26 GYMNOGRAMMA MARTENSII. 



G. calomelanos and G. chrysoplitjUa. Under similar cultivation 

 G. chrxjsopliylla is less in size, more triangular in form, has 

 the pinnules more expanded, and is not so acuminate at the 

 apex of the pinnae. The colour of the stipes is a shining 

 brownish red. It is perhaps the handsomest of the farinose- 

 powdered Ferns, being the most golden of the genus. 



In describing G. Martensii, it is desirable to state that it is 

 cultivated by most Fern growers under the name of G. cliry-^ 

 soj)lnjlla, indeed, although the name occurs in almost all the 

 Nurserymen's catalogues, G. Martensii is the plant which they 

 usually su2:)ply. In the midland counties I have only seen the 

 true form of G. chrysoiyhylla at Wentworth, and at Allestree 

 Hall, near Derby. 



In G. Martensii the lensrth of the frond varies from eisrhteen 

 inches to two feet, however rarely the latter, it often does 

 not exceed twelve inches. If grown in a cool stove it is a 

 dwarf species, but with an increase of heat an increase in the 

 length of the frond is obtained. The colour of the upper 

 surface is a dull yellowish green, Avhilst beneath it is covered 

 profusely v/ith a rich yellow farinose powder. The form of the 

 frond is bipinnate, with lanceolate pinnae, and elongated or 

 roundish pinnatifid pinnules, the segments being toothed. The 

 fronds grow out of an erect tufted rhizoma. Ihe sori are me- 

 dial, and become confluent, eventually covering the whole 

 frond. 



This is a stove species, although it will succeed tolerably 

 well in a warm greenhouse. 



It is a native of South America. 



To cultivate this Fern properly, it requires plenty of pot 

 room, good drainage, with a rich soil intermixed with broken 

 pot, 



I am indebted to Sir William Hooker, of the Hoyal Gardens, 

 Kew; Mr. Moore of the Botanic Gardens, Chelsea; Mr. Hen- 

 derson, of Wentworth House; and Mr. E. Cooling, Nurseryman, 

 Derby; for fructified fronds of G. Martensii; and to Mr. 

 Dryden, gardener to William Evans, Esq., Allestree Hall, near 

 Derby; and Mr. Norman, of Hull; for beautiful fronds of the 

 true G. clirysoplnjUa. 



I am indebted to Mr. Dryden, for the frond illustrated in 

 Plate X. 



