220 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



a similar growth of twin branches, and each branch once divided), then- 

 branches being from lOin. to 14in. long and pectinate (comb-shaped). The 

 rather distant leaflets, which number about fifty pairs, are opposite, or nearly 

 so, in the lower part of the branches, alternate in their upper part, with 

 small, nearly round segments, so that their outline resembles that of 

 a string of small beads of equal size, and not larger than small pin-heads, 

 closely strung together. The sori (spore masses) consist of two capsules, or 

 spore cases, sunk in the hollow of the pouched segments.— Z?0()y^-er, Species 

 Filicum, i., p. 4, t. 2b. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, viii., t. 52. 



G. d. longipinnata — long-ip-in-na'-ta (having long pinna3 or leaflets), 

 Moore. 



A remarkably handsome, greenhouse form, which must not be confounded 

 with G. longipinnata of Hooker (a variety of G. pubescens) ; it is a native of 

 Tasmania, whence it is occasionally imported among plants of the typical 

 species. The fronds, which are longer than those of the type, and of an 

 exceedingly gTaceful habit, have their pendulous leaflets formed of numerous 

 small and very deeply-pouched segments, the pouching being caused by the 

 recurving of their edges. The younger fronds are of a light pea-green 

 colour, whereas the fully-expanded and matured ones are shaded with a sort 

 of metallic-bluish tint, which they retain for a long time ; their under-side 

 is slightly glaucous (bluish-green), and their stalks are shining black. This 

 variety is a remarkably good grower, forming an elegant specimen in a much 

 shorter space of time than most other kinds. — Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, ii., p. 72. 



G. (Mertensia) dichotoma— Mer-ten^-si-a ; dich-ot^ -om-a (divided in 

 two), Willdenoiv. 



This handsome, distinct, stove species is one of the most widely distri- 

 buted of the whole group, for it is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions 

 in the New and in the Old World, in the Pacific Islands, and as far north 

 as Japan. In his excellent work on " Ferns of Southern India," Beddome 

 states that it is a very common Fern, from the sea-level on the western 

 coast to the top of the highest mountain-ravines on the. North Arcot Hills. 

 On account of this extensive distribution, it is very variable in size as well 



