118 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



Filicum, i., p. 191, t. 54b. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iv., p. 530. 

 Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, viii., t. 26. 



D. (Leucostegia) affinis — Leu-cos-teg'-i-a ; af-fi'-nis (related), Hooler. 



A handsome, finely-cut, stove species, usually found in gardens under the 

 name of Acrojjhorus, native of Ceylon, Java, and Polynesia, and, according to 

 Beddome, found in great abundance on the western slopes of the ISFeilgherries, 



at about 3000ft. elevation ; it is 

 particularly well adapted for grow- 

 ing on rockwork, where it should 

 be planted on projecting places. 

 The elegantly-divided fi'onds, Ift. 

 to 2ft. long, Gin. to 12in. broad, 

 and somewhat spear-shaped, are 

 borne on strong, erect stalks 4in. 

 to 9in. long, and tri- or quadri- 

 pinnatifid (three or four times 

 di^dded to the midrib) ; they are 

 produced from thick prostrate stems 

 (Fig. 24) that are densely clothed 

 with sharp-pointed scales of a 

 peculiar rusty colour. The ultimate 

 segments of the fronds are deeply 

 and finely pinnatifid (cleft nearly 

 to the midrib), and are provided 

 with sharp teeth. The small sori 

 (spore masses) are disposed at the base of the teeth, two to six to 

 a segment. — Hooker, Species Filicum, i., p. 158, t. 52b. Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, i., p. 445. Beddome, Ferns of Southern India, t. 158. 



D. alata — al-a'-ta (winged). Synonymous with D. Fmersoni. 



D. (Humata) alpina — Hum-a'-ta ; al-pi'-na (mountain doving), Blume. 



A charming little, stove species, of trailing, dwarf habit, native of Java, 

 Borneo, and the Polynesian Islands, and totally distinct from all other kinds. 

 Its fronds, which are abundantly produced from very slender and pecuharly 



Fi^. 24, D avail id affinis 

 (much reduced). 



