240 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



casual observer, and especially when the plant is in full fructification ; for 

 tlie dark -coloured seed-vessels protrude through this golden covering, and thus 

 heighten the elFect produced by this singularly beautiful species." According 

 to the same authority, this Fern is a native of South America and the West 

 Indies, being found abundantly in the Islands of Martinique and San Domingo ; 



it is consequently a stove plant. Its fronds 

 (Fig. 55), which are produced from a closely- set 

 crown, are IJft. to 2ft, long, including the stout 

 stalks on which they are borne, and which keep 

 them in a nearly erect position, giving the whole 

 plant the appearance of a golden shuttlecock, 

 and showing their under- side to great advantage. 

 — Hooker^ Species Filicum, v., p. 148. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 104. Lowe, 

 Ferns British and Exotic, i., t. 10. 



Under cultivation, this interesting variety 

 (usually considered a species) has produced many 

 handsome and decorative sub-varieties ; the prin- 

 cipal ones, and those most worthy of cultiva- 

 tion, are here given : 



G. c. c. Alstoniae — Als-to'-ni-a3 (Mrs. 

 Alston's), Moore. 

 A Fern most distinct in general aspect, 

 though of the same upright habit as G. c. chryso- 

 phylla. The peculiarity which greatly enhances 

 the beauty of the plant, and which renders it 

 Fi^. 55. Frond of Gymnogramme distinct from any other form, is the way in 

 caiomeianos chrysophyiia nearly all its leaflets are turned upwards 



(much reduced). n -n • i i • j.i ■ 1 



and gTacefully mcurved, maknig the upper side 

 of the fronds appear as if dotted all over with httle golden globules. It is 

 also an exceedingly good grower. 



G. C. C. grandiceps — gran'-dic-eps (large-headed), Moore. 



A beautiful, crested form of G. chrysophyiia, to which it is similar in size 

 and habit, and from which it differs only in the large crests terminating the 



