DA VALLIA. 



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Stenoloma (Sten-ol-o'-ma), Fee. A small group of Ferns with fronds 

 very variable in size, but witb the ultimate segments always cuneate (wedge- 

 shaped), growing gradually wider from the base to the summit. The involucres, 

 open only at the top, as in Loxoscaijhe^ are terminal on the segments instead 

 of being disposed at the side. The species forming this last group are scattered 

 throughout the tropics. 



There are no representatives of the genus DavalUa in England, and only 

 one (D. canariensis) is known as a native of Europe. It is equally remarkable 

 that no members of so extensive a genus should be found in ISTorth America, 

 where nearly all other genera of Ferns are represented. With very few 

 exceptions, Davallias, to whichever section they belong, are evergreen. 



Culture. 



The extensive and much-appreciated genus DavalUa comprises many 

 favourite species of great mterest, all rivalling each other in usefulness and 

 elegance, but varying essentially in form and habit. While a few of them 

 are really interesting to the botanist, a great quantity of them are highly 

 ornamental plants, suitable for decoration ; while for exhibition purposes, or 

 for growing in hanging baskets, few Ferns can be of greater service than 

 DavalHas, whether with long and drooping or T^itli shorter and finely-divided 

 fronds. They may be divided into two very distinct classes, the most 

 conspicuous and most admired sorts forming a sort of natural group composed 

 of the popular kinds, such as the Hare's-foot Fern (D. canariensis), the 

 Squirrel's-foot Fern (D. hullata), the Bear's-foot Fern (D. Tyermanni), &c., 

 all denominative names given to these interesting species in allusion to the 

 brown, grey, or silver rhizomes with which they are provided, and which to 

 a great extent resemble, when destitute of their foliage, the paws or feet of 

 the animals to which they owe their popular names. The second section 

 contains comparatively few species, equally beautiful, although deprived of the 

 rhizomes which in the former section are a constant source of attraction. 



As may be seen by the sub-divisions of the genus, Davalhas are found 

 widely distributed, for, although the majority of the species at present known 

 come from the East Indies and the numerous islands of the Malayan 

 Archipelago, some are natives of Australia, New Zealand, and Japan ; while 



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