68 NIPHOBOLUS LINGUA. 



from Nurseries at a reasonable price. The fertile fronds espe- 

 cially, are very handsome. 



Niphoholus lingua appears to have been introduced into England 

 in 1817, yet it was not in the collection at the Royal Gardens^ 

 Kew, until 1830, when Messrs. Loddiges introduced it there. 



A stove evergreen species. 



Found in China and Japan. 



Sterile frond of a lanceolate-acuminate form, decurrent at the 

 base, colour a heavy dark green above, and the surface scattered 

 over with a star-like pubescence, which, when magnified, looks 

 as if a shower of snow had fallen on the leaf; under surface 

 covered with a bronze-like pubescence, giving it a singular 

 brownish look. The fertile frond contracted, but nearly similar 

 in form to the sterile frond. The length of both is about equal, 

 usually from six to ten inches. Articulated on a scaly creeping 

 rhizoma; young fronds whitish; stem covered with a reddish 

 pubescence. 



The sori are arranged in transverse parallel rows between 

 the primary veins, and covering the whole of the under side of 

 the frond; colour reddish brown. 



Costa raised; veins immersed. 



My thanks are due to Mr. Jackson, gardener to Lord Scarsdale, 

 for plants of this Fern; and to the same cultivator; Mr. Hen- 

 derson, of Wentworth; Messrs. Booth, of Hamburgh; Mr. Sim, 

 of Foot's Cray; and to Mr. Norman, of Hull, for fronds. 



Not an uncommon Fern, the following Nurserymen keep it: 

 — Booth, of Hamburgh; E.ollisson, of Tooting; A. Henderson, 

 of Pine-apple Place; E. G. Henderson, of St. John's Wood; 

 Sim, of Foot's Cray; Veitch, Jun., of Chelsea; Masters, of Can- 

 terbury; Osborn and Sons, of Fulham; Kennedy, of Covent 

 Garden; and Parker, of Holloway. 



The frond for illustration was forwarded by Mr. Henderson, 

 of Wentworth. 



