FERNS AND LYCOPODS. 155 



and varieties. The fronds are narrow and the leaf divisions close together, 

 but, like some of the others, it varies much. One of the varieties pro- 

 duces tubers; the fronds in this case are large and may be mistaken for 

 those of N. exaltata. 



N. c. pectinata is a well known variety, having the fronds narrow 

 and drooping. When matured it is usually grown in baskets suspended 

 from the-roof of a greenhouse. Useful specimens may also be grown in 

 5-inch pots. Increased by divisions, which may be quite small. 



N. acuta is a stout growing and distinct species; the fronds are 

 sometimes 16 inches broad and from 2 to 4 feet long. It makes but few 

 fronds when compared with some of the others. It must have abundant 

 root room. Increased by stolons. 



N. davallioides is somewhat coarse in growth. It needs careful han- 

 dling while the fertile fronds are developing. Moderate-sized specimens 

 do not show this plant at its best, as it is the very long fertile fronds on 

 plants several feet across which make it attractive. Increased by divi- 

 sion. 



ONYCH1UM Of this genus two species are commonly grown for 

 decorative purposes; the fronds are very much divided. O. auratuin is 

 the largest, but O. japonicum is the handsomest. Both are easily in- 

 creased from spores; or the old plants may be divided, but only to make 

 large specimens. 



PLATYCERIUM (Stag Horn Fern) From their wonderful resem- 

 blance to the antlers of a stag well grown plants of the Platyceriums 

 never fail to attract attention. The species called P. grande is the most 

 striking of the number. A native of the northern part of Australia it 

 needs more heat than most of the others. While they succeed pretty 

 well in pots they do better and look more natural when grown on blocks 

 of wood. Some forked limbs of trees should be cut up on which to fasten 

 the plants. The pieces should be in the neighborhood of 18 inches in 

 length. Drive in a few nails here and there; place some rough peat and 

 moss against the wood; put the plant in position and wire it firmly, 

 packing in portions of the peat and moss wherever possible. 



P. grande can only be propagated in quantity from the spores, 

 which are found in a large mass underneath the primary division of the 

 frond. Raising young plants in this way is not a difficult operation, 

 but one that requires lots of patience. A pan should be prepared con- 

 taining fibry peat, chopped fine; add a liberal quantity of finely-broken 

 brick, charcoal, and coarse sand. The pan should be placed in a flat of 

 water so that the mixture may derive moisture from beneath. Water 

 should never be given overhead, as germination depends, to a ereat ex- 

 tent, on the spores remaining in the same spot until the prothallus be- 

 gins to form. 



P. alcicorne and its var. majus may be grown in a cool greenhouse. 

 These kinds, together with P. Hillii and P. aethiopica, increase rapidly 

 from the roots, many bud-like processes forming on the surfaces and 



