422 THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



are very densely tufted, 2in. to 6in. long, two or three times divided and 

 branched nearly or quite from the base, the branching of all grades being 

 half-way between fan -shaped and pinnate. The leaves of the lower plane, 

 egg-shaped but distinctly pointed, are much crowded, bright green, very thick 

 and rigid in texture, and nearly equal-sided ; those of the upper plane, nearly 

 as long, are broadly spear-shaped and terminate in a distinct, sharp, short point. 

 The fruiting spikes, sparingly produced, are short and square. — Baker., Handbook 

 of the Fern-Allies, p. 87. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 411. 



S. i. texta — tex'-ta (woven), /. Makoy. 



In jihis very peculiar form, which originated in Belgian gardens, the 

 branches are generally simple, though sometimes slightly forked, and average 

 about 6in. in length. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 411. 



S. i. variegata — var-i-eg-a'-ta (variegated), Moore. 



This form is distinguished from the typical plant only in having the 

 tips of some of the branches creamy-white (see Plate, for which we are 

 indebted to Mr. William Bull). — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., 

 p. 411. 



S. japonica — ^jap-on'-ic-a (Japanese). A variety of S. caulescens. 



S. Kraussiana — Kraus-si-a'-na (Krauss'), A. Braun. 



An extremely useful species, which in gardens is found under the names 

 S. denticulata and Lycopodium denticulatum ; it has a very wide range of 

 habitat, being a native of Cape Colony, Natal, Fernando Po, the Cameroon 

 Mountains, the Azores, Madeira, &c. Its trailing stems, 6in. to 12in. long, 

 are jointed at the nodes, flat on the back, roundish on the face, with copiously- 

 divided branches. The leaves of the lower plane are oblong-spear-shaped, 

 bright green, of a soft texture, and slightly overlap the stem ; those of the 

 upper plane are one-third as long, and egg-shaped. The short fruiting spikes 

 are sqnare.— Baker, Handbook of the Fern-Allies, p. 65. Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, iii., p. 411. 



This species has produced three varieties, which in gardens are known as 

 follow : aurea, with yellow leaves ; Brownii, a dwarf, green form from the 

 Azores ; and variegata, having the tips of the young growths quite white. 



