FERNS AS DECORATIVE OBJECTS. 97 



leathery, the fronds pinnate, 2 feet high, with narrow elliptic 

 acuminated, serrated pinnag, which are deep green, and have a 

 shining upper surface. It is a native of Kew Zealand, and thrives 

 in a sub-tropical climate. 



35. Aspleiiium marinum. — The fronds of this English species 

 are leathery and pinnate, the pinnate being of an oblong form and 

 crenately serrate on tlie margins ; they are from 6 to 10 inches 

 long, and grow in a tuft. Either as an entire plant, or cut for 

 bouquets, this is a good-looking object. 



36. Asplenium elotigatum. — A Malacca species, with some- 

 thinglike the appearance of our native sea spleenwort {A. mari- 

 num), but having lighter, more elongated fronds. These are a 

 foot long, quite narrow, and pinnate, with oblong lanceolate 

 pinnae. The fronds of this species, which grow in a tuft, might 

 be employed in the construction of bouquets. It requires a tro- 

 pical climate. 



37. Asplenium auritum. — The fronds of this species are tufted, 

 broadly lanceolate, a foot or upwards in length, with opposite 

 narrow-lanceolate pinnae, set on at rigiit angles with the rachis ; 

 these pinnae are from I to 2 inches long, acuminate, and inciso- 

 sei'rate, with an auricle at the base on the upper side. They 

 have a shining surface. It is a West Indian species, and requires 

 a tropical climate. The fronds are suitable for large bouquets, 

 or make a very good appearance on the plant. 



38. Asplenium monanthemum. — Very beautiful, either as a 

 small pot specimen, or cut for small bouquets. The fronds are 

 slender, 6 to 9 inches high, pinnate, with obtuse trapeziform 

 pinnae, having the upper edge crenated. Native of the Cape of 

 Good Hope and of Madeira. May be grown in a warm green- 

 house climate, though it thrives well associated with tropical 

 Ferns. 



39. Asplenium for mosum. — An erect growing and very pretty 

 species. The fronds grow about a foot in height, and are pinnate, 

 with close-set oblong crenated pinnae. It forms a very neat pot- 

 plant of the smaller sort ; the fronds are also very suitable for 

 bouquets. A native of Caraccas, and requires a tropical climate. 



40. Asplenium Adiantum nigrum. — This ranks among the 

 handsomer of our indigenous Ferns, and is also a rather common 

 one. It is of a tufted habit, but the fronds are spreading and 

 curved downwards ; they are shining and elegantly cut, some- 

 times twice and sometimes thrice-pinnate. It requires a light 

 soil, and may be grown well in a frame. The fronds are suitable 

 for bouquets, and being of a thick rigid texture, they are very 

 enduring ; they are from 6 to 8 inches long. 



41. Asplenium fragrans. — A moderate-sized species with 

 finely divided fronds, which are of a gracefully drooping habit, 



