298 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



P. S. C. compacta and densa — com-pac'-ta, den'-sa (compact, dense), May. 

 These sub- varieties differ from cristaia principally in their close, dense 

 habit and dwarf stature. The fronds of densa are particularly elegant through 

 the crests of all the leaflets being very delicately fringed. 



P. S. C. Dixoni — Dix'-on-i (Dixon's), Moore. 



This sub-variety is readily distinguished from the others through its 

 leaflets being much broader than those of the type, beautifully pendulous, and 

 terminating in loose crests. 



P. S. C. major — ma'-jor (greater), Moore. 



Of all the sub-varieties raised from P. serrulaia, this one, also known as 

 the Chiswick variety, is undoubtedly the most beautiful. Its fronds frequently 

 attain 3ft. in length including their stalks ; they are of a strong, firm nature 

 and of a very dark shining green colour. Although of exceptionally large 

 dimensions and heavily weighted with large, conspicuous tassels at their 

 extremity, they possess a remarkably fine habit, and the entire plant has the 

 appearance of an elegant vase of verdure. Although mock-fertile fronds are 

 produced in abundance, this sub-variety is barren, and can therefore only be 

 propagated by the division of the crowns. 



P. S. C. parvula — par'-vul-a (small), Schneider. 



A plant of very dwarf habit. Its short, stiff, erect fronds, seldom more 

 than lOin. high including the stalks, have all their leaflets densely crested, 

 and form a subject of unique appearance. 



P. S. C. semifastigiata — se-mif-as-ti-gi-a'-ta (slightly fastigiate or 

 pyramidal), Moore. 

 The growth of this very distinct plant is compact and upright. Its 

 fronds have their lower portion developed as in the normal form, but their 

 summit forms a large and broadly -crested corymb of a crisp nature and of 

 a pleasing bright green colour. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 245. 



P. S. gloriosa — glo-ri-o'-sa (glorious), May. 



This is much in the way of P. s. cristata major, but of a more pendulous 

 habit ; the cristation is also of a finer nature, each leaflet being many times 



