SCOLOPENDB1U5I 8ITOLOBIUM. '201 



then pass a knife through between each crown, and with the 

 hand disentangle the roots from each of the other divisions ; 

 pot them in suitable-sized pots, in any open fibrous soil mixed 

 with leaf mould and sand, place them in a cold frame, and 

 shade them from the light for a few days, and from the sun 

 for a month ; they will then have made fresh roots, and will 

 bear to be fully exposed. All the Scolopendriums should be 

 propagated in a similar way. If these curious varieties are 

 grown in a greenhouse, they display their diversities to the 

 greatest advantage, and make splendid fronds. As they are 

 all evergreen, and very handsome, very hardy, and not easily 

 lost, every grower of hardy Ferns should try to procure all 

 the varieties. 



SITOLOBIUM. 



Divided from Dicksonia chiefly on account of the species 

 being deciduous, more delicate structure, and having a 

 creeping rootstock. There is only one species that is hardy. 

 The name is derived from sitos, corn, and lobos, a lobe: the 

 fructification, or spore-masses, being placed on the segments or 

 lobes of the fronds. 



SITOLOBIUM PUNCTILOBUM (Spotted -lobed). A North- 

 American Fern of great beauty. It is the Dicksonia pilo- 

 siuscula of Willdenow, and by that name was formerly known 

 amongst cultivators. Fronds 2 feet high, lance-shaped, and 

 thrice- divided, and of a light green colour ; pinnae deeply-cut, 

 dentated or toothed at the margin. Eootstock creeps much: 

 consequently it is easily increased by division. In the Botanic 

 Garden at Birmingham there is a border 3 feet wide and 

 several yards long, thickly covered with this handsome Fern. 

 The border is composed of sandy peat, and is on the north side 

 of a Hornbeam hedge. In this situation this Fern thrives 

 most remarkably, forming a dense mass of fronds. Though 

 so easy to increase and so easy to grow, we do not meet with 



