DICKSONIA. 



183 



D. (Eudicksonia) Plumieri — Eu-dick-so'-m-a ; Plu-mi-e'-ri (Plumier's), 

 lioolcer. 



A large -growing, stove species, native of the West Indian Islands and 

 Columbia, and also known as B. Lindeni. Its ample fronds are bipimiate 

 (twice divided to the midrib) and of a soft, papery texture. The lower 

 leaflets, Ift. to IJft. long and 6in. to 9in. broad, have their lower pinnules 

 (leafits) Gin. to Sin. long and 2in. to Sin. broad, cut down at the lower part 

 of the rachis (stalk) into broadly -toothed segments ; their upper pinnules, 

 which are much narrower, are shghtly lobed only. The sori (spore masses), 

 disposed two to twenty to a segment, are covered with a small, nearly round, 

 deeply two-valved involucre of a membranous (parchment-like) texture, the 

 outer valve at length forming a sort of hood. — Hooker, SjJecies Filicum, 

 i., p. 72. 



D. pruinata — pru-i-na'-ta (hoar-frosted). A variety of D. Menziesii. 



D. (Dennstaedtia) punctiloba — Denn-sta3d'-ti-a ; punc-tir-ob-a (dotted- 

 lobed), Hooker. 



This very interesting, deciduous species is the only one of the entire 

 genus which is perfectly hardy. It is a native of North America, where, 

 according to Eaton, it is known under the popular names of " Hairy Dick- 

 sonia " and also of " Hay-scented Fern," being deliciously fragrant, especially 

 when dried. In its native habitats it is found growing in moist woods and 

 often in low, grassy places ; it is a common Fern in New Brunswick, Canada, 

 New England, and the middle States of North America, extending westward 

 to Indiana and possibly farther, and southward as far as Central Alabama, 

 where it has been found on the cliffs of the Cohaba River. Its very 

 elegant fronds, 1ft. to IJft. long, Gin. to 9in. broad, and bipinnate (twice 

 divided to the midrib), are abundantly produced from slender rhizomes 

 (prostrate stems) which creep extensively an inch or two below the surface 

 of the ground : these are about Jin. thick, perfectly roimd, nearly naked, 

 and bear, instead of chaff or scales, a very scanty covering of slender, jointed 

 hairs at their growing extremity. , The form of the fronds, which are borne 

 on short and slightly hairy stalks, is broadly spear-shaped ; they are of a 

 pleasing pale green colour and of a delicate, soft texture, often bleaching very 

 prettily in autumn. The upper surface is nearly smooth, but the under-side 



