28 STOVE FEENS. 



them. It is not difficult to grow ; and increasing pretty freely 

 by spores, if sown under a bell-glass, on small pieces of porous 

 sandstone ; or young plants may be increased by division. 



C. MICBOPHYLLA (Small-leaved). A West-Indian Fern, with 

 beautiful small pinnules, covered moderately with gland-bearing 

 hairs. It is this pubescence that renders the species so clothed 

 so impatient of being wetted over the foliage. The fronds are 

 delicately slender, twice-pinnated, growing 18 inches long, and 

 gracefully waving with the least breath of air. The pinnules 

 are rather broad at the base, and the spore-masses are con- 

 tinued round the edge of the leaves. It is very beautiful. 



C. PEOFUSA (Profuse). A very pretty little species. The 

 fronds are not more than 3 inches high, twice-divided, covered 

 with hairs. The plant soon spreads so as to cover the entire 

 surface of the soil. It may be easily increased by division ; 

 indeed, it is necessary frequently to divide it when repotted. 



C. EADIATA (Rayed). A South- American, delicate, lovely 

 Fern, almost equal to C. lendigera. Fronds a foot high. The 

 branches are spread-out, or rayed like the spokes of a wheel ; 

 each branch is pinnated. The fronds have rather long foot- 

 stalks, jointed on the base, with the margins scolloped-out or 

 crenated. The spore-masses are distinct, not continuous, but 

 spread often all round the frond. Stalks black, set upon a 

 bundled rootstock. May be raised easily from seed in the 

 same way as C. lendigera. 



C. SPECTABILIS (Showy). This is a rather diffuse Brazilian 

 Fern, attaining a considerable size. The fronds are thrice- 

 pinnated, growing 3 feet long, and of a beautiful light green. 

 It is of a straggling habit, the fronds being so slender that 

 they often break down with their oJ^weight. It is, however, 

 a fine Fern if a little care is taken to support the fronds. 

 The fronds are terminal, placed upon a bundled rootstock, or 

 rhizome. 



* C. TENUIFOLIA (Slender-leaved). A native of the East 

 Indies and Australia. It is rather difficult to manage in 



