G YMNO GRA MME. 



243 



G. C. peruviana — per-u-vi-a'-na (Peruvian), Desvau.x. 



iSTotwithstanding the entirely diiFerent habit of this Fern when compared 

 with G. calomelanos, it has been deemed advisable by Baker to retain it as 

 simply a variety of that species. Its fronds, smaller and more triangular in 

 form, are borne on stout stalks of a light chestnut colour their lower leaflets 

 are quite deltoid (in shape of the Greek delta. A), and their lower pinnules 

 (leafits) often cut down to the midrib. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 385. 

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



G. C. p. argyrophylla— ar-gyr-oph-yh-la (silvery-leaved), Moore. 



This exceedingly handsome sub-variety is the Silver Fern ])ar excellence, 

 and no description can over-rate its merits. Its splendid fronds, IJffc. to 2jft. 

 long, are very massive and broad at their base ; they are bipinnate (twice 

 divided to the midrib), and their closely-set leaflets are also broad and obtuse. 

 In addition to its other decorative qualities, the fact of the silvery appearance 

 not being restricted to the under-surface of the fronds is well worthy of special 

 mention, for the dense, farinose, pure white powder covers their upper surface 

 as well, and on that account the plant is all the more likely to sufler if its 

 foliage gets wetted over. It is of excellent habit, and on a specimen in good 

 health the thickness of the white powder on the upper surface is such that 

 nearly all traces of green have disappeared and the fronds have become of 

 a bluish-white. — Lowe, Ferns New and Rare, p. 13, t. 6. 



G. C. p. Mayii— May'-i-i (May's), May. 



In habit as well as in general aspect tliis is very similar to the variety 

 argyrophylla, but the farinose powder with which its fronds are covered on 

 both surfaces, instead of being a pure white, is of a light sulphur-yellow, and 

 is also noticeable, though in less cjuantity, on the entire surface of the stalks, 



G. (Eugymnogramme) caracasaiia — Eu-gym-nog-ram'-me ; car-ac'- 



as-a'-na (from Caracas), Klotzsch. 

 A stove species, native of the Andes of Venezuela and New Granada. It 

 has oblong-spear-shaped fronds 4in. to 6in. long and three times divided half- 

 way to the midrib. The closely- set leaflets are straight and short- stalked, and 

 their pinnules (leafits), of similar nature, are again divided into obhquely 



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