86 



STOVE FEENS. 



a native of the South Sea Islands ; and N. venustum 

 (Beautiful), a Jamaica plant. 



NEPHROLEPIS. 



Generic name derived from the Greek nephros, a kidney, 

 and lepis, a scale ; the indusium being kidney-shaped. Many 

 of the species in this genus have a singular peculiarity: if 



the points of the fronds be 

 not injured they will go on 

 lengthening the second year; 

 this is especially the case in 

 N. exaltata. 



NEPHBOLEPIS DAVALLIOI- 

 DES (Davallia, or Hare's-foot- 

 Fern, like). This is a very 

 distinct and beautiful Fern 

 from the Malayan Archipelago. 

 It grows to a large size, and 

 makes a very effective speci- 

 men. The fronds are 5 feet in 

 length, or even more ; upright 

 at first, but with the points 

 bending over and sweeping 

 down so as to hide the pot 

 in which it is grown. The 

 sterile portions of the once- 

 divided fronds are broader 

 than the upper spore-bearing 



Fig. 45. Nephrolepis exaltata. (Part of P arts ' Mr ' E ' Sim ' of Foot ' s 

 frond full size.) CraV) tte we ll-known Fern- 



grower, has introduced a very distinct variety of this Fern, 

 with the pinnae more deeply divided and overlapping each 

 other. It has been called N. davallioides dissecta. 



IN". EXALTATA (Lofty), Fig. 45. Native of South America, 



