THE FERN PARADISE. 



the two lowest pairs on the frond are closely 

 attached to the rachis without the intervention of 

 any stalk, and they gradually diminish in length, 

 and finally blend into the point of the frond. 

 Placed on opposite sides of the stem, on the 

 two lowest pairs of branches, are pairs of leaflets ; 

 the largest of which those nearest the com- 

 mencement of the rachis being quite separated 

 from the pairs next them, and themselves 

 slightly notched or serrated. The succeeding 

 pairs of leaflets are less and less notched, and less 

 separated from the outer pairs, until they finally 

 blend in the point of the branch in the same way 

 as the branches blend at the point of the frond. 

 The same gradual process is observable in the 

 upper branches or leaflets of the frond, the lobes 

 on the lowest of these branches being divided 

 down to the midrib at the base of the branch, 

 and less divided towards its point. The fourth 

 pair of branches or leaflets from the commence- 

 ment of the rachis is deeply notched only : the 

 next pair above less notched and less distinct, and 

 so on until, as before explained, they all blend in 

 a point. 



300 



