80 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



confined to its upper third ; there are two deep incisions near the central 

 part of the apex, the middle segment thus formed being much smaller than 

 the outer ones. The lateral divisions are more compound, being divided by 

 about three successive furcations into oblong lobes, narrowing towards the 

 apex. The decided dark green colour of the plant is one remarkable feature, 

 the Platyceriums being usually of a greyish hue, from the abundant white, 

 stellate scales spread over their surface." 



To the above we may add that the most distinctive character, or at least 

 the one by which P. Hillii can best be distinguished from P. alcicorne 

 majus, is the repeated furcation of the divisions of the frond. It may also 

 be stated here that its habit is much more rigid, its fertile fronds showing no 

 inclination whatever to become pendulous. The fructification, as in P. alcicorne 

 and its variety majus, is absolutely hmited to the extremities of the ultimate 

 divisions of the fi:ond. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 158. 



P. Stemmaria — Stem-ma'-ri-a (Stemmaria). A synonym of P. cethiopicum. 



P. Wallichii— Wal-lich'-i-i (Wallich's), Hooker. 



This beautiful and very rare species, native of the Malayan Peninsula, 

 and, according to Beddome, found on the banks of the Irrawaddy and of the 

 Martaban, in Moulmein, is closely related to P. grande. Its barren fronds, 

 like those of that more popular species, are deeply lobed, and their forked 

 divisions are equally inflexed. The fertile fronds are also usually produced 

 in pairs and pendent, but the wedge-shaped disk, which is situated between 

 the two divisions, has a rounded upper edge, and forms a semi-circular 

 projection, upon which may be seen two soriferous (spore-bearing) patches 

 3in. to 4in. broad, and from each side of this projection is produced a division 

 which is only once-forked. These fronds are of a thick texture and have 

 their under-side matted with a yellowish, woolly pubescence. — Hooker, Species 

 Filicum, v., p. 284 ; Filices Exoticoe, t. 97. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, iii., p. 158. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 108. 



P. Willinckii— Will-inck'-i-i (Willinck's), Moore. 



This species, native of Java, whence it was introduced into this country 

 in 1875, is thoroughly distinct from all other species at present known. 

 From Thomas Moore's description, published in the " Grardeners' Chronicle," 



