THYRSOPTERIS. 



347 



trunks or stems more than IJft. high. Yet even these produce fronds of 

 large dimensions, borne on strong stalks 3ft. to 4ft. long and densely covered, 

 especially towards their base, with long, narrow scales of a rusty-brown colour. 

 The leafy barren portion of the fronds appears to be much divided, though 

 only bipinnate ; it is broadly triangular, of a bright green colour, and shining. 



fi^. 98. Fertile Portion of Frond of Thyrsopteris elegans 

 (nat. size). 



The fertile portions, situated at their base (Fig. 98), are originally of the 

 same colour, but, as the fructification ripens, they turn to a light brown 

 colour, and they have all the outward appearance of miniature bunches of 

 grapes hanging down from the stalk when the spores are riTpe.— Hooker, 

 Species Filicum, i., p. 65. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iv., p. 36. 



