CHAPTER XII, 



DEPARIA, Hooker and GreviJle. 

 (Dep-ar'-i-a.) 



jSTCLUDHSTG Ciomdium of T. Moore and Tric]iocar2Ja of 

 J. Smith, this small genus, composed entirely of stove 

 Ferns, derives its name from depas, a cup, in allusion to 

 the form of the involucre (covering of the sori), which is 

 shallowly-cup-shaped, membranous (thin and more or less 

 transparent), and not two-valved. In Hooker and Baker's "Synopsis Filicum" 

 Deparia forms Genus 14. It comprises four very rare tropical species, with 

 broad, ample, leafy segments, which differ from Dennstcedtia of Bernhardi and 

 Moore mainly by their extra -marginal sori (spore masses), which protrude 

 from the margin of the frond, or are sometimes even stipitate (furnished with 

 a stalk-like su|)port). 



Culture. 



The soil most suitable to Deparias, which are not very strong growers, 

 is a compost of an open nature, formed of about equal parts of fibrous peat, 

 leaf mould, and silver sand. Special attention should be given to the drainage : 

 deficiency in this respect is the principal cause of failure in the cultivation 

 of these plants, which at all times require a hberal supply of water at the 

 roots, but dislike syringing overhead. The Deparias should also be carefully 

 protected against the direct rays of the sun. They are usually propagated by 

 division of the crowns in March and April, their spores being seldom known 

 to germinate. 



