38 STOVE FEEN8. 



giving a good type of it, it is also well known. All the species 

 are characterised by having finely-divided fronds, very graceful 

 and elegant ; and creeping rhizomes, which are thick in some 

 kinds, but in others fine as the quill of a pen. They are 

 usually covered with brown scales. They are readily increased 

 by division. As these characters are common to all the species, 

 except where otherwise mentioned, we need not repeat them 

 under every name. 



DAVALLIA BULLATA (Studded). An East-Indian Fern, rather 

 small-growing compared with some of the other kinds. Fronds 

 dark green and shining, about 6 inches high. It generally 

 loses its fronds in winter. 



D. DECOEA (Graceful). A very pretty species, also from the 

 East. The fronds do not grow to more than a foot in length. 

 The scales covering the rhizomes are of a delicate light brown 

 colour. 



D. DISSECTA (Dissected). Fronds attain a height of 18 inches 

 or 2 feet. This, as well as many other of the Davallias, looks 

 very beautiful grown in a wire basket and suspended from the 

 roof. 



D. ELATA (Tall). Fronds nearly a yard high, but drooping 

 over gracefully. When mature the fronds are green, but 

 while young they have a rosy tint. It is a very good plan in 

 potting this and other species of the family to use very rough 

 peat, and to pile it into a cone above the pot, keeping the pieces 

 of turf together with pegs. The rhizomes of most kinds do not 

 like to be buried. 



D. ELEGANS (Elegant). Another of the small-growing kinds 

 imported from Ceylon. The fronds are about 18 inches long. 

 It is not so attractive a Fern as some of the others. 



D. PENTAPHYLLA (Fire-leaved). First introduced by Mr. 

 Rollisson, of Tooting, from the Malayan Archipelago, among 

 Orchids. It is a very distinct and useful Fern, well adapted 

 either for growing in a basket, or for covering a damp wall in 

 the stove. The fronds are only a few inches long, and instead 



