34 THE BOOK OF FERN CULTURE 



it has the brown scales on the stipes and rachis which 

 suggest its affinity to ensifolia, the authorities have put 

 it under " exaltata" the fronds of this stand up so well. 



PLATYCERIMUS. These are dealt with under a separate 

 heading pretty fully, and it only needs to be said that 

 one or more of these should be included. Grande for 

 choice, but stemmaria also makes a fine specimen, even 

 the old Alclcorne may be regarded as a useful plant when 

 well grown. 



In Polypediums one of the finest is P. Mayi which is 

 a plumose form of glaucum or sporodocarpum. There is 

 some confusion in regard to the last two named, and it may 

 be said that in what appears to be the true sporodocarpum 

 the fronds stand erect, and the rhizomes are almost destitute 

 of scales, while, mg/aucum it may be described as a smaller 

 form of aureum and has fronds which droop over grace- 

 fully ; they all make good specimens and give a good 

 contrast in colour among those of green shades. P. 

 glaucum cristatium is also a desirable variety. 



Gymnogrammas do not, as a rule, make specimens of 

 sufficient size, yet they may, under good treatment, be 

 grown on into large specimens with graceful fronds 

 which are quite a contrast to the large specimens with 

 a mass of tufted crowns sometimes seen. Of the 

 various sorts the best golden form is G. chrysophylla, 

 but of this numerous varieties occur, and for specimens 

 it needs careful selection. Laucheana is one of the best 

 varieties. Of those with the silvery farina G. peruviana 

 agyrophylla is still the best, but there are several of the 

 sulphur tint or intermediate varieties which grow more 

 robust and make larger fronds. 



Gleichenias. These are more difficult to manage as speci- 

 mens but where possible they should be included, G. 

 dichotoma stove and G. dicarpa longipinnata, are perhaps the 

 best and most distinct but all may be grown into specimens, 

 see notes on the genus. Most of the Pteris which can be 



