CHAPTER XVL 



DIDYMOCHL^NA, Desvcmx. 

 (Did-ym-odi-laa'-na. ) 



ISTLY a couple of species — those here described — are embraced 

 in this genus. The name is derived from didymos, twin, and 

 cJilai-ria^ a cloak, in reference to the involucre or covering of 

 the sori (spore masses), which is elliptical, emarginate (having 

 a notch) at the base, attached to the narrow receptacle, but 

 free all round the edge. The sori are of the same elliptical shape as their 

 covering, terminal on a veinlet, but distinctly intramarginal (placed within 

 the margin of the pinnules of the fertile fronds). Didymochlcma forms in 

 Hooker and Baker's " Synopsis Filicum " Genus 42, and is a sub-division of 

 the Tribe As2:)idiece. Both the species are of arborescent habit, forming trunks 

 of small dimensions. 



Culture. 



Didymochl^enas are very ornamental, stove Ferns, and especially is this 

 the case with D. lunulata, which is most commonly met with in collections. 

 They are of easy cultivation, although it is nothing unusual to see their 

 pinnules (leafits) fall of, leaving the stalks naked ; that generally happens 

 when the plants have sulFered from want of water at the roots ; but although 

 unsightly for a time when in such condition, they soon recover under liberal 

 treatment. The plants should be potted in a mixture of two parts of good 

 fibrous peat and one of loam, with a good dash of silver sand, and be 



