GYMNOGEAMMA. Gl 



GYMNOGRAMMA. 



This genus is one of the most interesting and most beau- 

 tiful in cultivation, containing the elegant Gold and Silver 

 Ferns. The name is derived from gymnos, naked, and gramma, 

 writing, because the sori have no cover. With a moderate 

 magnifier the spore-cases may be seen scattered over the lower 

 surface of the frond without any covering. All growers of 

 Ferns ought to have a tolerably good microscope to observe 

 their wonderful conformation. Without such an instrument 

 the greatest beauties of the tribe are lost to the unassisted 

 eye. No Gymnogramma should ever be watered overhead, 

 or syringed ; for otherwise the white or yellow powder is 

 washed off, and the beauty of the plant destroyed. 



GYMNOGEAMHA CHEYSOPHYLLA (Golden-leaved). Emphati- 

 cally said to be " one of the most beautiful exotics in cultiva- 

 tion." Grows plentifully in the West Indies and South 

 America, on stumps of trees and in crevices of shaded rocks. 

 The fronds seldom exceed a foot in height, excepting under 

 high cultivation, in a moist high temperature. They are bi- 

 pinnate, or twice-divided, and the pinnae are of an oval shape, 

 slightly cut at the edges. The great beauty of this Fern con- 

 sists in the under side being covered with a bright golden- 

 coloured powder. Who has not been delighted, on seeing 

 this Fern for the first time, at the bright yellow colour on the 

 under side of the leaves ? The upper surface, being of the 

 usual green colour, has nothing remarkable about it ; but, on 

 turning the plant upside down, then the glorious golden yellow 

 always calls forth exclamations of wonder and delight. Its 

 culture is easy ; the only point that must not be neglected is 

 water. This element must be regularly supplied. It seeds 

 freely ; and, in favourable circumstances, the spores vegetate 

 as freely. These circumstances are a constantly moist atmo- 

 sphere with a high temperature. We have had them come up, 

 as it were, spontaneously in the shady parts of the Orchid- 



