BLECHNUM CASSEBEEBA. 133 



BLECHNUM. 



The genus Blechnum is well defined, and easily distin- 

 guished by its spore-masses, which run in continuous lines on 

 each side of the midrib of the fertile fronds. The genus 

 Lomaria has the spore-masses in the same way ; but the 

 fertile fronds in that genus are contracted that is, turned 

 up at the edges ; whereas in Blechnum the fronds are all even 

 and flat. 



BLECHNUM AUSTEALE (Southern). Known also as . cog- 

 natum. It will do in a greenhouse, but thrives better in a 

 stove. See the other divisions of this work. 



B. CAETTLAGINEUM (Fleshy- edged). A New-Holland Fern 

 of considerable size. Fronds 3 feet long or more, lance- 

 shaped and pinnated ; leaflets or pinnae longest at the base, 

 gradually shortening upward; the lowest 8 inches long, cut 

 sharply at the edges, and of a dark green. Increased slowly 

 by dividing the thick creeping rhizome. 



B. HASTATUM (Spear-headed). A Fern from Chili. Fronds 

 a foot long, and pinnated ; pinnae narrow, lance-shaped, light 

 green ; the lower ones spear-shaped, the upper sickle- shaped. 

 Increased by dividing the creeping rootstock. 



B. TEIANGULAEE (Triangular). A Mexican Fern of great 

 beauty. Fronds a foot long, triangular in form, pinnated; 

 the pinnae are generally alternate, not stalked the end one is 

 entire, running out very narrow. Increased by division. 



CASSEBEEKA. 



A name adopted by Mr. Smith, to commemorate J. H. 

 Cassebeer, a German botanist. The plants arranged under 

 this name have been collected from Pteris and Cheilanthes, 

 to which they are closely allied. There are a few handsome 

 species which will thrive well in a greenhouse. 



CASSEBEEEA CUNEATA (Wedge-shaped). From Mexico. 



