84 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



They are tripinnate (tiiree times divided to the midrib), having sessile (stalkless) 

 leaflets, pimiatifid nearly to the midrib, and divided into oblong-sickle-shaped, 

 sinuate or toothed lobes, with sKghtly reflexed margins (Fig. 16). The bright 

 green colour of the upper surface of the fronds forms a pleasing contrast to the 

 beautifully glaucous (bluish-green) hue of their under- side. The abundant sori 

 (spore masses) are provided with very peculiar involucres of a cinnabar-brown 

 colour, often breaking down into four nearly equal valves. — Hooker, Synopsis 

 Filicum, p. 17. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 415. 



C. Integra — in'-teg-ra (entire), /. Smith. 



A stove species, native of Amboyna and the Philippine Islands, with 

 a smooth trunk and ample fronds. The latter are furnished with leaflets 

 IJft. long, of a firm, parchment-like texture, brownish-green above, paler 

 beneath, and smooth on both surfaces. The sori (spore masses) are disposed 

 in two series intermediate between the midvein and the margin, and are 

 covered by pale involucres, which, when ripe, break down into a persistent, 

 lobed cup. C. petiolata is another name for this species. — Hooker, Species 

 Filicum, i., p. 26. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 415. 



C. Kirkii — Kirk'-i-i (Dr. Kirk's), Hooker. 



A little-known, stove species, native of Johanna Island, where it was 

 discovered growing at 2000ft. elevation. It is a Fern with smooth trunk and 

 stalks and ample fronds. The sori (spore masses), situated close to the 

 midvein near the base of the lobe and covered by thin involucres, break down 

 into irregular lobes, but with the largest lobe generally at the inferior base 

 of the sorus, thus approaching the genus Hemitelia. — Hooker, Synopsis 

 Filicum, p. 22. 



C. Lenormandi — Le-nor'-mand-i (Lenormand's), Vieillard. 



A handsome, stove species, from New Caledonia, closely resembhng in 

 texture and in general aspect the better-known Dicksonia Berteroana. Its 

 ample fronds are tripinnate (thrice divided to the midrib) and furnished 

 with oblong leaflets about 1ft. long, which are divided into spear-shaped 

 pinnules (leafits) 2jin. to Sin. long, the lower ones distinctly stalked, the 

 others nearly stalkless. The texture is rigidly leathery and both surfaces 



