

-^^ 





Portion of mature Frond — under side. 



ADIANTUM HISPIDULUM. 



Swartz. Moore and Houlston. R. Rrowx. Kunze. 



J. Smith. Fee. Hooker. 



PLATE XIII, 



A. VOL. III. 



Adiantum pubescens, var. 



Or some Authors. 



Adiantum — Dry. 



Hispiduluni — Hairy. 



This pretty dwarf Adiantum is not so universally cultivated 

 as it deserves; occupying but little space, and a readily pro- 

 curable species from most of our principal Nurserymen, are 

 recommendations, coupled with its distinct appearance and easy 

 cultivation that should place this plant in the greenhouses of 

 all Fern growers. 



Sir William Hooker considers the Adiantum pubescens as one 

 of the forms of A. Mspidulum ; indeed, in looking over the 

 extensive herbarium at Kew, it does appear that every transi- 

 tion from the present form to that of A. pubescens is there 

 included, in the fronds gathered in different countries and 

 localities. However, the more knowledge we obtain of the 

 foreign Ferns, the more are we impressed with the conviction 

 that our list of species is too much extended; in fact, it becomes 

 an exceedingly difficult matter, if not absolutely impossible, 

 where to draw the line between species and varieties. Botani- 

 cally speaking, this is an important question, as it is one means 

 of pointing out the effect of climate and locality upon certain 

 species; on the other hand, horticulturally speaking, the culti- 

 vator requires a name by which to recognise a plant; and if, 



VOL. III. K 



