FERNS AS DECORATIVE OBJECTS, 95 



22. Adicmtum macrophyllum. — This fine plant grows from a 

 foot to a foot-and-a-half high. Tlie fronds are pinnate, the pinnas 

 large, broad, and sub-opposite, acutely sub-falcate, with the 

 margins inciso-serrate. They are of a beautiful green, contrast- 

 ing admirably with the black rachis. Very effective in large 

 bouquets, or grown in a pot. It is a native of the West Indian 

 islands, and requires a tropical climate. 



23. Adiantum lucidum. — This species grows about a foot high, 

 and has pinnate fronds, with acute falcate pinnag, set on the rachis 

 by the lower angle of their base. It is a desirable kind either 

 for large bouquets or for pot-culture. A native of Jamaica, and 

 requires a tropical climate. 



24. Adiantum setulosum. — Very delicate and elegant, proper 

 for pot-culture as a small ornamental specimen, and the smaller 

 mature fronds suitable for small bouquets. It grows a foot high, 

 with bipinnate fronds, the lower pinnae being bipartite ; the pin- 

 nules are dimidiate, curved, oblong-obtuse, crenated along the 

 superior margin. It is from Norfolk Island, and thrives well in 

 a sub-tropical climate. 



25. Adiantian curvatum. — One of the pedatifid species. It 

 is Brazilian, and requires a tropical climate. The fronds grow 

 2 feet high, and are very elegant, the several long narrow 

 branches being pinnate, with lanulate, or oblong-curved, crenated 

 pinnules. Elegant for large bouquets, or for pot-culture. 



26. Adiantum Capilhts- Veneris. — The British maidenhair 

 Fern. The black hairlike stalks of the fronds of this species sup- 

 port little fan-shaped leaflets or pinnules, which are irregularly 

 notched around the margin. The fronds are very delicate and 

 graceful, and mature ones, as of most of even the delicate adian- 

 tums, are suitable for bouquets, as they do not rapidly perish. 

 This is certainly one of the most interesting and beautiful of the 

 indigenous Ferns. " Two fronds, with two spikes of mignonette 

 at the back of a white camellia, make a splendid bouquet." It 

 likes warmth, and also a good share of shade and moisture, flou- 

 rishing admirably in a house among the tropical Ferns. 



27. Adiantum trapeziforme. — One of the larger adiantums 

 and one of the most striking in its appearance. The fronds grow 

 2 feet high, and are supradecompound, with a shining black rachis 

 and stipes, and bright-green rhomboidal pinnules, lengthened out 

 at the upper exterior angle into a taper point ; they are attached 

 by wiry stalks, so as to become agitated by a slight breeze. 

 Grown as a large pot specimen, it is very ornamental, furnish- 

 ing a good supply of fronds suitable for large bouquets. It is a 

 South American species, and requires a tropical climate. 



28. Adiantum pubescens. — A New Zealand species, succeed- 

 inof well in a warm close o:reenhouse. The fronds are suitable 



