326 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



tM^kh 



S. Y. cristatum — cris-ta'-tum (crested), Moore. 



As Mr. Charles T. Druery rightly remarks, " there are a great many 

 slightly different forms to which this name properly applies, the crests varying 

 only in character and size " ; all of these are very handsome, and differ 

 from most if not from all other crested forms inasmuch as the fronds, with 



the exception of the crest, are normal in size and 

 outline. In the present case they are much divided 

 and form tasselled heads (Fig. 90) ; they seldom 

 exceed Sin. in length. — Lowe, Our Native Ferns, ii., 

 t. 50a. Druery, Choice British Ferns, p. 138. 



There are several sub-varieties in cultivation, 

 differing principally in dimensions, such as S. v. c. 

 majus and S. ?'. c. minus, larger and smaller formis 

 respectively, but the most distinct, and undoubtedly 

 also the most interesting, is 



Fig. 90. Frond of Soobpendrium 



vulgare cristatum 



(i nat. size). 



S. Y. C. YiYiparum — vi-vip'-ar-um (viviparous), 

 O'Kellr/. 

 This is a very singular wild find, native of 

 Ireland, with short, somewhat square, pointed lobes 

 at the base of its fronds, which are slightly contracted 

 just below a neat, semicircular crest. The great peculiarity of this Fern 

 consists in the formation, on the upper surface, under close treatment, of 

 numerous warty ridges, which develop into clusters of tiny plants (Fig. 91). 

 It is not only curious and distinct, but also very pretty. — Druery, Choice 

 British Ferns, p. 138, fig. 29. 



S. Y. cristulatum— cris-tul-a'-tum (small-crested). Cropper. 



This is one of the prettiest of all crested forms ; it is of medium 

 size and habit. The fronds branch low down into several ramifications, each 

 of which is tipped with a compact, ball-shaped, moss-like crest of a dark 

 green colour. — Druery, Choice British Ferns, p. 137. 



S. Y. digitatum— dig-it-a'-tum (having fingers), Wollaston. 



This, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of the many crested forms 

 of the Hartstongue, was originally raised from spores by Mr. Wollaston, 



