156 GREENHOUSE FERNS. 



house Fern, with erect stem, and a plume-like tuft of bold 

 bipinnate dark green fronds, with, oblique trapezifonn biser- 

 rated pinnules. South America. 



P. PUNGENS (Spiny). This is a South-African Fern, but 

 nearly hardy. The fronds of this plant are erect, spiny, dark 

 green, about 2 feet high. It is a very pretty species. 



P. VESTITUM (Clothed). A New-Zealand Fern. The fronds 

 are about 2 feet high, dark green and shining, and the stems 

 and crown covered with scales. The Polystichum called pro- 

 liferum is said to be a variety of this plant. It bears a cluster 

 of two or three little plants at the apex of the frond. 



PTEEIS. 



The most familiar name of all the genera of Ferns with, 

 perhaps, the exception of Polypodium. There are a few hand- 

 some species that belong to our division of Greenhouse Ferns. 



PTERIS ARGUTA (Sharp-notched). Native of Madeira, the 

 Canary Islands, and St. Helena. Fronds 3 feet long, spreading, 

 and triangular in form, many-times-divided, and of a pale 

 green colour ; pinnae bluntly oblong, and sharply cut at the 

 edges. Stalks a foot or more long, and of a rich brown colour. 

 Spore-masses narrow, and close to the margin. Increased 

 easily by dividing the creeping rhizomes, or by spores. This 

 fine species requires a large space to show off its large, 

 beautiful fronds. 



P. CRETICA (Cretan). Though found in the Isle of Crete, 

 this Fern is widely spread in various parts of the globe. It 

 has been found in the East and West Indies, in China, and in 

 Southern Europe. It will however grow in a greenhouse, but 

 should be kept at the warmest end in winter. Fronds pinnate, 

 a foot or more high, and of a beautiful lively green ; pinnae of 

 the fertile fronds narrow, and very long ; of the barren ones 

 long lance-shaped, with the lowest pair often divided in the 

 centre. Stalks light-coloured. Increased by spores. 



