ASPLENIUMS 67 



bulbtferum, biforme, Colensoi, viviparum, laxum pumilum, 

 inaequale, and flaccidum. To these may be added cau- 

 datum and longissimum, each of which have very long, 

 drooping fronds, with one or two bulbils at their ex- 

 tremities. These make fine basket Ferns for suspension. 

 I have seen the latter with fronds over six feet long 

 hanging down from suspended pots. Of sorts which 

 do not produce bulbils, Baptistii and Neo-Caledonicum, 

 with pteridoidesj have given us some good varieties. It 

 is difficult to^be quite decided on the parentage, but 

 Mayij Herbsti, incisum, Drueryi, and grandis, all come 

 from one or the other of the above. A. nidus has been 

 extensively grown during the last few years, and is 

 found very serviceable for ordinary decorations, besides 

 being one of the most distinct Ferns we have for including 

 in any collection ; lucidum is another useful species, and 

 though raised from spores has given no very distinct 

 variations, but I have seen some a little inclined to 

 become crested ; rnarglnatum is one of the most distinct. 

 This has large pinnate fronds of a pale green, the 

 texture being very soft, which is quite the opposite of 

 the previously named, that being of a thick, coriaceous 

 texture. Of small-growing sorts, formosum y fragrans, 

 cicutarium, and palmatwn are distinct. 



Most of the Aspleniums succeed best in a rough fibrous 

 compost, and for those which show the roots on the 

 surface, peat and sphagnum moss may be used. 



