CYETOPHLEBIUM DAVALLIA. 



37 



feathery roots in a month's time. If kept too long in the 

 same pot it then requires so much water to keep it from nagging 

 that the earth becomes sodden, and the fine roots perish ; the 

 plant becomes sickly, and the fronds 

 lose their bright green, becoming of 

 a yellowish hue. This is, indeed, 

 the case with most Ferns, but more 

 especially with the species belong- 

 ing to this genus. 



C. KEPENS (Creeping), Fig. 17. 

 A West-Indian Fern with a creep- 

 ing rhizome running to a consider- 

 able distance. The fronds are sim- 

 ple that is, not cut or pinnated ; 

 and in this species recline, whereas 

 in all the others they stand erect. 

 In addition to this ample specific 

 distinction, the upper side of the 

 frond is covered with white scales. 

 It is a proper plant to ornament 

 rockwork, or to plant on a rustic 

 block of wood, or even to place in a 

 rustic basket. Increased very plen- 

 tifully by its creeping rhizome. 



There are a few other species 

 in cultivation, as C, ccespitosum, 

 C. ensifolium, C. rigidum, fyc.; but 

 all resemble each other in having 

 undivided fronds, and a creeping 

 rhizome. 



DAVALLIA. 



This is one of the most beautiful 



Fig. 17. Cyrtophiebium repens. genera in the whole family of Ferns, 

 (Top of frond natural size.) , . , TT , ,, , _. 



and from the Hare s-foot Fern 



