300 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



variety through its habit, which is quite distinct. Its fronds, instead of being 

 arching, are almost or quite upright, and their leaflets, though quite as narrow 

 as those of gracilis, are shorter and of a more rigid nature. — Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 245. 



P. Smithiana — Smith-i-a'-na (Smith's). A variety of P. tremula. 



P. spinulifera — spi-nul-if'-er-a (spine-bearing). This is synonymous 

 with P. atrovirens. 



P. (LitobrOChia) splendens — Li-tob-roch'-i-a ; splen'-dens (shining), 

 Kaulfuss. 

 A strong-growing, stove species, native of Brazil, with ample fronds 

 borne on erect, dull, slightly rough stalks. These fronds are divided to the 

 midrib into numerous narrow, almost stalkless leaflets Ift. or more in length, 

 lin. broad, and sharply toothed towards their extremity ; they are of a 

 leathery texture and naked on both sides. The spore masses, which fall 

 short of the point of the leaflets, ultimately hide the narrow involucre which 

 at first covers them. — Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 211. 



P. Stelleri — Stel-le'-ri (Steller's). The plant usually found in gardens under 

 this name is synonymous with Pellcea gracilis. 



P. straminea — stra-min'-e-a (straw-coloured), Mettenius. 



This greenhouse species, of medium dimensions, also known in gardens 

 under the name of P. crispa, is a native of Chili. Its fronds, which somewhat 

 resemble a congested form of the popular P. tremula, are 1ft. to l^ffc. long 

 and are borne on straw-coloured stalks of the same length. The leaflets 

 occupy an ascending position ; the lowest, much the largest, are furnished 

 on both sides with leafits, the lowest of which are again divided ; the others 

 are cut down to a narrow wing along the rachis into spear-shaped segments, 

 narrowed to a point, and sharply but closely toothed. The fronds are of 

 a bright green colour, and their spore masses fall short of the point of the 

 segments. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 479. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, iii., p. 245. 



P. sulcata — sul-ca'-ta (furrowed). A variety of P. quadriaurita. 



