66 THE BOOK OF FERN CULTURE 



taking the well-known Maidenhair Fern as the type ; 

 there are many others closely allied to it. Though still 

 grown extensively, the variety elegans now takes its place 

 in many instances ; it is hardier, and will grow freely 

 through the Winter. A. cuneatum grdndiceps is a beautiful 

 Fern, but requires careful culture, and shouldbe suspended 

 so that the terminal crests of the drooping fronds can be 

 properly developed ; decorum, Weigandi, fragrantissimum, 

 gracillimum, Fergus soni, Regime, and Williamsi, are all 

 useful. Of compact growing sorts, Pacotti, mundulum, 

 Le grandi, rubellum, tinctum, and Versailliense (crested) are 

 among the most desirable. 



Tenerum Group. — These have larger fronds. The 

 type is one of the best we have, and to this is attached 

 A. Farleyense, which is considered the queen of all Ferns. 

 Ads. Lathomi, scutum, Bessonianum, and Bausei, a variety 

 of the type with deflexed pinnules. 



Hispidulum Group. — With these we may include 

 fulvum, hispidulum, hispidulum tenellum, and setulosum} 



Capillus-veneris Group. — In addition to the indi- 

 genous species and its varieties, we have A. Mariesi, 

 from Japan, A. O'Brieni, from South Africa. The best 

 varieties of the indigenous species are imbricatum, cor- 

 nubiense, and magnificum. 



Other useful Adiantums are referred to in chapters on 

 those suitable for special purposes. 



Aspleniums 



In these we have an important and variable genus, 

 those of the " bulbiferum" type being the most useful; 

 and here I may remark that though what appear to be 

 good spores are abundant, it is rarely that they germinate, 

 though it is easy enough to establish young plants from 

 the bulbils, which may be treated in the same way as 

 young seedlings. Of these the most useful sorts are 



