BLECHNUM. 



5 



Tlie fronds, which are produced in great abundance, are oblong- spear- 

 shaped, 2ft. to oft. long, 1ft. or more broad, narrowing downwards very 

 gradually : they are pinnatifid, their leaflets, of a coriaceous (leathery) texture, 

 not being cut quite down to the midrib, with which they remain connected 

 along the whole length of the frond ; when mature they are somewhat 

 inchned to be pendulous, getting with age into a nearly horizontal position. 

 The numerous pinnae (leaflets) are 4in. to 6in. long, Jin. broad, gradually 

 narrowed towards the point, very finely toothed, the lower ones only being 

 short and blunt ; they are of a light green colour, with both surfaces naked, 

 and the, sori (spore masses) are disposed in a continuous hne close to the 

 midrib. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iii., p. 43, t. 157. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, i., p. 193. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, iv., t. 38. 



B. b. COrcovadense — cor-co'-va-den^-se (from Corcova), Raddi. 



This variety, extensively grown for decoration, differs from the typical 

 species in its fronds being of a beautiful crimson colour when young, 

 gradually turning to a metallic hue before becoming permanently green ; 

 they are also of a more erect habit. The plant forms an upright stem of 

 the same dimensions as that of A. hrasiliense. 



B. b. C. crispum— cris'-pum (curled). 



A very pretty variety is met with in gardens under this name, for which 

 we can find no responsible authority. It is not quite so strong-growing 

 as the type, its fronds being shorter and furnished with wavy leaflets of 

 a harsh texture and mth crispy edges. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, 

 i., p. 194. 



B. (Eublechnum) cartilagineum — Eu-blcch'-num ; car-til-a-gin'-e-um 

 (cartilaginous, of a gristly nature), Sicartz. 

 A very handsome, greenhouse species, native of the temperate parts of 

 Australia. Its stem, which generally grows in an oblique position, is densely 

 clothed at the crown with scales of a blackish colour. The fronds, 2ft. or 

 more long and 6in. to 9in. broad, are borne on strong, upright stalks 4in. to 

 Gin. long, scaly and muricated (covered with sharp points) in the lower 

 part ; they are simply pinnate (only once divided to the midrib) and broadly 



