NEPHROLEPIS 77 



the old favourite N. davallio'ides furcans. This, which 

 was one of the first of those with multifid growths, still 

 retains the specific name of davallio'ides, yet the seedlings 

 have been included under N. exaltata. The true N. 

 davallioides is a handsome Fern with long drooping fronds ; 

 the pinnae are narrow and longer than in any other 

 species, the fertile pinnae being slightly contracted, and 

 the spore cases close on the margin. N. ensifolia is a 

 grand Fern for large baskets, making fronds from four to 

 five feet long. This is sometimes named acuta, but is 

 quite distinct, the latter having more erect fronds of 

 bluish metallic tint and a black rachis ; though a very 

 distinct species it is not of so much value for ordinary 

 culture as most of the species. Nephrolepis cordata compacta 

 makes a compact plant with rather short, erect (or nearly) 

 fronds of a deep green. N. cordata tessellata (which was 

 raised by Messrs Pricket & Sons) has bipinnatifid fronds, 

 and the side pinnules continue to elongate. N. Duffi'is a 

 very distinct species, but is only suitable for the stove 

 fernery. N. pectinata makes long, slender fronds with 

 short pinnae of a pale green, and is one of the best for 

 smaller baskets or wall pockets. N. philippinense has 

 rather narrow, deep green fronds, and will do well 

 under cooler treatment than most species. From Messrs 

 May & Sons we have some remarkably curious congested 

 varieties ; of these crispato-congesta grows only a few 

 inches high, the fronds stand erect, and the twisted 

 pinnae overlap each other. Mayi is of similar growth 

 but much larger, making fronds from nine to fifteen 

 inches high. N. rufescens (or Zol/ingeriana) is a distinct 

 species with rather broad, nearly erect fronds, the stipes 

 and rachis being covered with brown woolly scales. 

 The variety N. rufescens tripinnatifida makes a very hand- 

 some plant, the fronds, which stand erect, have a 

 beautiful feathery appearance, and attain to from two to 

 three feet in height. This beautiful variety has been 



