158 PLATYCERIUM ALCICORNE. 



Platycerium — From the Greek, platys — broad, and Iceras — a horn. 

 Alcicorne — Elk's-horn. 



An extremely interesting Fern^ one of a singular genus of 

 epiphytal plants, growing on the branches of trees; very 

 easily cultivated, and making a handsome specimen when well 

 grown. 



An evergreen warm greenhouse species. 



Native of New South Wales, New Holland, Java, Asia, 

 East Indies, Australia, Malay Archipelago, Madagascar, and 

 Peru. 



Introduced into the Koyal Gardens, Kew, in 1808, having 

 been received from Mr. Caley, and now generally distributed 

 throughout private collections. 



Fertile and sterile fronds different. Sterile frond sessile and 

 nearly circular; upper portion sub-lobate, permanent, elevated, 

 spongy, and depressed. Fertile frond simple, divided, nearly 

 horizontal, thick, coriaceous, widening upwards, and articulated 

 on a short slightly-creeping rhizoma. Under surface of fronds 

 white, and upper surface throughout covered with a dense 

 stellate pubescence. 



Veins repeatedly forked and distantly anastomosing; venules 

 internal and compoundly reticulated, having free veinlets ter- 

 minating in the areoles. 



Sori amorphous in patches, formed in the lobes or at the 

 extremities of the frond. 



For a plant my thanks are due to Mrs. Empson, of Goole 

 Hall. 



It may be procured of any Nurseryman. 



The coloured illustration, and an engraving from a photograph, 

 shewing the habit of the Fern, are from a plant in my own 

 collection. 



