134 GBEEJS HOUSE FEBNS. 



This elegant Fern has already been mentioned in the Stove 

 division ; but we have inserted the name here because it will 

 succeed with care in a warm greenhouse. 



C. GEBANIIFOLIA (Geranium-leaved). This has been well 

 named, as the fronds are very like the leaves of the wild 

 Geranium, known as Herb Robert, which grows so plentifully 

 on our hedgebanks. The stems are dark brown and wiry. 

 It succeeds well in a Wardian case. If grown in the stove it 

 is very subject to the attacks of thrips, from which it almost 

 escapes if grown in a warm corner of the greenhouse. 



C. HASTATA (Spear, or Halbert-shaped). This is the well- 

 known Pteris (or Pellcea) hastata, a native of the Cape. "We 

 once raised from spores a variety with very broad fronds, and 

 we now find this variety frequently appears amongst seedlings 

 of the true species. It is of a much larger habit in every way, 

 and we value it more than the true species. We have now 

 some plants of it that are really noble specimens. We find 

 them both thrive well in Wardian cases. Fronds from a foot 

 to 2 feet in length, bipinnate ; the lowest pinnse heart-shaped, 

 the upper halbert-shaped. Spore-masses situated on the mar- 

 gin, narrow and continuous. Stalks very dark brown. Eoot- 

 stock short and creeping. Increases plentifully by spores ; 

 also by dividing the creeping rootstock. 



C. INTKA-MABGINALIS (Inside the border, referring to the 

 spore-masses). This is a most beautiful Fern from Mexico. 

 It has been described among the Stove Ferns ; but those who 

 only possess a greenhouse may yet grow it with a little extra 

 care. 



CHEILAOTHES. 



Name derived from cheilos, a lip, and anthos, a flower; 

 the cover of the spore-masses being that shape. A very 

 handsome tribe of Ferns, deservedly favourites with all Fern- 

 growers ; but they require close attention, and should have 

 no water over their fronds at any time of the year. The 



