CHAPTER X. 



DANiEA, Smith. 

 (Da'-na3-a.) 



N Hooker and Baker's "Synopsis Filicum" this well-marked 

 genus, whicli is a division of tlie sub-order Marattiacece, forms 

 Genus 71. It is dedicated to Pierre Martin Dana, a writer 

 on the plants of Piedmont, and is entirely composed of 

 plants whose fronds, usually pinnate (once divided to the 

 midrib), seldom simple (undivided), of a fleshy and leathery nature, are 

 produced from a woody rhizome, . and have their pinnaj (leaflets) usually 

 articulated. The species are restricted to Tropical America, and though 

 totally distinct, and some of them very handsome, they are seldom found in 

 collections on account of the difficulties connected with their cultivation, 

 which up to the present time has not been very successful. The distinctive 

 characters of Dancea reside in the sori (spore masses) occupying the whole 

 length of the veins, and being so crowded as to cover the whole under- surface 

 of the divisions of the fertile fronds, which in all cases are different from 

 the barren ones. The stalks are fleshy, and have from one to five nodes 

 (knots) similar to those observable, in smaller quantities, in Marattias. 



Culture. 



It is a matter of regret that the requirements of these interesting Ferns 

 should be so little understood. Although several importations have taken 

 place within the last few years, none of the species have become plentiful : 

 the various kinds of treatment have invariably product unsatisfactory results. 



