148 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



D. (Humata) pedata — Hum-a'-ta ; ped-a'-ta (footed, or having feet), 

 Smith. 



This distinct, stove species, which, though of larger dimensions, may be 

 said to somewhat resemble I), alpina^ is a native of Ceylon, Java, Borneo, the 

 Mascarene Islands, &c. Its triangular fronds, which are of a very leathery 

 texture, 2in. to 4in. long, and IJin. to 2in. broad at the base, are borne on 

 stalks 2in. to 4in. long and of a somewhat scaly nature. They are pinnatifid 

 (cut down nearly to the stalk), their upper segments being sharp-pointed, 

 the lower pair broader, deeply cleft, especially on the lower side. The spore 

 masses are jjlaced in rows on the teeth on both sides of the lobes. — Hooker, 

 Species Filicum, i., p. 54, t. 45. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, 

 i., p. 446. Loioe, Ferns British and Exotic, viii., t. 25. 



D. (Scyphularia) pentaphylla— Scyjih-ul-a'-ri-a ; pent-aph-yl'-la (five- 

 leaved), Blurne. 



A very distinct, dwarf-growing, stove species, native of Java and the 

 Polynesian Islands, and one of the very few Davallias with fronds simply 

 pinnate (only once divided to the midrib). These fronds are produced from 

 a rhizome (prostrate stem) of medium thickness, densely covered with narrow 

 scales of a particularly light brown colour ; they are borne on upright, stiff 

 stalks 2in. to 4in. long, and are composed of two or three pairs of lateral 

 leaflets and a terminal one, all of which in their young state are of a very 

 pretty metallic colour, turning with age to a pleasing green. The whole 

 frond, including the stalk, is seldom more than 1ft. long ; the terminal leaflet 

 in the fertile frond measures about 4in. long and ^in. broad, while that of the 

 barren frond is shorter and broader. The lateral leaflets are sessile (staMess) 

 or slightly stalked, of a leathery texture, the lowest pair showing sometimes 

 a smaller pinnule (leafit) at the base. The sori (spore masses) are disposed 

 in a row along the slightly-toothed margin. This species is of very easy 

 culture, and makes a handsome basket plant. It is also adapted for growing 

 in a Fern-case. — Hooher, Species Filicum, i., p. 163. Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, i., p. 446. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, viii., t. 18. 



D. (Microlepia) pinnata— Mi-crol-ep'-i-a ; pin-na'-ta (pinnate), Cavanilles. 



This is also a stove species, native of Java and the Polynesian Islands. 

 Its fronds, of a leathery texture, are simply pinnate (once divided to the 



