ASPLENIUM. 129 



nearly every one producing plants, bluntly cut at the margin. 

 Hootstock erect. Increased by the young plants produced on 

 the fronds. These should be taken off and laid on the soil, 

 and covered with a bell-glass, and when fairly rooted and fresh 

 fronds produced, they should be potted-off into small pots, and 

 repotted as they require it. All the viviparous Ferns should 

 be treated in a similar way, in order to make sure of good 

 plants quickly. 



A. DIVEESIFOLIUM ( Yarious-leaved) . A Fern discovered 

 by the late A. Cunningham in Norfolk Island. This plant 

 will succeed in a warm greenhouse ; but see what is said of it 

 in division devoted to Stove Ferns. 



A. EBENEUM (Black- stalked). The habitat of this Fern is 

 rather wide. It has been found at the Cape of Good Hope, 

 in Mexico, and North America. It is a neat, rather dwarf 

 species. Fronds 9 inches high, long, lance-shaped, and pin- 

 nated ; pinnae overlapping, heart-shaped, rounded at the top, 

 and notched at the margin. Stalks black, shining, and rather 

 hairy. Increases readily by spores. Keep a sharp look-out 

 for insects on this Fern : it is somewhat subject to the attacks 

 of thrips. 



A. FLACCIDUM (Feeble). A New -Zealand Fern, of a 

 drooping habit : hence it may be grown in rustic baskets. 

 Fronds long, lance-shaped, 2 feet or more long, often tripin- 

 nate, and dull green ; pinnee very long and narrow, producing 

 plants on the apex and ends of the segments. Increased by 

 division, as well as by the young plants on the leaflets. There 

 is a variety of this species with more erect habit, which pro- 

 duces very few or no young ones on the fronds. 



A. FLABELLIFOLIUM (Fan -leaved). From New Holland. 

 This is also a drooping, or, rather, weeping Fern, and is proper 

 to be placed in baskets to hang from the roof; or it should at 

 least be placed upon a tall pot turned upside-down, to allow 

 room for the fronds to droop, and be seen their full length. 

 Fronds long and narrow, growing a foot long, pinnated about 



K 



