Ferns and Fern Culture. 41 
backwards and wrapping round the roots and body of 
the plant. It looks then almost like a large, green, open 
fan, the horizontal parts turned completely back, the 
other parts more or less erect and deeply lobed. The 
fertile fronds of some species are also erect, but entirely 
differentin form from the sterile. At first narrow and 
firm, they gradually flatten, spread out, and divide into 
PUATYCERIUM ALCICORNE, 
(The Stag’s Horn Fern.) 
deeply-cut lobes, more or less drooping. In other species, 
such as grande, they are pendent ; in biforme they hang 
down several feet. Their appearance is remarkable in 
the extreme. The best way to cultivate this genus is by 
fastening the plants on pieces of charred wood, blocks of 
virgin cork, or pieces of Tree Fern stems suspended from 
the roof or against a wall. 
