156 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



D. tenuifolia is a highly decorative Fern, and the pale green colour 

 of its fronds greatly adds to their beauty. It is of very easy cultivation, but 

 there must be no loam in the soil. 



There are in commerce two varieties, as totally distinct from the typical 

 species as they are from each other : 



D. t, stricta— stric'-ta (upright), Moore. 



In this variety the fronds are not only of more upright habit than those 

 of the typical form, but they are also larger in all their parts, and the leaflets 

 as well as their segments are of a darker hue and more leathery texture. 



D. t. Yeitchiana — Veitch-i-a'-na (Veitch's), Moore. 



The rhizomes (prostrate stems) of this variety are of such a very 

 short-creeping nature that the plant appears quite destitute of the hare's- 

 foot-like growths so peculiar to Davallias in general, its fronds being 

 produced in great abmidance from what appears to be a densely-tufted crown 

 formed by underground rhizomes. It is a most beautiful and distinct variety, 

 easily distinguished from the type by its elegant and pendulous, plume-like 

 fronds, 2^it. to oft. in length, including the stalks, very finely cut and 

 gTacefuUy arching on all sides (see Plate, for which we are indebted to 

 Messrs. James Yeitch and Sons). Their leafy portion, of a broadly spear- 

 shaped outline, is furnished with numerous leaflets, which are divided into 

 lace-Uke pinnules (leafits) and segments, much longer and slenderer than those 

 of any other kind, and the pale green colour of which forms a striking and 

 most pleasing contrast with the warm red tinge of their slender, round, 

 flexible stalks. This variety is a native of the Straits Settlements, where it 

 is found in open places only (never occurring in dense jungles), and whence 

 it was introduced by the late Dr. J. T. Yeitch, whose name it perpetuates. 

 It is now abundant in the neighbourhood of the G-overnment Experimental 

 Nurseries, Penang, where it is seen at its best growing at about 2000ft. 

 elevation, and where it was introduced from other parts of the Island by 

 Mr. Charles Gurii^.— Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iv., p. 531. 



Its light, drooping habit makes D. t. Veitchiana one of the best of stove 

 basket Ferns in cultivation ; like those of the typical species, its roots are 

 averse to loam, and are also very sensitive to the effects of drought. 



