4 STOVE FEBNS. 



ing or bending downwards. When young the fronds have a 

 reddish-brown appearance. They are bipinnate, growing, with 

 good culture, 2 feet high. The stalks are hairy. 



A. FOEMOSTIM (The Handsome). From New Holland. 

 Though this very handsome Fern will exist in a greenhouse, 

 yet it grows so much finer in a moderately-heated stove, that 

 we have introduced it here as a stove Fern. It is three times 

 pinnated. It is a splendid Fern. We have had it 3 feet high, 

 and several of the fronds 2 feet across. The stalks are black, 

 and rather woolly at the base or rootstock. 



A. LUNULATUM (Crescent-leaved). An East-Indian deci- 

 duous Fern that is, it dies down to the root in winter. The 

 fronds droop downwards, rooting at the end in the same way 

 as A. caudatum. From these end-rooting fronds it may be 

 propagated. Each rooted end should be cut off, potted, and 

 kepi in a close heat till fresh fronds are formed ; it will then be 

 a separate good plant. The fronds are crescent-shaped, and 

 thinly placed on the stalk. It is a truly elegant Fern, suitable 

 for basket-culture on account of its pendulous habit. Yery 

 apt to perish whilst in a dormant state in winter if kept too 

 wet or too dry. 



A. MACEOPHYLLUM (Broad-leaved). This Jamaica Fern is 

 the broadest-leaved of all the Adiantums ; and, when well- 

 grown, truly handsome. It requires, however, the warmest 

 part of the stove to bring it to perfection. It is of an erect 

 habit, and the young fronds are of a reddish colour. The 

 fronds are twice-pinnate, and grow from 1 to 1^ foot in height. 

 An open light compost suits it best. 



A. PENTADACTYLON (Five-fingered). A Brazilian species 

 allied to A. curvatum, of which it is probably only a variety. 

 It is a handsome Fern, lately introduced from the continental 

 nurseries. Messrs. A. Henderson & Co. had it from Mr. Yan 

 Houtte, of the Ghent Nursery. We had fronds of it 18 inches 

 high and a foot in diameter. The difference between it and 

 curvatum appears to consist in the more regular length of each 



