70 Subtropical Gardening. 



leaves are rather broad, pointed, and undulating, nearly 

 3 ft. long, and form roundish, spreading, nest-like tufts. 

 It is a favourite subject in places where large collections of 

 tropical ferns are grown, and in such places a plant may 

 be tried in the open air in a very warm, shady, and per- 

 fectly sheltered position. E. Indies. 



Asplenium Nidus-avis. 



*Astilbe rivularis. A large-leaved and striking plant 

 from Nepaul, with the habit and general appearance of 

 &Spircea, growing to a height of more than 3 ft, and of a 

 free and graceful habit, which makes it useful for associa- 

 tion with the finer-foliaged herbaceous plants, and for 

 dotting here and there in the wild or picturesque garden. 

 It keeps its foliage well through the season, unlike some 

 herbaceous plants, and is therefore all the more valuable. 

 Flowers late in summer, small, yellowish-white, in large 

 panicled spikes. The radical leaves are broad, twice ter- 

 nate with toothed divisions, and the base of the leaf-stalk 

 is covered with numerous rough tawny hairs. Being 



