332 FERNS : BRITISH AND FOREIGN. 



or temperate house. This species, as well as the whole 

 of the species of true Dicksonioej are characterized by 

 the base of the stipes being clothed with a more or 

 less coating of beautiful, articulated silky hairs ; in 

 some species of Oibotiuttij the quantity is so great, that 

 in the Sandwich Islands it is collected, and ship-loads 

 of it sent to California and Australia for stuffing 

 cushions, beds, &c. Another remarkable species of 

 this alliance is Cibotium Barometz, a native of China 

 and other parts of Eastern Asia ; its fronds attain the 

 height of twelve to fourteen feet (even in this country) j 

 they rise from a thick decumbent caudex, which is 

 densely covered with silky hairs, as above described ; 

 lying on the ground, it has the appearance of a woolly- 

 clad animal. The stories told about it to early travellers 

 led them to describe it as an animal with flesh and 

 blood, but fixed to one position, from which it never 

 moves ; hence the story of the now fabulous Parometz, 

 or Vegetable Lamb. This plant is of easy cultivation; 

 if placed on soil slightly raised, a few years' growth 

 will produce very good specimens of the " Lamb." 



The rare Scliizoccena, sinuata is an exception to the 

 general rule that characterizes Tree Ferns, the stem 

 being slender, not exceeding an inch in thickness, 

 attaining the height of three or four feet, and bearing 

 a fascicle of simple fronds. This remarkable Fern is a 

 native of Ceylon ; it grows in shady places in woods 

 where a degree of coolness prevails. A few years ago 

 plants of it were received at Kew, and it was found 

 necessary to place them in a large Wardian Case, in 

 which they flourished. 



Although the plants belonging to the order Marat- 

 tiacece are ranked with Ferns, they nevertheless differ 



