268 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



P. C. albo-lineata — al'-bo-li-ne-a'-ta (white-lined), Hooker. 



This very pretty and highly-decorative form differs from the species only 

 in the broad belt of white down the centre of each leaflet (Fig. 72), of 

 which it occupies one-half of the breadth. It is usually considered as a native 

 of Japan : in contradiction to this, however, Lowe (" New and Rare Ferns," 

 p. 59) says "it was introduced into England in 1860, having been received 

 from the Botanic Gardens of Java." He also adds that some hundreds of 

 plants of it had been raised at the Royal Gardens, Kew, from spores and that 

 every one was quite true, not a single normal green frond being found among 

 them. It is also stated in the " Synopsis Filicum " (p. 154) that it had been 

 gathered in Brazil by Dr. Glaziou. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 154. 

 Botanical Magazine, t. 5194. 



P. C. major — ma'-jor (greater). This is identical with P. c. Ouvrardi. 



P. C. Mayii — May'-i-i (May's), Moore. 



In this remarkable variety the variegated character observed in P. c. albo- 

 lineata is retained, the white band in each leaflet forming a striking and most 

 pleasing contrast with the bright green colour of the edge (see Coloured 

 Plate). The plant, however, is of dwarfer habit and smaller dimensions, and 

 is further rendered very attractive by the cristation of its fronds, all the 

 leaflets, either barren or fertile, terminating in crests of various sizes. This 

 elegant form also reproduces itself true from spores. 



P. C. nobilis— no'-bil-is (noble). May. 



This variety is totally different in habit from those already described, being 

 of a stiff, upright growth throughout. Barren and fertile fronds ahke are 

 borne on stiff stalks of a brownish colour ; they are of about uniform size, and 

 their leafy portion is of a very pleasing pale green colour. This form is 

 constant under cultivation, and may be readily propagated from spores. 



P. C. Ouvrardi— Ouv-rar'-di (Ouvrard's), Schneider. 



The classification of this beautiful and exceedingly useful, greenhouse 

 Fern (see Plate) is very doubtful, as the plant is undoubtedly a form 

 intermediate between P. cretica and P. umbrosa, an improvement on both as 

 a decorative subject and yet so thoroughly distinct in itself as to be more 



