THE FERN PARADISE. 



second pair of branches the leaflets near the main 

 rachis are more deeply cleft than those away from 

 it towards the point of the branch. The same 

 process of gradual diminntion goes on towards the 

 highest point of the frond, branches becoming 

 shorter and less divided until they merge into 

 leaflets, which in their turn become shorter, smaller, 

 and less cleft or serrated, until they merge in the 

 extreme tip of the frond itself. The general shape 

 of the frond, including the whole of its leafy por- 

 tion, is triangular ; each of the lowest pair of 

 branches is also triangular ; the other branches 

 are first lance-shaped, and as they merge into 

 leaflets, these become somewhat egg-shaped. The 

 distinct lobes of the leaflets, near the main rachis 

 on the lower part of the first pair of branches, are 

 also somewhat egg-shaped. 



The same conditions of soil, moisture, and situa- 

 tion required by Gijstopteris regia will avail for 

 the successful culture of the Mountain Bladder 

 Fern. Beautiful and delicate in the extreme, it 

 will well repay all the care and attention which 

 may be lavished upon it. If it could be planted 

 near a fountain, where by some arrangement water 



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