A genus containing only a couple of species of stove 
evergreen trailing perennials, with very brilliantly marked 
leaves; both natives of Peru. They are of easy culture, 
and thrive well in a compost of peat, loam, and silver 
sand; liberal supplies of water and a shady situation are 
necessary elements to successful cultivation. Increased 
by cuttings of half-ripened shoots, planted in sandy loam, 
in bottom heat; also by divisions of the plant. As 
ornaments for a Wardian case, Fittonias are unequalled; 
and when grown as pyramids, they form beautiful objects 
in the stove. For planting upon the surface of the pots. 
or tubs in which palms or other large specimens are grow- 
ing, they are very useful, and also for forming narrow 
borders as edges to the walks in heated structures. 
F. gigantea (gigantic).* fl. pale red, in a terminal four-sided 
spike, with large bracts. J. broadly ovate, sub-cordate, veined 
with carmine-red, h. 14ft. Habit branching, erect, sub-shrmbby. 
1869. See Fig. 19. (R. G. 629.) ; 
F. rubronervum (red-nerved), A synonym of F., Verschafeltii. 
F. rubrovenosum (red-veined). A synonym of F. Verschafeltit. 
F. Verschaffeltii (Verschaffelt’s).* l. larger than those of F. 
gigantea, dark green; midrib and veins deep red. An elegant 
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species. SYNS. F., rubronervum, F. rubrovenosum. 
under name of Gymnostachium Verschaffelti.) 
F. V. argyroneura (silvery-veined).* J. broad, flat, oval, about 
4in. long, and nearly 3in. wide, vivid green, traversed by a net- 
work of pure white veins. Habit dwarf and compact. 1867. 
F. V. Pearcei (Pearce’s).* Z. about 3in. or 4in. long, 2in. or Sin. 
broad, light bright green; midrib and veins light bright carmine; 
under surface somewhat glaucous. 
FITZROYA (named after Capt. R. Fitzroy, R.N., 
commander of a surveying expedition; died 1855). ORD. 
Conifere. A genus containing a couple of species of 
dwarf evergreen trees, with imbricated scale-like leaves; 
one (from Patagonia) is sufficiently hardy to withstand 
our winters in exceptionally favoured spots. They do 
well in almost any garden soil, and are readily propa- 
gated by ns of seeds, or by cuttings of half-ripened 
branchlets, MP. „Archeri makes an interesting and hand- 
some cool conservatory plant. 
F. Archeri (Archer's). fl. dicecious, the amenta terminal. male 
cones erect, one to two lines long, scarcely thicker than the 
branchlets with their leaves. young female cones purplish in the 
dd. H. 372, 
