FADYENIA. 



211 



F. prolifera — pro-lif'-er-a (proliferous), Hooker. 



A very curious, stove species, native of Jamaica and the Island of Cuba, 

 with barren and fertile fronds totally different (see Coloured Plate), but 

 both entire (undivided), of a dull green colour, and of a somewhat leathery 

 texture. The barren ones, about oin. long and fin. to lin. broad, are 

 prostrate or horizontal, oblong-egg- shaped and terminating in a tail-like 

 process when they are proliferous at their extremity. The fertile ones, 6in. 

 to 9in. long and Jin. to Jin. broad, are Hgulate (strap-shaped), narrowed 

 towards the base, but with their extremity broad and rounded. These are 

 produced from the centre of the plant, and are upright ; they are much con- 

 tracted, and their large, oblong sori (spore masses), overlapping towards the 

 summit of the frond, are disposed in two series, and occupy nearly the whole 

 space between the midrib and the edge. The large and somewhat kidney- 

 shaped involucre by which they are covered is of a slightly hairy nature, and 

 finely toothed on the margins. — Hooher, Species Filicum, iv., p. 160. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 1. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, vi., t. 2. 



FEEA— Fe'-e-a. See Trichomanes. 



p 2 



