76 



STOVE FERNS. 



divided. Barren pinnae broad, oblong, acuminate, spiny, 



toothed at edge. Fertile 

 fronds shape of barren. 

 Sori continuous. 



L. LEPTOPHYLLA (Slen- 



der-leaved). We have 

 grown this Brazilian Fern 

 many years, but always 

 found that to do it well it 

 was necessary to keep it 

 constantly in the Orchid- 

 house. Sterile fronds al- 

 most triangular, bipinnate 

 and tripinnate at the base ; 

 pinnse light greyish-green, 

 linear, and cut at the mar- 

 gin into thorny, teeth-like 

 forms. Fertile fronds 

 erect, with the spore- 

 masses running in a con- 

 tinuous line on the margin 

 of the narrow leaflets. A 

 beautiful Fern, increased 

 only, but freely, by spores. 



L. VESPERTILIONIS 



(Bat's -wing -shaped.) A 

 strong-growing Fern, very 

 common in tropical coun- 

 tries ; and well adapted 

 for filling a dark corner in the stove. It grows 3 or 4 feet 

 high, and the fronds are several times divided. They are of a 

 glaucous green colour. This plant is well suited for exhibition, 

 but is too strong a grower for small collections. It has a 

 creeping rhizome. The spores germinate very freely. 



LLAVEA CORDIFOLIA. See Ceratodactylus osmundoides. 



Fig. 38, Litobrochia denticulata. 

 medium size. ) 



(Pinna 



