8 4 



BRITISH FERNS 



but under culture it assumed a large size, forming a mass two feet 

 high, and as much through. Although for some time reported to 

 be barren, spores were eventually found, and a number of even 

 more extraordinary forms were obtained from it. As will be seen 

 it branches continuously from the base, until a more or less spherical 

 mass of branches and crests is produced, the terminals dividing again 

 and again ad infinitum during the growing season. 



A. densum. — A denser-growing seedling raised by Stansfield. 



Fig. 48. A.f.f. apioides. 



Apioides (Fig. 48). — A dwarf variety, with very large openly 

 branched crests, borne on nearly bare stalks. 



