266 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



leafits. The sori (spore masses) consist of only a few capsules, scattered 

 irregularly on the veins underneath. — Hooker^ Species Filicum, v., p. 128. 



G. (Selliguea) palmata— Sel-li^-gue-a ; pal-ma'-ta (palmate), Baker. 



A stove species, as curious as it is distinct, native of San Cristobal and 

 the Solomon Islands. Its singular fronds, borne on naked, ebeneous 

 (blackish), poHshed stalks 6in. to 9in. long, are from Gin. to 9in. each way, 

 and cut down nearly to the base into five divisions, the central one being 

 4in. to Gin. long, lin. to IJin. broad, oblong-spear-shaped, and shghtly 

 undulated ; the other di^dsions, although of similar shape, are shorter and 

 often unequal- sided. The texture is thin and papery, and both the surfaces 

 are nearly naked. The fine, irregular sori (spore masses) are abundantly 

 disposed on the cross-veinlets, which unite the main veins on the under- 

 surface. — Hooker, Syno'psis Filicum, p. 389. 



Fi^. 68. Pinna of Gymnogramme Pearcei 



(iiat. size). 



G. Parsonsii — Par-son'-si-i (Parsons's). A form of G. calomelanos 

 chrysophylla. 



G. (Eugymnogramme) Pearcei — Eu-gym-nog-ram'-me ; Pear'-ce-i 

 (Pearce's), Moore. 



This is an exceedingly elegant, stove species, native of Peru, whence it 

 was introduced in 18G4 ; but, unfortunately, it has become very scarce in 



