G YMNO GRA MME. 



233 



Besides the above recognised sections a few Gymnogrammes have by some 

 authors been referred to the following : Anogranune, Link ; Digrammaria, 

 Presl ; Grammitis, Blume ; Hecistopteris, J. Smith ; Heterogonium^ Presl ; 

 Neurogramme, Link ; Pterozonium, Fee ; Stenogramme, Blmne. These names 

 have, however, now become obsolete, the plants having been merged into one 

 or the other of the six sections above described. 



Culture. 



This very popular genus is remarkable for the attractive character of 

 many of its species and varieties, and for the easy mode of cultivation under 

 which some of the most robust kinds, at least, thrive admirably. The Grymno- 

 grammes form the nucleus of that most interesting gTOup, the Gold and 

 Silver Ferns, the under-side of the foliage of many of them being covered 

 with farina of a colom- varying from the purest white to shades of yellow 

 of different degrees of intensity. Sometimes, in fact, plants are found which 

 bear fronds suffused with white and yellow powder at the same time : this 

 sort of dimorphism in colours may frequently be observed in forms derived 

 from the calomelanos type, which also sometimes produce fronds provided 

 with the usual covering on one half, whereas the other portion is completely 

 destitute of the coloured powder. Such instances, however, can only be regarded 

 as curiosities. The same remark is also applicable to the varieties with forked 

 or crested fronds, which under cultivation Gymnogrammes have a peculiar 

 tendency to produce : of these G. calomelanos chrysophylla Parsonsii and 

 G. pulchella Wettenhalliana are excellent examples. Then there are also a few 

 kinds, such as G. rufa, G. tomentosa, G. vestita, &c., which are totally devoid 

 of any powder whatever, and in which that principal ornament is replaced by 

 a covering of reddish or silvery hairs, giving the plants a tomentose (downy) 

 aspect that is very attractive. All the sjDCcies are very ornamental, and 

 the majority of them can be grown with great success in hanging baskets, 

 in which they show their beautiful colours to perfection. This way of 

 cultivating them is really the most suitable, where it is practicable, as these 

 plants are fond of light and also of an atmosphere drier than that 

 found in the ordinary Fernery or the warm plant-house. However, owing 

 to their great size and robust growth, some kinds can only be grown in pots. 



