24 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



B. insignis — in-sig'-nis (remarkable), Hooker. 



This very handsome and interesting, gTeenhouse Tree Fern, of small 

 dimensions, was for a long time thought to be pecuhar to Hong-Kong, 

 where it was first discovered : it was, however, subsequently found growing 

 in pine forests in Burmah, and in Khasya, where, according to Beddome, 

 it may be met with at an elevation of 4000ft. It forms a somewhat stout 

 stem, which is seldom perfectly straight, and which, when fully developed, 

 attains a height of 4ft., measures about 2ft. in circumference, and is covered 

 with narrow, ferruginous (rusty) scales ^in. to lin. long. The fronds, which 

 are not unlike those of a Lomaria in general appearance, are abundantly 

 produced, and borne on firm stalks Sin. to 4in. long, naked, and scaly only 

 at the base ; they are 2ft. to 3ft. long. Sin. to 12in. broad, and simply pinnate 

 (only once divided to the midrib). The barren pinnte (leaflets), of a leathery 

 texture and of a bright green colour on the upper surface, but of a greyish 

 hue and showing peculiar markings on their under-side, are narrow-spear- 

 shaped, 4in. to 6in. long, nearly sessile (stalkless), and finely toothed on 

 their marguis. The beauty of the plant is enhanced by its fronds being 

 of a beautiful metallic colour when partly developed. In the fertile fronds the 

 pinna3 are much contracted. — Hooker, Sjyecies Filicum, v., p. 162. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 208. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, 

 iv., t, 49. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 139. 



C^NOPTERIS— Ca^n-op'-ter-is. See Asplenium. 



CALLIPTERIS — Cal-Hp'-ter-is. A genus of stove Ferns, founded by 

 Houlston and Moore upon the sub-genus Diplaziimi, which is now 

 included under Asplenium. i 



CAMPTERIA— Camp-te'-ri-a. See Pteris. ' 



CAMPTODIUM — Camp-to'-di-um. See Nephrodium. 



CAMPTOSORUS — Camp-tos-o'-rus. See Scolopendrium. 



CAMPYLONEURON— Camp-yl-on-eur -on. See Polypodium. 



