92 STOVE FERNS. 



at first included under the name of Davallia : one of these 

 is a native of the eastern, the other of the western hemisphere. 

 They are both very elegant and graceful plants. 



ODONTOSORIA ACULEATA (Thorn}^. This is a twining plant, 

 with long wiry stems, which, by means of the hooked thorns 

 with which they are furnished, scramble over other plants in 

 the West Indian Islands, just as the brambles do upon our 

 commons. The fronds are several times divided, and are of 

 a lively green colour. It should be trained round a trellis, 

 or allowed to climb a pillar in the fernery. 



O. TENUIFOLIA (Slender-fronded). This plant differs widely 

 from the last-named kind. The fronds are produced in a 

 cluster from the crown ; they are supported upon slender 

 stems, and are divided into very minute divisions. The fronds 

 are about 2 feet high, and droop over on every side very grace- 

 fully. It is a native of the East Indies, and was originally 

 raised in Prussia from spores which were sent from Ceylon. 



OLEANDKA. 



Derivation of the name is unexplained ; but as the genus 

 was founded upon O. neriiformis, it may refer to its resemblance 

 to the Oleander. All the species except that just named have 

 long trailing rhizomes, and are well suited for cultivation in 

 baskets. O. neriiformis has rigid upright stems, and forms 

 quite a bush. 



OLEANDRA NEBIIFORMIS (TsTerium or Oleander-like). This 

 plant has a wide geographical range, having been found in the 

 tropical parts of both the eastern and weste'rn hemispheres. 

 Its stems are nearly or quite erect, and branching, growing 

 2 feet or more in height, and producing numerous lanceolate, 

 undivided fronds, which are about a foot long. This is a 

 perfectly distinct and peculiar species, well worthy of culti- 

 vation. 



O. NODOSA (Knotted), Fig. 48. Native of West Indian 



