PTERIS. 289 



ones are entire, and the lower ones again cut on the lower side (Fig. 80). 

 All are of a thick, leathery texture, dark green in colour, and naked on 

 both sides. The spore masses extend to the point of the lobes or segments. 

 — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 166 ; Garden Ferns, t. 22. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 244. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, 

 iii., t. 37. 



P. palmata possesses the peculiarity of reproducing itself from bulbils 

 borne iit the top of the stalk, just at the point of junction with the leafy 

 portion. The quickest way of propagating it in quantities is by means of 

 spores, which are freely produced ; yet the bulbils will, if pegged down on 

 the ground without being severed from the parent plant, make young plants 

 in a very short time. 



Although great quantities of this interesting species are grown annually, 

 it is subject to very little variation. The only form deserving special attention 

 is a variegated one sent to us by its raiser, Mons. Arthur van den Heede, of 

 Ghent, who has himself named it Doryopteris palmata argenteo-striata. It 

 partakes of all the characters and decorative qualities of the species, from 

 which it is distinct through the numerous and conspicuous white stripes 

 with which its fronds are ornamented. 



P. Pancheri — Pan'-cher-i (Pancher's), Baker. 



A stove species, of medium dimensions and little decorative value, with 

 simply-pinnate fronds 2ft. to 2\it. long, including the smooth, straw- 

 coloured stalks. It is a native of New Caledonia. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, 

 p. 479. 



P. (Campteria) patens — Camp-te'-ri-a ; pat'-ens (spreading). Hooker. 



This stove species, also known in gardens under the name of P. decussata, 

 is a native of Ceylon, Borneo, and the Philippine Islands. It is of large 

 dimensions, its ample fronds, 3ft. to 4ft. long and 2ft. or more in breadth, 

 being borne on upright, glossy, chestnut-brown stalks 1ft. or more in length. 

 They are composed of a terminal leaflet 6in. to 9in. long, with several narrow- 

 linear lobes on each side, the barren ones slightly toothed, and of numerous 

 lateral leaflets, similar but larger, sometimes IJft. long, the lowest forked. 

 All are of a somewhat leathery texture and naked on both sides. The spore 



VOL. III. ^ 



