G YMNO GRA MME. 



247 



G. (Eugymnogrammej decomposita — Eu-gym-iiog-ram'-me ; de-com- 

 pos'-it-a (decompound, much divided), Baker. 

 This finely-divided, strong-growing, stove species, native of South America, 

 suggests, by its habit, as well as by the nature of its fronds, which are fully 

 l^ft. long and 1ft. broad, a natural hybrid between the lovely G. Pearcei 

 and the golden G. calomelanos chrysopliylla. Indeed, it has been reported and 



described as having thus originated 

 in the late Mr. Gair's collection in 

 Scotland. Baker, however, gives it 

 as a species "probably Andine," and 

 Nicholson as a " native of South 

 America, introduced in 1873." Be 

 that as it may, species or variety, 

 G. decomposita is a remarkably 

 handsome and totally distinct Fern 

 with somewhat the habit of G. pul- 

 cheUa, but when in a young state 

 much more finely divided and 

 scantily furnished with powder : this 

 powder is white, or nearly so, but 

 as the plant gets older it becomes 

 of a bright yellow and covers the 

 stalks, but seldom extends to the 

 leafy portion of the fronds, in this 

 respect resembling the finely-cut 

 G. Pearcei. Like those of that 

 species, its fronds are quadripinnatifid (four times divided nearly to the 

 midrib), and their closely-set and triangular leaflets are longest at the base of 

 the frond ; these leaflets have a peculiarly elegant aspect (Fig. 59 and Plate), 

 being divided into small pinnules that are again split into several minute, 

 finger-like divisions or lobes, giving the whole plant a finely-dissected 

 appearance. The slender and conspicuous sori (spore masses) are confluent 

 where the lobes join, running up mto them. The plant reproduces itself 

 freely from spores. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 517. Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, ii., p. 104. 



Fi^, 59, Gymnogramme decomposita 

 (much reduced). 



