72 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



4in. long, polished above, but densely scaly at the base, are narrow- spear- 

 shaped, and furnished with six to twelve or more pairs of leaflets. These are 

 always opposite, of a leathery texture, and beautiful glaucous -green in colour 

 on each side ; they are cleft down nearly to the base into three narrow, rigid 

 segments, with inroUed edges, thus forming a sort of claw. The involucre 

 (covering of the spore masses) is formed out of the edge of the frond, and 



fig. 26, Pelleea ternifolia 

 a nat. size). 



remains rolled over the spores till they attain their full maturity. For 

 Fig. 26 we are indebted to Messrs. W. and J. Birkenhead.— Hooker, Species 

 Filicum., ii., p. 142 ; Filiees Exoticce, t. 15. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, iii., p. &7. Eaton, Ferns of North America, ii., t. 54. Lowe, 

 Ferns British and Exotic, iii., t. 24b. 



P. (AUosorus) Wrightiana— All-os-o'-rus ; Wright-i-a'-na (Wright's). 

 Synonymous with P. mucronata. 



P. (Platyloma) Zippellii— Pkt-yl-o'-ma ; Zip-pel'-li-i (Zippelius'), Baker. 



A very distinct, stove species, of large dimensions, native of New Guinea, 



with fronds IJft. long, 2^in. broad, and borne on short, tufted stalks of 



