446 
t 
THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Nephrolepis—continued. 
obtuse, truncate at base; superior (fertile) ones lanceolate-fal- 
cate, acute, sub-deflexed, liin. long, sin. wide, truncate at base, 
sub-auriculate on the upper margin. sori uniserial, anti-marginal. 
Borneo, 
N. hirsutula (small-haired). A synonym of N. exaltata hirsutula. 
N. obliterata (obliterated). A synonym of N. ramosa. 
N. pectinata (comb-like) A synonym of N. cordifolia pectinata. 
detached 
N. pluma (feather).* fronds 4ft. to 5ft. long, din. broad, linear. 
the rachis, usually falcately nerved, broadest at the te base, 
the margin thickened, nearly entire towards the base, and notched 
series 
wards in ies of ue crenatures. sori transversely set 
at the end of the anterior v: fascicle, one to eac! 
crenature. M 1878. A very handsome greenhouse 
adagascar, 
species, with wiry stolons. 
N. punctulata (small-dotted). A synonym of N. acuta. 
N. ramosa (branched). sti. very short, scattered, on a slender, 
wiry, wide-creeping rhizome. fronds bin. to 12in. long, lin. to 
Zin. broad; pinnæ zin. to l4in. long, din. to gin. broad, slightly 
crenate, the upper edge auricled and truncate, parallel with 
the stem, the lower oblique ; involucre roundish, Mg fugacious. 
Tropics of Old World. Syns. N. obliterata and N. trichoma- 
noides. 
N. splendens (glittering). A synonym of N. acuta. 
N. trichomanoides (Trichomanes - like) A synonym of 
N. ramosa. : 
N. tuberosa (tuberous). A synonym of N. cordifolia, — 
N. volubilis (twining). A straggling, flexuous form of N. ex- 
NEPHROSPERMA (from nephros, a kidney, and 
sperma, a seed; referring to the shape of the seed), 
ORD. Palmee. A monotypic genus, the species being a 
very elegant, armed, stove palm, thriving in a compost of 
turfy loam, leaf mould, and sand. Care should be taken 
not to overpot, for when grown with but limited root room, 
and plentifully supplied with water, the plants are very 
useful for decorative purposes in a young state. 
N. Van Houtteanum (Van Houtte’s).* fl. large. l. pinnate, 
- gracefully arched, divided into rather broad and long pendulous, 
- acuminate, unequal segments; petioles rather short. h. 20ft. to 
3ft. Seychelles, Ke. 1808. SNS. Areca nobilis and Oncosperma 
Van Houtteanum. oe 
NEPHTHYTIS (named after Nephthys, the mother 
Anubis, the wife of Typhon). Orp. Aroideew (Aracee). 
s genus contains but three species of tall herbs, 
y of botanical interest, and natives of Western 
Africa. Spathes membranous, elliptic, acute; 
Fic. 683. NEPHROLEPIS DUFFII, showing Habit and Portion of 
pendulous, pinnate; pinne about 2in. long, articulated with 
Nephthytis— continued. 
spadix shorter than the spathe ; peduncle slender, erect. 
Leaves large, on long petioles, membranous, triangu- 
larly sagittate. N. liberica and N. constricta are stove 
perennials, the second species not being worthy of special 
mention. The species thrive in a hot, moist atmosphere, 
and like a light, well-drained soil, rich in humus. Plenty 
of water at the roots during the sea- 
son of growth is essential. 
N. liberica (Liberian). fl., spathe con- 
cave, expanded, ovate-oblong, shortly 
cuspidate, 2zin. long, green; spadix 
shorter than the spathe; scape terminal, 
overtopping the leaves. l. on long pe- 
tioles, sagittate, bright green. Stem sub- 
scandent. Liberia, 1881. 5 
(so called after 
Neptune, god of the sea; in reference 
to the species growing in lakes and 
ponds). ORD. Leguminose. A genus 
comprising about eight species of 
diffuse, prostrate, or floating peren- 
nial herbs or sub-shrubs, inhabiting 
North and South America, tropical 
Asia, and Australia. Flowers in glo- 
bular heads, the lower ones barren, 
with elongated petals; the upper 
ones fertile, with definite stamens, 
as in Desmanthus. Leaves bipinnate ; 
leaflets small. N. plena, the only 
species yet introduced, thrives well 
in a stove aquarium, or in tubs or 
pans filled with water, having a few 
inches of soil in the bottom. The 
white, spongy, lower portion of the 
stems, full of air-cells, enabling the 
. plant to float, are very remarkable. 
The leaflets and petioles are as irritable as those of 
Mimosa pudica, and are of an extremely delicate yellow- 
green colour. ; ; f 
N. boun = ellow ; uncles b . 
J 1 05 stone Te arto te four Ba a pene, and 
each pinna bearing twelve pairs of leaflets. Stems prostrate, 
compressed. Tropics, 1733. Sub-shrub. (B. M. 4695.) 
NERINE (called after the water nymph of that 
name). Syn. Loranthes. ORD. Amaryllidew. A genus 
comprising not more than ten distinct species of beau- 
tiful greenhouse or nearly hardy, bulbous plants, indi- 
genous to South Africa. Flowers showy, in many- 
flowered umbels, erect or slightly declinate; perianth 
segments narrow, slightly erect at base, spreading or 
recurved; scape stout. Leaves loriform, sometimes 
rather broad, appearing with or after the flowers. When 
in flower, Nerines are amongst the most beautiful 
of greenhouse bulbous plants. They are propagated 
from offsets, and these should be grown on under the 
same treatment as established bulbs. Loam and leaf 
soil, with charcoal or sharp sand added, is a good com- 
post to use, and efficient drainage must be provided. 
The periods for growing and resting must be annually 
allowed with these, as with most other South African 
bulbs. The Guernsey Lily (N. sarniensis) is a beautiful, 
well-known species, which may be purchased in August, 
when the flower scapes are just appearing. As the 
bulbs have for some time previously been kept quite dry, 
they should be very gradually subjected to watering. 
N. curvifolia is also an exceedingly beautiful species, and 
one of the most vigorous growers. Nerines do not require 
repotting very frequently, but an annual top-dressing of 
new soil is of material advantage when the flowering season 
begins. This is chiefly autumn and winter, but varies 
somewhat with different species, according to their habit 4 
of flowering before or after the leaves appear. During 
the season of growth, the plants suceeed best in a frame 
on a dung bed, with a little bottom heat. When the 
