224 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



altitude that the plant is found in its best condition. The massive, handsome 

 fronds, of larger dimensions than those of any other Grleichenia, being often 

 several feet long, and borne on very stout stalks of a shining brown colour, 

 are produced from thick, underground rhizomes (prostrate stems), and simply 

 forked ; they have a totally distinct aspect, and appear as if intermediate 

 between those of Eugleichenia and those of Mertensia^ for they are neither of 

 the beaded nature peculiar to plants belonging to the former, nor have they 

 their segments linear (long and narrow) like those of the latter. The pinnas 

 (leaflets) with which each branch is furnished are closely set, 4in. to Sin. long, 

 lin. to 2in. broad, alternate (not opposite), and deeply pinnatifid (divided 

 nearly to the midrib). The linear or oblong pinnules or segments are slightly 

 toothed, perfectly flat, and of a beautiful glaucous (bluish-green) colour on their 

 under-side ; in specimens found growing at a high elevation their midveins 

 are usually densely covered with short scales of a soft, woolly nature and of 

 a ferruginous (rusty-brown) colour. The young growths are completely covered 

 with large, dark (almost black), chaffy scales, which hold on until the perfect 

 development of the fronds. The bifurcations are very thickly set at their base 

 with pinnules closely set, and forming a sort of frilling round the stalk. The 

 whole of the plant is of a delightful light green colour. The sori (spore 

 masses) consist of capsules disposed in small groups of from three to five, 

 situated on each side of the midvein and frequently mixed with hairs. — Hooker, 

 Sioecies FiUcurn, i., p. 4. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 73. 

 Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 30. 



G. Mathewsii — Math-ews'-i-i (Mathews's). Synonymous with G. puhescens. 



G. Mendelli — Men-der-h (Mendell's). A variety of G. circinata. 



G. microphylla — mi-croph-yr-la (small-leaved). A synonym of G. circinata. 



G. (Mertensia) Milnei — Mer-ten'-si-a ; Mir-ne-i (Milne's), Baker. 



A very handsome, stove species, native of Aneiteum, and in general 

 appearance intermediate between G. dichotoma and G. flagellaris. Its ample 

 fronds, composed of many twice-forked, horizontal side-branches, are leafy down 

 to the main rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) ; then' terminal leaflets, oblong 

 and narrowed to both ends, are 5in. to 6in. long, and formed of from thirty 

 to forty pairs of ligulate (strap -shaped), blunt segments only about 



